"T WAS Pentecost, the Feast of Gladness, When woods and fields put off all sadness. Thus began the King and spake; "So from the halls Of ancient Hofburg's walls, A luxuriant Spring shall break. Drums and trumpets echo loudly, In the play of spears, Fell all the cavaliers, Before the monarch's stalwart son. To the barrier of the fight Rode at last a sable Knight, "Sir Knight! your name and scutcheon say!" "Should I speak it here, Ye would stand aghast with fear; When he rode into the lists, The arch of heaven grew black with mists And the castle 'gan to rock. At the first blow, Fell the youth from saddle-bow, Hardly rises from the shock. Pipe and viol call the dances, Waves a mighty shadow in; With manner bland Doth ask the maiden's hand, Doth with her the dance begin; ง THE BLACK KNIGHT. 151 Danced in sable iron sark, Danced a measure weird and dark, From breast and hair Down fall from her the fair Flowerets, faded, to the ground. To the sumptuous banquet came 'Twixt son and daughter all distraught, With mournful mind The ancient King reclined, Gazed at them in silent thought. Pale the children both did look, But the guest a beaker took; "Golden wine will make you whole!" The children drank, Gave many a courteous thank; "O that draught was very cool!" Each the father's breast embraces, Son and daughter; and their faces Colorless grow utterly. Whichever way Looks the fear-struck father gray, Woe! the blessed children both Takest thou in the joy of youth; Take me, too, the joyless father!" Spake the grim Guest, From his hollow, cavernous breast; "Roses in the spring I gather 1" Ah! who shall lead us thither? Clouds in the evening sky more darkly gather, And shattered wrecks lie thicker on the strand. Who leads us with a gentle hand Thither, O thither, Into the Silent Land? Into the Silent Land! Το you, ye boundless regions Of all perfection! Tender morning-visions Of beauteous souls! The Future's pledge and band! |