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1'AltISlNA.
How changed since last her speaking eye
Glanced gladness round the glittering room , i5oWhere high-born men were proud to wait —Where Beauty watched to imitate
Her gentle voice — her lovely mien —
And gather from her air and gait
The graces of ils queen : j55
Then, — had her eye in sorrow wept,
A thousand warriors forth had leapt,
A thousand swords had sheathless shone,
And made her quarrel all their own.
Now, — what is she? and what are they? 1 G 0Can she command, or these obey ?
All silent and unheeding now,
With downcast eyes and knitting brow,
And folded arms, and freezing air,
And lips that scarce their scorn forbear, i65Her knights and dames, her court — is there:And he, the chosen one, whose lanceHad yet been couched before her glance,
Who — were his arm a moment free —
Had died or gained her liberty; 170
The minion of his father’s bride, —
He, too, is fettered by her side;
Nor sees her swoln and full eye swimLess for her own despair than him: