IX

     That was a moment when a shock
     Through the procession ran,
     And thrilled the plumes, and stayed the clock,
     Yet smiled Archduchess Anne.

     X

     No touch gave she to hound in leash,
     No wink to sword in sheath: 
     She seemed a woman scarce of flesh;
     Above it, or beneath.

     XI

     Old Kraken spied with kennelled snarl,
     His Lady deemed disgraced. 
     He footed as on burning marl,
     When out of Hall he paced.

     XII

     ’Twas seen he hammered striding legs,
     And stopped, and strode again. 
     Now Vengeance has a brood of eggs,
     But Patience must be hen.

     XIII

     Too slow are they for wrath to hatch,
     Too hot for time to rear. 
     Old Kraken kept unwinding watch;
     He marked his day appear.

     XIV

     He neighed a laugh, though moods were rough
     With standards in revolt: 
     His nostrils took the news for snuff,
     His smacking lips for salt.

     XV

     Count Louis’ wavy cock’s plumes led
     His troops of black-haired manes,
     A rebel; and old Kraken sped
     To front him on the plains.

     XVI

     Then camp opposed to camp did they
     Fret earth with panther claws
     For signal of a bloody day,
     Each reading from the Laws.

     XVII

     ‘Forefend it, heaven!’ Count Louis cried,
     ’And let the righteous plead: 
     My country is a willing bride,
     Was never slave decreed.

     XVIII

     ’Not we for thirst of blood appeal
     To sword and slaughter curst;
     We have God’s blessing on our steel,
     Do we our pleading first.’

     XIX

     Count Louis, soul of chivalry,
     Put trust in plighted word;
     By starlight on the broad brown lea,
     To bar the strife he spurred.

     XX

     Across his breast a crimson spot,
     That in a quiver glowed,
     The ruddy crested camp-fires shot,
     As he to darkness rode.

     XXI

     He rode while omens called, beware
     Old Kraken’s pledge of faith! 
     A smile and waving hand in air,
     And outward flew the wraith.

     XXII

     Before pale morn had mixed with gold,
     His army roared, and chilled,
     As men who have a woe foretold,
     And see it red fulfilled.

     XXIII

     Away and to his young wife speed,
     And say that Honour’s dead! 
     Another word she will not need
     To bow a widow’s head.

     XXIV

Old Kraken roped his white moustache Right, left, for savage glee:  — To swing him in his soldier’s sash Were kind for such as he!

     XXV