“They said there was stars’ blood in her veins.”
It was no rumor. That blood defends her son,
Relieves enchantment’s thrall, returns him kindly pains
Of memory, of home and her face and his father,
Of all that is lost or to be won
If by a miracle he should flee, or his lady’s enchantments falter.
Bound by silver and miles of earth,
Battered in soul by poisoned fire,
And schemes of conquest, and the lips of a liar—
Still stars’ blood is proving its worth,
Singing the songs of Eastern light,
And destiny’s dance,
And clean, pure light.