Xi

Free among them stands the maiden, Clad in white for her long rest; Crowned with gold, and jewel-laden, With a lily on her breast

Lily is the mark that showeth Where that pure and sweet heart gloweth; Here must come, to shed her life, Point of sacrificial knife.

Here the knife is, cold and gleaming, Here the colder butcher band. Was the true love nought but dreaming, Feeble heart, and coward hand?