"And Troilus swore by Cressed--so they say."
"You never knew my Kate," said Max, and pois'd
His axe again on high, "But let it pass--
"You are too subtle for me; argument
"Have I none to oppose yours with--but this,
"Get you a Kate, and let her sunny eyes
"Dispel the doubting darkness in your soul."
"And have not I a Kate? pause, friend, and see.
"She gave me this faint shadow of herself
"The day I slipp'd the watch-star of our loves--
"A ring--upon her hand--she loves me, too;
"Yet tho' her eyes be suns, no Gods are they
"To give me worlds, or make me feel a tide
"Of strong Eternity set towards my soul;
"And tho' she loves me, yet am I content
"To know she loves me by the hour--the year--
"Perchance the second--as all women love."
The bright axe falter'd in the air, and ripp'd
Down the rough bark, and bit the drifted snow,
For Max's arm fell, wither'd in its strength,
'Long by his side. "Your Kate," he said; "your Kate!"
"Yes, mine, while holds her mind that way, my Kate;
"I sav'd her life, and had her love for thanks;
"Her father is Malcolm Graem--Max, my friend,
"You pale! what sickness seizes on your soul?"
Max laugh'd, and swung his bright axe high again:
"Stand back a pace--a too far reaching blow
"Might level your false head with yon prone trunk--
"Stand back and listen while I say, "You lie!
"That is my Katie's face upon your breast,