XXX. "Kiss him that lies upon thy breast--the rest thou mayst not see."-- "I fain would say an Ave."--"Then say it speedily."-- She knelt her down upon her knee: "O Lord! behold my case-- Judge not my deeds, but look on me in pity and great grace."--
XXXI. When she had made her orison, up from her knees she rose-- "Be kind, Alarcos, to our babes, and pray for my repose-- And now give me my boy once more upon my breast to hold, That he may drink one farewell drink, before my breast be cold."--
XXXII. "Why would you waken the poor child? you see he is asleep-- Prepare, dear wife, there is no time, the dawn begins to peep."-- "Now hear me, Count Alarcos! I give thee pardon free-- I pardon thee for the love's sake wherewith I've lovèd thee.
XXXIII. "But they have not my pardon, the King and his proud daughter-- The curse of God be on them, for this unchristian slaughter!-- I charge them with my dying breath, ere thirty days be gone, To meet me in the realm of death, and at God's awful throne!"--
XXXIV. He drew a kerchief round her neck, he drew it tight and strong, Until she lay quite stiff and cold her chamber floor along; He laid her then within the sheets, and, kneeling by her side, To God and Mary Mother in misery he cried.
XXXV. Then called he for his esquires:--oh! deep was their dismay, When they into the chamber came, and saw her how she lay;-- Thus died she in her innocence, a lady void of wrong, But God took heed of their offence--his vengeance stayed not long.
XXXVI. Within twelve days, in pain and dole, the Infanta passed away, The cruel King gave up his soul upon the twentieth day; Alarcos followed ere the Moon had made her round complete.-- Three guilty spirits stood right soon before God's judgment-seat.
I.--THE EIGHT PENNIES 103 II.--THE THREE TRUTHS 105 III.--THE HUSBAND OF AGLAES 106 IV.--THE THREE CASKETS 111 V.--THE THREE CAKES 116 VI.--THE HERMIT 118 VII.--THE LOST FOOT 121 VIII.--PLACIDUS 122 IX.--DEAD ALEXANDER 131 X.--THE TREE OF PALETINUS 132 XI.--HUNGRY FLIES 132 XII.--THE HUMBLING OF JOVINIAN 133 XIII.--THE TWO PHYSICIANS 139 XIV.--THE FALCON 141 XV.--LET THE LAZIEST BE KING 142 XVI.--THE THREE MAXIMS 143 XVII.--A LOAF FOR A DREAM 146 XVIII.--LOWER THAN THE BEASTS 148 XIX.--OF REAL FRIENDSHIP 151 XX.--ROYAL BOUNTY 152 XXI.--WILY BEGUILED 153 XXII.--THE BASILISK 155 XXIII.--THE TRUMP OF DEATH 155 XXIV.--ALEXANDER AND THE PIRATE 157 XXV.--A TALE OF A PENNY 158 XXVI.--OF AVOIDING IMPRECATIONS 159 XXVII.--A VERSE EXERCISE 161 XXVIII.--BRED IN THE BONE 164 XXIX.--FULGENTIUS 167 XXX.--VENGEANCE DEFERRED 173