Helen Redeemed and Other Poems
He took thee then?"

Speechless she bent her head

Towards her tender breasts whereon, soft shed

[33]

As upon low quiet hills, the dawn light played,

And limned their gentle curves or sank in shade.

So gazing, stood she silent, but the King

Urged on. "From thence to Ilios, thou willing,

He took thee?"

Then, "I was beguiled," again

She said; and he, who felt a worthier strain

Stir in his gall compassion, and uplift

Him out of knowledge, saw a blessed rift

Upon his dark horizon, as tow'rds night

The low clouds break and shafted shows the light.

"Ten years beguiled!" he said, "but now it seems

Thou art——" She shook her head. "Nay, now come dreams;

Nay, now I think, remember, now I see."

"What callest thou to mind?" "Hermione,"

She said, "our child, and Sparta my own land,


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