Esther, A Sonnet Sequence: Xvi

Oh, 'tis a terrible thing in early youth To be assailed by laughter and mute shame, A terrible thing to be befooled forsooth By one's own foolish face betrayed in flame. The little traitor, when she saw me dumb, Went on to clap her hands, till all and each Took up the jest and called on me to come And prove my courage in the manly breach. The imperious queen stood waiting for me there, Pointing and beckoning, and the crowd closed in. Under the cover of a wilder air From the brass band, the darkness and the din, I know not how it was, in fear or fun, I touched that monster's knee, and all was done.