The lovely lady, Christabel ! It moaned as near, as near can be, Of the huge, broad-breasted, old oak tree. The night is chill; the forest bare; Hush, beating heart of Christabel ! Jesu, Maria, shield her well! She folded her arms beneath her cloak, There she sees a damsel bright, Mary mother, save me now! (Said Christabel,) And who art thou? The lady strange made answer meet, I scarce can speak for weariness: Stretch forth thy hand, and have no fear! 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, And tied me on a palfrey white. The palfrey was as fleet as wind, And they rode furiously behind. They spurred amain, their steeds were white: And once we crossed the shade of night. As sure as heaven shall rescue me, I have no thought what men they be; (For I have lain entranced I wis) Some muttered words his comrades spoke: He swore they would return with haste; I thought I heard, some minutes past, Stretch forth thy hand (thus ended she,) Then Christabel stretched forth her hand And comforted fair Geraldine: O well, bright dame! may you command The service of Sir Leoline; 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 The hall as silent as the cell; But we will move as if in stealth, And I beseech your courtesy, This night, to share your couch with me. They crossed the moat, and Christabel All in the middle of the gate; 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: Then the lady rose again, 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! Alas, alas! said Geraldine, I cannot speak for weariness. So free from danger, free from fear, They crossed the court: right glad they were. Outside her kennel the mastiff old Lay fast asleep, in moonshine cold. The mastiff old did not awake, Yet she an angry moan did make! For what can ail the mastiff bitch? They passed the hall that echoes still, Pass as lightly as you will! The brands were flat, the brands were dying, But when the lady passed, there came And nothing else saw she thereby, Save the boss of the shield of Sir Leoline tall, Which hung in a murky old niche in the wall. O softly tread, said Christabel, My father seldom sleepeth well. Sweet Christabel her feet doth bare, And now have reached her chamber door; The rushes of the chamber floor. |