Page:The Poems of William Blake (Shepherd, 1887).djvu/34

 
"My lord was like a star in highest heaven
"Drawn down to earth by spells and wickedness;
"My lord was like the opening eyes of day,
"When western winds creep softly o'er the flowers.

"But he is darken'd; like the summer's noon
"Clouded; fall'n like the stately tree, cut down;
"The breath of heaven dwelt among his leaves.
"O Eleanor, weak woman, fill'd with woe!"

Thus having spoke, she raised up her head,
And saw the bloody napkin by her side,
Which in her arms she brought; and now, tenfold
More terrified, saw it unfold itself.
 
Her eyes were fix'd; the bloody cloth unfolds,
Disclosing to her sight the murder'd head
Of her dear lord, all ghastly pale, clotted
With gory blood; it groan'd, and thus it spake:

"O Eleanor, behold thy husband's head
"Who, sleeping on the stones of yonder tower,
"Was reft of life by the accursed duke!
"A hired villain turn'd my sleep to death!

"O Eleanor, beware the cursed duke,
"O give not him thy hand, now I am dead;
"He seeks thy love; who, coward, in the night,
"Hired a villain to bereave my life."