A Lady's Choice

Her old love in tears and silence had been building her a palace Ringed by moats and flanked with towers, he had set it on a hill "Here," he said, "will come no whisper of the world's alarms and malice, In these granite walls imprisoned, I will keep you safe from ill."

As he spoke along the highway there came riding by a stranger, For an instant on her features, he a fleeting glance bestowed, Then he said: "My heart is fickle and the world is full of danger," And he offered her his stirrup and he pointed down the road.