OH! WHY DOES HE STAY.
I
His foot in the stirrup, his hand on the rein,
Why turns the young knight from his charger again.
How lately his dark eye was kindled with rage,
How lately he summon'd his little foot page.
He vow'd he would ride from the castle to-day,—
Now ev'ning is coming,—oh, why does he stay?
II
His lady love danced with another last night,
He came to upbraid her, and threaten'd to fight.
She laugh'd at his anger, and from her he flew,
Exclaiming, “For ever, false lady, adieu!”
He summon'd his charger, and brook'd not delay;
And now it is waiting.—Oh, why does he stay?
III
Again to her chamber he silently steals,
And humbly before her the penitent kneels;
Again her white fingers are clasp'd in his own,
Again his plume bonnet beside him is thrown.
The steed and the page are forgotten to-day;
The lady is smiling—the lover will stay.
