XX. HE who can make my First to roll He who can curb my Second's will May turn my Whole more slightly still XXI. ACROSS my First, with flash and roar, Watching my Second's parting smile My Whole comes back to other eyes With beauteous change of fruits and flowers; But black to her are those bright skies, And sad those joyous bowers; Alas! my First is dark and deep, XXII. SIR EUSTACE goes to the far Crusade And my First is graven on his blade, And a flush is on his cheek and brow, As he stands upon my Second now, Away, away!-the canvas drives Like a sea-bird's rustling wing; My Whole hath a score of Moslem lives VOL. II. E E XXIII. My First came forth in booted state And smiled to feel my Second's weight To keep one ward in custody But day-break saw a Lady ride To hold her bridle-rein: And "Blessing on the bonds," quoth he, “Which wrinkled Age imposes! If Woman must your prisoner be XXIV. Oh yes! her childhood hath been nurst And why doth she turn from the glittering throng, Why doth she look where the ripples play While the boat in the twilight nears the shore, Hath she not heard in her lonely bower Softer and sweeter that music flows Than the Bulbul's hymn to the midnight rose. |