120
THE GOLDEN VIOLET.
Promptly the city was prepared,
Summon'd to arms the royal guard
Were bade their strength and bearing show
To awe, but not attack the foe
Till further orders. Last of all
She called her council to the hall.
She enter'd; it was strange to see
How soon such utter change could be.
Pale as if lip and cheek had grown
Sudden to monumental stone,
So fix'd, that, but the lighted eye
Show'd it had yet to close and die,
It was like the last sleep of death,
When hue, warmth, light, have pass'd with breath.
Hurriedly had been thrown aside
The silver robes that deck'd the bride;
