Chapter II

Federigo, the son of the Marquis,
Takes the lady by the hand:
"Thou must bid me God-speed on a journey,
For I leave my native land.

"From Mantua to-morrow
I go, a banished man;
Make me glad for truth and love's sake
Of my father's curse and ban.

"Our quarrel has left my mother
Like death upon the floor;
And I come from a furious presence
I never shall enter more.

"I would not wed the woman
He had chosen for my bride,
For my heart had been before him,
With his statecraft and his pride.

"I swore to him by my princehood
In my love I would be free;
And I swear to thee by my manhood,
I love no one but thee.

"Let the Duke of Bavaria marry
His daughter to whom he will:
There where my love was given
My word shall be faithful still.

"There are six true hearts will follow
My truth wherever I go,
And thou equal truth wilt keep me
In welfare and in woe."

The maiden answered him nothing
Of herself, but his words again
Came back through her lips like an echo
From an abyss of pain;

And vacantly repeating
"In welfare and in woe,"
Like a dream from the heart of fever
From her arms she felt him go.