MAZEPPA.
21
“’Twas near his castle, far away
“From city or from succour near,
“And almost on the break of day;
“I did not think to see another,
“My moments seem’d reduced to few;
“And with one prayer to Mary Mother,
“And, it may be, a saint or two,
“As I resign’d me to my fate,
“They led me to the castle gate:
“Theresa’s doom I never knew,340
“Our lot was henceforth separate.—
“An angry man, ye may opine,
“Was he, the proud Count Palatine;
“And he had reason good to be,
“But he was most enraged lest such
“An accident should chance to touch
“Upon his future pedigree;
“Nor less amazed, that such a blot
“His noble ’scutcheon should have got,
“While he was highest of his line;350
“Because unto himself he seem’d
“The first of men, nor less he deem’d