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cease to flow, and let not sorrow impair thy lovely
beauties. I will wear them on my heart, nor shall
the rude alarms of war drive thy image thence,"
To this Rosamond, with her tears still flowing,
and her snowy arms cast about his neck, replied
“And why may I not go with my much loved
lord? I'll dress like a page, and wait on you in
all your dangers; and when in the heat of battle
your life is in danger by the threatening sword or
spear, I will boldly step between, and, by receiving
the wounds that threaten you, guard your life with
the loss of my own. O take me with you; for
there is no such safety for me as in your royal
camp: but wanting you, my life is death.
She would have proceeded, but the king, inter-
rupting her, said--- " My fairest rose, you are not
fit to brook the toils of war; therefore you must
stay in England's peaceful soil till I return.' Then
calling to Sir Thomas, her uncle, the trusty knight,
who had first given him the account of her beauty,
he said --"Here, worthy knight, I commit this in-
estimable treasure, far more valuable than a king-
dom. Take to you a strong guard for a defence,
and be careful, I charge you, as you tender your
life, that none be permitted to see her till my re-
turn: and expect, my fair mistress, I shall often
write to you, and require your answers.'
" Alas! (said she) this parting is worse than
death; and I am afraid my death will be the fatal
issue of it. I am sure the soul and body cannot
part with so great pains as I now part with you.
Fain would I speak the last farewell, but I cannot,
there are so many deaths in that hard word. Go,
royal sire, that I may know my grief; for grief is
but guessed while thou art by: but I too soon shall
know what absence is: it is the sun's parting from
the frozen north, whilst I stand looking on some
icy cliff, to watch the last low circles that he
makes, till he sinks down from heaven!"
