No More Learning

" he said at last. "Nay," she answered him in haste,--
_Toll slowly. _
"Not such death as we could find--only life with one behind.
Ride on fast as fear, ride fast! "

XXI.

Up the mountain wheeled the steed--girth to ground, and fetlocks
spread--
_Toll slowly. _
Headlong bounds, and rocking flanks,--down he staggered, down the
banks,
To the towers of Linteged.

XXII.

High and low the serfs looked out, red the flambeaus tossed about--
_Toll slowly. _
In the courtyard rose the cry, "Live the Duchess and Sir Guy! "
But she never heard them shout.

XXIII.

On the steed she dropped her cheek, kissed his mane and kissed his
neck--
_Toll slowly. _
"I had happier died by thee than lived on, a Lady Leigh,"
Were the first words she did speak.

XXIV.
But a three months' joyaunce lay 'twixt that moment and to-day--
_Toll slowly. _
When five hundred archers tall stand beside the castle wall
To recapture Duchess May.

XXV.

And the castle standeth black with the red sun at its back--
_Toll slowly. _
And a fortnight's siege is done, and, except the duchess, none
Can misdoubt the coming wrack.

XXVI.

Then the captain, young Lord Leigh, with his eyes so grey of blee--
_Toll slowly. _
And thin lips that scarcely sheath the cold white gnashing of his
teeth,
Gnashed in smiling, absently,--

XXVII.

Cried aloud, "So goes the day, bridegroom fair of Duchess May! "
_Toll slowly. _
"Look thy last upon that sun! if thou seest to-morrow's one
'T will be through a foot of clay.

XXVIII.

"Ha, fair bride! dost hear no sound save that moaning of the hound? "
_Toll slowly.