Page:Songs of the Affections.pdf/40

32

A woman's form sat silently, 'Midst the glare of light alone. Her jewell'd robes fell strangely still— The drapery on her breast Seem'd with no pulse beneath to thrill, So stonelike was its rest!

But a peal of lordly music Shook e'en the dust below, When the burning gold of the diadem Was set on her pallid brow! Then died away that haughty sound, And from the encircling band Stept Prince and Chief, 'midst the hush profound, With homage to her hand.

Why pass'd a faint, cold shuddering Over each martial frame, As one by one, to touch that hand, Noble and leader came?