A talk of college and of ladies' rights, And, yonder, shrieks and strange experiments— No matter we will say whatever comes. And let the ladies sing us, if they will, From time to time, some ballad or a song To give us breathing-space.' So I began, And the rest follow'd: and the women sang Between the rougher voices of the men, I. A PRINCE I was, blue-eyed, and fair in face, To lash offence, and with long arms and hands Now it chanced that I had been, While life was yet in bud and blade, betroth'd To one, a neighbouring Princess: she to me At eight years old; and still from time to time And still I wore her picture by my heart, And one dark tress; and all around them both Sweet thoughts would swarm as bees about their queen. But when the days drew nigh that I should wed, My father sent ambassadors with furs And jewels, gifts, to fetch her: these brought back And therewithal an answer vague as wind: Besides, they saw the king; he took the gifts; That morning in the presence room I stood With Cyril and with Florian, my two friends: The first, a gentleman of broken means (His father's fault) but given to starts and bursts Of revel; and the last, my other heart, My shadow, my half-self, for still we moved Now, while they spake, I saw my father's face And bring her in a whirlwind: then he chew'd At last I spoke. My father, let me go Whom all men rate as kind and hospitable: Or, maybe, I myself, my bride once seen, Whate'er my grief to find her less than fame, May rue the bargain made.' And Florian said: 'I have a sister at the foreign court, Who moves about the Princess; she, you know, Who wedded with a nobleman from thence: He, dying lately, left her, as I hear, The lady of three castles in that land : Thro' her this matter might be sifted clean.' Then whisper'd Cyril: Take me with you too. Trust me, I'll serve you better in a strait ; I grate on rusty hinges here:' but No!' 6 Roar'd the rough king, you shall not; we ourself Will crush these pretty maiden fancies dead In iron gauntlets: break the council up.' But when the council broke, I rose and past Thro' the wild woods that hung about the town ; Found a still place, and pluck'd her likeness out; C |