Liegeful

When England, reeking from her deadly wound, From her galled neck did pluck the chain away, Kenning her liegeful sons fall all around, (Mighty they fell, —'twas Honour led the fray,)

O would my Love were safe in some far isle, And I were like some shadow passed away ; Yea, though some other liegeful wife, the while, Partook his board at eve, his chase by day : For I am that doomed Babe of long ago ;

Bending above the imminent grave, I leaned — God's penitent not less than confessor— My total being, body, soul, and spirit, His liegeful servant.