30 GORD-AFRID AND SOHRAB. 



Strikes off the helmet from its place, 

 And sees, surprised, a Woman's face ! 

 Her look, her bloom, her braided hair 

 Might well a valiant heart insnare. 



Sohrab, to hide his blushes, strove, 



But largely, deeply, drank of love : 



" Yes — Iran's maids have wrondrous charms, 



Their beauty matchless as their arms I 



Fly not, sweet Valour ! for 'tis rare 



A Deer, like you, comes to my snare. 



tell me, Princess, why you court, 



Dread War, — to man e'en dangerous sport? " 



Slow to the Youth thus love-assailed, 

 Her eyes, her visage she unveiled. 

 For what can baffled lady do. 

 But set her loveliness to view ? 

 She baited well her sweet discourse, 

 With melting words of winning force : 

 " Warrior I thy bravery's worth I know. 

 Thou parriest well a VVoman's blow. 

 Thy soldiers deem me yet a knight, 

 But if these tresses dark I show, 

 Soldiers the ready gibe will throw. 

 And bid dishonour on thee light. 



1 should be loath they wrong thy skill, — 

 So keep my sex a secret still. 

 Meantime, I tender to thy care 



Our fortress, and our treasures there." 



When Gord-afrid her veil withdrew. 

 Her cheeks seemed roses bathed in dew ; 



Warm blushing, as when morning dawns, 

 Shaming the peach in bloom and hue ; 

 While from her eyes, so like the fawn's. 

 She laughed up love in every glance, 

 And plunged Sohrab in strangest trance ! 

 Still to his gaze she lovelier grew — 

 Still opening graces dawned to view. 



" Heed well your promise Maid of W^ar, 

 The castle's ponderous gates unbar : 

 And if you reck not what you hear, 

 Ye know the prowess of my spear. 

 We snap the reed on which you trust, 

 And raze your fortress to the dust." 



The Princess nought in answer gave. 

 But turning quick her charger brave 

 Right to the castle won her way, 

 Triumphant in her Beauty's sway. 



