Part 11 (1/2)

From the Switzer land collects he All his warriors brave;-- Cross on breast, their course directs he To the Holy Grave.

In triumphant march advancing, Onward moves the host, While their morion plumes are dancing Where the foes are most.

Mortal terror strikes the Paynim At the chieftain's name; But the knight's sad thoughts enchain him-- Grief consumes his frame.

Twelve long months, with courage daring, Peace he strives to find; Then, at last, of rest despairing, Leaves the host behind; Sees a s.h.i.+p, whose sails are swelling, Lie on Joppa's strand; s.h.i.+ps him homeward for her dwelling, In his own loved land.

Now behold the pilgrim weary At her castle gate!

But alas! these accents dreary Seal his mournful fate:-- ”She thou seek'st her troth hath plighted To all-gracious heaven; To her G.o.d she was united Yesterday at even!”

To his father's home forever Bids he now adieu; Sees no more his arms and beaver, Nor his steed so true.

Then descends he, sadly, slowly,-- None suspect the sight,-- For a garb of penance lowly Wears the n.o.ble knight.

Soon he now, the tempest braving, Builds an humble shed, Where o'er the lime-trees darkly waving, Peeps the convent's head.

From the orb of day's first gleaming, Till his race has run, Hope in every feature beaming, There he sits alone.

Toward the convent straining ever His unwearied eyes,-- From her cas.e.m.e.nt looking never Till it open flies, Till the loved one, soft advancing, Shows her gentle face, O'er the vale her sweet eye glancing, Full of angel-grace.

Then he seeks his bed of rushes, Stilled all grief and pain, Slumbering calm, till morning's blushes Waken life again.

Days and years fleet on, yet never Breathes he plaint or sighs, On her cas.e.m.e.nt gazing ever Till it open flies.

Till the loved one, soft advancing, Shows her gentle face, O'er the vale her sweet eyes glancing, Full of angel-grace.

But at length, the morn returning Finds him dead and chill;-- Pale and wan, his gaze, with yearning, Seeks her cas.e.m.e.nt still.

THE FIGHT WITH THE DRAGON.

Why run the crowd? What means the throng That rushes fast the streets along?

Can Rhodes a prey to flames, then, be?

In crowds they gather hastily, And, on his steed, a n.o.ble knight Amid the rabble, meets my sight; Behind him--prodigy unknown!-- A monster fierce they're drawing on; A dragon stems it by its shape, With wide and crocodile-like jaw, And on the knight and dragon gape, In turns, the people, filled with awe.

And thousand voices shout with glee ”The fiery dragon come and see, Who hind and flock tore limb from limb!-- The hero see, who vanquished him!

Full many a one before him went, To dare the fearful combat bent, But none returned home from the fight; Honor ye, then, the n.o.ble knight!”

And toward the convent move they all, While met in hasty council there The brave knights of the Hospital, St. John the Baptist's Order, were.

Up to the n.o.ble master sped The youth, with firm but modest tread; The people followed with wild shout, And stood the landing-place about, While thus outspoke that daring one: ”My knightly duty I have done.

The dragon that laid waste the land Has fallen beneath my conquering hand.

The way is to the wanderer free, The shepherd o'er the plains may rove; Across the mountains joyfully The pilgrim to the shrine may move.”

But sternly looked the prince, and said: ”The hero's part thou well hast played By courage is the true knight known,-- A dauntless spirit thou hast shown.

Yet speak! What duty first should he Regard, who would Christ's champion be, Who wears the emblem of the Cross?”-- And all turned pale at his discourse.

Yet he replied, with n.o.ble grace, While blus.h.i.+ngly he bent him low: ”That he deserves so proud a place Obedience best of all can show.”

”My son,” the master answering spoke, ”Thy daring act this duty broke.

The conflict that the law forbade Thou hast with impious mind essayed.”-- ”Lord, judge when all to thee is known,”

The other spake, in steadfast tone,-- ”For I the law's commands and will Purposed with honor to fulfil.

I went not out with heedless thought.

Hoping the monster dread to find; To conquer in the fight I sought By cunning, and a prudent mind.”

”Five of our n.o.ble Order, then (Our faith could boast no better men), Had by their daring lost their life, When thou forbadest us the strife.

And yet my heart I felt a prey To gloom, and panted for the fray; Ay, even in the stilly night, In vision gasped I in the fight; And when the glimmering morning came, And of fresh troubles knowledge gave, A raging grief consumed my frame, And I resolved the thing to brave.”