"No," she replied, "no, Lion; never, no."

Over the stars the boughs burst and receded.

The nobleness of Love comes in Love's woe.

"God bless you then, beloved, let us go.

Come on," he said, "and if I gave you pain,

Forget it, dear; be sure I never will again."

They stepped together down the ride, their feet

Slipped on loose stones. Little was said; his fate,

Staked on a kingly cast, had met defeat.

Nothing remained but to endure and wait.