force, to take him away from his wife. Whatever she does will seem in some way wrong. She has placed herself in a false position to begin with; and now she does not know what to do. What she really wishes is a reconciliation with the man who has been so base to her, but she dares not say that to the leader of her armies. Therefore she writes a diplomatic letter to him, hoping that he can understand it. She says that she does not want to be too severe; she speaks of religion, she trusts that her general will know what to do. He determines that the man shall die as quickly as possible. Her words he took; her nods and winks Treated as woman's fog, The man-dog for his mistress thinks, Not less her faithful dog. She hugged a cloak old Kraken ripped; Disguise to him he loathed. --Your mercy, madam, shows you stripped, While mine will keep your clothed. That is, the old soldier determined to act exactly upon the words of the letter; as for suggestions, he refused to pay any attention to them. "Women," he thought, "are too weak. She wants to hide her feelings from me. And she Wants to be merciful. By law the man is a traitor, and ought to be hanged. But I shall shoot him instead--give him the death of a soldier, that is mercy enough. My mercy will hide the Queen's shame; her mercy would proclaim that shame to the whole world." So Count Louis is shot. Before this, however, the young wife of Count Louis goes to the Archduchess to beg for her husband's life, and this is a very touching part of the poem. Of course this innocent young wife does not know what has happened in the past, and can not know what pain her presence is giving. The Countess Louis from her head Drew veil: "Great Lady, hear! My husband deems you Justice dread, I know you Mercy dear. "His error upon him may fall; He will not breath a nay. I am his helpless mate in all, Except for grace to pray. "Perchance on me his choice inclined, To give his House an heir; I had not marriage with his mind, His counsel could not share. "I brought no portion for his weal But this one instinct true, Which bids me in my weakness kneel, Archduchess Anne, to you." Now you can see that every word here innocently uttered would seem to the Archduchess very cunning or very stupid. Did the young wife know the secret, then every word would be like turning a knife in the heart of the Archduchess. And if she did not know, how horribly stupid she must be to say what, seems so wicked. Therefore she is driven away at once. But after she has gone, the Archduchess has to think about what was said, and she feels that after all the young wife really did the very best thing that a woman could have done to save her husband.