"Alas! and I have caused this woe; For, when my prowess from invading Neighbours Had freed his Realm, he plighted word That he would turn to Christ our Lord, 225 And his dear Daughter on a Knight bestow Whom I should choose for love and matchless labours. "Her birth was heathen; but a fence So fair, of such divine report And worship, seemed a recompense For fifty kingdoms by my sword recovered. 230 "Ask not for whom, O Champions true! 235 She was reserved by me her life's betrayer; She who was meant to be a bride Is now a corse: then put aside Vain thoughts, and speed ye, with observance due Of Christian rites, in Christian ground to lay her." "The tomb," said Merlin, "may not close To check this pious haste of erring duty. My books command me to lay bare The secret thou art bent on keeping: 240 245 What Bridegroom was for her ordained by Heaven: 250 And in my glass significants there are Of things that may to gladness turn this weeping. "For this, approaching, One by One, Thy Knights must touch the cold hand of the Virgin; So, for the favoured One, the Flower may bloom 255 Once more: but, if unchangeable her doom, If life departed be for ever gone, Some blest assurance, from this cloud emerging, 66 259 May teach him to bewail his loss; Not with a grief that, like a vapour, rises And melts; but grief devout that shall endure, And a perpetual growth secure Of purposes which no false thought shall cross, A harvest of high hopes and noble enterprises." "So be it," said the King; 66 anon, 265 Here, where the Princess lies, begin the trial; Step forth."-To touch the pallid hand From Heaven or earth;-Sir Kaye had like denial. Abashed, Sir Dinas turned away; 270 Even for Sir Percival was no disclosure; Though he, devoutest of all Champions, ere He reached that ebon car, the bier Whereon diffused like snow the Damsel lay, Full thrice had crossed himself in meek com posure. 276 Imagine (but ye Saints! who can ?) That overcame some not ungenerous Knights; span 281 Of time to Lords and Ladies thus assembled. What patient confidence was here! For tournament, his beaver vailed, 285 And softly touched; but, to his princely cheer And high expectancy, no sign was granted. Next, disencumbered of his harp, Sir Tristram, dear to thousands as a brother, Came to the proof, nor grieved that there ensued 291 No change;-the fair Izonda he had wooed With love too true, a love with pangs too sharp, From hope too distant, not to dread another. Not so Sir Launcelot ;-from Heaven's grace A sign he craved, tired slave of vain contrition; The royal Guinever looked passing glad 297 When his touch failed.-Next came Sir Galahad; He paused, and stood entranced by that still face Whose features he had seen in noontide vision. For late, as near a murmuring stream 301 A light around his mossy bed; 305 Now, while his bright-haired front he bowed, And stood, far-kenned by mantle furred with ermine, As o'er the insensate Body hung The enrapt, the beautiful, the young, 310 Nor deem it strange; the Youth had worn shorn, Though King or Knight the most renowned in story. He touched with hesitating hand And lo! those Birds, far-famed through Love's dominions, 320 The Swans, in triumph clap their wings; And their necks play, involved in rings, Like sinless snakes in Eden's happy land;"Mine is she," cried the Knight;-again they clapped their pinions. "Mine was she-mine she is, though dead, And to her name my soul shall cleave in Of colour dawned upon the Damsel's cheek; And her lips, quickening with uncertain red, Seemed from each other a faint warmth to borrow. 339 Deep was the awe, the rapture high, Of love emboldened, hope with dread en twining, When, to the mouth, relenting Death To lifted eyelids, and a doubtful shining. In silence did King Arthur gaze 335 340 Then eased his soul at length by praise Of God, and Heaven's pure Queen-the blissful Mary. Then said he, "Take her to thy heart, 345 A goodly Knight that hath no peer that liveth!" Not long the Nuptials were delayed; King Arthur led the Egyptian Maid, 350 And Angels carolled these far-echoed verses;— Who shrinks not from alliance Of evil with good Powers A Ship to Christ devoted From the Land of Nile did go; An Idol at her prow. 355 360 |