Arvan; Or, the Story of the Sword, a Poem. Or, the Story of the Sword, a Poem (Paperback)

Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CANTO YII. Queen Atheeh had held conflict in her heart, Whether her soul should lend a listening ear To Chavah, offering to work the charm That should restore to her King Arvan's love; For doubtful-voiced, within her vexed breast, The sensitive spirit pleaded restlessly, Urging ill doubts, disquieting the soul, Now this, now that alleging: prompt to change The colour of the action, till at times She doubted of its fitness; or again, When sunnier thoughts drew near, felt all assured Of its convenient rightfulness. And thus Days had gone by since first fair Chavah made Her specious offer, tempting her adown Destruction's path. And sometimes sadly said Her spirit's voice, in her lone communings, " Would Athreh owe to evil magic charm King Arvan's love, that ne'er might be rewon By Athreh's faithfulness ? Might such a heart, Untrue, far wandering from its plighted faith, Conquered anew only by potent spell O'ermastering, have worth as in old days, When it made rich the heart ? Tis a vain thought. Love given not for love, whate'er the soul Lightly deceived may hope, exiateth not, Save in sick fancy's dream, which feverishly Simulates that which is, by airy shapes Brain-born, existenceless. Also, 'twere shame Stooping to take from Chavah's hands the gift Which, had she stolen not, were yet mine own. No ! I will not receive it. I will be Alone henceforward. Let her keep her prize, And leave me to my sorrow. Ne'er will I, Who reigned once a queen in Arvan's heart, He having failed me, win through magic spell, Wrought out by her, that which was wholly mine. Yet will I love him truly to the end, For a north woman may not change her love. Nor shall he know that I have loved him thus; But I will hide the love deep in...