I Old Kraken read a missive penned By his great Lady's hand. Her condescension called him friend, To raise the crest she fanned. II Swiftly to where he lay encamped It flew, yet breathed aloof From woman's feeling, and he stamped A heel more like a hoof. III She wrote of Mercy: 'She was loth Too hard to goad a foe.' He stamped, as when men drive an oath Devils transcribe below. IV She wrote: 'We have him half by theft.' His wrinkles glistened keen: And see the Winter storm-cloud cleft To lurid skies between! V When read old Kraken: 'Christ our Guide,' His eyes were spikes of spar: And see the white snow-storm divide About an icy star! VI 'She trusted him to understand,' She wrote, and further prayed That policy might rule the land. Old Kraken's laughter neighed. VII Her words he took; her nods and winks Treated as woman's fog. The man-dog for his mistress thinks, Not less her faithful dog. VIII She hugged a cloak old Kraken ripped; Disguise to him he loathed. -- Your mercy, madam, shows you stripped, While mine will keep you clothed. IX A rough ill-soldered scar in haste He rubbed on his cheek-bone. -- Our policy the man shall taste; Our mercy shall be shown. X 'Count Louis, honour to your race Decrees the Council-hall: You 'scape the rope by special grace, And like a soldier fall.' XI -- I am a man of many sins, Who for one virtue die, Count Louis said. -- They play at shins, Who kick, was the reply. XII Uprose the day of crimson sight, The day without a God. At morn the hero said Good-night: See there that stain on sod! XIII At morn the Countess Louis heard Young light sing in the lark. Ere eve it was that other bird, Which brings the starless dark. XIV To heaven she vowed herself, and yearned Beside her lord to lie. Archduchess Anne on Kraken turned, All white as a dead eye. XV If I could kill thee! shrieked her look: If lightning sprang from Will! An oaken head old Kraken shook, And she might thank or kill. XVI The pride that fenced her heart in mail By mortal pain was torn. Forth from her bosom leaped a wail, As of a babe new-born. XVII She clad herself in courtly use, And one who heard them prate Had said they differed upon views Where statecraft raised debate. XVIII The wretch detested must she trust, The servant master own: Confide to godless cause so just, And for God's blessing moan. XIX Austerely she her heart kept down, Her woman's tongue was mute When voice of People, voice of Crown, In cannon held dispute. XX The Crown on seas of blood, like swine, Swam forefoot at the throat: It drank of its dear veins for wine, Enough if it might float! XXI It sank with piteous yelp, resurged Electrical with fear. O had she on old Kraken urged Her word of mercy clear! XXII O had they with Count Louis been Accordant in his plea! Cursed are the women vowed to screen A heart that all can see! XXIII The godless drove unto a goal Was worse than vile defeat. Did vengeance prick Count Louis' soul They dressed him luscious meat. XXIV Worms will the faithless find their lies In the close treasure-chest. Without a God no day can rise, Though it should slay our best. XXV The Crown it furled a draggled flag, It sheathed a broken blade. Behold its triumph in the hag That lives with looks decayed! XXVI And lo, the man of oaken head, Of soldier's honour bare, He fled his land, but most he fled His Lady's frigid stare. XXVII Judged by the issue we discern God's blessing, and the bane. Count Louis' dust would fill an urn, His deeds are waving grain. XXVIII And she that helped to slay, yet bade To spare the fated man, Great were her errors, but she had Great heart, Archduchess Anne. |