Page:Records of Woman.pdf/225

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The strings were hush'd—the knights made way For the queenly mother's tread, As up the hall, in dark array, Two fair-hair'd boys she led.

She led them ev'n to the Kaiser's place, And still before him stood; Till, with strange wonder, o'er his face Flush'd the proud warrior-blood: And "Speak, my mother! speak!" he cried, "Wherefore this mourning vest? And the clinging children by thy side,   In weeds of sadness drest?"

"Well may a mourning vest be mine,   And theirs, my son, my son! Look on the features of thy line    In each fair little one!