Page:Poetical sketches reprint (1868).djvu/32

14 Her maids await her; on her bed she falls, That bed of joy where erst her lord hath press'd: " Ah, woman's fear! " she cried, " Ah, cursed duke! " Ah, my dear lord! ah, wretched Eleanor!

" My lord was like a flower upon the brows " Of lusty May! Ah, life as frail as flower! " O ghastly death! withdraw thy cruel hand, " Seek'st thou that flower to deck thy horrid temples?

" My lord was like a star in highest heaven " Drawn down to earth by spells and wickedness; " My lord was like the opening eyes of day, " When western winds creep softly o'er the flowers.

" But he is darken'd; like the summer's noon " Clouded; fall'n like the stately tree, cut down; " The breath of heaven dwelt among his leaves. " O Eleanor, weak woman, fill'd with woe!"

Thus having spoke, she raised up her head, And saw the bloody napkin by her side, Which in her arms she brought; and how, tenfold More terrified, saw it unfold itself.