like blackest night for sable stain,
The Whites I could not rescue, could not save * While ecstasy
made tear, floods rail and rain:
The Pawns and Castles with their Queens fell low * And fled the
Whites nor could the brunt sustain:
Yea, with her shaft of glance at me she shot * And soon that
shaft had pierced my heart and brain:
She gave me choice between her hosts, and I * The Whites like
moonlight first to choose was fain,
Saying, 'This argent folk best fitteth me * I love them, but the
Red by thee be ta'en!'
She playŠd me for free accepted stake * Yet amorous mercy I could
ne'er obtain:
O fire of heart, O pine and woe of me, * Wooing a fair like moon
mid starry train:
Burns not my heart O no! nor aught regrets * Of good or land, but
ah! her eyes' disdain!
Amazed I'm grown and dazed for drearihead * And blame I Time who
brought such pine and pain.
Quoth she, 'Why art thou so bedazed!' quoth I * 'Wine-drunken
wight shall more of wine assain?'
That mortal stole my sense by silk-soft shape, * Which doth for
heart-core hardest rock contain.
I nervŠd self and cried, 'This day she's mine' * By bet, nor fear
I prove she unhum…ne:
My heart ne'er ceased to seek possession, till * Beggared I found
me for conditions twain:
Will youth you loveth shun the Love-dealt blow, * Tho' were he
whelmed in Love's high-surging main?
So woke the slave sans e'en a coin to turn, * Thralled to repine