Rowena & Harold Part 7

Once more on Ragnor's brow the beacons blaze, The Orient Pearl to greet, On her return.

Two brides wait mid a throng of friends to meet Their war-proof knights. The shades of rank they spurn; They'd vowed for each a sister's love for aye and aye.

Heart Chords.

Sweet harpings break the stilly night's repose.

The seamen list once more, As from her bower, There fall those witching sounds they've heard before, In days long gone, from Ragnor's lofty tower.

When hearts with voices blend what heavenly music flows!

Breathe fair, ye winds, breathe fair; My true love's on the sea.

G.o.d, hear the lone one's prayer, And bring him back to me!

G.o.d guide the helm, G.o.d fill the sails And waft him with propitious gales!

Breathe fair, ye winds, breathe fair, And bear my true love home!

Love's bonds shall hold him there, No more, no more to roam.

G.o.d guide the helm, G.o.d fill the sails, And speed him home propitious gales!

She flies the holy cross That talisman divine Shall s.h.i.+eld from loss and harm.

Her faithful knight and mine.

"O Christ, bid thou the storm to cease And fill our hearts with joy and peace!"

Home, Sweet Home!

They light the beacon fires the hills around.

All eyes are eager bent Across the sea, To cheer the night, a hundred voices blent To chase the gloomy hours with mirthful glee; Till shouts of "s.h.i.+p ahoy!" made every heart rebound.

And now for many days round Ragnor's Towers, Life flowed in mirth away.

"Let feast and song,"

Sir Harold said, "have free unbounded sway; For grief and gloom have lorded here too long.

Let joy now rule the day and strew her path with flowers!"

And yet a year, the joy-bells ring again; For sons are born to sires Of knightly fame.

Once more the swains, light up the beacon fires; Old Hastyngs flashed to Normanhurst the flame; For Harold had to Eric given Ruth's hand and Ralph's domain.

VALE!