[25]

She blushed and dared to peer

Downward. "Is it so wonderful," she said,

"If I desire it?" He: "Nay, by my head,

Not so; but wonderful I think it is

In any man to suffer it." The hiss

Of passion stript all vesture from his tones

And showed the King man naked to the bones,

Man naked to the body's utterance.

She turned her head, but felt his burning glance

Scorch, and his words leap up. "Dost thou desire

I leave thee then? Answer me that."

"Nay, sire,

Not so." And he: "Bid me to stay while sleeps

Thy house," he said, "so stay I." Her eyes' deeps

Flooded his soul and drowned him in despair,

Despair and rage. "Behold now, ten years' wear

Between us and our love! Now if I cast

My spear and rove the snow-mound of thy breast,

Were that a marvel?"

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