No More Learning

"And we fetch the steed from stall, up where never a hoof did fall"--
_Toll slowly. _
"Wifely prayer meets deathly need: may the sweet Heavens hear thee
plead
If he rides the castle-wall! "

LXVI.

Low she dropt her head, and lower, till her hair coiled on the floor--
_Toll slowly. _
And tear after tear you heard fall distinct as any word
Which you might be listening for.

LXVII.

"Get thee in, thou soft ladye! here is never a place for thee! "
_Toll slowly. _
"Braid thine hair and clasp thy gown, that thy beauty in its moan
May find grace with Leigh of Leigh. "

LXVIII.

She stood up in bitter case, with a pale yet steady face:
_Toll slowly. _
Like a statue thunderstruck, which, though quivering, seems to look
Right against the thunder-place.

LXIX.

And her foot trod in, with pride, her own tears i' the stone beside--
_Toll slowly.
_
"Go to, faithful friends, go to! judge no more what ladies do,
No, nor how their lords may ride! "

LXX.

Then the good steed's rein she took, and his neck did kiss and stroke:
_Toll slowly. _
Soft he neighed to answer her, and then followed up the stair
For the love of her sweet look:

LXXI.

Oh, and steeply, steeply wound up the narrow stair around--
_Toll slowly. _
Oh, and closely, closely speeding, step by step beside her treading
Did he follow, meek as hound.

LXXII.

On the east tower, high'st of all,--there, where never a hoof did
fall--
_Toll slowly. _
Out they swept, a vision steady, noble steed and lovely lady,
Calm as if in bower or stall.

LXXIII.

Down she knelt at her lord's knee, and she looked up silently--
_Toll slowly. _
And he kissed her twice and thrice, for that look within her eyes
Which he could not bear to see.

LXXIV.

Quoth he, "Get thee from this strife, and the sweet saints bless thy
life! "
_Toll slowly.