VIII. 'Tis midnight, but small thoughts have I of sleep: Gay fancy, cheerful eyes, Joy lift her spirit, Joy attune her voice: To her may all things live, from pole to pole, O simple spirit, guided from above, SONNET. COMPOSED ON A JOURNEY HOMEWARD; THE AUTHOR HAVING RECEIVED INTELLIGENCE OF THE BIRTH OF A Son, Sept. 20, 1796. Oft o'er my brain does that strange fancy roll Which makes the present (while the flash doth last) Thou wert a spirit, to this nether sphere Did'st scream, then spring to meet Heaven's quick reprieve While we wept idly o'er thy little bier! FIRST PART OF CHRISTABEL. 'Tis the middle of night by the castle clock, And the owls have awaken'd 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? The lovely lady, Christabel, Whom her father loves so well, What makes her in the wood so late, A furlong from the castle gate? Of her own betrothed knight; Dreams that made her moan and leap VOL. IV. She stole along, she nothing spoke, The sighs she heaved were soft and low, The lady sprang up suddenly, It moaned as near as near can be, The night is chill; the forest bare; Hush, beating heart of Christabel! Jesu Maria, shield her well! She folded her arms beneath her cloak, What sees she there? There she sees a damsel bright, That shadowy in the moonlight shone: K I guess, 'twas frightful there to see 'Mary mother, save me now!' (Said Christabel,) 'And who art thou?' The lady strange made answer meet, And her voice was faint and sweet :'Have pity on my sore distress, 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, 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 cross'd the shade of night. As sure as Heaven shall rescue me, I have no thought what men they be; Some mutter'd words his comrades spoke: I thought I heard, some minutes past, Stretch forth thy hand' (thus ended she), Then Christabel stretch'd 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 pass'd Sir Leoline is weak in health, And may not well awaken'd be, But we will move as if in stealth, And I beseech your courtesy, This night, to share your couch with me' They cross'd the moat, and Christabel Took the key that fitted well; A little door she open'd straight, All in the middle of the gate; The gate that was iron'd within and without, And Christabel with might and main Over the threshold of the gate: And moved, as she were not in pain. So free from danger, free from fear, They cross'd 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!' |