Harold, Book 10. The Last Of The Saxon Kings

rivilege to soothe and console, the troubled man poured out the tale of the sole trial from which he had passed with defeat and shame,- Haco drew near to Thyra, and sate down by her side. Each was str

fancy has associated the eternal rest, on-the shroud and the worm, and the mouldering bones-on the gibbering ghost, and the sorcerer's spell that could call the spectre from the grave. They talked of the pain of the parting soul, parting while earth was yet fair, youth fresh, and joy not yet ripened from the blossom-of the wistful lingering look which glazing eyes would give to the latest su

hee love and sweet life, and the

k her head

her hand on her breast, "I saw that her face grew dark and overcast; and I felt, as I looked, that my doom was set. And when thou didst come so noiselessly to

ressed his lips upon th

e too,

ey sate silent and close by

he pure soul of his betrothed had breathed peace into his own; and, in his willing superstition, he f

and trembled in his, a

fixed upon t

ong," said the Earl. "This is my brother's son, Edi

said Edith,

and w

question, "In a dream;"

turned to his sister-that sister whom he was pledged to

old, and wrap thy mantle ro

cheek long and wistfully; then questioning her tenderly, h

in?" asked the

on," answered Edith with an effort, for sh

I will go across the woodland to your house, H

late in the night ere I reach home; but Sexwolf already hath my orders

cousin, one kiss more to our meeting again." The child fondly h

grave,

he place, had found its way to the stall; nor did he take his path through the glades to the house of his kinsman. Entering the Druid temple, he stood musing

the restless, by

brooding boyhood, the solemn, quiet, and sad experience all fore-armed, of age, had somethi

re still?" Hilda placed her hand on his sh

, there is no stillness! Through all eternity the state impossi

n air and the daily sun, thou didst rob me evermore of childhood and youth. For thou didst say to

hou wert then, stretched on the grass, and playing with

u didst take me, O Prophetess, to thy bosom, and thy cold kiss touched my lips and my brow; and there, beside this altar and grave-mound, by leaf and by water, by staff and by song, thou didst bid me take comfort; for that as the mouse gnawed the toils of the lion, so the exile obscure should deliver from peril the pride and the prince of my House-that, from that hour with the skein of his fate should mine be entwined; and his fate was that of kings and of kingdoms. And then, when the joy flushed my cheek, and methought youth came back in warmth to the night of my soul-then, Hilda, I asked thee if my life would be spared till I had redeemed the name of my

and greatness; and where glory is dim, and greatness is menaced, I know it but from the stars of others, the rays of whose influence blend with his own. So long, at least, as the fair and the pure one keeps watch in the still House of Life

Haco, moving ne

hy feet trample the gr

ing in the great space of the crumbling peristyle, looked up as she passed; the watch- dogs, wandering through the star

ll I know of human affection binds me to Harold; all I know of human ambition is to share in his fate. This love is strong as hate, and terrible as d