XX. "It shall be as thou wishest," said the Dame: Quickly on this feast-night: by the tambour frame 175 For I am slow and feeble, and scarce dare On such a catering trust my dizzy head. Wait here, my child, with patience kneel in prayer 180 The while Ah! thou must needs the lady wed, Or may I never leave my grave among the dead." XXI. So saying she hobbled off with busy fear. The dame return'd, and whisper'd in his ear 185 From fright of dim espial. Safe at last, The maiden's chamber, silken, hush'd and chaste; His poor guide hurried back with agues in her brain. With silver taper's light, and pious care, She comes, she comes again, like ring-dove fray'd and fled. XXIII. Out went the taper as she hurried in; Its little smoke, in pallid moonshine, died: 195 200 205 XXIV. A casement high and triple-arch'd there was, All garlanded with carven imag'ries Of fruits, and flowers, and bunches of knot-grass, As are the tiger-moth's deep-damask'd wings; A shielded scutcheon blush'd with blood of queens and kings. XXV. Full on this casement shone the wintry moon, Save wings, for heaven :-Porphyro grew faint: XXVI. Anon his heart revives: her vespers done, 210 215 220 225 Of all its wreathed pearls her hair she frees, 230 But dares not look behind, or all the charm is fled. XXVII. Soon, trembling in her soft and chilly nest, 235 240 XXVIII. Stolen to this paradise, and so entranced, 245 And listen'd to her breathing, if it chanced To wake into a slumberous tenderness; Which when he heard, that minute did he bless, And breath'd himself: then from the closet crept, 250 And over the hush'd carpet, silent, stept, And 'tween the curtains peep'd, where, lo !--how fast she slept. XXIX. :- Then by the bed-side, where the faded moon The hall-door shuts again, and all the noise is gone. XXX. And still she slept an azure-lidded sleep, 255 260 In blanched linen, smooth, and lavender'd, Of candied apple, quince, and plum, and gourd. 265 270 XXXI. These delicates he heap'd with glowing hand Filling the chilly room with perfume light.— 275 "And now, my love, my seraph fair, awake! Or I shall drowse beside thee, so my soul doth ache." XXXII. Thus whispering, his warm, unnerved arm 280 Sank in her pillow. Shaded was her dream By the dusk curtains :-'twas a midnight charm The lustrous salvers in the moonlight gleam; 285 Broad golden fringe upon the carpet lies: XXXIII. Awakening up, he took her hollow lute,- 290 ; Wherewith disturb'd, she utter'd a soft moan: He ceased-she panted quick-and suddenly Upon his knees he sank, pale as smooth-sculptured stone. XXXIV. 295 And moan forth witless words with many a sigh; While still her. gaze on Porphyro would keep; 305 Who knelt, with joined hands and piteous eye, Fearing to move or speak, she look'd so dreamingly. XXXV. “Ah, Porphyro!" she said, "but even now Made tuneable with every sweetest vow; And those sad eyes were spiritual and clear: 310 How changed thou art! how pallid, chill, and drear! Give me that voice again, my Porphyro, Those looks immortal, those complainings dear! For if thou diest, my Love, I know not where to go." 315 XXXVI. Beyond a mortal man impassion'd far Solution sweet: meantime the frost-wind blows XXXVII. 'Tis dark: quick pattereth the flaw-blown sleet: "This is no dream, my bride, my Madeline !" 'Tis dark the iced gusts still rave and beat: "No dream, alas! alas! and woe is mine! Porphyro will leave me here to fade and pine.Cruel! what traitor could thee hither bring? I curse not, for my heart is lost in thine, Though thou forsakest a deceived thing— A dove forlorn and lost with sick unpruned wing." 320 325 330 XXXVIII. "My Madeline! sweet dreamer! lovely bride! Say, may I be for aye thy vassal blest? 335 Thy beauty's shield, heart-shaped and vermeil dyed? For o'er the southern moors I have a home for thee." |