She wrote of Mercy: ‘She was loth
Too hard to goad a foe.’
He stamped, as when men drive an oath
Devils transcribe below.
IV
She wrote: ‘We have him half by theft.’
His wrinkles glistened keen:
And see the Winter storm-cloud cleft
To lurid skies between!
V
When read old Kraken: ‘Christ our Guide,’
His eyes were spikes of spar:
And see the white snow-storm divide
About an icy star!
VI
‘She trusted him to understand,’
She wrote, and further prayed
That policy might rule the land.
Old Kraken’s laughter neighed.
VII
Her words he took; her nods and winks
Treated as woman’s fog.
The man-dog for his mistress thinks,
Not less her faithful dog.