Page:Maid Marian - Peacock (1822).djvu/146

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Maid Marian.

"Lady Matilda," said John, "yield yourself my prisoner."

"If you would wear-me, prince," said Matilda, "you must win me:" and without giving him time to deliberate on the courtesy of fighting with the lady of his love, she raised her sword in the air, and lowered it on his head with an impetus that would have gone nigh to fathom even that extraordinary depth of brain which always by divine grace furnishes the interior of a head-royal, if he had not very dexterously parried the blow. Prince John wished to disarm and take captive, not in any way to wound or injure, least of all to kill, his fair opponent. Matilda was only intent to get rid of her antagonist at any rate: the edge of her weapon painted his complexion with streaks of very unlovelike crimson, and she would probably have marred John's hand for ever sign-

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