Chapter I

A swift thought flashed to my mind that day When I first saw you, regally tall 'Mid a throng of pigmies--a very Saul-- How some woman's heart must admit your sway, Some woman's soul to your soul be thrall; (And though not for me were the rapture to prove you, I thrilled as I thought how a woman might love you!)

Then--strange that our eyes for a moment should meet And hold each other a breathless space, That a light as of dawn should leap into your face, That the lips that were stern should an instant grow sweet-- Ere you turned, at a word, with a courtier's grace. (And I knew that tho' many a woman had loved you, Till that moment, the glance of no woman had moved you!)

Then you stood at my side and one murmured your name, The proud old name that you worthily wore, And I drank the soul-chalice Fate's mandate upbore To my lips, as the fire of your glance leapt to flame; What need were of words? heart speaks heart evermore-- (And I knew that were mine but the rapture to prove you, How deeply, how dearly one woman might love you!)