130
POEMS.
xxxi.
"No marvel, sovran lady! in fair field,
Myself for such a face had boldly died,"
I answered free, and turning I appealed
To one that stood beside.
"No marvel, sovran lady! in fair field,
Myself for such a face had boldly died,"
I answered free, and turning I appealed
To one that stood beside.
xxxii.
But she, with sick and scornful looks averse,
To her full height her stately stature draws;
"My youth," she said, "was blasted with a curse:
This woman was the cause.
But she, with sick and scornful looks averse,
To her full height her stately stature draws;
"My youth," she said, "was blasted with a curse:
This woman was the cause.
xxxiii.
"I was cut off from hope in that sad place,
Which yet to name my spirit loathes and fears:
My father held his hand upon his face;
I, blinded with my tears,
"I was cut off from hope in that sad place,
Which yet to name my spirit loathes and fears:
My father held his hand upon his face;
I, blinded with my tears,
xxxiv.
"Still strove to speak—my voice was thick with sighs
As in a dream. Dimly I could descry
The stern blackbearded kings with wolfish eyes,
Waiting to see me die.
"Still strove to speak—my voice was thick with sighs
As in a dream. Dimly I could descry
The stern blackbearded kings with wolfish eyes,
Waiting to see me die.
