Letters and Literary Remains of Edward Fitzgerald Edited by William Aldis Wright: In seven volumes |
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| VI. |
| VII. |
 | Letters and Literary Remains of Edward Fitzgerald |  |
There was a Queen of Egypt like the Bride
Of Night, Full-moon-faced and Canopus-eyed,
Whom one among the meanest of her Crowd
Loved—and she knew it, (for he loved aloud)
And sent for him, and said ‘Thou lovest thy Queen:
Now therefore Thou hast this to choose between:
Fly for thy Life: or for this one night Wed
Thy Queen, and with the Sunrise lose thy Head.’
He paused—he turn'd to fly—she struck him dead.
‘For had he truly loved his Queen,’ said She,
‘He would at once have given his Life for me,
And Life and Wife had carried: but he lied;
And loving only Life, has justly died.’
Of Night, Full-moon-faced and Canopus-eyed,
Whom one among the meanest of her Crowd
Loved—and she knew it, (for he loved aloud)
286
Now therefore Thou hast this to choose between:
Fly for thy Life: or for this one night Wed
Thy Queen, and with the Sunrise lose thy Head.’
He paused—he turn'd to fly—she struck him dead.
‘For had he truly loved his Queen,’ said She,
‘He would at once have given his Life for me,
And Life and Wife had carried: but he lied;
And loving only Life, has justly died.’
| Letters and Literary Remains of Edward Fitzgerald | |