Vii

But helpless there I lay, no weapon near, Only the useless sword I could not reach His traitor's heart with, while I chafed to hear The laugh, the insult and the villain speech Of him to her.--Oh, God! could I but clear The height between and, hanging like a leech, My fingers at his throat, tear out his base Vile tongue! yea, tear, and lash it in his face!