SHE WALKS IN BEAUTY. SHE walks in beauty, like the night Of cloudless climes and starry skies: Meet in her aspect and her eyes: Which heaven to gaudy day denies. One shade the more, one ray the less, Or softly lightens o'er her face; How pure, how dear their dwelling-place. And on that cheek, and o'er that brow, The smiles that win, the tints that glow, A mind at peace with all below, A heart whose love is innocent! 5 IO 15 SONG OF SAUL BEFORE HIS LAST BATTLE. WARRIORS and chiefs! should the shaft or the sword Pierce me in leading the host of the Lord, Heed not the corse, though a king's, in your path : Thou who art bearing my buckler and bow, Should the soldiers of Saul look away from the foe, Farewell to others, but never we part, Heir to my royalty, son of my heart! Or kingly the death, which awaits us to-day! 5 ΙΟ KEATS. The owl, for all his feathers, was a-cold; The hare limp'd trembling through the frozen grass, Numb were the Beadsman's fingers while he told Like pious incense from a censer old, Seem'd taking flight for heaven without a death, Past the sweet Virgin's picture, while his prayer he saith. II. His prayer he saith, this patient, holy man; 10 Then takes his lamp, and riseth from his knees. And back returneth, meagre, barefoot, wan, Along the chapel aisle by slow degrees: The sculptured dead, on each side seemed to freeze, To think how they may ache in icy hoods and mails. III. Northward he turneth through a little door, And scarce three steps, ere Music's golden tongue 20 15 The joys of all his life were said and sung; And all night kept awake, for sinners' sake to grieve. IV. That ancient Beadsman heard the prelude soft; The silver, snarling trumpets 'gan to chide: The carved angels, ever eager-eyed, Stared, where upon their heads the cornice rests, With hair blown back, and wings put cross-wise on their breasts. V. At length burst in the argent revelry, With plume, tiara, and all rich array, The brain, new-stuff'd, in youth, with triumphs gay 25 30 35 40 And turn, soul-thoughted, to one Lady there, As she had heard old dames full many times declare. 45 VI. They told her how, upon St. Agnes' Eve, Nor look behind, nor sideways, but require Of Heaven with upward eyes for all that they desire. 50 VII. Full of this whim was thoughtful Madeline: Came many a tiptoe, amorous cavalier, And back retired; not cool'd by high disdain, But she saw not: her heart was otherwhere; She sigh'd for Agnes' dreams, the sweetest of the year. VIII. She danced along with vague regardless eyes, The hallow'd hour was near at hand: she sighs 'Mid looks of love, defiance, hate, and scorn, IX. So, purposing each moment to retire, She linger'd still. Meantime, across the moors, - in sooth such things have been. X. He ventures in: let no buzz'd whisper tell: Will storm his heart, Love's fev'rous citadel: For him, those chambers held barbarian hordes Save one old beldame, weak in body and in soul XI. Ah, happy chance! the aged creature came Shuffling along with ivory-headed wand, To where he stood, hid from the torch's flame, The sound of merriment and chorus bland : 66 Saying, Mercy, Porphyro! hie thee from this place; They are all here to-night, the whole bloodthirsty race! 85 90 95 XII. Get hence! get hence! there's dwarfish Hildebrand : He had a fever late, and in the fit 100 He cursed thee and thine, both house and land: And tell me how " 66 - 66 Ah, Gossip dear, Good Saints! not here, not here, Follow me, child, or else these stones will be thy bier." XIII. He follow'd through a lowly archéd way, 105 IIO 115 |