"He perishes--well, let him die! His wife henceforth shall be mine own! Can that thought deep imbedded lie Within thy heart's most secret zone! Search well and see! one brother takes His kingdom,--one would take his wife! A fair partition!--But it makes Me shudder, and abhor my life.
"Art thou in secret league with those Who from his hope the kingdom rent? A spy from his ignoble foes To track him in his banishment? And wouldst thou at his death rejoice? I know thou wouldst, or sure ere now When first thou heardst that well-known voice Thou shouldst have run to aid, I trow.
"Learn this,--whatever comes may come, But I shall not survive my Love,-- Of all my thoughts here is the sum! Witness it gods in heaven above. If fire can burn, or water drown, I follow him:--choose what thou wilt, Truth with its everlasting crown, Or falsehood, treachery, and guilt.
"Remain here, with a vain pretence Of shielding me from wrong and shame, Or go and die in his defence And leave behind a noble name. Choose what thou wilt,--I urge no more, My pathway lies before me clear, I did not know thy mind before, I know thee now,--and have no fear."
She said and proudly from him turned,-- Was this the gentle Sîta? No. Flames from her eyes shot forth and burned, The tears therein had ceased to flow. "Hear me, O Queen, ere I depart, No longer can I bear thy words, They lacerate my inmost heart And torture me, like poisoned swords.
"Have I deserved this at thine hand? Of lifelong loyalty and truth Is this the meed? I understand Thy feelings, Sîta, and in sooth I blame thee not,--but thou mightst be Less rash in judgement. Look! I go, Little I care what comes to me Wert thou but safe,--God keep thee so!
"In going hence I disregard The plainest orders of my chief, A deed for me,--a soldier,--hard And deeply painful, but thy grief And language, wild and wrong, allow No other course. Mine be the crime, And mine alone,--but oh, do thou Think better of me from this time.
"Here with an arrow, lo, I trace A magic circle ere I leave, No evil thing within this space May come to harm thee or to grieve. Step not, for aught, across the line, Whatever thou mayst see or hear, So shalt thou balk the bad design Of every enemy I fear.