I trow they did not part in scorn: "He does not love me for my birth, In there came old Alice the nurse, Said, "Who was this that went from thee?" "It was my cousin," said Lady Clare, "To-morrow he weds with me." "O God be thank'd!" said Alice the nurse, "That all comes round so just and fair : Lord Ronald is heir of all your lands, And you are not the Lady Clare." "Are ye out of your mind, my nurse, my nurse?" "The old Earl's daughter died at my breast; 'Falsely, falsely have ye done, O mother," she said, "if this be true, 'Nay now, my child," said Alice the nurse, "If I'm a beggar born," she said, 'I will speak out, for I dare not lie. Pull off, pull off, the brooch of gold, And fling the diamond necklace by." Nay now, my child," said Alice the nurse, She said, "Not so: but I will know 66 Nay now, what faith?" said Alice the nurse, "The man will cleave unto his right." "And he shall have it," the lady replied, Tho' I should die to-night." "Yet give one kiss to your mother dear! Alas, my child, I sinn'd for thee." 66 O mother, mother, mother," she said, 66 "Yet here's a kiss for my mother dear, She clad herself in a russet gown, The lily-white doe Lord Ronald had brought Down stept Lord Ronald from his tower: If I come drest like a village maid, I am a beggar born," she said, 'Play me no tricks," said Lord Ronald, "For I am yours in word and in deed. Play me no tricks," said Lord Ronald, Your riddle is hard to read." 66 O and proudly stood she up! Her heart within her did not fail : She look'd into Lord Ronald's eyes, And told him all her nurse's tale. He laugh'd a laugh of merry scorn: He turn'd, and kiss'd her where she stood "If you are not the heiress born, 66 And I," said he, the next in blood "If you are not the heiress born, LXXXVII THE CAPTAIN A LEGEND OF THE NAVY He that only rules by terror Deep as Hell I count his error. Brave the Captain was: the seamen So they past by capes and islands, Sailing under palmy highlands On a day when they were going In the north, her canvas flowing, Joyful came his speech: But a cloudy gladness lighten'd In the eyes of each. Chase," he said: the ship flew forward, Stately, lightly, went she Norward, Till she near'd the foe. Then they look'd at him they hated, Mute with folded arms they waited— But they heard the foeman's thunder All the air was torn in sunder, Spars were splinter'd, decks were shatter'd, Over mast and deck were scatter'd Spars were splinter'd; decks were broken : Down they dropt-no word was spoken- On the decks as they were lying, In their blood, as they lay dying, Those, in whom he had reliance With one smile of still defiance Shame and wrath his heart confounded, Till himself was deadly wounded Dismal error! fearful slaughter! Years have wander'd by, There the sunlit ocean tosses And the lonely seabird crosses LXXXVIII THE LORD OF BURLEIGH IN her ear he whispers gaily, "If my heart by signs can tell, Maiden, I have watch'd thee daily, And I think thou lov'st me well." She replies, in accents fainter, He to lips, that fondly falter, Presses his without reproof: Love will make our cottage pleasant, Hears him lovingly converse, Where they twain will spend their days. O but she will love him truly! He shall have a cheerful home; She will order all things duly, When beneath his roof they come. Bows before him at the door. |