158
THE STATUE AND THE BUST.
And lo, a blade for a knight's emprise
Filled the fine empty sheath of a man,—
The Duke grew straightway brave and wise.
Filled the fine empty sheath of a man,—
The Duke grew straightway brave and wise.
He looked at her, as a lover can;
She looked at him, as one who awakes,—
The past was a sleep, and her life began.
She looked at him, as one who awakes,—
The past was a sleep, and her life began.
As love so ordered for both their sakes,
A feast was held that selfsame night
In the pile which the mighty shadow makes.
A feast was held that selfsame night
In the pile which the mighty shadow makes.
(For Via Larga is three-parts light,
But the Palace overshadows one,
Because of a crime which may God requite!
But the Palace overshadows one,
Because of a crime which may God requite!
To Florence and God the wrong was done,
Through the first republic's murder there
By Cosimo and his cursed son.)
Through the first republic's murder there
By Cosimo and his cursed son.)
