Page:Zawis and Kunigunde (1895).djvu/72



Or teach men’s hearts that goodness dwells
 * In virtue’s undefiled commands,

Where wisdom’s purity compels
 * An upright soul and stainless hands,

And spreads its potent charms around
 * In courtesy of word and deed,

Mingling high wisdom’s truths profound
 * With industry’s full toil, and alms for those who need.

In Zerah’s halls the gentler tread
 * Of tender woman lightly glides,

And silken hues and rustle spread
 * By the soft movement; and, besides,

Music’s enchantment soothes the soul
 * And sheds a foretaste of the peace

Promised through the long ages’ roll
 * When Allah’s summons hence confers the great release.

The subtle wit that charms in song
 * Trills melody for Zerah’s dames,

And mirrored boudoir courts prolong
 * The strain. Each opening hour proclaims

Fair science ruler of the scene
 * By some new token—gift divine

Of her inspiring embassy between
 * The One Light and the soul wherein its glories shine.”

Hardly had Pietro concluded when a messenger conveyed to Rudolph some tidings apparently of importance. “Gentlemen,” he said, “I am just informed that the gallant son of the late King of Bohemia has been captured. It were unseemly, perhaps, to greet a soldier of his rank with songs of joy over the discomfiture and death of his illustrious father, and his own disaster likewise. Only the late king’s dignity and power enabled him to sustain his gallant son in lofty station.”