RHYME OF THE DUCHESS MAY.
203
And the bridegroom led the flight, on his red-roan steed of might,—
Toll slowly!
And the bride lay on his arm, still, as if she feared no harm,
Smiling out into the night.
Toll slowly!
And the bride lay on his arm, still, as if she feared no harm,
Smiling out into the night.
"Dost thou fear?" he said at last:—"Nay!" she answered him in haste,—
Toll slowly!
"Not such death as we could find—only life with one behind—
Ride on fast as fear—ride fast!"
Toll slowly!
"Not such death as we could find—only life with one behind—
Ride on fast as fear—ride fast!"
Up the mountain wheeled the steed—girth to ground, and fetlocks spread,—
Toll slowly!
Headlong bounds, and rocking flanks,—down he staggered—down the banks,
To the towers of Linteged.
Toll slowly!
Headlong bounds, and rocking flanks,—down he staggered—down the banks,
To the towers of Linteged.
High and low the serfs looked out, red the flambeaus tossed about,—
Toll slowly!
In the courtyard rose the cry—"Live the Duchess and Sir Guy!"
But she never heard them shout.
Toll slowly!
In the courtyard rose the cry—"Live the Duchess and Sir Guy!"
But she never heard them shout.
On the steed she dropt her cheek, kissed his mane and kissed his neck,—
Toll slowly!
"I had happier died by thee, than lived on a Lady Leigh,"
Were the words which she did speak.
Toll slowly!
"I had happier died by thee, than lived on a Lady Leigh,"
Were the words which she did speak.
But a three months' joyaunce lay 'twixt that moment and to-day,—
Toll slowly!
When five hundred archers tall, stand beside the castle wall,
To recapture Duchess May.
Toll slowly!
When five hundred archers tall, stand beside the castle wall,
To recapture Duchess May.
