Page:Blackwood's Magazine volume 046.djvu/829

1839.] "Not thus a leech unknown we trust; But I would fain behold thee more; Thy speech assured in sound is just, And I would read thy features o'er.

"In these the soul may oft be found; Yet even now methinks thy voice Delights me with a lovely sound, And bids my flagging heart rejoice."

The King upon his elbow leant, And open'd fair his broad blue eyes; Her eyes' deep glow on his she bent, And cast away her dull disguise.

Swift change and dazzling! Bright was she With gold, and gems, and silk array, That seem'd the fitting garb to be Of beauty's goodliest summer day.

The pearls amid her darkest hair Adorn'd a brow of queenly span, And cheeks and mouth so cunning fair, They lured away the will of man.

The rubies floating o'er her breast Drew warmth and love from where they lay; There vague delight was woo'd to rest, And felt it death from thence to stray.

Up sprang the King, and wondering gazed; He ne'er had look'd on aught so bright; His eyes, his lips with joy amazed, Were drinking beauty's air and light.

"O! more than health and more than ease, Thou givest me lady strength divine. The draught thou bringest let me seize, And make thy maddest philtres mine."

With downward smile, and shifting glance, Her soft white hand from his she drew; She fill'd a cup with wine of France, And in with it her spicery threw.

"Drink first, my Liege, this potent draught To heal whate'er thou hast of pain." With eager mouth her cup he quaff'd, As if her kisses' depth to drain.

"Ha! this in truth is royal wine! Thy breath, methinks, is in the bowl. What earthly clogs can now confine The strength that fills my limbs, my soul?

"I seem on wings aloft to rise, And float o'er fading land and sea; And yet I would not climb the skies To rule the stars, if torn from thee.

"Thou turn'st away. At least a while Come sit, enchantress, near my side. 'Tis much if but to see thee smile, And hear thy lips' low music glide.

"And ah! thou loveliest, now indeed, While thus thy hand is lock'd in mine, While on thy face my looks may feed, Thou hast a potion more than wine."

"My Liege, the health my drugs can give, Will thus depart as soon as won. An hour in throbless quiet live, And then for thee my task is done.

"And we will speak of simpler things Than those deep moods that love inspires; But say, if ease my medicine brings, Or fills thy brain with flashing fires."

"O! all within is calm and bliss; Such never came from wine before. Yet once I knew an hour like this, When bold Crescentius' life was o'er.

"I made him leave his guarded tower By specious words of sage deceit; Soon Rome was taught her emperor's power; Soon lay his corpse before my feet."