Page:An epic of women and other poems (IA epicofwomenother00osha).pdf/105

 At length with scarce a sound or warning cry, Save of the rowers ceasing from the oar, He reached her side and prayed her pass not by; Yea, prayed her bear him yet a little more.

But truly this well-nigh availed to move Her—Cleopatra—with remorse for all: She knew not of such pardon, e'en from love; Nor craved to look upon his utter fall.

And, first, when it was told her how he came And sought to reach the galley where she was, She faltered for a while with fear and shame, And bade them scarce give way to let him pass:

Only at length he showed them the plain sight How he was broken and so soon to die; Then they fell back all grieved and gave him right, And scarce believed the man was Antony.

And yet he could not speak; but lay forlorn Crouched up about the gilded quivering prow, Three days, from morn to night and night to morn, As one whom a sore burden boweth low.