"enchr11" - читать интересную книгу автора (Tennyson Alfred Lord)

Down from the beetling crag to which he clung
Tumbled the tawny rascal at his feet,
This dagger with him, which when now admired
By Edith whom his pleasure was to please,
At once the costly Sahib yielded it to her.

And Leolin, coming after he was gone,
Tost over all her presents petulantly:
And when she show'd the wealthy scabbard, saying
`Look what a lovely piece of workmanship!'
Slight was his answer `Well--I care not for it:'
Then playing with the blade he prick'd his hand,
`A gracious gift to give a lady, this!'
`But would it be more gracious' ask'd the girl
`Were I to give this gift of his to one
That is no lady?' `Gracious? No' said he.
`Me?--but I cared not for it. O pardon me,
I seem to be ungraciousness itself.'
`Take it' she added sweetly `tho' his gift;
For I am more ungracious ev'n than you,
I care not for it either;' and he said
`Why then I love it:' but Sir Aylmer past,
And neither loved nor liked the thing he heard.

The next day came a neighbor. Blues and reds
They talk'd of: blues were sure of it, he thought:
Then of the latest fox--where started--kill'd
In such a bottom: `Peter had the brush,
My Peter, first:' and did Sir Aylmer know
That great pock-pitten fellow had been caught?
Then made his pleasure echo, hand to hand,
And rolling as it were the substance of it
Between his palms a moment up and down--
`The birds were warm, the birds were warm upon him;
We have him now:' and had Sir Aylmer heard--
Nay, but he must--the land was ringing of it--
This blacksmith-border marriage--one they knew--
Raw from the nursery--who could trust a child?
That cursed France with her egalities!
And did Sir Aylmer (deferentially
With nearing chair and lower'd accent) think--
For people talk'd--that it was wholly wise
To let that handsome fellow Averill walk
So freely with his daughter? people talk'd--
The boy might get a notion into him;
The girl might be entangled ere she knew.
Sir Aylmer Aylmer slowly stiffening spoke:
`The girl and boy, Sir, know their differences!'
`Good' said his friend `but watch!' and he `enough,
More than enough, Sir! I can guard my own.'