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WHILE thus he poured the lengthened tale,
The minstrel's voice began to fail;

B

THE POWER OF LOVE.

Full slyly smiled the observant page,
And gave the withered hand of age
A goblet crowned with mighty wine,
The blood of Veley's scorchèd vine.
He raised the silver cup on high,
And while the big drop filled his eye,
Prayed God to bless the Duchess long,
And all who cheered a son of song.
The attending maidens smiled to see
How long, how deep, how zealously
The precious juice the minstrel quaff'd :
And he, emboldened by the draught,
Looked gaily back to them and laughed.
The cordial nectar of the bowl

Swelled his old veins and cheered his soul ;-
A lighter, livelier prelude ran,

Ere thus his tale again began :—

"And said I that my limbs were old,
And said I that my blood was cold,
And that my kindly fire was fled,
And my poor withered heart was dead,
And that I might not sing of Love?
How could I to the dearest theme
That ever warmed a minstrel's dream,
So foul, so false a recreant prove?
How could I name Love's very name,
Nor wake my heart to notes of flame?
In peace, Love tunes the shepherd's reed;
In war, he mounts the warrior's steed;
In halls in gay attire is seen,

In hamlets dances on the green;

Love rules the court, the camp, the grove,
And men below, and saints above;
For Love is heaven, and heaven is Love."

Walter Scott.

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