Page:Poems Shore.djvu/188

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Pedro the Cruel
To serve the banner of my brother Pedro,
And Saint Iago.
And Saint Iago.Enri. Let me see your face!
No! the lamp tells me that you are not jesting.
You really then are wearing next your heart
Don Pedro's royal pardon? Really have
Forsworn rebellion 'gainst the Lord's anointed?
And—oh the virtue of a lawful title!—
Are now your youngest brother's well-paid lackey:
How little did I know you!
How little did I know you!Fad. True—most true.
Enri. You'll scarce have credit for such honesty
On our side of the frontier. Aragon.
Army and Court, count on you.
Army and Court, count on you.Fad. I am sorry
Your friends count on your brother for a villain.
Enri. I'll not believe it yet. You are not mad—
You that refuse to plot against your tyrant,
Think you your tyrant does not plot 'gainst you?
Or that the tiger that has tasted blood—
Nay, I might rather say has lapped it up
By bucketsful at Toro and Toledo—
Will never thirst again? An ugly sight
For us who stand without the bars of his gate,
When crash! the fool's head of his keeper jumps
Into the very jaws he courted. Come!
I tell you, you are doomed.

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