Page:Poems Greenwell.djvu/37

A Service that is liberty,
 A Master who is Thine!"

Then sprang the Baron from his seat;
 "A priest without the frock!
Now bind him, varlets, hands and feet.
 And fling him down the rock;
For I have sworn, no hireling shorn
 Among their tribe should cross
My threshold, but have cause to mourn
 His boldness to his loss."

"They bar against Thy priest the gate.
 Thy Singer passeth free,
So hold me ever consecrate
 Thy Witness still to be."
Thus, looking up, the minstrel spake.
 And, turning, went his way
From out them all, and none did seek
 To hinder him or stay;—
And as he passed beneath the gate,
 A bird was singing free,
And from the chapel in the wood
 Rose vespers solemnly;
And as upon the air serene
 His song ascended calm,
Methought it filled the space between
 The Carol and the Psalm!