"George Bidder - Merlin's Youth" - читать интересную книгу автора (Bidder George)

And she, white-robed, the nearest. Lightly treading,
As one that walks from waiting unto wedding,
I came behind her; and, ere I could speak,
Had touched her glossy hair, and kissed her cheek.

24

Like adder coiled about her threatened young,
With head thrown back, and swift death-dealing tongue,
Turning, she spake: -- "Smooth coward! whole of skin,
You have come well forth from all this bitter strife,
And saved, at least, one traitorous, worthless life --
Maid's body, with a weasel's heart within!

"There lies my father, stricken by your guile.
You faced him not to kill him; but, with wile
Evil and secret, struck him out of sight,
Spelling I know not what of fatal ban.
You could lay low a fearless, trustful man,
Foremost and strongest in his people's fight

"I wed you? Wed me rather to the raven,
Gorged with yon bravest blood, than to a craven."
With that she faced the rest, and, bowing head --
"I have been wild and foolish as a maid,
And tried to learn strange arts, proud not to be afraid:
For ever now I lay them by," she said.

25

"Worthless they were, worthless I know are those
Who seek out all the thorns whereon the rose
Of our fair life, by sun and showers fed,
Blossoms in love and truth. Crook'd thorns there be;
And strange imaginings those that seek them see:
Methinks the most of them are false," she said.

"An honest man, with strong and brave right arm
To keep a loving woman from all harm,
Seeing at night a glowing ingle-bed
With laughing, dark-haired children, clear of eye,
Fearlessly helpless, smiling trustfully; --
Stronger are these than charms or spells," she said.

"Friends, I was wrong; this day I have seen clear
That such things are but vain; be witness here;
I tell, who know. My days that be unsped
Henceforth I strive -- and what I strive I can --
To live a woman, as my sire a man,
Worthy of love from man and child," she said.