Page:Early poems of William Morris.djvu/110

 Among the poppies, and the yellow flowers;

And they should brush my cheek, my hair being spread

Far out among the stems; soft mice and small

Eating and creeping all about my feet,

Red shod and tired; and the flies should come

Creeping o'er my broad eyelids unafraid;

And there should be a noise of water going,

Clear blue, fresh water breaking on the slates,

Likewise the flies should creep—God's eyes! God help,

A trumpet? I will run fast, leap adown

The slippery sea-stairs, where the crabs fight.

I was half dreaming, but the trumpet's true,

He stops here at our house. The Clisson arms?

Ah, now for news! But I must hold my heart,

And be quite gentle till he is gone out;

And afterwards,—but he is still alive,

He must be still alive.

I give you welcome, knowing whence you come.

My Lady Alice de la Barde, I come

From Oliver Clisson, knight and mighty lord,

Bringing you tidings: I make bold to hope

You will not count me villain, even if

They wring your heart; nor hold me still in hate.

For I am but a mouthpiece after all,

A mouthpiece, too, of one who wishes well

To you and yours.