ONCE I loved, and my heart bowed down, br Subject and slave, for Love was a King; br He sat above with sceptre and crown, br Turning his eyes from my sorrowing. br The laugh of a god on his lips lay light-- br His lips victorious that mocked my pain, br And I mourned in the cold and the outer night, br And my tears and my prayers were vain. br br Now the old spell is over and done, br Myself I wear the ermine and gold, br My brows are crowned, I ascend the throne, br I have taken the sceptre and orb to hold. br I smile victorious, set far above br The music of voices that moan and pray, br My feet are wet with the tears of love, br And I turn my eyes away.