Page:The Poems of William Blake (Shepherd, 1887).djvu/33

 
The wretch approaches, crying, "The deed is done;
"Take this and send it by whom thou wilt send;
"It is my life—send it to Eleanor:—
"He's dead, and howling after me for blood!
 
"Take this," he cried; and thrust into her arms
A wet napkin, wrapt about; then rush'd
Past, howling: she received into her arms
Pale death, and follow'd on the wings of fear.
 
They pass'd swift thro' the outer gate; the wretch
Howling, leap'd o'er the wall into the moat,
Stifling in mud. Fair Ellen pass'd the bridge,
And heard a gloomy voice cry, "Is it done?"

As the deer wounded Ellen flew over
The pathless plain; as the arrows that fly
By night; destruction flies, and strikes in darkness.
She fled from fear, till at her house arrived.
 
Her maids await her; on her bed she falls,
That bed of joy where erst her lord hath press'd:
"Ah, woman's fear!" she cried, "Ah, cursed duke!
"Ah, my dear lord! ah, wretched Eleanor!
 
"My lord was like a flower upon the brows
"Of lusty May! Ah, life as frail as flower!
"O ghastly death! withdraw thy cruel hand,
"Seek'st thou that flower to deck thy horrid temples?