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 | The Poetical Works of Aubrey De Vere |  |
Scene X.—Postern of the Great Temple at Ecbatana.
A Soldier(approaching it).
Ho, friend sentinel!
Let me pass thee, for ancient love. Art thou in a
trance, or art thou dead, with that white face?
Let me pass thee, for ancient love. Art thou in a
trance, or art thou dead, with that white face?
Sentinel.
Thou saw'st him not—him that entered
but now?
but now?
Soldier.
Thou dreamest. The agora swarms: but
at this side there hath been none in sight.
at this side there hath been none in sight.
Sentinel.
As I live I saw him draw nigh. I drew
both bars across the gate. He entered as though
there had been no hindrance.
both bars across the gate. He entered as though
there had been no hindrance.
Soldier.
Knewest thou the man?
Sentinel.
When close to me, yea. The armour
was the same; and the gleam of the steel shone
through the blood. The iron-grey hair bristled up
as of old, like a winter hedge with hail on it; but
the scar on the forehead was redder, and there stood
blood-drops in his eyes. I served him for fifteen
years, and saw him every day to the last, save five.
It was he that once when I struck a woman left me
this mark on my hand.
was the same; and the gleam of the steel shone
through the blood. The iron-grey hair bristled up
as of old, like a winter hedge with hail on it; but
123
blood-drops in his eyes. I served him for fifteen
years, and saw him every day to the last, save five.
It was he that once when I struck a woman left me
this mark on my hand.
Soldier.
Who was he?
Sentinel.
In thine ear—Parmenio! He is gone in
among the lords in council. Hush! I know by
that shout that Alexander is entering the temple.
among the lords in council. Hush! I know by
that shout that Alexander is entering the temple.
| The Poetical Works of Aubrey De Vere | |