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ANCIENT PORTUGUESE BALLADS. 251
" What troubles you, my best beloved ; resolve this dreadful
doubt, What is the order of the king that fills you so with gloom ? "
The Count choked down his sudden sobs, he could no answer
make. She clasped his neck and on his mouth she pressed a frantic
kiss. " Take from my heart this agony I suffer for your sake, Let me partake your sorrow, dear, and you shall share my
bliss."
The woeful pair from table rose, and sought in bed to rest, But slumber came not to their eyes, to give their pains
relief. " By the good God in heaven above, and Virgin Mary blest, My very life I 'd sooner give than see you in such grief."
" May death revenge such black command ; perish his tyrÂanny !
My Count, I do not understand what 't is he bids thee do ;
Upon my life and soul, my love, reveal it now to me,
This dreadful shadow of ill fate that comes between us two."
" The fate of an ill-fated one, and no help can there be, The king commands that I kill thee, and the Infanta wed." Scarce had these dreadful words been spoke in stifled agony When the unhappy Countess fell, as if her life had fled.
God did not give her death's relief, tho' better she had
died For anguish deeper far than death recalled life to her heart, |
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