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Songs, Ballads, and Other Poems

by the late Thomas Haynes Bayly; Edited by his Widow. With A Memoir of the Author. In Two Volumes

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THE TAPESTRY WAVES IN THE BREEZE OF THE NIGHT.

I

The tapestry waves in the breeze of the night,
And the figures it bears, in the pale moonlight,
Seem frowning upon me,—I tremble with fear.
Dim shadows I see, and low murmurs I hear!
My lamp is expiring—Oh, speed, my love, speed!
I listen in vain for the tramp of his steed.

II

Hark! hark! 'tis the bell of the castle tolls One,
The silence how deep now the echoes are gone!
And, hush! in the gallery, near and more near,
A slow hollow footstep distinctly I hear.
My lamp is expiring—Oh, speed, my love, speed!
I listen in vain for the tramp of his steed.

III

The door of my chamber wide open is thrown,
A figure stands there like a statue of stone:
It raises its helmet—I laugh at my fear,
'Tis my lover I view—'tis my lover I hear!
My lamp's fading glimmer no longer I heed,
I listen no more for the tramp of his steed.