XII.

He shook his head: “Oh dread, mysterious man, “What would’st thou with me here?”--“Not harm a hair “Of thine, most beauteous maiden.” Curdling ran Her blood, for she did think he mocked her prayer. “If just thy purpose, why felonious tear “Me from my father’s side--my father ailing?” She wept again: “My innocence, oh, spare---- “Release me”--but her prayers were unavailing, And loud resounded all the cavern with her wailing.