And Christabel devoutly cried To the Lady by her side; "O weary lady, Geraldine, 190 I pray you, drink this cordial wine! "And will your mother pity me, But soon, 195 200 with alter'd voice, said she — "Off, wandering mother! Peak and pine! I have power to bid thee flee." 205 ROBERT SOUTHEY (1774-1843) FROM THE CURSE OF KEHAMA XIII. THE RETREAT O force of faith! O strength of virtuous will! Behold him in his endless martyrdom, Triumphant still! The curse still burning in his heart and brain, Patient the while, and tranquil, and content! 140 And offer'd to her touch his speckled side; Or with arch'd back erect, and bending head, And eyes half-closed for pleasure, would he stand Courting the pressure of her gentle hand. Trampling his path through wood and brake, And canes which crackling fall before his way, And tassel-grass, whose silvery feathers play O'ertopping the young trees, On comes the Elephant to slake His thirst at noon in yon pellucid springs. Lo! from his trunk upturn'd, aloft he flings The grateful shower; and now Plucking the broad-leaved bough 160 |