Page:Poems Dorr.djvu/227

But with slow footsteps down the turret-stairs,
 With trembling lips that hardly breathed his name,
 And sad, averted eyes, his fair wife came—
The lady Judith—wan with tears and prayers.

Then swift he cried out, less in wrath than fear,
 "Now, by my beard! is this the way ye keep
 My welcome home? Go! wake my sons from sleep,
And let their glad tongues break the silence here!"

"Not so, my dear lord! Let them rest," she said.
 "Young eyes need slumber. But come thou with me.
 I have a trouble to make known to thee
Ere I before thee can lift up my head."

Into an inner chamber led she him,
 And with her own hands brought him meat and wine,
 A purple robe, and linen pure and fine.
He half forgot that her sweet eyes were dim!

"Now for thy trouble!" cried he, laughing loud.
 "Hast torn thy kirtle? Are thy pearls astray?
 What! Tears? My camels o'er yon desert way
Bring treasures that had made Queen Esther proud!"

Slowly she spake, nor in his face looked she.
 "My lord, long years ago a friend of mine
 Left with me jewels, costly, rare, and fine,
Bidding me guard them carefully till he

"Again should call for them. The other day
 He sent his messenger. But I have learned
 To prize them as my own! Have I not earned
A right to keep them? Speak, my lord, I pray!"

"Strange sense of honor hath a woman's heart!"
 The rabbi answered hotly. "Now, good lack!