Page:The Poems of William Blake (Shepherd, 1887).djvu/33

 The wretch approaches, crying, "The deed is done; "Take this and send it by whom thou wilt send; "It is my life—send it to Eleanor:— "He's dead, and howling after me for blood! "Take this," he cried; and thrust into her arms A wet napkin, wrapt about; then rush'd Past, howling: she received into her arms Pale death, and follow'd on the wings of fear. They pass'd swift thro' the outer gate; the wretch Howling, leap'd o'er the wall into the moat, Stifling in mud. Fair Ellen pass'd the bridge, And heard a gloomy voice cry, "Is it done?"

As the deer wounded Ellen flew over The pathless plain; as the arrows that fly By night; destruction flies, and strikes in darkness. She fled from fear, till at her house arrived. 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?