Page:The Soul of a Century.djvu/78

  Re-echo through your halls. And ore you waiting If I will return, like the swallows to their nests, To dream once more beneath your aged roof Those wondrous dreams to list and hear again Her words of blessing, who has passed away, Words that still linger within your very walls To blend at night, when the strangers soundly sleep, With the sweet and dreamy whispering of the trees.”

Thus spoke the wanderer and a gleaming tear Fell to the dust of that winding, endless road That stretched so far away To where? To where ?

Angrily the King addressed her: “All my glory without blemish, My heroic heart and fervor I laid at your feet to trample; I bent low my back that never Bent before in dumb submission, Bent before you and your beauty, But in vain; And now, what happened? Your bright eyes, made to be worshipped, Eyes that barely seemed to see me When in awe I gazed upon them, Whither have your glances wandered? Full of tears and deep compassion, Full of love they shine, like starlight, Falling on a man unhonored, Without name or wealth or power, On him all your love was showered Like alms given to the paupers.”

To the King she thus gave answer: “Master, ’tis the truth you’ve spoken. Yes, I gave my love completely To this man who is unhonored. Man without a name or power. You may laugh or storm in anger Just as long my heart rejoices. In mocked humbleness, oh Master,