Chapter IX

Thus, rattling on, she led me, as confused
As feels a warrior at the morning drum,
Till came a sight supreme, arousing me:—
Two bright eyes only, sparkling in the light,
Where flush’d a face that flared, then hid itself
Behind a travelling hood, befleck’d with dust,
And fring’d with venturous locks of careless hair.

“I have them now!” it cried; and straight began
A tale, strain’d sweeter through those lips aglow
Than sunset music. Then, when all was told,
The name I heard was “Edith.”
Bowing low,
“Well done!” essay’d I; then,—to bandy back
That charge against the men I just had heard
From her who brought me,—“Well done as a man!”