He seems a gracious and a gallant Prince,

I would he had our daughter: for the rest

Our own detention, why the causes weigh'd,
Fatherly fears-you used us courteously-
We would do much to gratify your Prince-
We pardon it; and for your ingress here
Upon the skirt and fringe of our fair land,
You did but come as goblins in the night,

Nor in the furrow broke the plowman's head,

Nor burnt the grange, nor buss'd the milking-maid,
Nor robbed the farmer of his bowl of cream :
But let your Prince (our royal word upon it,
He comes back safe) ride with us to our lines,
And speak with Arac: Arac's word is thrice
As ours with Ida: something may be done—
I know not what-and ours shall see us friends.
You, likewise, our late guests, if so you will,

Follow us who knows? we four may build some plan

Foursquare to opposition.'

Here he reach'd

I

White hands of farewell to my sire, who growl'd

An answer which, half-muffled in his beard,

Let so much out as gave us leave to go.

Then rode we with the old king across the lawns
Beneath huge trees, a thousand rings of Spring
In every bole, a song on every spray

Of birds that piped their Valentines, and woke
Desire in me to infuse my tale of love

In the old king's ears, who promised help, and oozed

All o'er with honey'd answer as we rode ;

And blossom-fragrant slipt the heavy dews

Gather'd by night and peace, with each light air

On our mail'd heads but other thoughts than Peace Burnt in us, when we saw the embattled squares,

And squadrons of the Prince, trampling the flowers

With clamour for among them rose a cry

As if to greet the king; they made a halt;

The horses yell'd; they clash'd their arms; the drum

Beat; merrily-blowing shrill'd the martial fife;

And in the blast and bray of the long horn
And serpent-throated bugle, undulated

The banner: anon to meet us lightly pranced

Three captains out; nor ever had I seen

Such thews of men: the midmost and the highest

Was Arac all about his motion clung

The shadow of his sister, as the beam

Of the East, that play'd upon them, made them glance

Like those three stars of the airy Giant's zone,

That glitter burnish'd by the frosty dark;

And as the fiery Sirius alters hue,

And bickers into red and emerald, shone

Their morions, wash'd with morning, as they came.

And I that prated peace, when first I heard War-music, felt the blind wildbeast of force,

Whose home is in the sinews of a man,

Stir in me as to strike: then took the king

His three broad sons; with now a wandering hand

And now a pointed finger, told them all:

A common light of smiles at our disguise
Broke from their lips, and, ere the windy jest
Had labour'd down within his ample lungs,
The genial giant, Arac, roll'd himself

Thrice in the saddle, then burst out in words.

Our land invaded, life and soul! himself

Your captive, yet my father wills not war:
And, life! myself I care not, war or no:

But then this question of

your troth remains ;

And there's a downright honest meaning in her; She flies too high, she flies too high! and yet

She ask'd but space and fairplay for her scheme; -I myself,

She prest and prest it on me—

What know I of these things? but, life and soul! I thought her half-right talking of her wrongs; Yet, right or wrong, I care not: this is all,

I stand upon her side: she made me swear itLife-and with solemn rites by candle-light

Swear by St. something-I forget her name

Her that talk'd down the fifty wisest men ;
She was a princess too; and so I swore.
Come, this is all; she will not waive your
If not, the foughten field, what else, at once
Decides it, life! against my father's will.'

claim :

I lagg'd in answer loth to render up
My precontract, and loth by brainless war
To cleave the rift of difference deeper yet;
Till one of those two brothers, half aside
And fingering at the hair about his lip,
To prick us on to combat Like to like!
The woman's garment hid the woman's heart.'
A taunt that clench'd his purpose like a blow!
For fiery-short was Cyril's counter-scoff,

And sharp I answer'd, touch'd upon the point

Where idle boys are cowards to their shame,

Decide it here: why not? we are three to three.'

Then spake the third 'But three to three? no more?