The Poetical Works of Elizabeth Barrett Browning Volume IV Part 16

Back he fell while she spoke. She rose to her feet with a spring,-- "That was a Piedmontese! and this is the Court of the King."

AN AUGUST VOICE.

"Una voce augusta."--_Monitore Toscano_.

I.

You'll take back your Grand-duke?

I made the treaty upon it.

Just venture a quiet rebuke; Dall' Ongaro write him a sonnet; Ricasoli gently explain Some need of the const.i.tution: He'll swear to it over again, Providing an "easy solution."

You'll call back the Grand-duke.

II.

You'll take back your Grand-duke?

I promised the Emperor Francis To argue the case by his book, And ask you to meet his advances.

The Ducal cause, we know (Whether you or he be the wronger), Has very strong points;--although Your bayonets, there, have stronger.

You'll call back the Grand-duke.

You'll take back your Grand-duke?

He is not pure altogether.

For instance, the oath which he took (In the Forty-eight rough weather) He'd "nail your flag to his mast,"

Then softly scuttled the boat you Hoped to escape in at last, And both by a "Proprio motu."

You'll call back the Grand-duke.

IV.

You'll take back your Grand-duke?

The scheme meets nothing to shock it In this smart letter, look, We found in Radetsky's pocket; Where his Highness in sprightly style Of the flower of his Tuscans wrote, "These heads be the hottest in file; Pray shoot them the quickest." Quote, And call back the Grand-duke.

V.

You'll take back your Grand-duke?

There _are_ some things to object to.

He cheated, betrayed, and forsook, Then called in the foe to protect you.

He taxed you for wines and for meats Throughout that eight years' pastime Of Austria's drum in your streets-- Of course you remember the last time You called back your Grand-duke?

VI.

You'll take back the Grand-duke?

It is not race he is poor in, Although he never could brook The patriot cousin at Turin.

His love of kin you discern, By his hate of your flag and me-- So decidedly apt to turn All colours at the sight of the Three.[14]

You'll call back the Grand-duke.

VII.

You'll take back your Grand-duke?

'T was weak that he fled from the Pitti; But consider how little he shook At thought of bombarding your city!

And, balancing that with this, The Christian rule is plain for us; ... Or the Holy Father's Swiss Have shot his Perugians in vain for us.

You'll call back the Grand-duke.

VIII.

Pray take back your Grand-duke.

--I, too, have suffered persuasion.

All Europe, raven and rook, Screeched at me armed for your nation.

Your cause in my heart struck spurs; I swept such warnings aside for you: My very child's eyes, and Hers, Grew like my brother's who died for you.

You'll call back the Grand-duke?

IX.

You'll take back your Grand-duke?

My French fought n.o.bly with reason,-- Left many a Lombardy nook Red as with wine out of season.

Little we grudged what was done there, Paid freely your ransom of blood: Our heroes stark in the sun there We would not recall if we could.

You'll call back the Grand-duke?

X.

You'll take back your Grand-duke?

His son rode fast as he got off That day on the enemy's hook, When _I_ had an epaulette shot off.

Though splashed (as I saw him afar--no Near) by those ghastly rains, The mark, when you've washed him in Arno, Will scarcely be larger than Cain's.

You'll call back the Grand-duke?

XI.

You'll take back your Grand-duke?

'T will be so simple, quite beautiful: The shepherd recovers his crook, ... If you should be sheep, and dutiful.

I spoke a word worth chalking On Milan's wall--but stay, Here's Poniatowsky talking,-- You'll listen to _him_ to-day, And call back the Grand-duke.

XII.

You'll take back your Grand-duke?

Observe, there's no one to force it,-- Unless the Madonna, Saint Luke Drew for you, choose to endorse it.

_I_ charge you, by great Saint Martino And prodigies quickened by wrong, Remember your Dead on Ticino; Be worthy, be constant, be strong-- Bah!--call back the Grand-duke!!

FOOTNOTES:

[14] The Italian tricolor: red, green, and white.

CHRISTMAS GIFTS.