Page:The poems of Emma Lazarus volume 1.djvu/99

Her eyes, her slightest gesture would suffice
To bind all men in blissful slavery.
She sprang upon the mountain s dangerous side,
With feet that left their print in flowers divine,
Flushed amaryllis and blue hyacinth,
Impurpled amaranth and asphodel,
Dewy with nectar, and exhaling scents
Richer than all the roses of mid-June.
The knight sped after her, with wild eyes fixed
Upon her brightness, as she lightly leapt
From crag to crag, with flying auburn hair,
Like a gold cloud, that lured him ever on,
Higher and higher up the haunted cliff.
At last amidst a grove of pines she paused,
Until he reached her, breathing hard with haste,
Delight, and wonder. Then upon his hand
She placed her own, and all his blood at once
Tingled and hotly rushed to brow and cheek,
At the supreme caress ; but the mere touch
Infused fresh life, and when she looked at him
With gracious tenderness, he felt himself
Strong suddenly to bear the blinding light
Of those great eyes. " Dear knight," she murmured low,
" For love of me, wilt thou accord this boon,
To grace my weary home in banishment ? "
His hungry eyes gave answer ere he spoke,
In tones abrupt that startled his own ears
With their strange harshness ; but with thanks profuse