 | Hunting Songs |  |
168
The Ladie of the Castle of Windeck.
I
“Fated Horseman! onward speeding,Hold!—thy panting courser check;—
Thee the Phantom Stag misleading,
Hurrieth to the lone Windeck!”
II
Where two towers, their strength uprearing,O'er a ruin'd gateway rise,
There the quarry disappearing
Vanish'd from the Hunter's eyes.
III
Lone and still!—no echo sounded;Blaz'd the sun in noonday pride;
Deep he drew his breath astounded,
And his streaming forehead dried.
IV
“Precious wine lies hid below, inRuin'd cellar here, they say;
O! that I, with cup o'erflowing,
Might my scorching thirst allay!”
169
V
Scarcely by his parch'd lip spokenWingèd words the wish proclaim,
Ere from arch, with ivy broken,
Forth a fair hand-maiden came.
VI
Light of step, a glorious maiden!Robe of shining white she wore;
With her keys her belt was laden,
Drinking horn in hand she bore.
VII
Precious wine, from cup o'erflowing,With an eager mouth he quaff'd;
Fire he felt within him glowing,
As he drain'd the magic draught.
VIII
Eyes of deep blue, softly glancing!—Flowing locks of golden hue!—
He with claspèd hands advancing
'Gan the Maiden's love to sue.
IX
Fraught with strange mysterious meaning,Pitying look she on him cast;
Then, her form the ivy screening,
Swiftly, as she came, she past.
170
X
From that hour enchanted ever,Spellbound to the Windeck lone,
From that hour he slumber'd never,
Rest, and peace, and hope unknown.
XI
Night and day that ruin'd portalPale and wan he hovers nigh,
Though unlike to living mortal,
Still without the power to die.
XII
Once again the maid, appearing,After many a year had past,
Prest his lip with kiss endearing,
Broke the spell of life at last.
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