FullReads

IX.

A NOISE ON THE FLOOR.

This is the scene on which now enters in
Eviradnus; and follows page Gasclin.

The outer walls were almost all decayed,
The door, for ancient Marquises once made–
Raised many steps above the courtyard near–
Commanded view of the horizon clear.
The forest looked a great gulf all around,
And on the rock of Corbus there were found
Secret and blood-stained precipices tall.
Duke Plato built the tower and banquet hall
Over great pits,–so was it Rumor said.
The flooring sounds ‘neath Eviradnus’ tread
Above abysses many.
“Page,” said he,
“Come here, your eyes than mine can better see,
For sight is woman-like and shuns the old;
Ah! he can see enough, when years are told,
Who backwards looks. But, boy, turn towards the glade
And tell me what you see.”
The boy obeyed,
And leaned across the threshold, while the bright,
Full moon shed o’er the glade its white, pure light.

“I see a horse and woman on it now,”
Said Gasclin, “and companions also show.”
“Who are they?” asked the seeker of sublime
Adventures. “Sir, I now can hear like chime
The sound of voices, and men’s voices too,
Laughter and talk; two men there are in view,
Across the road the shadows clear I mark
Of horses three.”
“Enough. Now, Gasclin, hark!”
Exclaimed the knight, “you must at once return
By other path than that which you discern,
So that you be not seen. At break of day
Bring back our horses fresh, and every way
Caparisoned; now leave me, boy, I say.”
The page looked at his master like a son,
And said, “Oh! if I might stay on,
For they are two.”

“Go–I suffice alone!”

X.

EVIRADNUS MOTIONLESS.

And lone the hero is within the hall,
And nears the table where the glasses all
Show in profusion; all the vessels there,
Goblets and glasses gilt, or painted fair,
Are ranged for different wines with practised care.
He thirsts; the flagons tempt; but there must stay
One drop in emptied glass, and ‘twould betray
The fact that some one living had been here.
Straight to the horses goes he, pauses near
That which is next the table shining bright,
Seizes the rider–plucks the phantom knight
To pieces–all in vain its panoply
And pallid shining to his practised eye;
Then he conveys the severed iron remains
To corner of the hall where darkness reigns;
Against the wall he lays the armor low
In dust and gloom like hero vanquished now–
But keeping pond’rous lance and shield so old,
Mounts to the empty saddle, and behold!
A statue Eviradnus has become,
Like to the others in their frigid home.
With visor down scarce breathing seemed maintained
Throughout the hall a death-like silence reigned.

XI.

A LITTLE MUSIC.

Listen! like hum froth unseen nests we hear
A mirthful buzz of voices coming near,
Of footsteps–laughter–from the trembling trees.
And now the thick-set forest all receives
A flood of moonlight–and there gently floats
The sound of a guitar of Inspruck; notes
Which blend with chimes–vibrating to the hand–
Of tiny bell–where sounds a grain of sand.
A man’s voice mixes with the melody,
And vaguely melts to song in harmony.

“If you like we’ll dream a dream.
Let us mount on palfreys two;
Birds are singing,–let it seem
You lure me–and I take you.

“Let us start–’tis eve, you see,
I’m thy master and thy prey.
My bright steed shall pleasure be;
Yours, it shall be love, I say.

“Journeying leisurely we go,
We will make our steeds touch heads,
Kiss for fodder,–and we so
Satisfy our horses’ needs.