| Higginson and Bigelow, comps. American Sonnets. 1891. | | | | Ariadne’s Farewell | | By Helen Maria (Fiske) (Hunt) Jackson (1830–1885) |
| | | THE DAUGHTER of a king, how should I know | |
| That there were tinsels wearing face of gold, | |
| And worthless glass, which in the sunlight’s hold | |
| Could shameless answer back my diamond’s glow | |
| With cheat of kindred fire? The currents slow, | 5 |
| And deep, and strong, and stainless, which had rolled | |
| Through royal veins for ages, what had told | |
| To them, that hasty heat and lie could show | |
As quick and warm a red as theirs?
Go free! | |
| The sun is breaking on the sea’s blue shield | 10 |
| Its golden lances; by their gleam I see | |
| Thy ship’s white sails. Go free, if scorn can yield | |
Thee freedom!
Then, alone, my love and I,— | |
| We both are royal; we know how to die. | | | | |
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