Chapter XXXV

Grey Royalty, grown impotent of toil,
Let the grave sceptre slip his lazy hold;
And, careless, saw his rule become the spoil
Of a loose Female and her minion bold.
But peace was on the cottage and the fold,
From Court intrigue, from bickering faction far;
Beneath the chestnut-tree Love’s tale was told,
And to the tinkling of the light guitar,
Sweet stooped the western sun, sweet rose the evening star.