“Most excellent Lady, thy pardon I beg,
“My face is a hideous creature’s—”
“The Duchess said smiling: “I am not afraid,
“I insist upon seeing your features.”
“Most excellent Lady, thy pardon I beg,
“For night and death are my portion—”
“The Duchess said smiling: “I’ll not let you go
“I’ll see you, despite all your caution.”
In vain he struggled with gloomy words
To change her determination;
At length she forcibly tore the mask
From his face for her information.
“’Tis the headsman of Bergen!” the throng in the hall
Exclaim with a feeling of terror,
And timidly shrink;—the Duchess rush’d out,
Her husband to tell of her error.
The Duke was wise, and all the disgrace
Of the Duchess straightway effac’d he;
He drew his bright sword and said: “Kneel down,
Good fellow!” with accents hasty.
“With this stroke of the sword I make you now
“A limb of the order knightly;
“And since you’re a knave, you’ll hereafter be call’d
“Sir Knave of Bergen rightly.”
So the headsman became a nobleman proud,
Of the Bergen Knaves’ family founder;
A haughty race! they dwelt on the Rhine,
Though now they all underground are!
THE VALKYRES.[67]
While below contending forces
Fight, above on cloudy horses
Three Valkyres ride; their song
Through the air re-echoes long.
“Princes wrangle, nations quarrel,
“Each would bear away the laurel;
“Conquest is the highest prize,
“Highest worth in courage lies.