 | Redwald |  |
38
The morning rose of Edith's bridal day,
Fairer than Mona e'er had hail'd before;
Those mists which erst obscur'd the sun's bright ray
Seem'd to have fled—there to return no more.
Fairer than Mona e'er had hail'd before;
Those mists which erst obscur'd the sun's bright ray
Seem'd to have fled—there to return no more.
'Twas the same day a year before had shewn
So big with sadness to young Edith's heart;
That fatal day had guilty Redwald flown—
And now she blest the pow'r that bade them part.
So big with sadness to young Edith's heart;
That fatal day had guilty Redwald flown—
And now she blest the pow'r that bade them part.
The gay procession o'er the hills was seen,
And Ivan led his fair—his gentle bride,
Of all their gaiety the lovely queen,
And thought no grief could e'er again betide.
And Ivan led his fair—his gentle bride,
Of all their gaiety the lovely queen,
And thought no grief could e'er again betide.
Near to the shore the little chapel stood,
Where they their mutual vows of faith should pay;
And at its foot appear'd the roaring flood,
Which often dash'd it with the feathery spray.
Where they their mutual vows of faith should pay;
And at its foot appear'd the roaring flood,
Which often dash'd it with the feathery spray.
Within its walls the joyful crowd was rang'd,
Each face with cheerful pleasure seem'd to glow,
To hear those sacred vows of love exchang'd,
The sweetest—purest that the world can know!
Each face with cheerful pleasure seem'd to glow,
To hear those sacred vows of love exchang'd,
The sweetest—purest that the world can know!
39
And now the solemn words the priest had spoke,
Repeated gently fell from Edith's tongue,
When a loud voice amidst the silence broke,
And thro' the vaulted roof re-echo'd rung.
Repeated gently fell from Edith's tongue,
When a loud voice amidst the silence broke,
And thro' the vaulted roof re-echo'd rung.
The door was burst—with rude and clam'rous noise
In rush'd impetuously an armed band,
And shrieks arose from many a female voice,
While vainly struggling 'gainst no pitying hand:
In rush'd impetuously an armed band,
And shrieks arose from many a female voice,
While vainly struggling 'gainst no pitying hand:
Unarm'd was Ivan, soon by numbers held,
He saw their ruffian chief with rapid stride,
Approach the altar—raging he beheld
'Twas Redwald clasp'd his pale, his fainting bride!
He saw their ruffian chief with rapid stride,
Approach the altar—raging he beheld
'Twas Redwald clasp'd his pale, his fainting bride!
“She's mine, nor Heav'n nor fate shall part us more,
“'Tis Redwald braves thee—and thou faithless fair,
“I can revenge e'en as I can adore,
“Come fly with me, and all my wrongs repair.”
“'Tis Redwald braves thee—and thou faithless fair,
“I can revenge e'en as I can adore,
“Come fly with me, and all my wrongs repair.”
“Turn, coward, turn!” but vainly Ivan strove,
Like lightning fled the chief—and in his arms
Bore the dear object of his madd'ning love,
And vanish'd swiftly 'midst the loud alarms:
Like lightning fled the chief—and in his arms
Bore the dear object of his madd'ning love,
And vanish'd swiftly 'midst the loud alarms:
40
But desp'rate, furious, strength, now nerv'd his hand,
One sudden effort dash'd his guards away—
He burst thro' those who still his flight detain'd,
And bounding forth pursu'd his flying prey.
One sudden effort dash'd his guards away—
He burst thro' those who still his flight detain'd,
And bounding forth pursu'd his flying prey.
His swift approach did Redwald quickly mark,
And climb'd the rocks, the neighb'ring spot to gain,
Where waited for his prize the destin'd bark,
To bear them both far distant o'er the main.
And climb'd the rocks, the neighb'ring spot to gain,
Where waited for his prize the destin'd bark,
To bear them both far distant o'er the main.
Sudden a shout of triumph met his ear,
And turning he beheld with kindling rage
The conq'ring peasants wildly rushing near—
His troop all flying fearful to engage!
And turning he beheld with kindling rage
The conq'ring peasants wildly rushing near—
His troop all flying fearful to engage!
Within his arms lay Edith's lifeless form,
Breathless he stood, upon the rocky height,
While all assembled his pursuers swarm,
And of his coward slaves prevent the flight.
Breathless he stood, upon the rocky height,
While all assembled his pursuers swarm,
And of his coward slaves prevent the flight.
And now he could not from the rock descend,
Below—on ev'ry side they block'd his way,
And his last falt'ring hope was at an end,
He saw his boat had darted from the bay!
Below—on ev'ry side they block'd his way,
And his last falt'ring hope was at an end,
He saw his boat had darted from the bay!
| Redwald | |