A dreary sea now flows between, But neither heat, nor frost, nor thunder, The marks of that which once hath been. Sir Leoline, a moment's space, Came back upon his heart again. O then the Baron forgot his age, His noble heart swell'd high with rage; He swore by the wounds in Jesu's side, He would proclaim it far and wide With trump and solemn heraldry, That they, who thus had wrong'd the dame, Were base as spotted infamy! "And if they dare deny the same, D My herald shall appoint a week, "And let the recreant traitors seek My tournay court-that there and then "I may dislodge their reptile souls "From the bodies and forms of men!" He spake his eye in lightning rolls! For the lady was ruthlessly seiz'd; and he kenn'd In the beautiful lady the child of his friend! And now the tears were on his face, And fondly in his arms he took Fair Geraldine, who met th' embrace, Prolonging it with joyous look. Which when she view'd, a vision fell Upon the soul of Christabel, The vision of fear, the touch and pain! She shrunk and shudder'd, and saw again (Ah, woe is me! Was it for thee, Thou gentle maid! such sights to see?) Again she saw that bosom old, Again she felt that bosom cold, And drew in her breath with a hissing sound: Whereat the Knight turn'd wildly round, And nothing saw, but his own sweet maid With eyes uprais'd, as one that pray'd. The touch, the sight, had pass'd away, While in the lady's arms she lay, Spread smiles like light! With new surprise, "What ails then my beloved child?” The Baron said-His daughter mild Made answer, "All will yet be well!" I ween, she had no power to tell Aught else: so mighty was the spell. Had deem'd her sure a thing divine, She might be sent without delay Home to her father's mansion. “ Nay! Nay, by my soul!" said Leoline. "Ho! Bracy the bard, the charge be thine! "Go thou, with music sweet and loud, "And take two steeds with trappings proud, "And take the youth whom thou lov'st best "To bear thy harp, and learn thy song, "And clothe you both in solemn vest, "And over the mountains haste along, "Lest wand'ring folk, that are abroad, "Detain you on the valley road. "And when he has cross'd the Irthing flood, My merry bard! he hastes, he hastes "Up Knorren Moor, thro' Halegarth Wood, "And reaches soon that castle good "Which stands and threatens Scotland's wastes. "Bard Bracy! bard Bracy! your horses are fleet, "Ye must ride up the hall, your music so sweet, "More loud than your horses' echoing feet! "And loud and loud to Lord Roland call, Thy daughter is safe in Langdale hall! Thy beautiful daughter is safe and free "Sir Leoline greets thee thus thro' me. "He bids thee come without delay "With all thy numerous array; "And take thy lovely daughter home, |