The Bridal Of Triermain Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: A BCBBBCDDEEEEEE FFGHGHHGIJIIJEE EKEKEKELEL M M FNEEOOPPEEQRQRSTST EEEU UU VAVKWWXXEE YZYZIJIJIEIEEAEAA2WA 2W EK KPPIIB2B2C2C2ID2KK PPEEIIZZEEEEE2E2QQ XXEEEEII XXWWEEEEXX F2F2EEEEPEEEP EEEEXXG2PPG2 PPEPEIIIII W WWWWII PPEEPWW H2I2IIPG2G2PXXIXIWWW WWWJ2J2XXWWK2K2TTWWI IE EEXXEEIIEE PPL2L2H2EEH2 P P F2F2F2 WK2XK2XM2M2K2XPPJ2J2 H2H2 W PPIPPIN2N2XXXX PPO2O2XXXXEEEE WEEEEEIPIPIO2WWO2III IEE WPPEEE2E2EEXX XXEEPPEE WPPEEEEEIEEEIO2O2 EEE EEEEEI EEEEE2E2E2EEEEE EF2F2EGGE HHIEEEIWWIO2O2XXEEEE E EEWEWGGIEEI I IPPHHIIXXEE XXPPTTEEWWXXIIP2P2EE WWQ2Q2 PPEEEXEEXWWWSSW WWWPP E2E2H2XH2H2H2XEEQ2R2 R2R2Q2EEIEEEI WEEIIEE IK2K2K2IEEEEEI I IIIIIE E EEE S2S2IPPIIIXEEX EEXXIIIIEE EEEE IIEEXX EEII EEXXK2K2EEQ2Q2ZZEEII ZZ IIT2T2E2E2 ZZEE IIXXU2U2EEPPIIXXTTXX EEEEIIEEEEPP XXXEEXXPPPP EEEEEE R2R2XX EEIIII EE V2V2EEEEIIW2W2EE XX IEEIIEEXXEEEEIIEE IX U2U2PPEEEEIIPPEEPIIP EE EEXXPPEE IEEEEXXEEEEZZQ2Q2XX IEEIEEEIZZZIEEEIEEET XXXT IEEIEEIIIIIIIIIIIXII IX EEETEEETIX2EEIIO2O2X EEEXIIX EEZZXXEEEEXXEE EEEEEIEIEEEEEI TITIEIE EIIIY2E EEXEXEEEEIEIEEXEXEX EEEEIXIXN2EN2EI I IZIZEXEX IIIEE EEXXEEIIEE IEEXXEEIIN2N2IIIIIIX XEEZ2A3IIEEEE

Introduction	A
	-
I	-
Come Lucy while 'tis morning hour	B
The woodland brook we needs must pass	C
So ere the sun assume his power	B
We shelter in our poplar bower	B
Where dew lies long upon the flower	B
Though vanish'd from the velvet grass	C
Curbing the stream this stony ridge	D
May serve us for a silvan bridge	D
For here compell'd to disunite	E
Round petty isles the runnels glide	E
And chafing off their puny spite	E
The shallows murmurers waste their might	E
Yielding to footstep free and light	E
A dry shod pass from side to side	E
	-
II	-
Nay why this hesitating pause	F
And Lucy as thy step withdraws	F
Why sidelong eye the streamlet's brim	G
Titania's foot without a slip	H
Like thine though timid light and slim	G
From stone to stone might safely trip	H
Nor risk the glow worm clasp to dip	H
That binds her slipper's silken rim	G
Or trust thy lover's strength nor fear	I
That this same stalwart arm of mine	J
Which could yon oak's prone trunk uprear	I
Shall shrink beneath the burden dear	I
Of form so slender light and fine	J
So now the danger dared at last	E
Look back and smile at perils past	E
	-
III	-
And now we reach the favourite glade	E
Paled in copsewood cliff and stone	K
Where never harsher sounds invade	E
To break affection's whispering tone	K
Than the deep breeze that waves the shade	E
Than the small brooklet's feeble moan	K
Come rest thee on thy wonted seat	E
Moss'd is the stone the turf is green	L
A place where lovers best may meet	E
Who would not that their love be seen	L
The boughs that dim the summer sky	-
Shall hide us from each lurking spy	-
That fain would spread the invidious tale	M
How Lucy of the lofty eye	-
Noble in birth in fortunes high	-
She for whom lords and barons sigh	-
Meets her poor Arthur in the dale	M
	-
IV	-
How deep that blush how deep that sigh	-
And why does Lucy shun mine eye	-
Is it because that crimson draws	F
Its colour from some secret cause	N
Some hidden movement of the breast	E
She would not that her Arthur guess'd	E
O quicker far is lovers' ken	O
Than the dull glance of common men	O
And by strange sympathy can spell	P
The thoughts the loved one will not tell	P
And mine in Lucy's blush saw met	E
The hues of pleasure and regret	E
Pride mingled in the sigh her voice	Q
And shared with Love the crimson glow	R
Well pleased that thou art Arthur's choice	Q
Yet shamed thine own is placed so low	R
Thou turn'st thy self confessing cheek	S
As if to meet the breeze's cooling	T
Then Lucy hear thy tutor speak	S
For Love too has his hours of schooling	T
	-
V	-
Too oft my anxious eye has spied	E
That secret grief thou fain wouldst hide	E
The passing pang of humbled pride	E
Too oft when through the splendid hall	U
The load star of each heart and eye	-
My fair one leads the glittering ball	U
Will her stol'n glance on Arthur fall	U
With such a blush and such a sigh	-
Thou wouldst not yield for wealth or rank	V
The heart thy worth and beauty won	A
Nor leave me on this mossy bank	V
To meet a rival on a throne	K
Why then should vain repinings rise	W
That to thy lover fate denies	W
A nobler name a wide domain	X
A Baron's birth a menial train	X
Since Heaven assign'd him for his part	E
A lyre a falchion and a heart	E
	-
VI	-
My sword its master must be dumb	Y
But when a soldier names my name	Z
Approach my Lucy fearless come	Y
Nor dread to hear of Arthur's shame	Z
My heart 'mid all yon courtly crew	I
Of lordly rank and lofty line	J
Is there to love and honour true	I
That boasts a pulse so warm as mine	J
They praised thy diamonds' lustre rare	I
Match'd with thine eyes I thought it faded	E
They praised the pearls that bound thy hair	I
I saw only the locks they braided	E
They talk'd of wealthy dower and land	E
And titles of high birth the token	A
I thought of Lucy's heart and hand	E
Nor knew the sense of what was spoken	A
And yet if rank'd in Fortune's roll	A2
I might have learn'd their choice unwise	W
Who rate the dower above the soul	A2
And Lucy's diamonds o'er her eyes	W
	-
VII	-
My lyre it is an idle toy	E
That borrows accents not its own	K
Like warbler of Colombian sky	-
That sings in a mimic tone	K
Ne'er did it sound o'er sainted well	P
Nor boasts it aught of Border spell	P
It strings no feudal slogan pour	I
Its heroes draw no broad claymore	I
No shouting clans applauses raise	B2
Because it sung their father's praise	B2
On Scottish moor or English down	C2
It ne'er was graced with fair renown	C2
Norwon best meed to minstrel true	I
One favouring smile from fair BUCCLEUCH	D2
By one poor streamlet sounds its tone	K
And heard by one dear maid alone	K
	-
VIII	-
But if thou bid'st these tones shall tell	P
Of errant knight and damozelle	P
Of a dread knot a Wizard tied	E
In punishment of maiden's pride	E
In notes of marvel and of fear	I
That best may charm romantic ear	I
For Lucy loves like COLLINS ill starred name	Z
Whose lay's requital was that tardy fame	Z
Who bound no laurel round his living head	E
Should hang it o'er his monument when dead	E
For Lucy loves to tread enchanted strand	E
And thread like him the maze of fairy land	E
Of golden battlements to view the gleam	E2
And slumber soft by some Elysian stream	E2
Such lays she loves and such my Lucy's choice	Q
What other song can claim her Poet's voice	Q
	-
Canto I	-
	-
I	-
Where is the maiden of mortal strain	X
That may match with the Baron of Triermain	X
She must be lovely and constant and kind	E
Holy and pure and humble of mind	E
Blithe of cheer and gentle of mood	E
Courteous and generous and noble of blood	E
Lovely as the sun's first ray	I
When it breaks the clouds of an April day	I
Constant and true as the widow'd dove	-
Kind as a minstrel that sings of love	-
Pure as the fountain in rocky cave	-
Where never sunbeam kiss'd the wave	-
Humble as a maiden that loves in vain	X
Holy as a hermit's vesper strain	X
Gentle as a breeze that but whispers and dies	W
Yet blithe as the light leaves that dance in its sighs	W
Courteous as monarch the morn he is crown'd	E
Generous as spring dews that bless the glad ground	E
Noble her blood as the currents that met	E
In the veins of the noblest Plantangenet	E
Such must her form be her mood and her strain	X
That shall match with Sir Roland of Triermain	X
	-
II	-
Sir Roland de Vaux he hath laid him to sleep	F2
His blood it was fever'd his breathing was deep	F2
He had been pricking against the Scot	E
The foray was long and the skirmish hot	E
His dinted helm and his buckler's plight	E
Bore token of a stubborn fight	E
All in the castle must hold them still	P
Harpers must lull him to his rest	E
With the slow soft tunes he loves the best	E
Till sleep sink down upon his breast	E
Like the dew on a summer hill	P
	-
III	-
It was the dawn of an autumn day	E
The sun was struggling with a frost fog grey	E
That like a silvery crape was spread	E
Round Skiddaw's dim and distant head	E
And faintly gleam'd each painted pane	X
Of the lordly halls of Triermain	X
When that Baron bold awoke	G2
Starting he woke and loudly did call	P
Rousing his menials in bower and hall	P
While hastily he spoke	G2
	-
IV	-
'Hearken my minstrels which of ye all	P
Touch'd his harp with that dying fall	P
So sweet so soft so faint	E
It seem'd an angel's whisper'd call	P
To an expiring saint	E
And harken my merry men what time or where	I
Did she pass that maid with her heavenly brow	I
With her look so sweet and her eyes so fair	I
And her graceful step and her angel air	I
And the eagle plume in her dark brown hair	I
That pass'd from my bower e'en now '	-
	-
V	-
Answer'd him Richard de Bretville he	-
Was chief of the Baron's minstrelsy	W
'Silent noble chieftain we	-
Have sat since midnight close	W
When such lulling sounds as the brooklet sings	W
Murmur'd from our melting strings	W
And hush'd you to repose	W
Had a harp note sounded here	I
It had caught my watchful ear	I
Although it fell as faint and shy	-
As bashful maiden's half form'd sigh	-
When she thinks her lover near '	-
Answer'd Philip of Fasthwaite tall	P
He kept guard in the outer hall	P
'Since at eve our watch took post	E
Not a foot has thy portal cross'd	E
Else had I heard the steps though low	P
And light they fell as when the earth receives	W
In morn of frost the wither'd leaves	W
That drop when no winds blow '	-
	-
VI	-
'Then come thou hither Henry my page	H2
Whom I saved from the sack of Hermitage	I2
When that dark castle tower and spire	I
Rose to the skies a pile of fire	I
And redden'd all the Nine stane Hill	P
And the shrieks of death that wildly broke	G2
Through devouring flame and smothering smoke	G2
Made the warrior's heart blood chill	P
The trustiest thou of all my train	X
My fleetest courser thou must rein	X
And ride to Lyulph's tower	I
And from the Baron of Treirmain	X
Greet well that sage of power	I
He is sprung from Druid sires	W
And British bards that tuned their lyres	W
To Arthur's and Pendragon's praise	W
And his who sleeps at Dunmailraise	W
Gifted like his gifted race	W
He the characters can trace	W
Graven deep in elder time	J2
Upon Helvellyn's cliffs sublime	J2
Sign and sigil well doth he know	X
And can bode of weal and woe	X
Of kingdoms' fall and fate of wars	W
From mystic dreams and course of stars	W
He shall tell if middle earth	K2
To that enchanting shape gave birth	K2
Of if t'was but an airy thing	T
Such as fantastic slumbers bring	T
Fram'd from the rainbow's varying dyes	W
Or fading tints of western skies	W
For by the Blessed Rood I swear	I
If that fair form breathe vital air	I
No other maiden by my side	E
Shall ever rest De Vaux's bride '	-
	-
VII	-
The faithful Page he mounts his steed	E
And soon he cross'd green Irthing's mead	E
Dash'd o'er Kirkoswald's verdant plain	X
And Eden barr'd his course in vain	X
He pass'd red Penrith's Table Round	E
For feats of chivalry renown'd	E
Left Mayburgh's mound and stones of power	I
By Druid's raised in magic hour	I
And traced the Eamont's winding way	E
Till Ulfo's lake beneath him lay	E
	-
VIII	-
Onward he rode the pathway still	P
Winding betwixt the lake and hill	P
Till on the fragment of a rock	L2
Struck from its base by lightning shock	L2
He saw the hoary Sage	H2
The silver moss and lichen twined	E
With fern and deer hair check'd and lined	E
A cushion fit for age	H2
And o'er him shook the aspen tree	-
A restless rustling canopy	-
Then sprung young Henry from his selle	P
And greeted Lyulph grave	-
And then his master's tale did tell	P
And then for counsel crave	-
The Man of Years mused long and deep	F2
Of time's lost treasures taking keep	F2
And then as rousing from a sleep	F2
His solemn answer gave	-
	-
IX	W
'That maid is born of middle earth	K2
And may of man be won	X
Though there have glided since her birth	K2
Five hundred years and one	X
But where's the knight in all the north	M2
That dare the adventure follow forth	M2
So perilous to knightly worth	K2
In the valley of Saint John	X
Listen youth to what I tell	P
And bind it on thy memory well	P
Nor muse that I commence the rhyme	J2
Far distant 'mid the wrecks of time	J2
The mystic tale by bard and sage	H2
Is handed down from Merlin's age	H2
	-
	-
X	W
	-
LYULPH'S TALE	P
'King Arthur has ridden from merry Carlisle	P
When Pentecost was o'er	I
He journey'd like errant knight the while	P
And sweetly the summer sun did smile	P
On mountain moss and moor	I
Above his solitary track	N2
Rose Glaramara's ridgy back	N2
Amid whose yawning gulfs the sun	X
Cast umber'd radiance red and dun	X
Though never sunbeam could discern	X
The surface of that sable tarn	X
In whose black mirror you may spy	-
The stars while noontide lights the sky	-
The gallant King he skirted still	P
The margin of that mighty hill	P
Rock upon rocks incumbent hung	O2
And torrents down the gullies flung	O2
Join'd the rude river that brawl'd on	X
Recoiling now from crag and stone	X
Now diving deep from human ken	X
And raving down its darksome glen	X
The Monarch judged this desert wild	E
With such romantic ruin piled	E
Was theatre by Nature's hand	E
For feat of high achievement plann'd	E
	-
XI	W
'O rather he chose that Monarch bold	E
On vent'rous quest to ride	E
In plate and mail by wood and wold	E
Than with ermine trapp'd and cloth of gold	E
In princely bower to bide	E
The bursting crash of a foeman's spear	I
As it shiver'd against his mail	P
Was merrier music to his ear	I
Than courtier's whisper'd tale	P
And the clash of Caliburn more dear	I
When on the hostile casque it rung	O2
Than all the lays	W
To their monarch's praise	W
That the harpers of Reged sung	O2
He loved better to rest by wood or river	I
Than in bower of his bride Dame Guenever	I
For he left that lady so lovely of cheer	I
To follow adventures of danger and fear	I
And the frank hearted Monarch full little did wot	E
That she smiled in his absence on brave Lancelot	E
	-
	-
XII	W
'He rode till over down and dell	P
The shade more broad and deeper fell	P
And though around the mountain's head	E
Flow'd streams of purple and gold and red	E
Dark at the base unblest by beam	E2
Frown'd the black rocks and roar'd the stream	E2
With toil the King his way pursued	E
By lonely Threlkeld's waste and wood	E
Till on his course obliquely shone	X
The narrow valley of SAINT JOHN	X
Down sloping to the western sky	-
Where lingering sunbeams love to lie	-
Right glad to feel those beams again	X
The King drew up his charger's rein	X
With gauntlet raised he screen'd his sight	E
As dazzled with the level light	E
And from beneath his glove of mail	P
Scann'd at his ease his the lovely vale	P
While 'gainst the sun his armour bright	E
Gleam'd ruddy like the beacon's light	E
	-
XIII	W
'Paled in by many a lofty hill	P
The narrow dale lay smooth and still	P
And down its verdant bosom led	E
A winding brooklet found its bed	E
But midmost of the vale a mound	E
Arose with airy turrets crown'd	E
Buttress and rampire's circling bound	E
And mighty keep and tower	I
Seem'd some primeval giant's hand	E
The castle's massive walls had plann'd	E
A ponderous bulwark to withstand	E
Ambitious Nimrod's power	I
Above the moated entrance slung	O2
The balanced drawbridge trembling hung	O2
As jealous of a foe	-
Wicket of oak as iron hard	E
With iron studded clench'd and barr'd	E
And prong'd portcullis join'd to guard	E
The gloomy pass below	-
But the grey walls no banners crown'd	E
Upon the watch tower's airy round	E
No warder stood his horn to sound	E
No guard beside the drawbridge was found	E
And where the Gothic gateway frown'd	E
Glanced neither bill nor bow	I
	-
XIV	-
'Beneath the castle's gloomy pride	E
In ample round did Arthur ride	E
Three times nor living thing he spied	E
Nor heard a living sound	E
Save that awakening from her dream	E2
The owlet now began to scream	E2
In concert with the rushing stream	E2
That wash'd the battled mound	E
He lighted from his goodly steed	E
And left him to graze on bank and mead	E
And slowly he climb'd the narrow way	E
That reach'd the entrance grim and grey	E
And he stood the outward arch below	-
And his bugle horn prepared to blow	-
In summons blithe and bold	E
Deeming to rouse from iron sleep	F2
The guardian of this dismal Keep	F2
Which well he guess'd the hold	E
Of wizard stern or goblin grim	G
Or pagan of gigantic limb	G
The tyrant of the wold	E
	-
XV	-
'The ivory bugle's golden tip	H
Twice touch'd the Monarch's manly lip	H
And twice his hand withdrew	I
Think not but Arthur's heart was good	E
His shield was cross'd by the blessed rood	E
Had a pagan host before him stood	E
He had charged them through and through	I
Yet the silence of that ancient place	W
Sunk on his heart and he paused a space	W
Ere yet his horn he blew	I
But instant as its 'larum rung	O2
The castle gate was open flung	O2
Portcullis rose with crashing groan	X
Full harshly up its groove of stone	X
And down the trembling drawbridge cast	E
The vaulted arch before him lay	E
With nought to bar the gloomy way	E
And onward Arthur paced with hand	E
On Caliburn's resistless brand	E
	-
XVI	-
'An hundred torches flashing bright	E
Dispell'd at once the gloomy night	E
That lour'd along the walls	W
And show'd the King's astonish'd sight	E
The inmates of the halls	W
Nor wizard stern nor goblin grim	G
Nor giant huge of form and limb	G
Nor heathen knight was there	I
But the cressets which odours flung aloft	E
Show'd by their yellow light and soft	E
A band of damsels fair	I
Onward they came like summer wave	-
That dances to the shore	I
An hundred voices welcome gave	-
And welcome o'er and o'er	I
An hundred lovely hands assail	P
The bucklers of the Monarch's mail	P
And busy labour'd to unhasp	H
Rivet of steel and iron clasp	H
One wrapp'd him in a mantle fair	I
And one flung odours on his hair	I
His short curl'd ringlets one smooth'd down	X
One wreath'd them in a myrtle crown	X
A bride upon her wedding day	E
Was tended ne'er by troop so gay	E
	-
XVII	-
'Loud laugh'd they all the King in vain	X
With questions task'd the giddy train	X
Let him entreat or crave or call	P
'Twas one reply loud laugh'd they all	P
Then o'er him mimic chains they fling	T
Framed of the fairest flowers of spring	T
While some of their gentle force unite	E
Onwards to drag the wondering knight	E
Some bolder urge his pace with blows	W
Dealt with the lily or the rose	W
Behind him were in triumph borne	X
The warlike arms he late had worn	X
Four of the train combined to rear	I
The terrors of Tintadgel's spear	I
Two laughing at their lack of strength	P2
Dragg'd Caliburn in cumbrous length	P2
One while she aped a martial stride	E
Placed on her brows the helmit's pride	E
Then scream'd 'twixt laughter and surprise	W
To feel its depth o'erwhelm her eyes	W
With revel shout and triumph song	Q2
Thus gaily march'd the giddy throng	Q2
	-
XVIII	-
'Through many a gallery and hall	P
They led I ween their royal thrall	P
At length beneath a fair arcade	E
Their march and song at once they staid	E
The eldest maiden of the band	E
The lovely maid was scarce eighteen	X
Raised with imposing air her hand	E
And reverent silence did command	E
On entrance of their Queen	X
And they were mute But as a glance	W
They steal on Arthur's countenance	W
Bewilder'd with surprise	W
Their smother'd mirth again 'gan speak	S
In archly dimpled chin and cheek	S
And laughter lighted eyes	W
	-
XIX	W
'The attributes of those high days	W
Now only live in minstrel lays	W
For Nature now exhausted still	P
Was then profuse of good and ill	P
Strength was gigantic valour high	-
And wisdom soar'd beyond the sky	-
And beauty had such matchless beam	E2
As lights not now a lover's dream	E2
Yet e'en in that romantic age	H2
Ne'er were such charms by mortal seen	X
As Arthur's dazzled eyes engage	H2
When forth on that enchanted stage	H2
With glittering train of maid and page	H2
Advanced the castle's Queen	X
While up the hall she slowly pass'd	E
Her dark eye on the King she cast	E
That flash'd expression strong	Q2
The longer dwelt that lingering look	R2
Her cheek the livelier colour took	R2
And scarce the shame faced King could brook	R2
The gaze that lasted long	Q2
A sage who had that look espied	E
Where kindling passion strove with pride	E
Had whispered Prince beware	I
From the chafed tiger rend the prey	E
Rush on the lion when at bay	E
Bar the fell dragon's blighted way	E
But shun that lovely snare	I
	-
XX	W
'At once that inward strife suppress'd	E
The dame approach'd her warlike guest	E
With greeting in that fair degree	I
Where female pride and courtesy	I
Are blended with such passing art	E
As awes at once and charms the heart	E
A courtly welcome first she gave	-
Then of his goodness 'gan to crave	-
Construction fair and true	I
Of her light maidens' idle mirth	K2
Who drew from lovely glens their birth	K2
Nor knew to pay to stranger worth	K2
And dignity their due	I
Then she pray'd that he would rest	E
That night her castle's honour'd guest	E
The Monarch meetly thanks express'd	E
The banquet rose at her behest	E
With lay and tale and laugh and jest	E
Apace the evening flew	I
	-
XXI	I
'The Lady sate the Monarch by	-
Now in her turn abash'd and shy	-
And with indifference seem'd to hear	I
They toys he whisper'd in her ear	I
Her bearing modest was and fair	I
Yet shadows of constraint were there	I
That show'd an over cautious care	I
Some inward thought to hide	E
Oft did she pause in full reply	-
And oft cast down her large dark eye	-
Oft check'd the soft voluptuous sigh	-
That heav'd her bosom's pride	E
Slight symptoms these but shepherds know	-
How hot the mid day sun shall glow	-
From the midst of morning sky	-
And so the wily Monarch guess'd	E
That this assumed restraint express'd	E
More ardent passions in the breast	E
Than ventured to the eye	-
Closer he press'd while beakers rang	S2
While maidens laugh'd and minstrels sang	S2
Still closer to her ear	I
But why pursue the common tale	P
Or wherefore show how knights prevail	P
When ladies dare to hear	I
Or wherefore trace from what slight cause	I
Its source one tyrant passion draws	I
Till mastering all within	X
Where lives the man that has not tried	E
How mirth can into folly glide	E
And folly into sin	X
	-
	-
Canto II	-
	-
I	-
'Another day another day	E
And yet another glides away	E
The Saxon stern the pagan Dane	X
Maraud on Britain's shores again	X
Arthur of Christendom the flower	I
Lies loitering in a lady's bower	I
The horn that foemen wont to fear	I
Sounds but to wake the Cumbrian deer	I
And Caliburn the British pride	E
Hangs useless by a lover's side	E
	-
II	-
'Another day another day	E
And yet another glides away	E
Heroic plans in pleasure drown'd	E
He thinks not of the Table Round	E
In lawless love dissolved his life	-
He thinks not of his beauteous wife	-
Better he loves to snatch a flower	I
From the bosom of his paramour	I
Than from a Saxon knight to wrest	E
The honours of his heathen crest	E
Better to wreathe 'mid tresses brown	X
The heron's plume her hawk struck down	X
Than o'er the alter give to flow	-
The banners of a Paynim foe	-
Thus week by week and day by day	E
His life inglorious glides away	E
But she that soothes his dream with fear	I
Beholds his hour of waking near	I
	-
III	-
'Much force have mortal charms to stay	E
Our peace in Virtue's toilsome way	E
But Guendolen's might far outshine	X
Each maid of merely mortal line	X
Her mother was of human birth	K2
Her sire a Genie of the earth	K2
In days of old deem'd to preside	E
O'er lovers' wiles and beauty's pride	E
By youths and virgins worshipp'd long	Q2
With festive dance and choral song	Q2
Till when the cross to Britain came	Z
On heathen alters died the flame	Z
Now deep in Wastdale solitude	E
The downfall of his rights he rued	E
And born of his resentment heir	I
He train'd to guile that lady fair	I
To sink in slothful sin and shame	Z
The champions of the Christian name	Z
Well skill'd to keep vain thoughts alive	-
And all to promise nought to give	-
The timid youth had hope in store	I
The bold and pressing gain'd no more	I
As wilder'd children leave their home	T2
After the rainbow's arch to roam	T2
Her lovers barter'd fair esteem	E2
Faith fame and honour for a dream	E2
	-
IV	-
'Her sire's soft arts the soul to tame	Z
She practised thus till Arthur came	Z
Then frail humanity had part	E
And all the mother claim'd her heart	E
Forgot each rule her father gave	-
Sunk from a princess to a slave	-
Too late must Guendolen deplore	I
He that has all can hope no more	I
Now must she see her lover strain	X
At every turn her feeble chain	X
Watch to new bind each knot and shrink	U2
To view each fast decaying link	U2
Art she invokes to Nature's aid	E
Her vest to zone her locks to braid	E
Each varied pleasure heard her call	P
The feast the tourney and the ball	P
Her storied lore she next applies	I
Taxing her mind to aid her eyes	I
Now more than mortal wise and then	X
In female softness sunk again	X
Now raptured with each wish complying	T
With feigned reluctance now denying	T
Each charm she varied to retain	X
A varying heart and all in vain	X
	-
V	-
'Thus in the garden's narrow bound	E
Flank'd by some castle's Gothic round	E
Fain would the artist's skill provide	E
The limits of his realms to hide	E
The walks in labyrinths he twines	I
Shade after shade with skill combines	I
With many a varied flowery knot	E
And copse and arbour decks the spot	E
Tempting the hasty foot to stay	E
And linger on the lovely way	E
Vain art vain hope 'tis fruitless all	P
At length we reach the bounding wall	P
And sick of flower and trim dress'd tree	-
Long for rough glades and forest free	-
	-
VI	-
'Three summer months had scantly flown	X
When Arthur in embarrass'd tone	X
Spoke of his liegemen and his throne	X
Said all too long had been his stay	E
And duties which a monarch sway	E
Duties unknown to humbler men	X
Must tear her knight from Guendolen	X
She listen'd silently the while	P
Her mood express'd in bitter smile	P
Beneath her eye must Arthur quail	P
And oft resume the unfinish'd tale	P
Confessing by his downcast eye	-
The wrong he sought to justify	-
He ceased A moment mute she gazed	E
And then her looks to heaven she rais'd	E
One palm her temples veiled to hide	E
The tear that sprung in spite of pride	E
The other for an instant press'd	E
The foldings of her silken vest	E
	-
VII	-
'At her reproachful sign and look	R2
The hint the Monarch's conscience took	R2
Eager he spoke No lady no	X
Deem not of British Arthur so	X
Nor think he can deserter prove	-
To the dear pledge of mutual love	-
I swear by sceptre and by sword	E
As belted knight and Britain's lord	E
That if a boy shall claim my care	I
That boy is born a kingdom's heir	I
But if a maiden Fate allows	I
To choose that maid a fitting spouse	I
A summer day in lists shall strive	-
My knights the bravest knights alive	-
And he the best and bravest tried	E
Shall Arthur's daughter claim for bride	E
He spoke with voice resolved and high	-
The lady deign'd him not reply	-
	-
VIII	-
'At dawn of morn ere on the brake	V2
His matins did a warbler make	V2
Or stirr'd his wing to brush away	E
A single dewdrop from the spray	E
Ere yet a sunbeam through the mist	E
The castle battlements had kiss'd	E
The gates revolve the drawbridge falls	I
And Arthur sallies from the walls	I
Doff'd his soft garb of Persia's loom	W2
And steel from spur to helmet plume	W2
His Lybian steed full proudly trode	E
And joyful neigh'd beneath his load	E
The Monarch gave a passing sigh	-
To penitence and pleasures by	-
When lo to his astonish'd ken	X
Appear'd the form of Guendolen	X
	-
IX	I
'Beyond the outmost wall she stood	E
Attired like huntress of the wood	E
Sandall'd her feet her ankles bare	I
And eagle plumage deck'd her hair	I
Firm was her look her bearing bold	E
And in her hand a cup of gold	E
Thou goest she said and ne'er again	X
Must we two meet in joy or pain	X
Full fain would I this hour delay	E
Though weak the wish yet wilt thou stay	E
No thou look'st forward Still attend	E
Part we like lover and like friend	E
She raised the cup Not this the juice	I
The sluggish vines of earth produce	I
Pledge we at parting in the draught	E
Which Genii love She said and quaff'd	E
And strange unwonted lustres fly	-
From her flush'd cheek and sparkling eye	-
	-
X	I
'The courteous Monarch bent him low	X
And stooping down from saddlebow	-
Lifted the cup in act to drink	U2
A drop escaped the goblet's brink	U2
Intense as liquid fire from hell	P
Upon the charger's neck it fell	P
Screaming with agony and fright	E
He bolted twenty feet upright	E
The peasant still can show the dint	E
Where his hoofs lighted on the flint	E
From Arthur's hand the goblet flew	I
Scattering a shower of fiery dew	I
That burn'd and blighted where it fell	P
The frantic steed rush'd up the dell	P
As whistles from the bow the reed	E
Nor bit nor rein could check his speed	E
Until he gain'd the hill	P
Then breath and sinew fail'd apace	I
And reeling from the desperate race	I
He stood exhausted still	P
The Monarch breathless and amazed	E
Back on the fatal castle gazed	E
Nor tower nor donjon could he spy	-
Darkening against the morning sky	-
But on the spot where they once frown'd	E
The lonely streamlet brawl'd around	E
A tufted knoll where dimly shone	X
Fragments of rock and rifted stone	X
Musing on this strange hap a while	P
The King wends back to fair Carlisle	P
And cares that cumber royal sway	E
Wore memory of the past away	E
	-
XI	I
'Full fifteen years and more were sped	E
Each brought new wreaths to Arthur's head	E
Twelve bloody fields with glory fought	E
The Saxons to subjection brought	E
Rython the mighty giant slain	X
By his good brand relieved Bretagne	X
The Pictish Gillamore in fight	E
And Roman Lucius own'd his might	E
And wide were through the world renown'd	E
The glories of his Table Round	E
Each knight who sought adventurous fame	Z
To the bold court of Britain came	Z
And all who suffer'd causeless wrong	Q2
From tyrant proud or faitour strong	Q2
Sought Arthur's presence to complain	X
Nor there for aid implored in vain	X
	-
XII	I
'For this the King with pomp and pride	E
Held solemn court at Whitsuntide	E
And summon'd Prince and Peer	I
All who owed homage for their land	E
Or who craved knighthood from his hand	E
Or who had succour to demand	E
To come from far and near	I
At such high tide were glee and game	Z
Mingled with feats of martial fame	Z
For many a stranger champion came	Z
In lists to break a spear	I
And not a knight in Arthur's host	E
Save that he trode on some foreign coast	E
But at this Feast of Pentecost	E
Before him must appear	I
Ah Minstrels when the Table Round	E
Arose with all its warriors crown'd	E
There was a theme for bards to sound	E
In triumph to their string	T
Five hundred years are past and gone	X
But Time shall draw his dying groan	X
Ere he behold the British throne	X
Begirt with such a ring	T
	-
XIII	I
'The heralds named the appointed spot	E
As Caerleon or Camelot	E
Or Carlisle fair and free	I
At Penrith now the feast was set	E
And in fair Eamont's vale were met	E
The flower of Chivalry	I
There Galahad sate with manly grace	I
Yet maiden meekness in his face	I
There Morolt of the iron mace	I
And love lorn Tristrem there	I
And Dinadam with lively glance	I
And Lanval with the fairy lance	I
And Mordred with his look askance	I
Brunor and Bevidere	I
Why should I tell of numbers more	I
Sir Cay Sir Banier Sir Bore	I
Sir Carodac the keen	X
The gentle Gawain's courteous lore	I
Hector de Mares and Pellinore	I
And Lancelot that evermore	I
Look'd stol'n wise on the Queen	X
	-
XIV	-
'When wine and mirth did most abound	E
And harpers play'd their blithest round	E
A shrilly trumpet shook the ground	E
And marshals cleared the ring	T
A maiden on a palfrey white	E
Heading a band of damsels bright	E
Paced through the circle to alight	E
And kneel before the King	T
Arthur with strong emotion saw	I
Her graceful boldness check'd by awe	X2
Her dress like huntress of the wold	E
Her bow and baldric trapp'd with gold	E
Her sandall'd feet her ankles bare	I
And the eagle plume that deck'd her hair	I
Graceful her veil she backward flung	O2
The King as from his seat he sprung	O2
Almost cried Guendolen	X
But 'twas a face more frank and wild	E
Betwixt the woman and the child	E
Where less of magic beauty smiled	E
Than of the race of men	X
And in the forehead's haughty grace	I
The lines of Britain's royal race	I
Pendragon's you might ken	X
	-
XV	-
'Faltering yet gracefully she said	E
Great Prince behold an orphan maid	E
In her departed mother's name	Z
A father's vow'd protection claim	Z
The vow was sworn in desert lone	X
In the deep valley of Saint John	X
At once the King the suppliant raised	E
And kiss'd her brow her beauty praised	E
His vow he said should well be kept	E
Ere in the sea the sun was dipp'd	E
Then conscious glanced upon his queen	X
But she unruffled at the scene	X
Of human frailty construed mild	E
Look'd upon Lancelot and smiled	E
	-
XVI	-
' Up up each knight of gallant crest	E
Take buckler spear and brand	E
He that to day shall bear him best	E
Shall win my Gyneth's hand	E
And Arthur's daughter when a bride	E
Shall bring a noble dower	I
Both fair Strath Clyde and Reged wide	E
And Carlisle town and tower	I
Then might you hear each valiant knight	E
To page and squire that cried	E
Bring my armour bright and my courser wight	E
'Tis not each day that a warrior's might	E
May win a royal bride	E
Then cloaks and caps of maintenance	I
	-
In haste aside they fling	T
The helmets glance and gleams the lance	I
And the steel weaved hauberks ring	T
Small care had they of their peaceful array	I
They might gather it that wolde	E
For brake and bramble glitter'd gay	I
With pearls and cloth of gold	E
	-
XVII	-
'Within trumpet sound of the Table Round	E
Were fifty champions free	I
And they all arise to fight that prize	I
They all arise but three	I
Nor love's fond troth nor wedlock's oath	Y2
One gallant could withhold	E
For priests will allow of a broken vow	-
For penance or for gold	E
But sigh and glance from ladies bright	E
Among the troop were thrown	X
To plead their right and true love plight	E
And 'plain of honor flown	X
The knights they busied them so fast	E
With buckling spur and belt	E
That sigh and look by ladies cast	E
Were neither seen or felt	E
From pleading or upbraiding glance	I
Each gallant turns aside	E
And only thought If speeds my lance	I
A queen becomes my bride	E
She has fair Strath Clyde and Reged wide	E
And Carlisle tower and town	X
She is the loveliest maid beside	E
That ever heir'd a crown	X
So in haste their coursers they bestride	E
And strike their visors down	X
	-
XVIII	-
'The champions arm'd in martial sort	E
Have throng'd into the list	E
And but three knights of Arthur's court	E
Are from the tourney miss'd	E
And still these lovers' fame survives	I
For faith so constant shown	X
There were two who loved their neighbors' wives	I
And one who loved his own	X
The first was Lancelot de Lac	N2
The second Tristrem bold	E
The third was valiant Carodac	N2
Who won the cup of gold	E
What time of all King Arthur's crew	I
Thereof came jeer and laugh	-
He as the mate of lady true	I
Alone the cup could quaff	-
Though envy's tongue would fain surmise	I
That but for very shame	Z
Sir Carodac to fight that prize	I
Had given both cup and dame	Z
Yet since but one of that fair court	E
Was true to wedlock's shrine	X
Brand him who will with base report	E
He shall be free from mine	X
	-
XIX	I
'Now caracoled the steeds in air	I
Now plumes and pennons wanton'd fair	I
As all around the lists so wide	E
In panoply the champions ride	E
King Arthur saw with startled eye	-
The flower of chivalry march by	-
The bulwark of the Christian creed	E
The kingdom's shield in hour of need	E
Too late he thought him of the woe	X
Might from their civil conflict flow	X
For well he knew they would not part	E
Till cold was many a gallant heart	E
His hasty vow he 'gan to rue	I
And Gyneth then apart he drew	I
To her his leading staff resign'd	E
But added caution grave and kind	E
	-
XX	I
' Thou see'st my child as promise bound	E
I bid the trump for tourney sound	E
Take thou my warder as the queen	X
And umpire of the martial scene	X
But mark thou this as Beauty bright	E
Is polar star to valiant knight	E
As at her word his sword he draws	I
His fairest guerdon her applause	I
So gentle maid should never ask	N2
Of knighthood vain and dangerous task	N2
And Beauty's eyes should ever be	I
Like the twin stars that soothe the sea	I
And Beauty's breath shall whisper peace	I
And bid the storm of battle cease	I
I tell thee this lest all too far	I
These knights urge tourney into war	I
Blithe at the trumpet let them go	X
And fairly counter blow for blow	X
No striplings these who succour need	E
For a razed helm or a falling steed	E
But Gyneth when the strife grows warm	Z2
And threatens death or deadly harm	A3
Thy sire entreats thy king commands	I
Thou drop the warder from thy hands	I
Trust thou thy father with thy fate	E
Doubt not he choose thee fitting mate	E
Nor be it said through Gyneth's pride	E
A rose of Arthur's chaplet died	E

Walter Scott (sir)

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