Robert Browning: How to Know Him Part 19

IV

They, too, so beauteous! Each a queen By virtue of her brow and breast; Not needing to be crowned, I mean, As I do. E'en when I was dressed, Had either of them spoke, instead Of glancing sideways with still head!

V

But no: they let me laugh, and sing My birthday song quite through, adjust The last rose in my garland, fling A last look on the mirror, trust My arms to each an arm of theirs, And so descend the castle-stairs--

VI

And come out on the morning-troop Of merry friends who kissed my cheek, And called me queen, and made me stoop Under the canopy--(a streak That pierced it, of the outside sun, Powdered with gold its gloom's soft dun)--

VII

And they could let me take my state And foolish throne amid applause Of all come there to celebrate My queen's-day--Oh I think the cause Of much was, they forgot no crowd Makes up for parents in their shroud!

VIII

However that be, all eyes were bent Upon me, when my cousins cast Theirs down; 'twas time I should present The victor's crown, but ... there, 'twill last No long time ... the old mist again Blinds me as then it did. How vain!

IX

See! Gismond's at the gate, in talk With his two boys: I can proceed.

Well, at that moment, who should stalk Forth boldly--to my face, indeed-- But Gauthier, and he thundered "Stay!"

And all stayed. "Bring no crowns, I say!"

X

"Bring torches! Wind the penance-sheet About her! Let her shun the chaste, Or lay herself before their feet!

Shall she whose body I embraced A night long, queen it in the day?

For honour's sake no crowns, I say!"

XI

I? What I answered? As I live, I never fancied such a thing As answer possible to give.

What says the body when they spring Some monstrous torture-engine's whole Strength on it? No more says the soul.

XII

Till out strode Gismond; then I knew That I was saved. I never met His face before, but, at first view, I felt quite sure that G.o.d had set Himself to Satan; who would spend A minute's mistrust on the end?

XIII

He strode to Gauthier, in his throat Gave him the lie, then struck his mouth With one back-handed blow that wrote In blood men's verdict there. North, South, East, West, I looked. The lie was dead, And d.a.m.ned, and truth stood up instead.

XIV

This glads me most, that I enjoyed The heart of the joy, with my content In watching Gismond unalloyed By any doubt of the event: G.o.d took that on him--I was bid Watch Gismond for my part: I did.

XV

Did I not watch him while he let His armourer just brace his greaves, Rivet his hauberk, on the fret The while! His foot ... my memory leaves No least stamp out, nor how anon He pulled his ringing gauntlets on.

XVI

And e'en before the trumpet's sound Was finished, p.r.o.ne lay the false knight, p.r.o.ne as his lie, upon the ground: Gismond flew at him, used no sleight O' the sword, but open-breasted drove, Cleaving till out the truth he clove.

XVII

Which done, he dragged him to my feet And said "Here die, but end thy breath In full confession, lest thou fleet From my first, to G.o.d's second death!

Say, hast thou lied?" And, "I have lied To G.o.d and her," he said, and died.

XVIII

Then Gismond, kneeling to me, asked --What safe my heart holds, though no word Could I repeat now, if I tasked My powers for ever, to a third Dear even as you are. Pa.s.s the rest Until I sank upon his breast.

XIX

Over my head his arm he flung Against the world; and scarce I felt His sword (that dripped by me and swung) A little s.h.i.+fted in its belt: For he began to say the while How South our home lay many a mile.

XX

So 'mid the shouting mult.i.tude We two walked forth to never more Return. My cousins have pursued Their life, untroubled as before I vexed them. Gauthier's dwelling-place G.o.d lighten! May his soul find grace I

XXI

Our elder boy has got the clear Great brow; tho' when his brother's black Full eye shows scorn, it ... Gismond here?

And have you brought my tercel back?

I just was telling Adela How many birds it struck since May.