CHRISTABEL. PART I. IS the middle of night by the castle clock, And the owls have awakened the crowing cock; Tu-whit! -Tu-whoo! And hark, again! the crowing cock, How drowsily it crew. Sir Leoline, the Baron rich, Hath a toothless mastiff bitch; From her kennel beneath the rock She maketh answer to the clock, Four for the quarters, and twelve for the hour; Is the night chilly and dark? B The thin grey cloud is spread on high, The moon is behind, and at the full; The lovely lady, Christabel, Whom her father loves so well, What makes her in the wood so late, A furlong from the castle gate ? And she in the midnight wood will pray She stole along, she nothing spoke, The lady sprang up suddenly, It moaned as near, as near can be, The night is chill; the forest bare; From the lovely lady's cheek- On the topmost twig that looks up at the sky. Hush, beating heart of Christabel ! She folded her arms beneath her cloak, There she sees a damsel bright, That shadowy in the moonlight shone : Mary mother, save me now! The lady strange made answer meet, I scarce can speak for weariness : Stretch forth thy hand, and have no fear! Said Christabel, How camest thou here? And the lady, whose voice was faint and sweet, Did thus pursue her answer meet:— My sire is of a noble line, And my name is Geraldine: Five warriors seized me yestermorn, Me, even me, a maid forlorn : They choked my cries with force and fright, The palfrey was as fleet as wind, They spurred amain, their steeds were white: I have no thought what men they be; Some muttered words his comrades spoke : Stretch forth thy hand (thus ended she), Then Christabel stretched forth her hand O well, bright dame! may you command And gladly our stout chivalry Will he send forth and friends withal To guide and guard you safe and free She rose and forth with steps they passed This night, to share your couch with me. They crossed the moat, and Christabel Took the key that fitted well; The gate that was ironed within and without, Where an army in battle array had marched out. The lady sank, belike through pain, And Christabel with might and main Lifted her up, a weary weight, Over the threshold of the gate: And moved, as she were not in pain. So free from danger, free from fear, They crossed the court: right glad they were. And Christabel devoutly cried To the Lady by her side; Praise we the Virgin all divine Who hath rescued thee from thy distress! |