“Home they brought her warrior dead”

From “The Princess” HOME they brought her warrior dead: She nor swooned, nor uttered cry; All her maidens, watching, said, “She must weep or she will die.” Then they praised him, soft and low, Called him worthy to be loved, Truest friend and noblest foe; Yet she neither spoke nor moved. Stole a maiden from her place, Lightly to the warrior stept, Took the face-cloth from the face; Yet she neither moved nor wept. Rose a nurse of ninety years, Set his child upon her knee,— Like summer tempest came her tears, “Sweet my child, I live for thee.”

Collection: 
English
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Sub Title: 
V. Death and Bereavement

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