Howe'er that be, all eyes were bent

Upon me, when my cousins cast

Theirs down; 't was time I should present

The victor's crown, but ... there, 't will last

No long time ... the old mist again

Blinds me as then it did. How vain!

See! Gismond 's at the gate, in talk

With his two boys: I can proceed.

Well, at that moment, who should stalk

Forth boldly—to my face, indeed—