LEON
Know you none such?” She hung her head, her cheeks
Grew rosy—why? “I have seen one,” she said,
“That hath a curious love to play among
The merry wavelets, hangeth on their necks―
And I have seen bright foam beneath her feet.
If it be she you mean, she is not near
So bright and fair as foam is; but, in sooth,
Folk call her Maid, and Lady, of the Sea.”
Here she peep’d sidelong at him, like a bird,
As if in doubt; but all his doubts were gone.
“O ignorant!” he cried, “do ye not know
Whom ye have seen? But I know! Blessed words!
Not Death, not Death, not Death! O gentle maid,
That Queen I seek; pray lead me where she is;
And Heaven reward thee with undazzled sight!”
“Wherefore? What would’st thou with her?”
Riance ask’d,
And ey’d him much askance, but did not laugh.
He, seeing speedy haven for his hopes
139
