42
QUEEN ELIZABETH’S ENTRANCE INTO KENILWORTH.
Lonely sits the lovely lady,
Lonely in the tower;
Is the dell no longer shady
Where she was the flower?
Wherefore did she leave that dell?
There she knew no ruder sorrow
Than some childish toy,
Vanished whensoe’er to-morrow
Brought some newer joy.
Captive in a captive cell,
She hath bade her youth farewell.
While the lovely lady keepeth
Vigil sad and lone,
Asking every hour that creepeth
When will night be done,
Watching makes the hours seem long.
Mocking at the mourner’s sadness,
Rises from below
Every sound of feast and gladness
That the night can know.
What avails those sounds among—
One low sigh is borne along.
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