To lash offence, and with long arms and hands Reach'd out, and pick'd offenders from the mass 30 For judgment. Now it chanced that I had been, At eight years old; and still from time to time 40 And one dark tress; and all around them both Sweet thoughts would swarm as bees about their queen. But when the days drew nigh that I should wed, And jewels, gifts, to fetch her: these brought back And therewithal an answer vague as wind: 45 Besides, they saw the king; he took the gifts; 50 That morning in the presence room I stood With Cyril and with Florian, my two friends: The first, a gentleman of broken means (His father's fault), but given to starts and bursts Of revel; and the last, my other heart, 55 And almost my half-self, for still we moved Together, twinn'd as horse's ear and eye. Now, while they spake, I saw my father's face Grow long and troubled like a rising moon, Inflamed with wrath: he started on his feet, 60 Tore the king's letter, snow'd it down, and rent The wonder of the loom thro' warp and woof From skirt to skirt; and at the last he sware That he would send a hundred thousand men, And bring her in a whirlwind: then he chew'd 65 The thrice-turn'd cud of wrath, and cook'd his spleen, Communing with his captains of the war. At last I spoke. "My father, let me go. 75 Who moves about the Princess; she, you know, He, dying lately, left her, as I hear, The lady of three castles in that land: Thro' her this matter might be sifted clean." 85 I grate on rusty hinges here: " but, "No!" But when the council broke, I rose and past 90 Thro' the wild woods that hung about the town; Found a still place, and pluck'd her likeness out; Laid it on flowers, and watch'd it lying bathed In the green gleam of dewy-tassel'd trees: What were those fancies? wherefore break her troth? 95 Proud look'd the lips: but, while I meditated, 100 A wind arose and rush'd upon the South, And shook the songs, the whispers, and the shrieks Of the wild woods together; and a Voice Went with it, "Follow, follow, thou shalt win." Then, ere the silver sickle of that month 105 With "Ho!" from some bay-window shake the night; His name was Gama; crack'd and small his voice, But bland the smile that like a wrinkling wind 115 On glassy water drove his cheek in lines; A little dry old man, without a star, 120 Airing a snowy hand and signet gem, "All honour. We remember love ourselves In our sweet youth: there did a compact pass 125 I would you had her, Prince, with all my heart, They harp'd on this; with this our banquets rang; To hear them: knowledge, so my daughter held, I sought but peace; Hard by your father's frontier: I said no, 150 For maidens, on the spur she fled; and more We know not, only this: they see no men, Not ev'n her brother Arac, nor the twins Her brethren, tho' they love her, look upon her 155 (Pardon me saying it) were much loth to breed 160 Almost at naked nothing." Thus the king: We rode Many a long league back to the North. At last, There, enter'd an old hostel, call'd mine host He with a long low sibilation, stared "Had given us letters, was he bound to speak? 180 The king would bear him out;" and at the last The summer of the vine in all his veins "No doubt that we might make it worth his while. She once had past that way; he heard her speak; She scared him; life! he never saw the like; 185 She look'd as grand as doomsday and as grave: And he, he reverenced his liege lady there; He always made a point to post with mares; His daughter and his housemaid were the boys: The land, he understood, for miles about 190 Was till'd by women; all the swine were sows, And all the dogs But while he jested thus, |