But Charlemain he sent them in anger away, The cares of the kingdom demand him in vain, The Soldiers they clamour, the Monks bend in prayer In the quiet retreats of the cell; The Physicians to counsel together repair, They pause and they ponder, at last they declare That his senses are bound by a spell. With relics protected, and confident grown, And telling devoutly his beads, The Archbishop prepares him, and when it was known, That the King for awhile left the body alone, Now careful he searches with tremulous haste Rejoicing he seized it and hastened away, The enchantment was ended, and suddenly gay But bear her with speed to the tomb. Now merriment, joyaunce, and feasting again Enlivened the palace of Aix; And now by his heralds did King Charlemain And anxiously now for the festival day Oh! happy the Damsel who 'mid her compeers Now glowing with hopes and now fever'd with fears, As noticed by him, or past by. And now as the evening approach'd, to the ball Each hoped the King's choice on her beauties might fall, When lo! to the utter confusion of all, He ask'd the Archbishop to dance. The damsels they laugh and the barons they stare, "Twas mirth and astonishment all; And the Archbishop started and mutter'd a prayer, And, wroth at receiving such mockery there, Withdrew him in haste from the hall. The moon dimpled over the water with light As he wander'd along the lake side; When lo! where beside him the King met his sight; "Oh turn thee, Archbishop, my joy and delight, "Oh turn thee, my charmer," he cried; "Oh come where the feast and the dance and the song "Invite thee to mirth and to love; "Or at this happy moment away from the throng "To the shade of yon wood let us hasten along,.. "The moon never pierces that grove." Amazement and anger the Prelate possest, Then Charlemain warmly and eagerly prest "Let us well then these fortunate moments employ!" Cried the Monarch with passionate tone: "Come away then, dear charmer,.. my angel,.. my joy, "Nay struggle not now,.. 'tis in vain to be coy,.. "And remember that we are alone." |