"Whet thou thy steel, for thou wilt need its edge.
Erelong thou shalt assail the man I hate.
Myself will show the path. Fly! 'tis a step
It draweth nearer yet. Lygrul, away!
See! we must shun to waken from their sleep
Suspicion's light-roused eyes." Then Lygrul past
By an opposing door from Chavah's room,
Shunning surprise; and Chavah was alone.
The light step that she heard some other Moved down the long-resounding corridor; Therefore fair Chavah sat and mused on, "What shall be done," she thought, "for these men shrink, Mere timorous-hearted wretches, from the deed? Myself must work deliverance. He might dieDie by my hand; and, wounded unto death, Know her who slays him. Die! die by my hand! Ah! have I strength to slay him? In my soul I feel a burning hate; but then my hands Are woman-weak. It may be, I should shrink From sight, though not from thought of causing pain. Moreover, if I slew him in his sleep,
He would escape all sorrow of the heart,
Holding his kingly power unto the end.
That was not mine intent. No! he must live
Till he hath proved the grief of failing power,
And courage unavailing in the strife.
Let me seek out once more a fairer path
To his destruction. What a thing it is
To be a woman, quick to feel a wrong,
Slow to avenge it! For our weakness thwarts
Our will from its intent. My father's gods,
Bright burning stars! Were I, as in the days
e, I would seek counsel now
it presence. But who failed the sire he child. I stand alone, godless, framer of my doom. m. Well! perhaps 'tis well; n he would 'scape much pain. ich his power? That stands secure, nen, fenced from blows of fate. al the sword? God-given thought! I strength may for this suffice. but man, and so must stoop for he hath earned much hate. his power. Yes! he shall drink
of wine, and slumber on my knees. ome into the spoiler's hands,
be as water." And she rose,
thought of vengeance. Up and down, m even like a hungry beast,
nished, thinking thoughts of blood.
QUEEN ATHREH 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 vexèd 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
may hope, existeth not,
cy's dream, which feverishly
which is, by airy shapes
tenceless. Also, 'twere shame
e from Chavah's hands the gift
stolen not, were yet mine own.
receive it. I will be
ward. Let her keep her prize,
Ne'er will I,
-o my sorrow.
nce a queen in Arvan's heart,
ed me, win through magic spell,
-y her, that which was wholly mine.
him truly to the end,
oman may not change her love. now that I have loved him thus;
e the love deep in my heart, le it with cunning veil
-resy, till Arvan's eyes
lost the treasure he despised." her thoughts, sad-tinted. Then a cloud - on her brow, and from her eyes uld fail, hope-kindled. So for days age strife against her soul, that craved Arvan to her empty arms.
she build up wisest arguments,
ful guard against returning love,
d subject her again, once more.
Le child, who on the shore,
reat sea hath ebbed, and far away
eam, hath raised low dykes of sand,
ocean's might, dreaming to bar
march of waves, yet sees erelong
Among'st King Arvan's foes. Choose thou again,
The men we need are they who go to death
As to a banquet. This man's soul recoiled
From that his meanest braved. Weak is his soul !
Now, by my life,
I scorn the coward." Answering, Lygrul said,
"Thou doest him injustice, being prone
To passion. See thou in his life thine own.
He doth survive for vengeance. Nor is he
Wanting in valour, when it serves his aim.
He hath the courage that conspirers need,
Though not the courage that on battlefields
Armeth man's breast to meet the hostile sword.
Him have I marked in his long captive hours,
And he is patient under injury,
And humble to the oppressor, whom he hates.
Also he hath the gift to hold his peace,
Being more silent than a tongueless bell;
And, or I greatly err, his fangèd hate,
Though it but seldom bite, yet, when it turns
And fastens, will prove mortal. He is still,
But only still because he bides his time.
When the sun rising showeth him his prey
Doubt not his readiness." And Chavah said:
"Well, as thou wilt. I prize not much his aid.
Women may well be patient, being weak,
But men should strike. Hast thou another name-
One whose hand loves the steel? It will suffice."
"Daros is Arvan's foe; his arm might aid.
He was his rival in the former years,
And bore a mightier name, a keener sword.
But after grievous struggles, when his bands
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