 | King Poppy |  |
But here he check'd himself
Abruptly, shaken by an aguish fear.
For he remember'd, only just in time,
An ancient prophecy, that if the word
He was about to utter were applied
By one of the Blood Royal to the name
Of any member of the Royal House,
A dreadful secret of the dynasty
Would be divulged. The Dame, rebukeful, raised
A warning finger. “Son,” she whisper'd, “hush!”
And for a while in shuddering silence each
The other eyed. Then, slowly reassured,
Up from the floor his fallen pipe she pick'd,
And, having lighted its replenisht bowl,
Bade him be still and listen. He obey'd,
And thus her vision strange the seeress told:
Abruptly, shaken by an aguish fear.
For he remember'd, only just in time,
An ancient prophecy, that if the word
He was about to utter were applied
77
Of any member of the Royal House,
A dreadful secret of the dynasty
Would be divulged. The Dame, rebukeful, raised
A warning finger. “Son,” she whisper'd, “hush!”
And for a while in shuddering silence each
The other eyed. Then, slowly reassured,
Up from the floor his fallen pipe she pick'd,
And, having lighted its replenisht bowl,
Bade him be still and listen. He obey'd,
And thus her vision strange the seeress told:
| King Poppy | |