And watched[144] the only thing that stirred—the rippling of the blood.
That woman’s voice was heard at length, it broke the solemn spell,
And human fear, displacing awe, upon our spirits fell—
“Ho![145] slayers of the sinewless! Ho! tramplers of the weak!
What! shrink ye from the ghastly meats[146] and life-bought wine ye seek?
Feed, and begone![147] I wish to weep—I bring you out my store[148]—
Devour[149] it—waste[150] it all—and then—pass[151] and be seen no more.
Poison! Is that your craven fear?” She snatched the goblet[152] up
And raised it to her queen-like head, as if to drain the cup.
But our fierce leader grasped her wrist—“No, woman! No!” he said,