Left their brides, and never came
To their native halls again.
Then, anon, the pensive strain
Changed, and swell'd with joy again; Minstrel-fire, and poet-heart,
Gallantly they did their part!
Mirth and music, harp and voice,
One and all proclaim'd, " Rejoice!"
Since that hour, full oft the sun
Through his constant course hath run;
And since gush'd that harp with sound
Time hath changed the world around.
Go to yonder moss-grown pile,
Seek the solemn chapel-aisle ;
Sleeping 'neath the altar there,
Rest the Knight, and Lady fair;
There, their costly marble tomb
Moulders on in damp and gloom;
None are left to mourn and weep
For their long and dreamless sleep!
Only moaning night-winds sigh,
Where ONCE rang song and revelry,
Where the banquet ONCE was held,
Where the song of triumph swell'd,
All is silent now, and still;
All is cold, and drear, and chill;
Gently hasten to decay
Lofty roof, and arches gray;
Well they speak to human pride
Of Time's ever-rolling tide;
All this vain world's glory dies,
Changeful, all beneath the skies;
Hearth-stone overgrown with flowers,
Ivy in dismantled bowers,
These alone may now recall
THE BANQUET in that noble hall!
And let the diamond glisten
Amongst her shining hair;
Hark to the dancers!-listen!
Her step will soon be there.
But watch that step returning;
And watch that weary eye,
When lamps are dimly burning,
And daylight gilds the sky:
And ask her on the morrow,
What thoughts her breast employ ;
Whether an age of sorrow,
Or one short hour of joy?
"TWAS a festal day in halls
Circled by old castle walls;
From the frowning towers on high
Banners waved right royally;
While beneath the sun's deep glow,
Paced the warder to and fro,
Gleaming lance and pennon bright,
Glancing in the summer light.
Beautiful beyond compare,
In that hall a Lady fair,
Radiant with the highborn grace
Of an ancient, lofty race,
Held a joyous banquet day,
For her Lord once far away.
He, return'd from distant land,
Press'd again his native strand;
And the harper's loyal lay
Told of warrior's conquering bay;
Sang how knights from Paynim shore
Oftentimes return'd no more;
Left their brides, and never came
To their native halls again.
Then, anon, the pensive strain
Changed, and swell'd with joy again;
Minstrel-fire, and poet-heart,
Gallantly they did their part!
Mirth and music, harp and voice,
One and all proclaim'd, "Rejoice!"
Since that hour, full oft the sun
Through his constant course hath run;
And since gush'd that harp with sound
Time hath changed the world around.
Go to yonder moss-grown pile,
Seek the solemn chapel-aisle;
Sleeping 'neath the altar there,
Rest the Knight, and Lady fair;
There, their costly marble tomb
Moulders on in damp and gloom;
None are left to mourn and weep
For their long and dreamless sleep!
Only moaning night-winds sigh,
Where ONCE rang song and revelry,
Where the banquet ONCE was held,
Where the song of triumph swell'd,
All is silent now, and still;
All is cold, and drear, and chill;
Gently hasten to decay
Lofty roof, and arches gray;
Well they speak to human pride
Of Time's ever-rolling tide;
All this vain world's glory dies,
Changeful, all beneath the skies;
Hearth-stone overgrown with flowers,
Ivy in dismantled bowers,
These alone may now recall
THE BANQUET in that noble hall!
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