Under King Constantine by Katrina Trask
page 15 of 73 (20%)
page 15 of 73 (20%)
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Pregnant with deep significance. The sky
Flushed with the coming of the rosy dawn; The mountains reaching heavenward; the sun That warmed the flowers, and drank their dew; the birds That built their nests well hid in leafy shade; The grass that bent in homage to the wind,-- All touched her heart anew with subtle thoughts; And joy brought rich unfolding in her life. She had more pity for the men she scorned, More quick forgiveness for the envious dames, And when the little children crossed her path, She stooped, and kissed them, as was not her wont. Alas! too often, this new harmony Of life was clashed by discord. Sir Torm flung Upon the homage Sanpeur rendered her Unworthy jest and spiteful words, for well He hated him with grudge despiteous. Full oft his wrath was roused to such a point He could not hold his peace; even to the King He jeered one day at visionary knights. The keen-eyed King, with intuition, knew The motive of his speech,--"Our knight, Sanpeur, But contradicts your verdict, Torm, and proves That which the great King Arthur taught,--the man Is strongest who can claim a strength divine From whence to draw his own." Sir Torm had grown More wrathful in his heart at this, and kept Sanpeur long while from word with Gwendolaine. |
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