No More Learning

"

LXII.

Calm she stood; unbodkined through, fell her dark hair to her shoe:
_Toll slowly. _
And the smile upon her face, ere she left the tiring-glass,
Had not time enough to go.

LXIII.

"Get thee back, sweet Duchess May! hope is gone like yesterday":
_Toll slowly. _
One half-hour completes the breach; and thy lord grows wild of speech--
Get thee in, sweet lady, and pray!

LXIV.

"In the east tower, high'st of all, loud he cries for steed from
stall":
_Toll slowly. _
"'He would ride as far,' quoth he, 'as for love and victory,
Though he rides the castle-wall. '

LXV.

"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.