“THE BEGGAR KING.

 

   
  
  
  
  
 
   
 
 
  
 
    

TRE empetor lovéd’ her at the sight:

© “1 take your terms!” cried he,

“Nor wilt thou fear, O maiden dear, @ '
To wed. to-night with me?” } ,

Mer long, dark lashes swept her cheek;

A word she could not find, /
' For to and fro her thoughts did blow, —_//,
i Like lilies in a wind.

\ydi2 She toward him reached her little hand,
~< Then — drew it back again ; ;
. She smiled and sighed —all satisfied, ,

« He grasped her bridle-rein.

     
   
   

Then clattered courtiers thro’ the street,
Fast ran the folk, 1 ween,
And under feet strewed roses sweet,
» And boughs of apple-green.

The emperor, on his gold-shod horse, |
Came pacing thro’ the town, /

And by his side his timid bride —/
Rode in her tattered gown.

A crocus-broidered petticoat,

Robes stiff with threads of gold,
The maids found soon, and satin shoo,
And lace in spices rolled.