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The tragedies of Algernon Charles Swinburne
The tragedies of Algernon Charles Swinburne Author:Algernon Charles Swinburne Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: Enter the Queen, Bothwell, Seyton, the Maries, and Attendants QUEEN The wind has moved my blood like wine ; I am full Even to the heart's root of its spiri... more »t of life. Flew not my hawk the last flight well, that sent The tumbling hern down from her highest ? I think You have none better. Is our brother come? Seyton He is now alighting, madam. QUEEN By this hand, I would when we must 'light from horse we might Take wing instead, and so what time we live Live ever at glad speed save when we sleep. It points and edges the dull steel of life To feel the blood and brain in us renew By help of that life lifting us, and speed That being not ours is mixed with us and serves. I would hold counsel and wage war and reign Not in walled chambers nor close pens of state, But or in saddle or at sea, my steed As a sea-wave beneath the wind and me, Or the sea serving as a bitted steed That springs like air and fire. Time comes, they say, When we love rest, house-keeping sloth, and calms ; To me I think it will not come alive. HERRIES Madam, I would change yet one word with you Ere I go hence or others take your ear. QUEEN . So shall you, sir ; yet is my heart too light, And its live blood too merry from the chase, And all my life too full of the air of joy Whereon it mounts up falcon-like for prey And hovers at its wings' width ere it strike, To give wise words wise welcome ; yet what grace I may to your grave counsels will I show And modesty of audience. Tell my brother I shortly will receive him. Exeuntall but the Queen and Herries.] My good lord, It is for that old honour and true love I bear your high name and your flawless faith That yet mine ear makes way now for your words, In trust they will not wound it for its pains With any tu...« less