MARCH.[156] SLAYER of the winter, art thou here again?
Make April ready for the throstle's song, Thou first redresser of the winter's wrong! Yea, welcome March! and though I die ere June,
That even now I hear thy brown birds raise, Unmindful of the past or coming days; Who sing: 'O joy! a new year is begun: What happiness to look upon the sun!'
But Death himself, who crying solemnly, E’en from the heart of sweet Forgetfulness, Bids us 'Rejoice, lest pleasureless ye die. Within a little time must ye go by.
Take all the gifts that Death and Life may give.' [157] BEHOLD once more within a quiet land
That death they needs must look on face to face. Time passed, and ever fell the days apace From off the new-strung chaplet of their life; Yet though the time with no bright deeds was rife,
They were not quite unhappy, rest they had, And with their hope their fear had passed away; New things and strange they saw from day to day; Honoured they were, and had no lack of things
And, stripped of honour, yet may fail to have. Therefore their latter journey to the grave Was like those days of later autumn-tide, When he who in some town may chance to bide
And seeing the golden hazy sky so fair, And from some city garden hearing still The wheeling rooks the air with music fill, Sweet hopeful music, thinketh, Is this spring,
But then he leaves the clamour of the town, And sees the withered scanty leaves fall down, The half-ploughed field, the flowerless garden-plot, The dark full stream by summer long forgot,
The twining plants their withered berries shed, And feels therewith the treachery of the sun, And knows the pleasant time is well-nigh done. In such St. Luke's short summer lived these men,
[158] The elders of the town their comrades were, And they to them were waxen now as dear As ancient men to ancient men can be; Grave matters of belief and polity
They spoke of oft, but not alone of these; For in their times of idleness and ease They told of poets’ vain imaginings, And memories vague of half-forgotten things, Not true or false, but sweet to think upon.
For nigh the time when first that land they won,
The sky grew dark, and on the window-pane They heard the beating of the sudden rain. Then, all being satisfied with plenteous feast, There spoke an ancient man, the land's chief priest, Who said, "Dear guests, the year begins to-day,
And fain are we, before it pass away, To hear some tales of that now altered world, Wherefrom our fathers in old time were hurled By the hard hands of fate and destiny. Nor would ye hear perchance unwillingly
How we have dealt with stories of the land Wherein the tombs of our forefathers stand: Wherefore henceforth two solemn feasts shall be In every month, at which some history Shall crown our joyance; and this day, indeed,
I have a story ready for our need, If ye will hear it, though perchance it is That many things therein are writ amiss, This part forgotten, that part grown too great, For these things, too, are in the hands of fate."
[159] They cried aloud for joy to hear him speak, And as again the sinking sun did break Through the dark clouds and blazed adown the hall, His clear thin voice upon their ears did fall, Telling a tale of times long passed away,
When men might cross a kingdom in a day, And kings remembered they should one day die, And all folk dwelt in great simplicity.
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ATALANTA'S RACE.ARGUMENT.[163] ATALANTA, daughter of King Schœneus, not willing to lose her virgin's estate, made it a law to all suitors that they should run a race with her in the public place, and if they failed to overcome her should die unrevenged; and thus many brave men perished. At last came Milanion, the son of Amphidamas, who, outrunning her with the help of Venus, gained the virgin and wedded her. THROUGH thick Arcadian woods a hunter went,
Hearkening the echoes of his lone voice cling About the cliffs and through the beech-trees ring. But when they ended, still awhile he stood,
And o’er the dry leaves of the vanished year His hounds' feet pattering as they drew anear, And heavy breathing from their heads low hung, To see the mighty cornel bow unstrung. Then smiling did he turn to leave the place,
But with his first step some new fleeting thought A shadow cast across his sun-burnt face; I think the golden net that April brought From some warm world his wavering soul had caught; For, sunk in vague sweet longing, did he go
Betwixt the trees with doubtful steps and slow. Yet howsoever slow he went, at last
With shaded eyes looked underneath the sun, And o’er green meads and new-turned furrows brown Beheld the gleaming of King Schœneus’ town. So thitherward he turned, and on each side
And man and maid from the brown furrows cried, Or midst the newly-blossomed vines did stand, And as the rustic weapon pressed the hand Thought of the nodding of the well-filled ear, Or how the knife the heavy bunch should shear.
Merry it was: about him sung the birds,
Glad his death-bearing arrows to forget, The broad sun blazed, nor scattered plagues as yet. Through such fair things unto the gates he came,
He entered, and along the streets ’gan fare, Which at the first of folk were well-nigh bare; But pressing on, and going more hastily, Men hurrying too he ’gan at last to see. Following the last of these, he still pressed on,
Until an open space he came unto, Where wreaths of fame had oft been lost and won, For feats of strength folk there were wont to do. And now our hunter looked for something new, Because the whole wide space was bare, and stilled
The high seats were, with eager people filled. There with the others to a seat he gat,
And underneath this well-wrought seat and high, He saw a golden image of the sun, A silver image of the Fleet-foot One. [166] A brazen altar stood beneath their feet
Nigh this a herald clad in raiment meet Made ready even now his horn to wind, By whom a huge man held a sword, entwined With yellow flowers; these stood a little space From off the altar, nigh the starting-place.
And there two runners did the sign abide
A golden circlet of renown he wore, And in his hand an olive garland bore. But on this day with whom shall he contend?
Too fair for one to look on and be glad, Who scarcely yet has thirty summers had, If he must still behold her from afar; Too fair to let the world live free from war. She seemed all earthly matters to forget;
Of all tormenting lines her face was clear, Her wide grey eyes upon the goal were set [167] Calm and unmoved as though no soul were near, But her foe trembled as a man in fear, Nor from her loveliness one moment turned
His anxious face with fierce desire that burned. Now through the hush there broke the trumpet's clang
But silent did the thronging folk abide Until the turning-post was reached at last, And round about it still abreast they passed. But when the people saw how close they ran,
A cry of joy broke forth, whereat the man Headed the white-foot runner, and drew near Unto the very end of all his fear; And scarce his straining feet the ground could feel, And bliss unhoped for o’er his heart ’gan steal.
But midst the loud victorious shouts he heard
Fleet as the wind, but scarcely saw her there Till on the goal she laid her fingers fair. There stood she breathing like a little child
Her cheek its wonted freshness did but keep; No glance lit up her clear grey eyes and deep, [168] Though some divine thought softened all her face As once more rang the trumpet through the place. But her late foe stopped short amidst his course,
One moment gazed upon her piteously, Then with a groan his lingering feet did force To leave the spot whence he her eyes could see; And, changed like one who knows his time must be But short and bitter, without any word
He knelt before the bearer of the sword; Then high rose up the gleaming deadly blade,
And he to hers upturned his sad white face; Nor did his eyes behold another sight Ere on his soul there fell eternal night.
SO was the pageant ended, and all folk
In little groups from that sad concourse broke, For now the shrill bats were upon the wing, And soon dark night would slay the evening, And in dark gardens sang the nightingale Her little-heeded, oft-repeated tale.
[169] And with the last of all the hunter went,
Or rather what much more she seemed to be, No sharer in the world's mortality. "Stranger," said he, "I pray she soon may die
Who when her eyes first looked upon the sun Was fain to end her life but new begun, For he had vowed to leave but men alone Sprung from his loins when he from earth was gone. "Therefore he bade one leave her in the wood,
And let wild things deal with her as they might, But this being done, some cruel god thought good To save her beauty in the world's despite: Folk say that her, so delicate and white As now she is, a rough root-grubbing bear
Amidst her shapeless cubs at first did rear. [170] "In course of time the woodfolk slew her nurse,
But armed and swift, ’mid beasts destruction wrought, Nor spared two shaggy centaur kings to slay To whom her body seemed an easy prey. "So to this city, led by fate, she came
King Schœneus for his child at last did claim, Nor otherwhere since that day doth she dwell Sending too many a noble soul to hell— What! thine eyes glisten! what then, thinkest thou Her shining head unto the yoke to bow?
"Listen, my son, and love some other maid
Yea, rather, if thou lovest him utterly, Thou still may’st woo her ere thou comest to die, "Like him that on this day thou sawest lie dead;
As in the course her swift feet can outrun, But whoso fails herein, his days are done: He came the nighest that was slain to-day, Although with him I deem she did but play. [171] "Behold, such mercy Atalanta gives
To those that long to win her loveliness; Be wise! be sure that many a maid there lives Gentler than she, of beauty little less, Whose swimming eyes thy loving words shall bless, When in some garden, knee set close to knee,
Thou sing’st the song that love may teach to thee." So to the hunter spake that ancient man,
Distraught he passed the long night feverishly, ’Twixt sleep and waking, and at dawn arose To wage hot war against his speechless foes. There to the hart's flank seemed his shaft to grow,
There by his horn the Dryads well might know His thrust against the bear's heart had been true, And there Adonis' bane his javelin slew, But still in vain through rough and smooth he went, For none the more his restlessness was spent.
So wandering, he to Argive cities came,
Unto his heart, where still unsatisfied A ravenous longing warred with fear and pride. Therefore it happed when but a month had gone
The forest-bordered meads did he behold, Where still mid thoughts of August's quivering gold Folk hoed the wheat, and clipped the vine in trust Of faint October's purple-foaming must. And once again he passed the peaceful gate,
While to his beating heart his lips did lie, That owning not victorious love and fate, Said, half aloud, "And here too must I try, To win of alien men the mastery, And gather for my head fresh meed of fame
And cast new glory on my father's name." In spite of that, how beat his heart, when first
Then know indeed that fate is good to thee Because to-morrow a new luckless one Against the whitefoot maid is pledged to run." So on the morrow with no curious eyes
Nor did that wonder in his heart arise As toward the goal the conquering maid ’gan draw, Nor did he gaze upon her eyes with awe, Too full the pain of longing filled his heart For fear or wonder there to have a part.
[173]But O, how long the night was ere it went!
Bade silently the toilers of the earth Get forth to fruitless cares or empty mirth! And long it seemed that in the market-place
Looked down upon the murmur royally, But then came trembling that the time was nigh When he midst pitying looks his love must claim, And jeering voices must salute his name. But as the throng he pierced to gain the throne,
His alien face distraught and anxious told What hopeless errand he was bound upon, And, each to each, folk whispered to behold His godlike limbs; nay, and one woman old As he went by must pluck him by the sleeve
And pray him yet that wretched love to leave. For sidling up she said, "Canst thou live twice,
Thy mother bore her longing and her pain, And one more maiden on the earth must dwell Hopeless of joy, nor fearing death and hell. "O, fool, thou knowest not the compact then
[174] To keep her from the loving lips of men, And in no saffron gown to be arrayed, And therewithal with glory to be paid, And love of her the moonlit river sees White ’gainst the shadow of the formless trees.
"Come back, and I myself will pray for thee
The flame that doth thy youthful heart consume: Come back, nor give thy beauty to the tomb." How should he listen to her earnest speech?
The firm abode of that sad hardihead— He turned about, and through the marketstead Swiftly he passed, until before the throne In the cleared space he stood at last alone. Then said the King, "Stranger, what dost thou here?
Have any of my folk done ill to thee? Or art thou of the forest men in fear? Or art thou of the sad fraternity Who still will strive my daughter's mates to be, Staking their lives to win to earthly bliss
The lonely maid, the friend of Artemis?" [175]"O King," he said, "thou sayest the word indeed;
Of King Amphidamas the well-loved son So fear not that to thy old name, O King, Much loss or shame my victory will bring." "Nay, Prince," said Schœneus, "welcome to this land
Thy strength ’gainst some one mighty of his hand; Nor would we grudge thee well-won mastery. But now, why wilt thou come to me to die, And at my door lay down thy luckless head, Swelling the band of the unhappy dead,
"Whose curses even now my heart doth fear?
At least as now, yet is the world full wide, And bliss in seeming hopeless hearts may hide: "But if thou losest life, then all is lost."
But say, on what day wilt thou that I gain Fulfilled delight, or death to end my pain? Right glad were I if it could be to-day, And all my doubts at rest for ever lay." "Nay," said King Schœneus, "thus it shall not be,
But rather shalt thou let a month go by, And weary with thy prayers for victory What god thou know’st the kindest and most nigh. [176] So doing, still perchance thou shalt not die: And with my goodwill wouldst thou have the maid,
For of the equal gods I grow afraid. "And until then, O Prince, be thou my guest,
Then had I ’scaped the meshes of the net, Nor shouldst thou hear from me another word; But now, make sharp thy fearful heading sword. "Yet will I do what son of man may do,
That to myself I may at least be true; And on that day my heart and limbs so tire, With utmost strain and measureless desire, That, at the worst, I may but fall asleep When in the sunlight round that sword shall sweep."
He went with that, nor anywhere would bide,
And took his way unto the restless sea, For there he deemed his rest and help might be.
[177] UPON the shore of Argolis there stands
Fenced from the east, of cold winds hath no thought, Though to no homestead there the sheaves are brought, No groaning press torments the close-clipped murk, Lonely the fane stands, far from all men's work. Pass through a close, set thick with myrtle-trees,
Through the brass doors that guard the holy place, And entering, hear the washing of the seas That twice a-day rise high above the base, And with the south-west urging them, embrace The marble feet of her that standeth there
That shrink not, naked though they be and fair. Small is the fane through which the seawind sings
Have hung them there within the goddess’ sight, And in return have taken at her hands The living treasures of the Grecian lands. And thither now has come Milanion,
Gifts fairer than all those that there have shone, Silk cloths, inwrought with Indian fantasies, [178] And bowls inscribed with sayings of the wise Above the deeds of foolish living things, And mirrors fit to be the gifts of kings.
And now before the Sea-born One he stands,
Hast holpen man and maid in their distress, Despise me not for this my wretchedness! "O goddess, among us who dwell below,
Nor hate the hearts that love them without guile; Wilt thou be worse than these, and is thy smile A vain device of him who set thee here, An empty dream of some artificer? "O, great one, some men love, and are ashamed;
Some men are weary of the bonds of love; Yea, and by some men lightly art thou blamed, That from thy toils their lives they cannot move, And ’mid the ranks of men their manhood prove. Alas! O goddess, if thou slayest me
What new immortal can I serve but thee? "Think then, will it bring honour to thy head
Since all unholpen he is gone and past: Ah, the gods love not man, for certainly, He to his helper did not cease to cry.' [179] "Nay, but thou wilt help; they who died before
Therefore unthanked they laid their gifts before Thy stainless feet, still shivering with their fear, Lest in their eyes their true thought might appear, Who sought to be the lords of that fair town, Dreaded of men and winners of renown.
"O Queen, thou knowest I pray not for this:
Where not a foot our vanished steps can track— The golden age, the golden age come back! "O fairest, hear me now who do thy will,
Ah, give her joy and take away my pain, And thus two long enduring servants gain. An easy thing this is to do for me, What need of my vain words to weary thee! "But none the less, this place will I not leave
Until I needs must go my death to meet, Or at thy hands some happy sign receive That in great joy we twain may one day greet Thy presence here and kiss thy silver feet, Such as we deem thee, fair beyond all words,
Victorious o’er our servants and our lords." Then from the altar back a space he drew,
Was turned to ruddy gold and changing grey, And clear, but low, the nigh-ebbed windless sea In the still evening murmured ceaselessly. And there he stood when all the sun was down,
Like the far lustre of a godlike town, Had left the world to seeming hopeless night, Nor would he move the more when wan moonlight Streamed through the pillars for a little while, And lighted up the white Queen's changeless smile.
Nought noted he the shallow flowing sea
And nought the doubled stillness of the fane When they were gone and all was hushed again. But when the waves had touched the marble base,
Upon the floor; and sleeping there he lay, Not heeding aught the little jets of spray The roughened sea brought nigh, across him cast, For as one dead all thought from him had passed. Yet long before the sun had showed his head,
Long ere the varied hangings on the wall Had gained once more their blue and green and red, He rose as one some well-known sign doth call When war upon the city's gates doth fall, And scarce like one fresh risen out of sleep,
He ’gan again his broken watch to kee [181] Then he turned round; not for the sea-gull's cry
But some strange hope ’twixt fear and great delight Drew round his face, now flushed, now pale and wan, And still constrained his eyes the sea to scan. Now a faint light lit up the southern sky,
But this a bright cloud seemed, that drew anigh, Lighting the dull waves that beneath it lay As toward the temple still it took its way, And still grew greater, till Milanion Saw nought for dazzling light that round him shone.
But as he staggered with his arms outspread,
To give him reason for that happiness, Or make him ask more knowledge of his bliss. At last his eyes were cleared, and he could see
Whose well-wrought smile and dainty changeless grace Until that morn so gladdened all the place; Then he, unwitting cried aloud her name And covered up his eyes for fear and shame. But through the stillness he her voice could hear
Piercing his heart with joy scarce bearable, That said, "Milanion, wherefore dost thou fear, I am not hard to those who love me well; [182] List to what I a second time will tell, And thou mayest hear perchance, and live to save
The cruel maiden from a loveless grave. "See, by my feet three golden apples lie—
Ancient Damascus, where the lover calls Above my unseen head, and faint and light The rose-leaves flutter round me in the night. "And note, that these are not alone most fair
Unto the hearts of men, who will not care Beholding these, for any once-loved thing Till round the shining sides their fingers cling. And thou shalt see thy well-girt swiftfoot maid By sight of these amid her glory stayed.
"For bearing these within a scrip with thee,
Spare not the other two to cast aside If she not long enough behind will bide. "Farewell, and when has come the happy time
And thou with eager arms about her twined [183] Beholdest first her grey eyes growing kind, Surely, O trembler, thou shalt scarcely then Forget the Helper of unhappy men." Milanion raised his head at this last word,
For now so soft and kind she seemed to be No longer of her Godhead was he feared; Too late he looked, for nothing could he see But the white image glimmering doubtfully In the departing twilight cold and grey,
And those three apples on the steps that lay. These then he caught up quivering with delight,
He could not sleep; but yet the first sun-beam That smote the fane across the heaving deep Shone on him laid in calm untroubled slee But little ere the noontide did he rise,
Until the gleaming apples met his eyes. Then leaving the fair place where this befell Oft he looked back as one who loved it well, Then homeward to the haunts of men ’gan wend To bring all things unto a happy end.
NOW has the lingering month at last gone by,
For now, beheld of all, Milanion Stands on the spot he twice has looked upon. [184] But yet—what change is this that holds the maid?
Some happy hope of help and victory? The others seemed to say, "We come to die, Look down upon us for a little while, That dead, we may bethink us of thy smile." But he—what look of mastery was this
He cast on her? why were his lips so red? Why was his face so flushed with happiness? So looks not one who deems himself but dead, E’en if to death he bows a willing head; So rather looks a god well pleased to find
Some earthly damsel fashioned to his mind. Why must she drop her lids before his gaze,
Why must the memory to her heart arise Of things unnoticed when they first were heard, Some lover's song, some answering maiden's word? What makes these longings, vague, without a name,
This sudden languor, this contempt of fame, This tender sorrow for the time past o’er, These doubts that grow each minute more and more? Why does she tremble as the time grows near, And weak defeat and woeful victory fear?
But while she seemed to hear her beating heart,
But then she cried aloud and faster fled Than e’er before, and all men deemed him dead. But with no sound he raised aloft his hand,
Then trembling she her feet together drew And in her heart a strong desire there grew To have the toy; some god she thought had given That gift to her, to make of earth a heaven. Then from the course with eager steps she ran,
And in her odorous bosom laid the gold. But when she turned again, the great-limbed man, Now well ahead she failed not to behold, And mindful of her glory waxing cold, Sprang up and followed him in hot pursuit,
Though with one hand she touched the golden fruit. Note too, the bow that she was wont to bear
Unnoticed, as amidst the people's cries She sprang to head the strong Milanion, Who now the turning-post had well nigh won. But as he set his mighty hand on it
And white limbs from his dazzled eyes did flit, [186] Then he the second fruit cast by the maid, But she ran on awhile, then as afraid Wavered and stopped, and turned and made no stay, Until the globe with its bright fellow lay.
Then, as a troubled glance she cast around
To win the day, though now but scanty space Was left betwixt him and the winning place. Short was the way unto such winged feet,
And from his hand the third fair apple cast. She wavered not, but turned and ran so fast After the prize that should her bliss fulfil, That in her hand it lay ere it was still. Nor did she rest, but turned about to win
Once more, an unblest woeful victory— And yet—and yet—why does her breath begin To fail her, and her feet drag heavily? Why fails she now to see if far or nigh The goal is? why do her grey eyes grow dim?
Why do these tremors run through every limb? She spreads her arms abroad some stay to find
So wrapped she is in new unbroken bliss: Made happy that the foe the prize hath won. [187] She weeps glad tears for all her glory done.
SHATTER the trumpet, hew adown the posts!
And scatter incense to appease the ghosts Of those who died here by their own award. Bring forth the image of the mighty Lord, And her who unseen o’er the runners hung, And did a deed for ever to be sung.
Here are the gathered folk, make no delay,
The saffron gown the old Phœnician brought, Within the temple of the Goddess wrought. O ye, O damsels, who shall never see
In some cool bower do all that now is due! Since she in token of her service new Shall give to Venus offerings rich enow, Her maiden zone, her arrows, and her bow.
[188] SO when his last word's echo died away,
The tale drew round—the end of life so nigh, The aim so little, and the joy so vain— For as a child's unmeasured joy brings pain Unto a grown man holding grief at bay, So the old fervent story of that day
Brought pain half-sweet, to these: till now the fire Upon the hearth sent up a flickering spire Of ruddy flame, as fell the burned-through logs, And, waked by sudden silence, grey old dogs, The friends of this or that man, rose and fawned
On hands they knew; withal once more there dawned The light of common day on those old hearts, And all were ready now to play their parts, And take what feeble joy might yet remain In place of all they once had hoped to gain.
[189] NOW on the second day that these did meet
Softened by spring were gathered at the feast, And as the time drew on, throughout the hall A horn was sounded, giving note to all That they at last the looked-for tale should hear. Then spake a Wanderer, "O kind hosts and dear,
Hearken a little unto such a tale As folk with us will tell in every vale About the yule-tide fire, when the snow Deep in the passes, letteth men to go From place to place: now there few great folk be,
Although we upland men have memory Of ills kings did us; yet as now indeed Few have much wealth, few are in utter need. Like the wise ants a kingless, happy folk We long have been, not galled by any yoke,
But the white leaguer of the winter tide Whereby all men at home are bound to bide. —Alas, my folly! how I talk of it, As though from this place where to-day we sit The way thereto was short—Ah, would to God
Upon the snow-freed herbage now I trod! But pardon, sirs; the time goes swiftly by, Hearken a tale of conquering destiny. |
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THE MAN BORN TO BE KING.ARGUMENT.[194] IT was foretold to a great king, that he who should reign after him should be low-born and poor; which thing came to pass in the end, for all that the king could do? A KING there was in days of old
While others wrapt in war and fear Fell ever unto worse and worse. Therefore his city was the nurse Of all that men then had of lore, And none were driven from his door
That seemed well-skilled in anything; So of the sages was he king; And from this learned man and that, Little by little, lore he gat, And many a lordless, troubled land
Fell scarce loth to his dreaded hand. Midst this it chanced that, on a day, Clad in his glittering gold array, He held a royal festival; And nigh him in his glorious hall
Beheld his sages most and least, Sitting much honoured at the feast. But mid the faces so well-known, Of men he well might call his own, [195] He saw a little wizened man
With face grown rather grey than wan From lapse of years, beardless was he, And bald as is the winter tree; But his two deep-set, glittering eyes Gleamed at the sight of mysteries
None knew but he; few words he said, And unto those small heed was paid; But the king, young, yet old in guile, Failed not to note a flickering smile Upon his face, as now and then
He turned him from the learned men Toward the king's seat, so thought to know What new thing he might have to show; And presently, the meat being done, He bade them bring him to his throne,
And when before him he was come, He said, "Be welcome to my home; What is thine art, canst thou in rhyme Tell stories of the ancient time? Or dost thou chronicle old wars?
Or know’st thou of the change of stars? Or seek’st thou the transmuting stone? Or canst thou make the shattered bone Grow whole, and dying men live on Till years like thine at last are won?
Or what thing bring’st thou to me here, Where nought but men of lore are dear To me and mine?" "O King," said he, "But few things know I certainly, Though I have toiled for many a day
Along the hard and doubtful way That bringeth wise men to the grave: And now for all the years I gave, [196] To know all things that man can learn, A few months learned life I earn,
Nor feel much liker to a god Than when beside my sheep I trod Upon the thymy, wind-swept down. Yet am I come unto thy town To tell thee somewhat that I learned
As on the stars I gazed, and yearned To cast this weary body off, With all its chains of mock and scoff And creeping death—for as I read The sure decrees with joy and dread,
Somewhat I saw writ down of thee, And who shall have the sovereignty When thou art gone." "Nay," said the King, "Speak quick and tell me of the thing." "Sire," said the sage, "thine ancient line
Thou holdest as a thing divine, So long and undisturbed it is, But now shall there be end to this, For surely in my glittering text I read that he who shall sit next,
On this thine ancient throne and high, Shall he no better born than I Whose grandsire none remembereth, Nor where my father first drew breath." "Yea," said the King, "and this may be;
Yet, O Sage, ere I credit thee, Some token certes must thou show, Or tell me what I think to know, Alone, among all folk alive; [197] Then surely great gifts will I give
To thee, and make thee head of all Who watch the planets rise and fall." "Bid these stand backward from thy throne," The sage said, "then to thee alone Long hidden matters will I tell;
And then, if thou believest, well— And if thou dost not—well also; No gift I ask, but leave to go, For strange to me is this thy state, And for thyself, thou well may’st hate
My crabbed age and misery." "Well," said the King, "let this thing be; And ye, my masters, stand aback! For of the fresh air have I lack, And in my pleasance would I walk
To hearken this grave elder's talk And gain new lore." Therewith he rose And led the way unto a close, Shaded with grey-leaved olive-trees; And when they were amidst of these
He turned about and said, "Speak, friend, And of thy folly make an end, And take this golden chain therefore." "Rightly thou namest my weak lore," The sage said, "therefore to the end
Be wise, and what the fates may send Take thou, nor struggle in the net Wherein thine helpless feet are set! —Hearken! a year is well-nigh done Since, at the hottest of the sun,
Stood Antony beneath this tree, And took a jewelled cup of thee, And drank swift death in guise of wine; [198] Since he, most trusted of all thine, At last too full of knowledge grew,
And chiefly, he of all men knew How the Earl Marshal Hugh had died, Since he had drawn him on to ride Into a bushment of his foes, To meet death from unnumbered blows."
"Thou knowest that by me he died," The King said, "How if now I cried Help! the magician slayeth me?" Swiftly should twenty sword-blades be Clashing within thy ribs, and thou
Nearer to death than even now." "Not thus, O King, I fear to die," The Sage said; "Death shall pass me by Many a year yet, because perchance, I fear not aught his clattering dance,
And have enough of weary days. —But thou—farewell, and win the praise Of sages, by thy hearkening With heed to this most certain thing. Fear not because this thing I know,
For to my grey tower back I go High raised above the heathy hills Where the great erne the swift hare kills, Or stoops upon the new-yeaned lamb; There almost as a god I am
Unto few folk, who hear thy name Indeed, but know nought of thy fame, [199] Nay, scarce if thou be man or beast." So saying, back unto the feast He turned, and went adown the hall,
Not heeding any gibe or call; And left the palace and the town With face turned toward his windy down. Back to the hall, too, the King went, With eyes upon the pavement bent
In pensive thought, delighting not In riches and his kingly lot; But thinking how his days began, And of the lonely souls of man. But time past, and midst this and that,
The wise man's message he forgat; And as a king he lived his life, And took to him a noble wife Of the kings' daughters, rich and fair. And they being wed for nigh a year,
And she now growing great with child, It happed unto the forest wild This king with many folk must ride At ending of the summer-tide; There boar and hart they brought to bay,
And had right noble prize that day; But when the noon was now long past, And the thick woods grew overcast, They roused the mightiest hart of all. Then loudly ’gan the king to call
Unto his huntsmen, not to leave That mighty beast for dusk nor eve Till they had won him; with which word His horn he blew, and forth he spurred, Taking no thought of most or least,
But only of that royal beast. And over rough and smooth he rode, [200] Nor yet for anything abode, Till dark night swallowing up the day With blindness his swift course must stay.
Nor was there with him any one, So far his fair steed had outrun The best of all his hunting-folk. So, glancing at the stars that broke ’Twixt the thick branches here and there,
Backward he turned, and peered with care Into the darkness, but saw nought, Nor heard his folk, and therewith thought His bed must be the brake leaves brown. Then in a while he lighted down,
And felt about a little space, If he might find a softer place; But as he groped from tree to tree Some glimmering light he seemed to see ’Twixt the dark stems, and thither turned,
If yet perchance some wood-fire burned Within a peasant's hut, where he Might find, amidst their misery, Rough food, or shelter at the least. So, leading on his wearied beast,
Blindly he crept from tree to tree, Till slowly grew that light to be The thing he looked for, and he found A hut on a cleared space of ground, From whose half-opened door there streamed
The light that erst far off had gleamed. Then of that shelter was he fain, But just as he made shift to gain The open space in front of it, A shadow o’er the grass did flit,
And on the wretched threshold stood A big man, with a bar of wood [201] In his right hand, who seemed as though He got him ready for a blow; But ere he spoke the King cried, "Friend,
May God good hap upon thee send, If thou wilt give me rest this night, And food according to thy might." "Nay," said the carle, "my wife lieth In labour, and is nigh her death:
Nor canst thou enter here at all; But nearby is my asses’ stall, Who on this night bide in the town; There, if thou wilt, mayst thou lie down, And sleep until the dawn of day,
And I will bring thee what I may Of food and drink." Then said the King, "Thanked be thou; neither for nothing Shalt thou this good deed do to me." "Nay," said the carle, "let these things be,
Surely I think before the morn, To be too weary and forlorn For gold much heart in me to put." With that he turned, and from the hut Brought out a lantern, and rye-bread,
And wine, and showed the king a shed, Strewed with a litter of dry brake: Withal he muttered, for his sake, Unto Our Lady some rude prayer, And turned about and left him there.
So when the rye-bread, nowise fine, The king had munched, and with green wine Had quenched his thirst, his horse he tied Unto a post, and there beside He fell asleep upon the brake.
But in an hour did he awake,
No image was there left to him. Then, trembling sore in every limb, Did he arise, and drew his sword, And passed forth on the forest sward, And cautiously about he crept;
But he heard nought at all, except Some groaning of the woodman's wife, And forest sounds well known, but rife With terror to the lonely soul. Then he lay down again, to roll
His limbs within his huntsman's cloak; And slept again, and once more woke To tremble with that unknown fear, And other echoing words to hear— "Give up! give up!" nor anything
Showed more why these strange words should ring About him. Then he sat upright, Bewildered, gazing through the night, Until his weary eyes, grown dim, Showed not the starlit tree-trunks slim
Against the black wood, grey and plain; And into sleep he sank again, And woke not soon: but sleeping dreamed That he awoke, nor other seemed The place he woke in but that shed,
And there beside his bracken bed He seemed to see the ancient sage Shrivelled yet more with untold age, Who bending down his head to him [203] Said, with a mocking smile and grim:
"Take, or give up; what matters it? This child new-born shall surely sit Upon thy seat when thou art gone, And dwelling ’twixt straight walls of stone." Again the King woke at that word
And sat up, panting and afeard, And staring out into the night, Where yet the woods thought not of light; And fain he was to cast off sleep, Such visions from his eyes to keep.
Heavy his head grew none the less, ’Twixt ’wildering thoughts and weariness, And soon he fell asleep once more, Nor dreamed, nor woke again, before The sun shone through the forest trees;
And, shivering in the morning breeze, He blinked with just-awakened eyes, And pondering on those mysteries, Unto the woodman's hut he went. Him he found kneeling down, and bent
In moody grief above a bed, Whereon his wife lay, stark and dead, Whose soul near morn had passed away; And ’twixt the dead and living lay A new-born man-child, fair and great.
So in the door the King did wait To watch the man, who had no heed Of this or that, so sore did bleed The new-made wound within his heart. But as the King gazed, for his part
He did but see his threatened foe, And ever hard his heart did grow With deadly hate and wilfulness: And sight of that poor man's distress [204] Made it the harder, as of nought
But that unbroken line he thought Of which he was the last: withal His scornful troubled eyes did fall Upon that nest of poverty, Where nought of joy he seemed to see.
On straw the poor dead woman lay; The door alone let in the day, Showing the trodden earthen floor, A board on trestles weak and poor, Three stumps of tree for stool or chair,
A half-glazed pipkin, nothing fair, A bowl of porridge by the wife Untouched by lips that lacked for life, A platter and a bowl of wood; And in the further corner stood
A bow cut from the wych-elm tree, A holly club, and arrows three Ill pointed, heavy, spliced with thread. Ah! soothly, well remembered
Those four bare walls, in days to come; And often in the coming years He called to mind the pattering tears That, on the rent old sackcloth cast About the body, fell full fast,
’Twixt half-meant prayers and curses wild, And that weak wailing of the child, His threatened dreaded enemy, The mighty king that was to be. But as he gazed unsoftened there,
With hate begot of scorn and care, Loudly he heard a great horn blow, And his own hunting call did know, [205] And soon began the shouts to hear Of his own people drawing near.
Then lifting up his horn, he blew A long shrill point, but as he threw His head aback, beheld his folk, Who from the close-set thicket broke And o’er the cleared space swiftly passed,
With shouts that he was found at last. Then turned the carle his doleful face, And slowly rising in his place, Drew thwart his eyes his fingers strong, And on that gay-dressed glittering throng
Gazed stupidly, as still he heard The name of King; but said no word. But his guest spoke, "Sirs, well be ye! This luckless woodman, whom ye see, Gave me good harbour through the night
And such poor victual as he might; Therefore shall he have more than gold For his reward; since dead and cold His helpmate lies who last night died. See now the youngling by her side;
Him will I take and rear him so That he shall no more lie alow In straw, or from the beech-tree dine. But rather use white linen fine And silver plate; and with the sword
Shall learn to serve some King or Lord. How say’st thou, good man?" "Sire," he said, Weeping, but shamefaced,—"Since here dead She lies, that erst kept house for me, E’en as thou willest let it be;
Though I had hoped to have a son [206] To help me get the day's work done. And now, indeed, forth must he go If unto manhood he should grow, And lonely I must wander forth,
To whom east, west, and south, and north Are all alike: forgive it me If little thanks I give to thee Who scarce can thank great God in heaven For what is left of what was given."
Small heed unto him the King gave, But trembling in his haste to have The body of his enemy, Said to an old squire, "Bring to me The babe, and give the good man this
Wherewith to gain a little bliss, In place of all his troubles gone, Nor need he now be long alone." The carle's rough face, at clink of gold, Lit up, though still did he behold
The wasted body lying there; But stooping, a rough box, foursquare, Made of old wood and lined with hay, Wherein the helpless infant lay, He raised, and gave it to the squire,
Who on the floor cast down his hire, Nor sooth dared murmur aught the while, But turning smiled a grim hard smile To see the carle his pieces count Still weeping: so did all men mount,
And turning round into the wood Forgat him and his drearihood, And soon were far off from the hut. Then coming out, the door he shut
Towards a rude hermitage he made To fetch the priest unto his need, [207] To bury her and say her bede— So when all things that he might do Were done aright, heavy with woe,
He left the woodland hut behind To take such chance as he might find In other lands, forgetting all That in that forest did befall. But through the wild wood rode the King,
Moody and thinking on the thing, Nor free from that unreasoning fear; Till now, when they had drawn anear The open country, and could see The road run on from close to lea,
And lastly by a wooden bridge A long way from that heathy ridge Cross over a deep lowland stream— Then in his eyes there came a gleam, And his hand fell upon his sword,
And turning round to squire and lord He said, "Ride sirs, the way is clear, Nor of my people have I fear, Nor do my foes range over wide; And for myself fain would I ride
Right slowly homewards through the fields Noting what this and that one yields; While by my squire who bears the child Lightly my way shall be beguiled. For some nurse now he needs must have
This tender life of his to save; And doubtless by the stream there is Some house where he may dwell in bliss, Till he grow old enough to learn How gold and glory he may earn;
And grow, perchance, to be a lord." With downcast eyes he spoke that word; [208] But forth they galloped speedily, And he drew rein and stood to see Their green coats lessening as they went.
This man unto the other bent, Until mid dust and haze at last Into a wavering mass they passed; Then ’twixt the hedgerows vanished quite Just told of by the dust-cloud white
Rolled upwards ’twixt the elm-trunks slim. Then turned the king about to him,
A lion painted hastily In red upon a ground of white, As though of old it had been dight For some lord's rough-wrought palisade; But naked ’mid the hay was laid
The child, and had no mark or sign. Then said the king, "My ancient line Thou and thy sires through good and ill Have served, and unto thee my will Is law enough from day to day;
Ride nigh me hearkening what I say." He shook his rein and side by side Down through the meadows did they ride, And opening all his heart, the king Told to the old man everything,
Both of the sage, and of his dream; Withal drawn nigh unto the stream, He said, "Yet this shall never be, [209] For surely as thou lovest me, Adown this water shall he float
With this rough box for ark and boat, Then if mine old line he must spill There let God save him if he will, While I in no case shed his blood." "Yea," said the squire, "thy words are good,
For the whole sin shall lie on me, Who greater things would do for thee If need there were; yet note, I pray, It may be he will ’scape this day And live; and what wouldst thou do then
If thou shouldst meet him among men? I counsel thee to let him go Since sure to nought thy will shall grow." "Yea, yea," the king said, "let all be That may be, if I once but see
This ark whirl in the eddies swift Or tangled in the autumn drift And wrong side up:" but with that word Their horse-hoofs on the plank he heard, And swift across the bridge he rode,
And nigh the end of it abode, Then turned to watch the old squire stop, And leaning o’er the bridge-rail drop The luckless child; he heard withal A muttered word and splashing fall
And from the wakened child a cry, And saw the cradle hurrying by, Whirled round and sinking, but as yet Holding the child, nor overset. Now somewhat, soothly at the sight
Did the king doubt if he outright [210] Had rid him of his feeble foe, But frowning did he turn to go Unto his home, nor knew indeed How better he might help his need;
And as unto his house he rode Full little care for all he showed, Still bidding Samuel the squire Unto his bridle-hand ride nigher, To whom he talked of careless things,
As unto such will talk great kings. But when unto his palace gate He came at last, thereby did wait The chamberlain with eager eyes Above his lips grown grave with lies,
In haste to tell him that the queen, While in the wild-wood he had been, Had borne a daughter unto him Strong, fair of face, and straight of limb. So well at ease and glad thereat
His troubled dream he nigh forgat, His troubled waking, and the ride Unto the fateful river-side; Or thought of all as little things Unmeet to trouble souls of kings.
So passed the days, so passed the years
Since on the huddled brake he lay And dreamed that dream, remembered now Once and again, when slow and slow The minutes of some sleepless night Crawl toward the dawning of the light.
[211] Remembered not on this sweet morn
So long he rode he drew anigh A mill upon the river's brim, That seemed a goodly place to him, For o’er the oily smooth millhead There hung the apples growing red,
And many an ancient apple-tree Within the orchard could he see, While the smooth millwalls white and black Shook to the great wheel's measured clack, And grumble of the gear within;
While o’er the roof that dulled that din The doves sat crooning half the day, And round the half-cut stack of hay The sparrows fluttered twittering. There smiling stayed the joyous king,
And since the autumn noon was hot Thought good anigh that pleasant spot To dine that day, and therewith sent To tell the miller his intent: Who held the stirrup of the king,
Bareheaded, joyful at the thing, While from his horse he lit adown, Then lead him o’er an elm-beam brown, New cut in February tide That crossed the stream from side to side.
So underneath the apple trees The king sat careless, well at ease And ate and drank right merrily. To whom the miller drew anigh Among the courtiers, bringing there
Such as he could of country fare, Green yellowing plums from off his wall, [212] Wasp-bitten pears, the first to fall From off the wavering spire-like tree, Junkets, and cream and fresh honey.
Smiling the king regarded him, For he was round-paunched, short of limb, Red-faced, with long, lank flaxen hair; But with him was a boy, right fair, Grey-eyed, and yellow-haired, most like
Unto some Michael who doth strike The dragon on a minster wall, So sweet-eyed was he, and withal So fearless of all things he seemed. But when he saw him the king deemed
He scarce could be the miller's kin, And laughing said, "Hast thou within Thy dusty mill the dame who bore This stripling in the days of yore, For fain were I to see her now,
If she be liker him than thou?" "Sire," said the miller, "that may be And thou my dame shall surely see; But for the stripling, neither I Begat him, nor my wife did lie
In labour when the lad was born, But as an outcast and forlorn We found him fourteen years to-day, So quick the time has passed away." [213] Then the king, hearkening what he said,
A vanished day remembered, And troubled grew his face thereat; But while he thought of this and that The man turned from him and was gone And by him stood the lad alone;
At whom he gazed, and as their eyes Met, a great horror ’gan arise Within his heart, and back he shrank And shuddering a deep draught he drank, Scarce knowing if his royal wine
He touched, or juice of some hedge-vine. But as his eyes he lifted up From off his jewelled golden cup, Once more the miller drew anigh, By whom his wife went timidly,
Bearing some burden in her hand; So when before him she did stand And he beheld her worn and old, And black-haired, then that hair of gold, Grey eyes, firm lips, and round cleft chin,
Brought stronger memory of his sin. But the carle spake, "Dame, tell the King How this befell, a little thing The thoughts of such great folk to hold, Speak out, and fear not to be bold."
"My tale," she said, "is short enow, For this day fourteen years ago Along this river-side I rode From market to our poor abode, Where we dwelt far from other men,
Since thinner was the country then Than now it is; so as I went And wearied o’er my panniers bent, [214] From out the stream a feeble cry I heard, and therewith presently,
From off my mule's back could I see This boy who standeth here by thee, A naked, new-born infant, laid In a rough ark that had been stayed By a thick tangled bed of weed;
So pitying the youngling's need, Dismounting, did I wade for him Waist deep, whose ark now scarce did swim; And he, with cold, and misery, And hunger, was at point to die.
"Withal, I bare him to the mill And cherished him, and had good will To bring the babe up as mine own; Since childless were we and alone, And no one came to father it.
So oft have I rejoiced to sit Beside the fire and watch him play. And now, behold him!—but some day I look to lose him, for, indeed, I deem he comes of royal seed,
Unmeet for us: and now, my lord, Have you heard every foolish word About my son—this boy—whose name Is Michael soothly, since he came To us this day nigh Michaelmas.
—See, sire, the ark wherein he was! Which I have kept." Therewith she drew A cloth away; but the King knew, Long ere she moved, what he should see, Nor looked, but seeming carelessly
Leaned on the board and hid his eyes. But at the last did he arise [215] And saw the painted lion red, Not faded, well remembered; Withal he thought, "And who of these
Were with me then amongst the trees To see this box;" but presently He thought again that none but he And the grey squire, old Samuel, That painting could have noted well;
Since Samuel his cloak had cast About it, and therewith had past Throughout the forest on that day, And not till all were well away Had drawn it off before the King.
But changed and downcast at the thing He left the lovely autumn place, Still haunted by the new-found face Of his old foe, and back he rode Unto his ancient rich abode,
Forcing but dismal merriment As midst his smiling lords he went; Who yet failed not to note his mood, So changed: and some men of the wood Remembered them, but said not aught,
Yea, trembled lest their hidden thought Some bird should learn, and carry it. The morrow come, the King did sit
He from the presence in a while Came forth, and with his ugly smile He muttered, "Well betide me, then, St. Peter! they are lucky men Who serve no kings, since they indeed
May damn themselves each for his need. [216] And will not he outlive this day Whom the deep water could not slay, Ere yet his lips had tasted food? —With that a horse, both strong and good,
He gat of the king's equerry, And toward the mill rode speedily. There Michael by the mill-tail lay,
But thinking of the thin, dark face, That yesterday all men he saw Gaze at with seeming love and awe; Nor had he, wondering at the lords, Lost one word of the housewife's words;
And still he noted that the King Beheld him as a wondrous thing, Strange to find there: so in his heart He thought to play some royal part In this wild play of life, and made
Stories, wherein great words he said, And did great deeds in desperate fight. But midst these thoughts there came in sight He who had carried him of yore, From out the woodman's broken door,
Dressed like a king's man, with fine gold Touching his hard brown hands and old, So was his sleeve embroidered; A plumed hat had he on his head, And by his side a cutting sword
Fit for the girdle of a lord; And round his neck a knife he bore, Whose hilt was well enamelled o’er, With green leaves on a golden ground, Whose stem a silver scroll enwound;
[217] Charged with those letters, writ in black, Strike! for no dead man cometh back! The boy gazed at him earnestly, With beating heart, as he drew nigh. And when at last he drew his rein
Beside him, thought that not in vain His dream might be. But Samuel Below his breath said; "Surely well Shalt thou fulfil thy destiny; And, spite of all, thou wilt not die
Till thou hast won the arched crown? But with that word he lighted down, And said aloud, "Lad, tell to me Where the good miller I may see, For from the King I come to-day,
And have a word to him to say; I think, indeed, concerning thee; For surely thou his lad must be." Then Michael leapt up, nor took heed Of how the nibbling dace might feed
Upon the loose ends of his bait; "Fair sir," he said, "my sire doth wait Until men bring his mare from grass, For to the good town will he pass, Since he has need of household gear;
Follow, my lord, the place is here." Withal, the good steed being made fast, Unto the other side they passed, And by the door the miller found, Who bowed before him to the ground,
And asked what he would have him do Then from his bosom Samuel drew A scroll, and said, "Good friend, read here, And do my bidding without fear Of doing ill." "Sir," said the man,
"But little lettered skill I can; [218] Let my dame come, for she can read Well written letters at good need." "Nay, friend," he said, "suffice it thee This seal at the scroll's end to see,
My Lord the King's; and hear my word, That I come hither from my lord Thy foundling lad to have away To serve the King from this same day." Downcast the miller looked thereat,
And twisting round his dusty hat, Said, "Well, my lord, so must it be, Nor is he aught akin to me, Nor seems so: none the less would I Have left him, when I came to die,
All things I have, with this my mill, Wherein he hath no ’prentice skill, Young as he is: and surely here Might he have lived, with little fear, A life of plenty and of bliss.
Near by, too, a fair maid there is, I looked should be good wife to him." Meanwhile young Michael's head ’gan swim
Wherein the happy dreams he dreamed That now so near fulfilment seemed; And, looking through the open mill, Stared at the grey and windy hill And saw it not, but some fair place
Made strange with many a changing face. And all his life that was to be. But Samuel, laughing scornfully, Said, "O good soul, thou thinkest then This is a life for well-born men,
[219] As our lord deems this youngling is— Tell me good lad, where lies thy bliss? But Michael turned shamefaced and red, Waked from his dream, and stammering said, "Fair sir, my life is sweet and good,
And John, the ranger of the wood, Saith that I draw so good a bow, That I shall have full skill enow Ere many months have passed me by To join the muster, and to try
To win the bag of florins white, That folk, on Barnaby the bright, Shoot for within the market town. Sir, please you to look up and down The weedy reaches of our stream,
And note the bubbles of the bream, And see the great chub take the fly, And watch the long pike basking lie Outside the shadow of the weed. Withal there come unto our need
Woodcock and snipe when swallows go; And now the water-hen flies low With feet that well nigh touch the reeds, And plovers cry about the meads, And the stares chatter; certes, sir,
It is a fair place all the year." Eyeing him grimly, Samuel said, [220] "Thou show’st churl's breeding, by my head, In foul despite of thy fair face! Take heart, for to a better place
Thou goest now.—Miller, farewell, Nor need’st thou to the neighbours tell The noble fortunes of the lad; For, certes, he shall not be glad To know them in a year or twain.
Yet shall thy finding not be vain, And thou mayst bless it; for behold This bag wherein is store of gold; Take it and let thy hinds go play, And grind no corn for many a day,
For it would buy thy mill and thee." He turned to go, but pensively Stood Michael, for his broken dream Doubtful and far away did seem Amid the squire's rough mockeries;
And tears were gathering in his eyes. But the kind miller's rough farewell Rang in his ears; and Samuel Stamped with his foot and plucked his sleeve; So therewithal he turned to leave
His old abode, the quiet place, Trembling, with wet and tearful face. But even as he turned there came From out the house the simple dame And cast rough arms about the lad,
Saying, "For that I have been glad By means of thee this many a day, My mourning heart this hour doth pay. But fair son, may’st thou live in bliss, And die in peace; remembering this,
When thou art come to high estate, That in our house, early and late, [221] The happy house that shall be sad, Thou hadst the best of all we had And love unfeigned from us twain,
Whose hearts thou madest young again, Hearts that the quicker old shall grow Now thou art gone." "Good dame, enow," Quoth Samuel, "the day grows late, And sure the king for meat shall wait
Until he see this new-found lord." He strode away upon that word; And half ashamed, and half afeard, Yet eager as his dream he neared, Shyly the lad went after him.
They crossed the stream and by its brim Both mounted the great warhorse grey, And without word they rode away. But as along the river's edge
Twittered their sweet and formless tune In the fair autumn afternoon, And reach by reach the well-known stream They passed, again the hopeful dream Of one too young to think death near,
Who scarce had learned the name of fear Remorseful memories put to flight; Lovely the whole world showed and bright. Nor did the harsh voice rouse again The thought of mockery or of pain,
For other thoughts held Samuel. So, riding silently and well, They reached at last the dusty road That led unto the King's abode. But Samuel turned away his face
Therefrom, and at a steady pace The great horse thundered o’er the bridge, And made on toward the heathy ridge, [222] Wherefrom they rode that other day. But Michael, noting well the way,
Why thus they went, fell wondering, And said aloud, "Dwells then the King, Fair sir, as now within the wood?" "Young fool, where that it seems him good He dwelleth," quoth old Samuel,
"And now it pleaseth him to dwell With the black monks across the wood." Withal he muttered in his hood, "Curst be the King, and thee also, Who thrust me out such deeds to do;
When I should bide at home to pray, Who draw so nigh my ending day." So saying forth his horse he spurred And to himself said yet this word, "Yea, yea, and of all days forlorn
God curse the day when I was born." Therewith he groaned; yet saying thus His case seemed hard and piteous, When he remembered how of old Another tale he might have told.
So as each thought his own thoughts still, The horse began to breast the hill, And still they went on higher ground, Until as Michael turned him round He saw the sunny country-side
Spread out before him far and wide, Golden amidst its waning green, Joyous with varied life unseen. Meanwhile from side to side of them The trees began their way to hem,
As still he gazed from tree to tree, [223] And when he turned back presently He saw before him like a wall Uncounted tree trunks dim and tall. Then with their melancholy sound
The odorous spruce woods met around Those wayfarers, and when he turned Once more, far off the sunlight burned In star-like spots, while from o’erhead, Dim twilight through the boughs was shed.
Not there as yet had Michael been, Nor had he left the meadows green Dotted about with spreading trees, And fresh with sun and rain and breeze, For those mirk woods, and still his eyes
Gazed round about for mysteries. Since many an old wife's tale he knew; Huge woodcutters in raiment blue, The remnant of a mighty race, The ancient masters of the place,
And hammering trolls he looked to see, And dancers of the faërie, Who, as the ancient stories told, In front were lovely to behold, But empty shells seen from behind.
So on they rode until the wind
Nor noted how the time went past [224] Until they nigh had reached at last The borders of the spruce-tree wood; And with a tingling of the blood Samuel bethought him of the day
When turned about the other way He carried him he rode with now. For the firs ended on the brow Of a rough gravelly hill, and there Lay a small valley nowise fair
Beneath them, clear at first of all But brake, till amid rushes tall Down in the bottom alders grew Crabbed and rough; and winding through The clayey mounds a brook there was
Oozy and foul, half choked with grass. There now the Squire awhile drew rein, And noted how the ground again Rose up upon the other side, And saw a green glade opening wide
’Twixt oaks and hollies, and he knew Full well what place it led unto; Withal he heard the bittern's boom, And though without the fir-wood's gloom They now were come, yet red and low
The sun above the trees did show, And in despite of hardihead, The old squire had a mortal dread Of lying in the wood alone When that was done that should be done.
Now Michael, wakened by the wind, Clutched tighter at the belt behind, And with wide eyes was staring round, When Samuel said, "Get to the ground, My horse shall e’en sink deep enow,
[225] Without thy body, in this slough; And haste thee, or we both shall lie Beneath the trees, and be as dry As autumn dew can make us. Haste! The time is short for thee to waste."
Then from the horse the boy did glide, And slowly down the valley side They went, and Michael, wakened now, Sang such rude songs as he might know, Grown fresh and joyous of his life;
While Samuel, clutching at the knife About his neck that hung, again Down in the bottom tightened rein, And turning, in a hoarse voice said, "My girths are loosening, by my head!
Come nigh and draw them tighter, lad." Then Michael stayed his carol glad, And noting little in his mirth The other's voice, unto the girth Without a word straight set his hand:
But as with bent head he did stand, Straining to tighten what was tight, In Samuel's hand the steel flashed bright, And fell, deep smitten in his side, Then, leaping back, the poor lad cried,
As if for help, and staggering fell, With wide eyes fixed on Samuel; Who none the less grown deadly pale, Lit down, lest that should not avail To slay him, and beside him knelt,
And since his eyes were closed now, felt His heart that beat yet: therewithal His hand upon the knife did fall. But, ere his fingers clutched it well, [226] Far off he seemed to hear a bell,
And trembling knelt upright again, And listening, listened not in vain, For clear he heard a tinkling sound. Then to his horse from off the ground He leapt, nor reasoned with his dread,
But thought the angel of the dead Was drawing nigh the slayer to slay, Ere scarce the soul had passed away. One dreadful moment yet he heard That bell, then like a madman spurred
His noble horse; that maddened too, The close-set fir-wood galloped through, Not stayed by any stock or stone, Until the furious race being done, Anigh the bridge he fell down dead;
And Samuel, mazed with guilt and dread, Wandered afoot throughout the night, But came, at dawning of the light, Half-dead unto the palace gate. There till the opening did he wait:
Then, by the King's own signet-ring, He gained the chamber of the king, And painfully what he had done He told, and how the thing had gone. And said withal: "Yet is he dead,
And surely that which made my dread Shall give thee joy: for doubt not aught That bell the angels to him brought, That he in Abraham's breast might lie— So ends, O King, the prophecy."
Nathless the King scowled, ill content, And said, "I deemed that I had sent A man of war to do my will, [227] Who lacked for neither force nor skill, And thou com’st with a woman's face,
Bewildered with thy desperate race, And made an idiot with thy fear, Nor bring’st me any token here!" Therewith he rose and gat away, But brooding on it through that day,
Thought that all things went not so ill As first he deemed, and that he still Might leave his old line flourishing. Therewith both gold and many a thing Unto old Samuel he gave,
But thereby failed his life to save; Who, not so old in years as sin, Died ere the winter, and within The minster choir was laid asleep, With carven saints his head to keep.
And so the days and years went by,
Nor had he daughter, save that one Born on the night when Michael first, Forlorn, alone, and doubly cursed, Felt on him this world's bitter air. This daughter, midst fair maids most fair,
Was not yet wed, though at this time, Being come unto her maiden's prime, She looked upon her eighteenth May. Midst this her mother passed away, Not much lamented of the King,
[228] Who had the thought of marrying Some dame more fertile, and who sent A wily man with this intent To spy the countries out and find Some great king's daughter, wise and kind,
And fresh, and fair, in face and limb, In all things a fit mate for him. So in short time it came to pass Again the King well wedded was, And hoped once more to have a son.
And when this fair dame he had won, A year in peace he dwelt with her, Until the time was drawing near When first his eyes beheld that foe He deemed was dead these years ago.
Now at that time, as custom was, His daughter was about to pass Unto a distant house of his, Some king had built for worldly bliss In ancient days: there, far removed
From courts or towns, the dame he loved The dead king had been wont to see Play mid the summer greenery, Or like Erigone of old Stand in the vineyards girt with gold,
To queen it o’er the vintagers, Half worshipping that face of hers. Long years agone these folk were passed, Their crimes forgotten, or else cast Into the glowing crucible
Of time, that tempers all things well, That maketh pleasure out of pain, [229] And out of ruin golden gain; Nathless, unshaken still, there stood The towers and ramparts red as blood
Wherein their lives had passed away; And still the lovely gardens lay About them, changed, but smiling still, As in past time, on good or ill. Thither the Princess Cecily
Must go awhile in peace to be; For now, midst care, and doubt, and toil, Proud words drawn back, and half-healed broil, The King had found one meet to wed His daughter, of great godlihead,
Wealth, and unbroken royalty. And now he said to her, when she Was setting out for that fair place, "O daughter, thou shalt see my face Before a month is fully gone,
Nor wilt thou see me then alone; For that man shall be with me then, Whom I have chosen from all men To give my dearest treasure to. Most fain he is to look on you,
Nor needst thou fear him for thy part, Who holdeth many a woman's heart As the net holds the silvery fish. Farewell—and all things thou mayst wish I pray God grant thee." Therewithal
He kissed her, and from out the hall She passed, not shamefaced, or afraid Of what might happen; though, indeed, Her heart of no man's heart had need To make her happy as she thought.
[230] Ever the new sun daily brought
Wherewith love slayeth fear and shame; Her grey eyes conscious of no blame, Beheld unmoved the eyes of men; Her hearing grew no dimmer when Some unused footstep she might hear;
And unto no man was she dear, But as some goddess might have been When Greek men worshipped many a queen. Now with her armed folk forth she rode
And while the lark sung o’er the corn, Love gilded not the waning morn; And when the sun rose high above, High thoughts she thought, but not of love; And when that sun the world did leave,
He left no love to light the eve. The moon no melancholy brought, The dawn no vain, remorseful thought. But all untroubled her sweet face Passed ’neath the gate of that old place,
And there her bridegroom she abode. But scarce was she upon the road
From the wild place that was his home Across the forest; so the King Bade him to enter, well willing To hear what he might have to say; Who, entering the hall straightway,
Had with him an old, reverend man, [231] The Sub-prior, father Adrian, And five monks more, and therewithal Ten of his folk, stout men and tall, Who bore armed staves and coats of fence.
So, when he came to audience, He prayed the King of this or that, Whereof my tale-teller forgat, And graciously the King heard all, And said at last, "Well, what may fall,
Thou go’st not hence, fair lord, to-day; Unless in vain a king must pray, Thou and thy monks shall eat with me; While feast thine axe-men merrily." Withal, he eyed the abbot's folk
In careless mood, then once more spoke, "Tall men thou feedest, by the rood! Lord Abbot, come they from the wood? Dwell many more such thereabout? Fain were I such should swell the shout
When I am armed, and rank meets rank." But as he spoke his loud voice sank Wavering, nor heard he aught at all Of the faint noises of the hall, Or what the monk in answer said;
For, looking from a steel-clad head, Those eyes again did he behold, That erst from ’neath the locks of gold Kindly and bold, but soft with awe, Beneath the apple-boughs he saw.
But when for sure this thing he knew Pale to the very lips he grew. Till gathering heart within a while With the faint semblance of a smile, He seemed to note the Abbot's words
[232] That he heard not; then from the lords He turned, and facing Michael said, "Raise up the steel cap from thine head, That I may see if thou look’st bold; Methinks, I know thy face of old,
Whence com’st thou? Michael lifted straight From off his brow the steel cap's weight, And showed the bright locks curling round His fresh and ruddy face, sun-browned, And in a voice clear as a bell,
Told all his story, till he fell Sore wounded in that dismal vale; And said withal, "My lord, the tale Of what came after, none knoweth Better than he, who, from ill death
Saved me that tide, and made me man, My lord, the sub-prior Adrian." "Speak on then, father," quoth the King, Making as he was still hearkening. "My lord," said Adrian, "I, who then
Was but a server of poor men, Outside our Abbey walls, one day Was called by one in poor array, A charcoal-burner's lad, who said. That soon his father would be dead,
And that of all things he would have His rights, that he his soul might save. I made no tarrying at that word, But took between mine hands the Lord, And bade the boy bear forth the bell
For though few folk there were to tell. Who passed that way, nathless, I trow The beasts were glad that news to know. "Well, by the pinewood's skirts we went [233] While through its twilight the bell sent
A heavenly tinkling; but the lad ’Gan telling me of fears he had Of elves who dwell within the wood. I chid him thereat, as was good, Bidding him note Whom in mine hands
I held, The Ransom of all Lands. But as the firwood's dim twilight Waxed into day, and fair and bright The evening sun showed through the trees, Our ears fanned by the evening breeze,
The galloping of horse-hoofs heard, Wherewith my page hung back afeard Of elves and such-like; but I said, 'Wilt thou thy father shouldst be dead Ere we can reach him? Oh my son,
Fear not that aught can stay This One.' "Therewith I smote my mule, and he Ran forward with me hastily As fearing to be left behind. Well, as we went, what should we find
Down by the stream, but this my son, Who seemed as though his days were done; For in his side a knife there stood Wherefrom ran out a stream of blood, Soaking the grass and water-mint;
Then, I dismounting, we by dint Of all our strength, the poor youth laid Upon my mule, and down a glade Of oaks and hollies then we passed, And reached the woodman's home at last;
A poor hut, built of wattled wood, And by its crooked gable stood A ruinous shed, unroofed and old That beasts of burden once did hold. —Thyself; my lord, mayst know it well,
[234] Since thereabout the wild swine dwell; And hart, and hind, and roe are there— So the lad's wounds I staunched with care Forthwith, and then the man I shrived, Who none the less got well and lived
For many a day: then back I went And the next day our leech I sent With drugs to tend upon the lad. Who soon was as he ne’er had had A hurt at all: and he being well
We took him in our house to dwell, And taught him letters, and, indeed, Before long, Latin could he read As well as I; but hath no will To turn unto religion still.
Yet is he good and doth no wrong; And being thereto both hale and strong, My lord, the Abbot, sayeth of him, 'He shall serve God with heart and limb, Not heart and voice.' Therefore, my lord,
Thou seest him armed with spear and sword For their defence who feed him still, Teach him, and guard his soul from ill. Ho, Michael! hast thou there with thee The fair-wrought knife I first did see
Deep in thy side?—there, show it now Unto the King, that he may know Our tale is not a fabled thing." Withal the King, as one listening, With his thin, anxious face and pale,
Sat leaning forward through this tale, Scarce noting here and there a word. But all being told, at last he heard His own voice changed, and harsh, and low, [235] That said, "Fair lord, I fain would know,
Since this your man at arms seems true, What thing will he be worth to you; For better had he wear my rose Than loiter in your Abbey-close, Poring o’er books no man can read."
"O sire!" the monk said, "if your need Be great of such men, let him go; My men-at-arms need make no show Of fairness, nor should ladies miss, E’en as thou say’st, such men as this."
Laughing he spoke; the King the while, His pale face puckering to a smile; Then, as in some confused dream, In Michael's hand he saw the gleam Of that same steel remembered well,
The gift he gave to Samuel; Drawn from his father's ancient chest To do that morn his own behest. And as he now beheld its sheen, The twining stem of gold and green,
The white scroll with the letters black,— Strike! for no dead man cometh back! He hardened yet his heart once more, And grown unhappy as before, When last he had that face in sight,
Brought now the third time to the light, Once more grew treacherous, fierce, and fell. Now was the Abbot feasted well With all his folk, then went away, But Michael clad in rich array
Became the king's man, and was thought. By all most happy to be brought Unto such hopeful fair estate. [236] For ten days yet the King did wait,
And he being come, said to him, "Friend, Take now this letter from my hand And go unto our southern land; My captain Hugh shall go with thee For one day's journey, then shall he
Tell thee which way thou hast to ride; The third day thence about noontide If thou dost well, thou shouldst be close Unto my Castle of the Rose Where dwells my daughter; needs it is
That no man living should see this Until that thou within my wall Hast given it to the seneschal; Be wise and wary then, that thou Mayst think of this that happeneth now
As birthday to thine high estate." So said he, knowing not that fate Was dealing otherwise than he. But Michael going, presently Met Hugh, a big man rough and black,
And who of nought but words had lack, With him he mounted, and set forth And daylong rode on from the north. Now if the King had hope that Hugh Some deed like Samuel's might do,
I know not, certes nought he said To that hard heart and narrow head, Who knew no wiles but wiles of war, And was as true as such men are; Yet had there been a tale to tell
If Michael had not held him well, And backward still the wrath had turned Wherewith his heart not seldom burned At scornful words his fellow said. At last they reached cross ways that led
[237] One west, one southward still, whereat Hugh, taking off his feathered hat, Bowed low in scorn, and said, "Fair sir, Unto the westward must I spur, While you go southward, soon to get
I doubt not, an earl's coronet; Farewell, my lord, and yet beware Thou dost not at my lady stare Too hard, lest thou shouldst plumb the moat, Or have a halter round thy throat."
But Michael to his scoff said nought, But upon high things set his thought As his departing hooves he heard. And still betwixt the hedgerows spurred, And when, the twilight was o’erpast
At a small inn drew rein at last, And slept that night as such folk can; And while next morn the thrushes ran Their first course through the autumn dew The gossamers did he dash through,
And on his way rode steadily The live-long day, nor yet was he Alone, as well might be that day Since a fair town was in his way, Stout hinds he passed, and yeomen good,
Some friar in his heavy hood, And well-coifed housewives mounted high Above their maunds, while merrily The well-shod damsel trudged along Beside them, sending forth some song
As little taught as is a bird's; And good men, good wives, priests, and herds, And merry maids failed not to send Good wishes for his journey's end [238] Unto him as still on he sped,
Free from all evil thoughts or dread. Withal again the day went by,
And leaving the scarce wakened street The newly risen sun did greet With cheerful heart. His way wound on Still up and up till he had won Up to a great hill's chalky brow,
Whence looking back he saw below The town spread out, church, square, and street, And baily, crawling up the feet Of the long yew-besprinkled hill; And in the fragrant air and still,
Seeming to gain new life from it, The doves from roof to roof did flit: The early fires sent up their smoke That seemed to him to tell of folk New wakened unto great delight:
For he upon that morning bright, So joyous felt, so free from pain, He seemed as he were born again Into some new immortal state That knew no envy, fear, or hate.
Now the road turned to his left hand And led him through a table-land, Windy and barren of all grain; But where a hollow specked the plain The yew-trees hugged the sides of it,
And ’mid them did the woodlark flit Or sang well-sheltered from the wind, And all about the sheep did find [239] Sweet grass, the while the shepherd's song Rang clear as Michael sped along.
Long time he rode, till suddenly, When now the sun was broad and high, From out a hollow where the yew Still guarded patches of the dew, He found at last that he had won
That highland's edge, and gazed upon A valley that beneath the haze Of that most fair of autumn days, Showed glorious; fair with golden sheaves, Rich with the darkened autumn-leaves,
Gay with the water-meadows green, The bright blue streams that lay between, The miles of beauty stretched away From that bleak hill-side bare and grey, Till white cliffs over slopes of vine,
Drew ’gainst the sky a broken line. And twixt the vineyards and the stream Michael saw gilded spirelets gleam; For, hedged with many a flowery close, There lay the Castle of the Rose,
His hurried journey's aim and end. Then downward he began to wend,
But when he reached the stream that broke The golden plain, but leisurely He passed the bridge, for he could see The masters of that ripening realm, Cast down beneath an ancient elm
Upon a little strip of grass, From hand to hand the pitcher pass, While on the turf beside them lay The ashen-handled sickles grey, The matters of their cheer between:
[240] Slices of white cheese, specked with green, And greenstriped onions and ryebread, And summer apples faintly red, Even beneath the crimson skin; And yellow grapes, well ripe and thin,
Plucked from the cottage gable-end. And certes Michael felt their friend
And friendly did this water seem As through its white-flowered weeds it ran Bearing good things to beast and man. Yea, as the parapet he passed, And they a greeting toward him cast,
Once more he felt a boy again; As though beneath the harvest wain He was asleep, by that old stream, And all these things were but a dream— The King, the squire, the hurrying ride
Unto the lonely quagmire side; The sudden pain, the deadly swoon, The feverish life from noon to noon; The tending of the kind old man, The black and white Dominican,
The hour before the abbot's throne, The poring o’er old books alone, In summer morn; the King again, The envious greetings of strange men, This mighty horse and rich array,
This journey on an unknown way. Surely he thought to wake from it, And once more by the waggon sit, Blinking upon the sunny mill. But not for either good or ill
Shall he see one of all those days; On through the quivering noontide haze [241] He rode, and now on either hand Heavy with fruit the trees did stand; Nor had he ridden long, ere he
The red towers of the house could see Grey on the wind-beat southern side: And soon the gates thrown open wide He saw, the long-fixed drawbridge down, The moat, with lilies overgrown,
Midst which the gold-scaled fishes lay: Such peace was there for many a day. And deep within the archway's shade The warder on his cloak was laid, Dozing, one hand upon a harp
And nigh him a great golden carp Lay stiff with all his troubles done, Drawn from the moat ere yet the sun Was high, and nigh him was his bane, An angling rod of Indian cane.
Now hearing Michael's horse-hooves smite The causeway, shading from the light His eyes, as one scarce yet awake, He made a shift his spear to take, And, eyeing Michael's badge the while,
Rose up, and with a lazy smile, Said, "Ho! fair sir, abide, abide, And show why hitherward ye ride Unto my lady's royal home." Said Michael, "From the king I come,
As by my badge ye well may see; And letters have I here with me To give my lord the Seneschal." "Yea," said the man, "But in the hall He feasteth now; what haste is there,
Certes full quickly cometh care; And sure I am he will not read Thy letters, or to aught give heed Till he has played out all the play, [242] And every guest has gone away;
So thou, O damoiseau, must wait; Tie up thine horse anigh the gate, And sit with me, and thou shalt hear The Kaiser lieth on his bier. Thou laughest—hast thou never heard
Of this same valorous Red Beard, And how he died? well, I can sing Of many another dainty thing, Thou wilt not a long while forget, The budget is not empty yet.
—Peter! I think thou mockest me, But thou art young and fair perdie, I wish thee luck—well, thou mayest go And feel the afternoon wind blow Within Dame Bertha's pleasance here;
She who was held so lief and dear, All this was built but for her sake, Who made the hearts of men to ache; And dying full of years and shame Yet left an unforgotten name—
God rest her soul!" Michael the while Hearkened his talking with a smile, Then said, "O friend, I think to hear Both 'The King lieth on his bier' And many another song of thee,
Ere I depart; but now show me The pleasance of the ancient queen, For these red towers above the green [243] Show like the gates of paradise, That surely somewhere through them lies."
Then said the warder, "That may be If thou knows’t what may come to thee— When past the drawbridge thou hast gone, Upon the left three steps of stone Lead to a path beneath the wall
Of the great court, that folk now call The falconer's path, nor canst thou miss Going thereby, to find the bliss Thou look’st for, since the path ends there, And through a wicket gilded fair
The garden lies where thou wouldst be Nor will I fail to come to thee Whene’er my Lord the Seneschal Shall pass well fed from out the hall." Then Michael, thanking him, passed on,
And soon the gilded wicket won, And entered that pleasance sweet, And wandered there with wary feet And open mouth, as though he deemed That in some lovely dream he dreamed,
And feared to wake to common day, So fair was all; and e’en decay Brought there but pensive loveliness, Where autumn those old walls did bless With wealth of fruit, and through the grass
Unscared the spring-born thrush did pass, Who yet knew nought of winter-tide. So wandering, to a fountain's side He came, and o’er the basin hung, Watching the fishes, as he sung
Some song remembered from of old, Ere yet the miller won that gold. But soon made drowsy with his ride, And the warm hazy autumn-tide, [244] And many a musical sweet sound,
He cast him down upon the ground, And watched the glittering water leap, Still singing low, nor thought to sleep. But scarce three minutes had gone by Before, as if in mockery,
The starling chattered o’er his head, And nothing he remembered, Nor dreamed of aught that he had seen. Meanwhile unto that garden green
A maiden that she held right dear, Who knew the inmost of her mind. Now those twain, as the scented wind Played with their raiment or their hair, Had late been running here and there,
Chasing each other merrily, As maids do, thinking no one by; But now, well wearied therewithal, Had let their gathered garments fall About their feet, and slowly went;
And through the leaves a murmur sent, As of two happy doves that sing The soft returning of the spring. Now of these twain the Princess spoke The less, but into laughter broke
Not seldom, and would redden oft, As on her lips her fingers soft She laid, as still the other maid, Half grave, half smiling, follies said. So in their walk they drew anigh
[245] That fountain in the midst, whereby Lay Michael sleeping, dreaming nought Of such fair things so nigh him brought; They, when the fountain shaft was past, Beheld him on the ground down-cast,
And stopped at first, until the maid Stepped lightly forward to the shade, And when she had gazed there awhile Came running back again, a smile Parting her lips, and her bright eyes
Afire with many fantasies; And ere the Lady Cecily Could speak a word, "Hush! hush!" said she; "Did I not say that he would come To woo thee in thy peaceful home
Before thy father brought him here? Come, and behold him, have no fear! The great bell would not wake him now, Right in his ears." "Nay, what dost thou?" The Princess said; "Let us go hence;
Thou know’st I give obedience To what my father bids; but I A maid full fain would live and die, Since I am born to be a queen." "Yea, yea, for such as thou hast seen,
That may be well," the other said. "But come now, come; for by my head This one must be from Paradise; Come swiftly then, if thou art wise Ere aught can snatch him back again."
She caught her hand, and not in vain She prayed; for now some kindly thought To Cecily's brow fair colour brought, And quickly ’gan her heart to beat As love drew near those eyes to greet,
Who knew him not till that sweet hour. [246]So over the fair, pink-edged flower,
Full filled of many fantasies. But when she saw him lying there She smiled to see her mate so fair; And in her heart did Love begin To tell his tale, nor thought she sin
To gaze on him that was her own, Not doubting he was come alone To woo her, whom midst arms and gold She deemed she should at first behold; And with that thought love grew again
Until departing was a pain, Though fear grew with that growing love; And with her lingering footsteps strove As from the place she turned to go, Sighing and murmuring words full low.
But as her raiment's hem she raised, And for her merry fellow gazed Shamefaced and changed, she met her eyes Turned grave and sad with ill surprise; Who while the princess mazed did stand
Had drawn from Michael's loosened band The king's scroll, which she held out now To Cecily, and whispered low, "Read, and do quickly what thou wilt, Sad, sad! such fair life to be spilt:
Come further first." With that they stepped A pace or two from where he slept, And then she read, "Lord Seneschal, On thee and thine may all good fall; Greeting hereby the king sendeth,
And biddeth thee to put to death His enemy who beareth this; And as thou lovest life and bliss, And all thy goods thou holdest dear, Set thou his head upon a spear
[247] A good half furlong from the gate, Our coming hitherward to wait— So perish the King's enemies!" She read, and scarcely had her eyes Seen clear her father's name and seal,
Ere all love's power her heart did feel, That drew her back in spite of shame, To him who was not e’en a name Unto her a short hour agone. Panting she said, "Wait thou alone
Beside him, watch him carefully And let him sleep if none draw nigh: If of himself he waketh, then Hide him until I come again, When thou hast told him of the snare—
If thou betrayest me beware! For death shall be the least of all The ills that on thine head shall fall— What say I, thou art dear to me, And doubly dear now shalt thou be,
Thou shalt have power and majesty, And be more queen in all than I— Few words are best, be wise, be wise!" Withal she turned about her eyes
Betwixt the garden trees she ran, Until, her own bower reached at last, She made good haste, and quickly passed Unto her secret treasury. There, hurrying since the time was nigh
For folk to come from meat, she took From ’twixt the leaves of a great book A royal scroll, signed, sealed, but blank, Then, with a hand that never shrank Or trembled, she the scroll did fill
With these words, writ with clerkly skill,— "Unto the Seneschal, Sir Rafe, [248] Who holdeth our fair castle safe, Greeting and health! O well-beloved, Know that at this time we are moved
To wed our daughter, so we send Him who bears this, our perfect friend, To be her bridegroom; so do thou Ask nought of him, since well we know His race and great nobility,
And how he is most fit to be Our son; therefore snake no delay, But wed the twain upon the day Thou readest this: and see that all Take oath to him, whate’er shall fall
To do his bidding as our heir; So doing still be lief and dear As I have held thee yet to be." She cast the pen down hastily At that last letter, for she heard
How even now the people stirred Within the hall: nor dared she think What bitter potion she must drink If now she failed, so falsely bold That life or death did she enfold
Within its cover, making shift To seal it with her father's gift, A signet of cornelian. Then swiftly down the stairs she ran
Brought shouts and thunder to her ears, That were but lazy words of men Full-fed, far off; nay, even when Her limbs caught up her flying gown The noise seemed loud enough to drown
The twitter of the autumn birds, And her own muttered breathless words That to her heart seemed loud indeed. Yet therewithal she made good speed And reached the fountain seen of none
Where yet abode her friend alone, [249] Watching the sleeper, who just now Turned in his sleep and muttered low. Therewith fair Agnes saying nought From out her hand the letter caught;
And while she leaned against the stone Stole up to Michael's side alone, And with a cool, unshrinking hand Thrust the new scroll deep in his band, And turned about unto her friend;
Who having come unto the end Of all her courage, trembled there With face upturned for fresher air, And parted lips grown grey and pale, And limbs that now began to fail,
And hands wherefrom all strength had gone, Scarce fresher than the blue-veined stone That feeble still she strove to clutch. But when she felt her lady's touch, Feebly she said, "Go! let me die
And end this sudden misery That in such wise has wrapped my life, I am too weak for such a strife, So sick I am with shame and fear; Would thou hadst never brought me here!"
But Agnes took her hand and said, "Nay, queen, and must we three be dead Because thou fearest; all is safe If boldly thou wilt face Sir Rafe." So saying, did she draw her hence,
Past tree and bower, and high pleached fence Unto the garden's further end, And left her there and back did wend, And from the house made haste to get A gilded maund wherein she set
A flask of ancient island wine, Ripe fruits and wheaten manchets fine, [250] And many such a delicate As goddesses in old time ate, Ere Helen was a Trojan queen;
So passing through the garden green She cast her eager eyes again Upon the spot where he had lain, But found it empty, so sped on Till she at last the place had won
Where Cecily lay weak and white Within that fair bower of delight. Her straight she made to eat and drink, And said, "See now thou dost not shrink From this thy deed; let love slay fear
Now, when thy life shall grow so dear, Each minute should seem loss to thee If thou for thy felicity Couldst stay to count them; for I say, This day shall be thy happy day."
Therewith she smiled to see the wine Embraced by her fingers fine; And her sweet face grow bright again With sudden pleasure after pain. Again she spoke, "What is this word
That dreaming, I perchance, have heard, But certainly remember well; That some old soothsayer did tell Strange things unto my lord, the King, That on thy hand the spousal ring
No Kaiser's son, no King should set, But one a peasant did beget— What sayst thou?" But the Queen flushed red; "Such fables I have heard," she said; "And thou—is it such scathe to me,
The bride of such a man to be?" "Nay," said she, "God will have him King; How shall we do a better thing With this or that one than He can; God's friend must be a goodly man."
But with that word she heard the sound [251] Of folk who through the mazes wound Bearing the message; then she said, "Be strong, pluck up thine hardihead, Speak little, so shall all be well,
For now our own tale will they tell." And even as she spoke they came
Rose up to go; and for her part By this had fate so steeled her heart, Scarce otherwise she seemed, than when She passed before the eyes of men At Tourney or high festival.
But when they now had reached the hall, And up its very steps they went, Her head a little down she bent; Nor raised it till the dais was gained For fear that love some monster feigned
To be a god, and she should be Smit by her own bolt wretchedly. But at the rustling, crowded dais She gathered heart her eyes to raise, And there beheld her love, indeed,
Clad in her father's serving weed, But proud, and flushed, and calm withal, Fearless of aught that might befal, Nor too astonied, for he thought,— "From point to point my life is brought
Through wonders till it comes to this; And trouble cometh after bliss, And I will bear all as I may, And ever as day passeth day, My life will hammer from the twain,
Forging a long enduring chain." But midst these thoughts their young eyes met, And every word did he forget [252] Wherewith men name unhappiness, As read again those words did bless
With double blessings his glad ears, And if she trembled with her fears, And if with doubt, and love, and shame, The rosy colour went and came In her sweet cheeks and smooth bright brow,
Little did folk think of it now, But as of maiden modesty, Shamefaced to see the bridegroom nigh. And now when Rafe the Seneschal Had read the message down the Hall,
And turned to her, quite calm again, Her face had grown, and with no pain She raised her serious eyes to his Grown soft and pensive with his bliss, And said, "Prince, thou art welcome here,
Where all my father loves is dear, And full trust do I put in thee, For that so great nobility He knoweth in thee; be as kind As I would be to thee, and find
A happy life from day to day, Till all our days are past away." What more than found the bystanders He found within this speech of hers, I know not; some faint quivering
In the last words; some little thing That checked the cold words’ even flow. But yet they set his heart aglow, And he in turn said eagerly:— "Surely I count it nought to die
For him who brought me unto this; For thee, who givest me this bliss; Yea, even dost me such a grace To look with kind eyes in my face, And send sweet music to my ears."
But at his words she, mazed with tears, Seemed faint, and failing quickly, when [253] Above the low hum of the men Uprose the sweet bells’ sudden clang, As men unto the chapel rang;
While just outside the singing folk Into most heavenly carols broke. And going softly up the hall Boys bore aloft the verges tall Before the bishop's gold-clad head.
Then forth his bride young Michael led, And nought to him seemed good or bad Except the lovely hand he had; But she the while was murmuring low, "If he could know, if he could know,
What love, what love, his love should be!" But while mid mirth and minstrelsy
For in these days the news is come That he who in his line should wed, Lies in his own town stark and dead, Slain in a tumult in the street. Brooding on this he deemed it meet,
Since nigh the day was come, when she Her bridegroom's visage looked to see, To hold the settled day with her. And bid her at the least to wear Dull mourning guise for gold and white.
So on another morning bright, When the whole promised month was past, He drew anigh the place at last Where Michael's dead head, looking down Upon the highway with a frown,
He doubted not at last to see. So ’twixt the fruitful greenery He rode, scarce touched by care the while, [254] Humming a roundel with a smile. Withal, ere yet he drew anigh,
He heard their watch-horn sound from high Nor wondered, for their wont was so, And well his banner they might know Amidst the stubble lands afar: But now a distant point of war
He seemed to hear, and bade draw rein, But listening cried, "Push on again! They do but send forth minstrelsy Because my daughter thinks to see The man who lieth on his bier."
So on they passed, till sharp and clear They heard the pipe and shrill fife sound; And restlessly the King glanced round To see that he had striven for, The crushing of that sage's lore,
The last confusion of that fate. But drawn still nigher to the gate They turned a sharp bend of the road, And saw the pageant that abode The solemn coming of the King.
For first on each side, maids did sing,
Backed by the glittering wood of bills. So now, presaging many ills, The King drew rein, yet none the less He shrank not from his hardiness, But thought, "Well, at the worst I die,
And yet perchance long life may lie Before me—I will hold my peace; The dumb man's borders still increase." [255] But as he strengthened thus his heart He saw the crowd before him part,
And down the long melodious lane, Hand locked in hand there passed the twain, As fair as any earth has found, Clad as king's children are, and crowned. Behind them went the chiefest lords,
And two old knights with sheathed swords The banners of the kingdom bore. But now the King had pondered sore, By when they reached him, though, indeed, The time was short unto his need,
Betwixt his heart's first startled pang And those old banner-bearers’ clang Anigh his saddle-bow: but he Across their heads scowled heavily, Not saying aught awhile: at last,
Ere any glance at them he cast, He said, "Whence come ye? what are ye? What play is this ye play to me?" None answered,—Cecily, faint and white, The rather Michael's hand clutched tight,
And seemed to speak, but not one word The nearest to her could have heard. Then the King spoke again,—"Sir Rafe, Meseems this youngling came here safe A week agone?" "Yea, sir," he said;
"Therefore the twain I straight did wed, E’en as thy letters bound me to." "And thus thou diddest well to do," The King said. "Tell me on what day Her old life she did put away."
"Sire, the eleventh day this is Since that they gained their earthly bliss;" Quoth old Sir Rafe. The King said nought, [256] But with his head bowed down in thought, Stood a long while; but at the last
Upward a smiling face he cast, And cried aloud above the folk, "Shout for the joining of the yoke Betwixt these twain; And thou, fair lord, Who dost so well my every word,
Nor makest doubt of anything, Wear thou the collar of thy King; And a duke's banner, cut foursquare, Henceforth shall men before thee bear In tourney and in stricken field.
"But this mine heir shall bear my shield, Carry my banner, wear my crown, Ride equal with me through my town, Sit on the same step of the throne; In nothing will I reign alone;
Nor be ye with him miscontent, For that with little ornament Of gold and folk to you he came; For he is of an ancient name That needeth not the clink of gold—
The ancientest the world doth hold; For in the fertile Asian land, Where great Damascus now doth stand, Ages agone his line was born, Ere yet men knew the gift of corn;
And there, anigh to Paradise, His ancestors grew stout and wise; And certes he from Asia bore No little of their piercing lore. [257] "Look then to have great happiness,
For every wrong shall he redress." Then did the people's shouting drown
Betwixt them on the flower-strewn way, And to himself meanwhile ’gan say,— "How many an hour might I have been
Made happy with some victory; What noble deeds I might have done, What bright renown my deeds have won; What blessings would have made me glad; What little burdens had I had;
What calmness in the hope of praise; What joy of well-accomplished days, If I had let these things alone; Nor sought to sit upon my throne Like God between the cherubim.
But now—but now, my days wax dim, And all this fairness have I tost Unto the winds, and all have lost For nought, for nought! yet will I strive My little end of life to live;
Nor will I look behind me more, Nor forward to the doubtful shore." With that he made the sign to turn,
And through the trees the carol rolled Once more, until the autumn thrush Far off ’gan twittering on his bush, [258] Made mindful of the long-lived spring. So mid sweet song and tabouring,
And shouts amid the apple-grove, And soft caressing of his love, Began the new King Michael's reign. Nor will the poor folk see again A king like him on any throne,
Or such good deeds to all men done: For then, as saith the chronicle, It was the time, as all men tell, When scarce a man would stop to gaze At gold crowns hung above the ways.
HE ended; and midst those who heard were some
Forgetting not they were grown weak and old, Yet felt as if they had at least grown grey Within the land left for so many a day. He, with the gestures they were wont to see, So told his tale, so strange with eld was he,
Just so he stammered, and in just such wise He sighed, beginning fresh, as their young eyes, Their ears, in happy days passed long ago, Had ever noted other old men do, When they, full filled with their quick-coming joys,
Would gaze on old folk as on carven toys. But he being silent, silently awhile
The parts that pleased them; but their elder hosts [259] Falling to talk, yet noted well the ghosts Of old desires within their wasted eyes, Till one by one the fresh-stirred memories, So bitter-sweet, flickered and died away;
And as old men may do, whose hopes grew grey Before their beards, they made a little mirth Until the great moon rose upon the earth.
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Page numbers are from The Earthly Paradise, edited Florence S. Boos, New York: Routledge, 2001. "March" appears in the 1870 edition, Part I, pages 103-215; in the 1890 edition, pages 30-60; and in the Kelmscott Press edition 1896-97, Vol. I, pages 91-193. |