222
POEMS.
Had marked her for his next new prize.
Asking her name, as low she bowed
Before the throne, he called aloud,—
"Which of my nobles springs to lead
Her chariot ponies? Do I need
Speak farther?"
On the instant, two
Young nobles robed in white sprang through
The crowd, and kneeling as to queen,
With low-bent head and reverent mien,
They walked the chariot beside.
The bands burst forth in swelling tide
Of music, and the curtain fell.
One noble, smitten by the spell
Of Choy's great beauty, whispered, "God,
How beautiful thou art!"
"My Lord,
Have care," the scornful Choy exclaimed:
"'T were ill for thee, if thou wert blamed
By me."
The other noble silent gazed,
With eyes whose glance strange tumuit raised
Within Choy's breast. He did not speak:
All spoken words had fallen weak,
After his look. Yet Choy's heart burned
To hear his voice. Sudden she turned,
And leaning forward said, "How now,
What seest thou in air that thou
Art dumb?"
With trembling lips he spoke,—
"O Lady, till thy sweet voice broke
Upon the air, I thought I saw
Asking her name, as low she bowed
Before the throne, he called aloud,—
"Which of my nobles springs to lead
Her chariot ponies? Do I need
Speak farther?"
On the instant, two
Young nobles robed in white sprang through
The crowd, and kneeling as to queen,
With low-bent head and reverent mien,
They walked the chariot beside.
The bands burst forth in swelling tide
Of music, and the curtain fell.
One noble, smitten by the spell
Of Choy's great beauty, whispered, "God,
How beautiful thou art!"
"My Lord,
Have care," the scornful Choy exclaimed:
"'T were ill for thee, if thou wert blamed
By me."
The other noble silent gazed,
With eyes whose glance strange tumuit raised
Within Choy's breast. He did not speak:
All spoken words had fallen weak,
After his look. Yet Choy's heart burned
To hear his voice. Sudden she turned,
And leaning forward said, "How now,
What seest thou in air that thou
Art dumb?"
With trembling lips he spoke,—
"O Lady, till thy sweet voice broke
Upon the air, I thought I saw
