VI.
"Mira! – Dara! – Stop! Oh, stop, I pray!
'Tis not right with that object to play:
Think what mischief from it might arise!" -
Such were Lura's shocked and troubled cries.
"Sneaking thing!" retorted Mirabelle,
"Now, no doubt, you'll run and father tell."
"Aye," chimed Daramina, "Let her run!
We were only having harmless fun."
"Nay," said Lura, "I'll not of this speak -
Put it by: some other pastime seek."
Dara, in whose hands the ring now lay
Tossed the item carelessly away.
With a TING! it hit the marble floor,
Rolled away, and could be seen no more.
"Put it by yourself - if it you find!
We have other, better things to mind."
So the scornful sisters did depart,
Leaving Lura, with an anxious heart
For to seek her mother's wedding band
And restore it to its rightful stand.
By and bye she saw a glint of gold.
"Thanks to God!" she said, "The ring has rolled
Under yonder oaken cabinet.
I will fetch it from its prison yet."
With some struggle, Lura freed the ring:
Swiftly to its case she did it bring -
But 'ere she could stow it safely there
An awful shout resounded through the air:
"Thou hast taken out the ring!" it cried,
"If it fits thee, thou shalt be my bride!"
Ere she could escape, her father King
Seized her hand and fastened on the ring.