BOOK THE EIGHTH.
263
Whither thou soon must follow! in the morn,
Ere yet from Orleans to the war we went, 70
He pour'd his tale of sorrow on mine ear.
Lo Conrade where she moves—beloved Maid!
Devoted for the realm of France she goes
Abandoning for this the joys of life!
Yea—life itself!" yet on my heart her words 75
"Vibrate; if she must perish in the war,
I will not live to bear the dreadful thought,
Haply my arm had saved her. I shall go
Her unknown guardian. Conrade, if I fall,
(And trust me I have little love of life,) 80
Bear me in secret from the gory field,
Lest haply I might meet her wandering eye
A mangled corse. She must not know my fate.
Do this last aft of friendship—in the flood
Whelm me: so shall she think of Theodore 85
Unanguish'd." Maiden, I did vow with him
"That I would dare the battle by thy side,
And shield thee in the war. Thee of his death
Ere yet from Orleans to the war we went, 70
He pour'd his tale of sorrow on mine ear.
Lo Conrade where she moves—beloved Maid!
Devoted for the realm of France she goes
Abandoning for this the joys of life!
Yea—life itself!" yet on my heart her words 75
"Vibrate; if she must perish in the war,
I will not live to bear the dreadful thought,
Haply my arm had saved her. I shall go
Her unknown guardian. Conrade, if I fall,
(And trust me I have little love of life,) 80
Bear me in secret from the gory field,
Lest haply I might meet her wandering eye
A mangled corse. She must not know my fate.
Do this last aft of friendship—in the flood
Whelm me: so shall she think of Theodore 85
Unanguish'd." Maiden, I did vow with him
"That I would dare the battle by thy side,
And shield thee in the war. Thee of his death
"I
