My head to sleep, my mother by his side

Lulled me with songs of how in days gone by

The martial women of our noble race

Went with their husbands by their side to fight;

And one so nursed fears not the Moslem foe.

But now, alas! some evil it forebodes

That thou shouldst on this day go forth to fight."

And as she spoke tears trickled down his eyes,

And one, a pearly drop, stole to her palm.

She felt it: instantly her hand withdrew,