MARY OF MARKA.

Eric of Marka holds the knife:

“A nameless death for a nameless life.” —

“Mary of Marka, bid him stay,

And the morrow shall be our wedding-day.” —

“Will the blessing of priest give back my faith,

Or life to the child you left to death?” —

Eric of Marka holds the knife,

And turns to the mother that is no wife:

“Mary of Marka, have your will!

Shall I spare him, or shall I kill?” —

“He wrought me wrong when the days were sweet,

And he'll get no more but a winding-sheet.”