 | The Poetical Works of Robert Story |  |
395
XVIII.
“Aymund!” said Alfred, “when, at Lindisfarne,It was my hap thy princely rank to learn,
Thy life, or ransom, was at first with me
A cold affair of pelf or policy.
But warmer feelings soon replaced the cold,
When that poor Maiden innocently told—
(The Maiden Bertha, whom my Sister chose
To be the sole companion of her woes,
Resigning, without one regretful sigh,
The proud attendance of a time gone by!)—
When Bertha told in what way ran the stream
Of fancy, during thy delirious dream,
And when, by certain words that chanced to slip,
In private converse, from my sister's lip,
I found, with small surprise, that in her heart
Her bold Deliverer held an honoured part.
For Woman's gratitude, my friend, will move,
Ere well herself perceives it, into love,
And sometimes all too quickly for control—
Yet is Rowena high and firm of soul;
And wert thou now to sue as Heathen Dane,
Believe me, Aymund, thou wouldst sue in vain.
But she will welcome, with a calm delight,
Her Lover—coming as a Christian Knight!”
| The Poetical Works of Robert Story | |