Page:The Story and Song of Black Roderick.djvu/26

18 lover. She went sad and alone. Here climbed she the height of the hill, and there sat she making her lament.’

‘And what lament made she?’ said the Black Earl, putting his dagger into its sheath.

‘Once called she on her father, as one who drowns in deep waters would call upon a passing ship. Twice called she upon her mother, as one would call upon a house of rest or of hospitality. Thrice called she upon Earl Roderick, as one would call at the gates of paradise, there to find rescue and love.’

‘And said she naught else?’ said the Black Earl, his head upon his breast.

‘Yea,’ quoth the crone, ‘when she called upon her father, she smiled through her tears. “Didst thou know I perish,” quoth she, “thy arms would reach to save me!”

‘And when she called twice upon her mother, her mouth smiled even the same, “for didst thou learn my hunger, thy heart would warm me to life again;” but when