Page:Poems of Emma Lazarus vol 2.djvu/109

Rh Misled to think I had betrayed his castle, Who knew the secret tunnel to its courts, He has nursed a baseless gjudge, whereat I smile, Sure to disarm liim by the simple truth. God grant me strength to utter it.

You fancy The rancor of a had heart slow distilled Through venomed years, so at a breath, dissolves. O good old man, 1' the world, not of the world ! Belike, himself forgets the doubtful core Of this still-curdling, petrifying ooze. Truth ? why truth glances from the callous mass, I A. spear against a rock. He hugs his hate. His bed-fellow, his d^y, life-long comrade ; Think you he has slept, ate, drank with it this while, Now to forego revenge on such slight cause As the revealed truth ?

You mistake my thought, Great-hearted Prince, and justly — for I speak In riddles, till God's time to make all clear. When His day dawns, the blind shall see.

Forgive me, If I, in wit and virtue your disciple.