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A FAERIE ROMANCE. 231
The knight dismounted in earnest speed ;
Away through the tombstones thundered the steed,
And fell by the outer wall, and died.
But the knight he kneeled by the lady's side ;
Kneeled beside her in wondrous bliss, Rapt in an everlasting kiss:
Though never his lips come the lady nigh, And his eyes alone on her beauty lie.
All the night long, till the cock crew loud, He kneeled by the lady, lapt in her shroud.
And what they said, I may not say: Dead night was sweeter than living day.
How she made him so blissful glad
"Who made her and found her so ghostly sad,
I may not tell ; but it needs no touch To make them blessed who love so much.
" Come every night, my ghost, to me ; " And one night I will come to thee.
" 'Tis good to have a ghostly wife :
" She will not tremble at clang of strife ;
" She will only hearken, amid the din, " Behind the door, if he cometh in."
And this is how Sir Aglovaile Often walked in the moonlight pale.
And oft when the crescent but thinned the gloom, Full orbed moonlight filled his room ;
And through beneath his chamber door, Fell a ghostly gleam on the outer floor ;
And they that passed, in fear averred That murmured words they often heard.
'Twas then that the eastern crescent shone Through the chancel window, and good St. John |
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