"And he will meet thee on the way "With all his numerous array "White with their panting palfreys' foam, 66 And, by mine honour! I will say, "That I repent me of the day "When I spake words of fierce disdain "To Roland de Vaux of Tryermaine ! "For since that evil hour hath flown, Many a summer's sun have shone ; "Yet ne'er found I a friend again "Like Roland de Vaux of Tryermaine." The lady fell, and clasped his knees, Yet might I gain a boon of thee, This day my journey should not be, That I had vow'd with music loud To clear yon wood from thing unblest, For in my sleep I saw that dove, That gentle bird, whom thou dost love, And call'st by thy own daughter's name Sir Leoline! I saw the same, Fluttering, and uttering fearful moan, green herbs in the forest alone. Which when I saw and when I heard, I wonder'd what might ail the bird : For nothing near it could I see, Save the grass and green herbs underneath the old tree. And in my dream, methought, I went To search out what might there be found ; And what the sweet bird's trouble meant, But yet for her dear lady's sake Green as the herbs on which it couch'd, And thence I vow'd this self-same day, To wander thro' the forest bare, Lest aught unholy loiter there. Thus Bracy said: the Baron, the while, Then turn'd to Lady Geraldine, His made eyes up of wonder and love; And said in courtly accents fine, Sweet maid, Lord Roland's beauteous dove, With arms more strong than harp or song, Thy sire and I will crush the snake! He kiss'd her forehead as he spake, And Geraldine in maiden wise, Casting down her large bright eyes, She turn'd her from Sir Leoline; Softly gathering up her train, That o'er her right arm fell again.; And folded her arms across her chest, And couch'd her head upon her breast, And look'd askance at Christabel Jesu, Maria, shield her well! A snake's small eye blinks dull and shy, And the lady's eyes they shrunk in her head, Each shrunk up to a serpent's eye, And with somewhat of malice, and more of dread At Christabel she look'd askance ! One moment-and the sight was fled! Full of wonder and full of grief, She roll'd her large bright eyes divine The maid, alas! her thoughts are gone, She nothing sees-no sight but one! |