2. The Imprisonment 

 Word they brought to Leopold, Spake in Austria's ear; "Rejoice this day that brings your prey, Your enemy Richard is here; 

 "Now is revenge for an ancient grudge Given into your hand, He mocked aloud 'mid the allies' crowd And is now alone in your land." 

 Leopold started out of his seat; "Good be the news indeed! Now quickly bring to me hither the king, He shall sue to me in his need." 

 Richard the King is before the Duke, Garbed in a mean disguise, Yet kingship claim the mighty frame And the glance of the kingly eyes, 

 And the Jove-like head with its close-cut hair, And the flowing golden beard; No rags can hide the huge limbs' pride, In kingly cradle reared. 

 Gay, and kingly, and debonair The Lion-hearted stood. "Fair come to land, by this right hand, Your welcome shall be good." 

 "Fair thanks to you, our cousin the Duke," Said Richard, no whit beguiled; "I thought not to prove the worth of your love When I entered your land," he smiled. 

 "Being in haste to return to my land, I passed in this disguise, For I would not stay the rich display Your ducal bounty supplies." 

 Leopold snarled like an angry wolf. "How came you hither?" said he; "No choice of mine, but by rule divine," —Said Richard—"I came by sea, 

 "Travelling in haste from Palestine To assure me England's throne; But a storm arose, and my fears suppose That I was saved alone." 

 "Now bind his hands," cried Leopold, "For he comes as a spy, I see." The King's eyes blazed in wrath amazed, "A ducal greeting," quoth he. 

 "These bonds are unfitting, Duke Leopold, Both mine and your degree, Nor consorts my fame with a spying name, In your throat let your own words be." 

 Amazed were they all at Richard's taunts, But he smiled with easy pride. "Now what prevents that my fury vents Itself?" the Austrian cried. 

 "Now what prevents that I kill you straight And your corpse to the ravens fling? 'Twere easy to say you were ocean's prey." "But you dare not," said Richard the King. 

 Leopold turned to his feudal lords, Who stood in wondering; "Now prison me straight this 

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