Till at length into Aix Roland galloped and stood. And all I remember is--friends flocking round As I sat with his head 'twixt my knees on the ground; And no voice but was praising this Roland of mine, As I poured down his throat our last measure of wine, Which (the burgesses voted by common consent) Was no more than his due who brought good news from Ghent. ----R. Browning. COUNT GISMOND (_Aix in Provence._) I. |Christ God, who savest man, save most Of men Count Gismond who saved me! Count Gauthier, when he chose his post, Chose time and place and company To suit it; when he struck at length My honour,'twas with all his strength. II. And doubtlessly, ere he could draw All points to one, he must have schemed! That miserable morning saw Few half so happy as I seemed, While being dressed in queen's array To give our tourney prize away. III. I thought they loved me, did me grace To please themselves; 'twas all their deed; God makes, or fair or foul, our face; If showing mine so caused to bleed My cousins' hearts, they should have dropped A word, and straight the play had stopped. They, too, so beauteous! Each a queen By virtue of her brow and breast; Not needing to be crowned, I mean, As I do. E'en when I was dressed, Had either of them spoke, instead Of glancing sideways with still head! V. But no: they let me laugh, and sing My birthday song quite through, adjust The last rose in my garland, fling A last look on the mirror, trust My arms to each an arm of theirs, And so descend the castle-stairs-- VI. And come out on the morning-troop Of merry friends who kissed my cheek, And called me queen, and made me stoop Under the canopy--(a streak That pierced it, of the outside sun, Powdered with gold its gloom's soft dun)-- VII. And they could let me take my state And foolish throne amid applause Of all come there to celebrate My queen s-day--Oh I think the cause Of much was, they forgot no crowd Makes up for parents in their shroud! VIII. However that be, all eyes were bent Upon me, when my cousins cast Theirs down; 'twas time I should present The victor's crown, but... there,'twill last No long time... the old mist again Blinds me as then it did. How vain! IX. See! Gismond's at the gate, in talk With his two boys: I can proceed. Well, at that moment, who should stalk Forth boldly--to my face, indeed-- But Gauthier? and he thundered "Stay!" And all stayed. "Bring no crowns, I say! X. "Bring torches! Wind the penance-sheet About her! Let her shun the chaste, Or lay herself before their feet! Shall she, whose body I embraced A night long, queen it in the day? For honour's sake no crowns, I say!" XI. I? What I answered? As I live, I never fancied such a thing As answer possible to give. What says the body when they spring