No More Learning

IX.

But what time she had made good all her years of womanhood--
_Toll slowly. _
Unto both these lords of Leigh spake she out right sovranly,
"My will runneth as my blood.

X.

"And while this same blood makes red this same right hand's veins,"
she said--
_Toll slowly_--
"'T is my will, as lady free, not to wed a lord of Leigh,
But Sir Guy of Linteged. "

XI.

The old Earl he smiled smooth, then he sighed for wilful youth--
_Toll slowly. _
"Good my niece, that hand withal looketh somewhat soft and small
For so large a will, in sooth. "

XII.

She too smiled by that same sign, but her smile was cold and fine--
_Toll slowly. _
"Little hand clasps muckle gold, or it were not worth the hold
Of thy son, good uncle mine! "

XIII.

Then the young lord jerked his breath, and sware thickly in his teeth--
_Toll slowly_--
"He would wed his own betrothed, an she loved him an she loathed,
Let the life come or the death. "

XIV.

Up she rose with scornful eyes, as her father's child might rise--
_Toll slowly.
_
"Thy hound's blood, my lord of Leigh, stains thy knightly heel,"
quoth she,
"And he moans not where he lies:

XV.

"But a woman's will dies hard, in the hall or on the sward"--
_Toll slowly. _
"By that grave, my lords, which made me orphaned girl and dowered lady,
I deny you wife and ward! "

XVI.

Unto each she bowed her head and swept past with lofty tread.
_Toll slowly. _
Ere the midnight-bell had ceased, in the chapel had the priest
Blessed her, bride of Linteged.

XVII.

Fast and fain the bridal train along the night-storm rode amain--
_Toll slowly. _
Hard the steeds of lord and serf struck their hoofs out on the turf,
In the pauses of the rain.

XVIII.

Fast and fain the kinsmen's train along the storm pursued amain--
_Toll slowly. _
Steed on steed-track, dashing off,--thickening, doubling, hoof on hoof,
In the pauses of the rain.

XIX.

And the bridegroom led the flight on his red-roan steed of might--
_Toll slowly. _
And the bride lay on his arm, still, as if she feared no harm,
Smiling out into the night.