And held it to the lamp, then said, 'Like this stone's spotless flame,
So tell your master that I hold his high and knightly fame.' "
Low on his bended knee, the knight received that precious stone,
And bold and proud the spirit now that in his dark eyes shone:
"Up from your sleep, my mariners, for ere the break of day,
And even now the stars are pale, I must be miles away."—
The spray fell from the oars in showers, as in some fairy hall
They say in melting diamonds the charmed fountains fall;
And though as set the weary stars, the darker grew the night,
Yet far behind the vessel left a track of silver light.
They saw again that self-same shore which they that morn had pass'd,
On which they'd look'd as those who know such look may be the last:—
Then out he spoke, the helmsman old: "I marvel we should go
Just like a lady's messenger on the same path to and fro."—
"And 'tis to see a lady's face this homeward task we ply,
I wot the proudest of us all were proud to catch her eye.
A royal gift our queen hath sent, and it were sore disgrace
If that I first put on her gem and not before her face."—
On the terrace by the river side there stood a gallant band,
The very flower of knight and dame were there of English land.
The morning wind toss'd ostrich plume, and stirr'd the silken train,
The morning light from gold and gem was mirror'd back again.
There walk'd the queen Elizabeth, you knew her from the rest
More by the royal step and eye than by the royal vest;
