With jellies soother than the creamy curd, And lucent syrops, tinct with cinnamon; Manna and dates, in argosy transferr'd From Fez; and spiced dainties, every one, From silken Samarcand to cedar'd Lebanon. XXXI. These delicates he heap'd with glowing hand Filling the chilly room with perfume light.- 66 Thou art my heaven, and I thine eremite: "Open thine eyes, for meek St. Agnes' sake, "Or I shall drowse beside thee, so my soul doth ache." XXXII. Thus whispering, his warm, unnerved arm The lustrous salvers in the moonlight gleam; XXXIII. Awakening up, he took her hollow lute,- Close to her ear touching the melody;— Upon his knees he sank, pale as smooth-sculptured stone. XXXIV. Her eyes were open, but she still beheld, XXXV. "Ah, Porphyro!" said she, " but even now 66 'Thy voice was at sweet tremble in mine ear, "Made tuneable with every sweetest vow; "How chang'd thou art! how pallid, chill, and drear! "Those looks immortal, those complainings dear! "Oh leave me not in this eternal woe, "For if thou diest, my love, I know not where to go." XXXVI. Beyond a mortal man impassion'd far Seen mid the sapphire heaven's deep repose; Into her dream he melted, as the rose Solution sweet: meantime the frost-wind blows Like Love's alarum pattering the sharp sleet Against the window-panes; St. Agnes' moon hath set. XXXVII. "Tis dark: quick pattereth the flaw-blown sleet: 66 This is no dream, my bride, my Madeline!" 'Tis dark: the iced gusts still rave and beat: "No dream, alas! alas! and woe is mine! 66 Porphyro will leave me here to fade and pine.— "Cruel! what traitor could thee hither bring? I curse not, for my heart is lost in thine, "Though thou forsakest a deceived thing;"A dove forlorn and lost with sick unpruned wing." XXXVIII. "My Madeline! sweet dreamer! lovely bride! "Thy beauty's shield, heart-shap'd and vermeil dyed? "Ah, silver shrine, here will I take my rest 66 After so many hours of toil and quest, "A famish'd pilgrim,-saved by miracle. Though I have found, I will not rob thy nest "Saving of thy sweet self; if thou think'st well "To trust, fair Madeline, to no rude infidel. XXXIX. "Hark! 'tis an elfin-storm from faery land, "Let us away, my love, with happy speed; “Drown'd all in Rhenish and the sleepy mead: "Awake! arise! my love, and fearless be, "For o'er the southern moors I have a home for thee." XL. She hurried at his words, beset with fears, And the long carpets rose along the gusty floor. XLI. They glide, like phantoms, into the wide hall; With a huge empty flagon by his side: The wakeful bloodhound rose, and shook his hide, By one, and one, the bolts full easy slide: The chains lie silent on the footworn stones;The key turns, and the door upon its hinges groans. XLII. And they are gone: ay, ages long ago That night the Baron dreamt of many a woe, And all his warrior-guests, with shade and form Of witch, and demon, and large coffin-worm, LA BELLE DAME SANS MERCI. 1. Ah, what can ail thee, wretched wight,1 The sedge is wither'd from the lake, 2. Ah, what can ail thee, wretched wight,1 And the harvest's done. 3. I see a lily on thy brow, With anguish moist and fever dew; And on thy cheek a fading rose Fast withereth too. 4. I met a lady in the meads Full beautiful, a faery's child; Her hair was long, her foot was light, And her eyes were wild. 1 1 This is the reading in The Indicator for May 10, 1820 (published by Leigh Hunt). Lord Houghton's copy reads: O what can ail thee, knight-at-arms. For other variations consult Forman's Keats. |