Page:A lover's tale (Tennyson, 1879).djvu/97

Rh What! shall I bind him more? in his behalf, Shall I exceed the Persian, giving him That which of all things is the dearest to me, Not only showing? and he himself pronounced That my rich gift is wholly mine to give.

'Now all be dumb, and promise all of you Not to break in on what I say by word Or whisper, while I show you all my heart.' And then began the story of his love As here to-day, but not so wordily— The passionate moment would not suffer that— Past thro' his visions to the burial; thence Down to this last strange hour in his own hall; And then rose up, and with him all his guests Once more as by enchantment; all but he, Lionel, who fain had risen, but fell again, And sat as if in chains—to whom he said: