Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1918.djvu/914

 ROBERT BROWNING

Lust of glory pricked their hearts up, dread of shame

Struck them tame; And that glory and that shame alike, the gold

Bought and sold.

VII

Now, the single little turret that remains

On the plains, By the caper overrooted, by the gourd

Overscorcd, While the patching houscleek's head of blossom winks

Through the chinks "

VIII

Marks the basement whence a tower in ancient time

Sprang sublime, And a burning ring, all round, the chaiiots traced

As they raced, And the monarch and his minions and his dames

Viewed the games.

IX

And I know, while thus the quiet-coloured eve

Smiles to leave To their folding, all our many-tinkling fleece

In such peace, And the slopes and rills in undistinguished grey

Melt away

x That a girl with eager eyes and yellow hair

Waits me there In the turret whence the charioteers caught soul

For the goal, When the king looked, where she looks now, breathless, dumb

Till I come.

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