Page:Pieces People Ask For.djvu/124

6 I said to our abbé one night,
 * Pray for our soldiers, messire, pray!

And since he loves to see their light, I left three candles burning bright
 * Before St. Gildas' shrine next day.

And to Our Lady of Lorette
 * I promised in my cruel fright

To wear — and see, I wear it yet— A ruff with pilgrim's cockles set,
 * Close hid from curious sight.

No loving letters has he penned
 * While far away where battles rage:

Though life and love be near their end. The vassal has no squire to send,
 * The vassal's sweetheart has no page.

To-day the duke returns in state,
 * With him my love, a soldier tried,

No longer lowly in estate. I lift my head, bowed down of late,
 * And my bliss blossoms into pride.

The duke brings home triumphantly,
 * Worn and soiled, the flag that's floated

O'er his camp. Come all with me To the old gate, the troops to see,
 * And the prince and my betrothèd.

To see the horse, with trappings gay
 * Caparisoned, his lord to bear,

Advance, retreat, with conscious neigh, Tossing his head till its array
 * Of plumes like flaming torches flare.

To see — O sisters, why so slow?—
 * The drums that lead my hero on,

The drums that in the sunlight glow, That throb beneath his tireless blow
 * Till the heart throbs in unison.