The Escape of Gayferos

Before her knee the boy did stand, within the dais so fair,
The golden shears were in her hand, to clip his curled hair;
And ever as she clipp'd the curls, such doleful words she spake,
That tears ran from Gayferos' eyes, for his sad mother's sake.

"God grant a beard were on thy face, and strength thine arm within,
To fling a spear, or swing a mace, like Roland Paladin!
For then, I think, thou would'st avenge thy father that is dead,
Whom envious traitors slaughter'd within thy mother's bed.

"Their bridal-gifts were rich and rare, that hate might not be seen;
They cut me garments broad and fair—none fairer hath the Queen."—
Then out and spake the little boy—"Each night to God I call,
And to his blessed Mother, to make me strong and tall!"—

The Count he heard Gayferos, in the palace where he lay;—
"Now silence, silence, Countess! it is falsehood that you say;
I neither slew the man, nor hired another's sword to slay;—
But, for that the mother hath desired, be sure the son shall pay!"—

The Count call'd to his esquires, (old followers were they,
Whom the dead Lord had nurtured for many a merry day)—
He bade them take their old Lord's heir, and stop his tender breath—
Alas! 'twas piteous but to hear the manner of that death.

"List, esquires, list, for my command is offspring of mine oath—
The stirrup-foot and the hilt-hand see that ye sunder both;—
That ye cut out his eyes 'twere best—the safer he will go—
And bring a finger and the heart, that I his end may know."—

The esquires took the little boy aside with them to go;
Yet, as they went, they did repent—"O, God! must this be so?
How shall we think to look for grace, if this poor child we slay,
When ranged before Christ Jesu's face at the great judgment-day?"—

While they, not knowing what to do, were standing in such talk,
The Countess' little lap-dog bitch by chance did cross their walk;
Then out and spake one of the 'squires, (you may hear the words he said,)
"I think the coming of this bitch may serve us in good stead—

"Let us take out the bitch's heart, and give it to Galvan;
The boy may with a finger part, and be no worser man."—
With that they cut the joint away, and whisper'd in his ear,
That he must wander many a day, nor once those parts come near.

"Your uncle grace and love will show; he is a bounteous man;"—
And so they let Gayferos go, and turn'd them to Galvan.
The heart and the small finger upon the board they laid,
And of Gayferos' slaughter a cunning story made.

The Countess, when she hears them, in great grief loudly cries:
Meantime the stripling safely unto his uncle hies:—
"Now welcome, my fair boy," he said, "what good news may they be
Come with thee to thine uncle's hall?"——"Sad tidings come with me—

"The false Galvan had laid his plan to have me in my grave;
But I've escaped him, and am here, my boon from thee to crave:
Rise up, rise up, mine uncle, thy brother's blood they've shed;
Rise up—they've slain my father within my mother's bed."—