To shore they came, and to the boat And in leapt Margaret.. breathless now, And pale with fear and wild. With arching crest and swelling breast On sail'd the stately swan, And lightly down the rapid tide The little boat went on. The full orb'd moon, that beam'd around Pale splendour through the night, Cast through the crimson canopy A dim discolour'd light. And swiftly down the hurrying stream In silence still they sail, And the long streamer fluttering fast, And he was mute in sullen thought, And she was mute with fear, Nor sound but of the parting tide The little babe began to cry, And with a quick and hollow voice "Now hush thee, hush thee, Margaret, "Nor my poor heart distress! "I do but pay perforce the price "Of former happiness. "And hush thee too, my little babe! Thy cries so feeble cease; "Lie still, lie still; .. a little while "And thou shalt be at peace." So as he spake to land they drew, And swift he stept on shore, And him behind did Margaret It was a place all desolate, Nor house nor tree was there; And there a rocky mountain rose, And at its base a cavern yawn'd, For in the moon-beam shining round That darkness darker grew. Cold horror crept through Margaret's blood, Her heart it paused with fear, When Rudiger approach'd the cave, And cried, "Lo I am here!" A deep sepulchral sound the cave Return'd "Lo I am here!" And black from out the cavern gloom Two giant arms appear. And Rudiger approach'd, and held The little infant nigh; Then Margaret shriek'd and gather'd then And round the baby fast and close Her trembling arms she folds, And with a strong convulsive grasp The little infant holds. "Now help me, Jesus !" loud she cries, And loud on God she calls; Then from the grasp of Rudiger The little infant falls. |