His foot less sure. And verily
If the King should miss ... "Jesu! Marie!
"The King hath missed!"—And, look, he falls!
Rolls headlong out to the headlong walls.
What Saint shall save him on whom he calls?
What Saint shall save him, who struggles there
On the narrow ledge by the eagle's lair,
With hook'd hands clinging 'twixt earth and air?
The Abbot crosses himself in dread—
"Let prayers go up for the nearly dead,