Old Spookses' Pass, Malcolm's Katie, and other poems Part 15

Young Mary stole along the vale, To keep her tryst with Ulnor's lord; A warrior clad in coat of mail Stood darkling by the brawling ford.

"O let me pa.s.s; O let me pa.s.s, Dark falls the night on hill and lea; Flies, flies the bright day swift and fast, From lordly bower and greenwood tree.

The small birds twitter as they fly To dewy bough and leaf-hid nest; Dark fold the black clouds on the sky, And maiden terrors throng my breast!"

"And thou shalt pa.s.s, thou bonnie maid, If thou wilt only tell to me-- Why hiest thou forth in lonesome shade; Where may thy wish'd-for bourne be?"

"O let me by, O let me by, My granddam dwells by Ulnor's sh.o.r.e; She strains for me her failing eye-- Beside her lowly ivied door."

"I rode by Ulnor's sh.o.r.e at dawn, I saw no ancient dame and cot; I saw but startl'd doe and fawn-- Thy bourne thou yet hast told me not."

"O let me pa.s.s--my father lies Long-stretch'd in coffin and in shroud,-- Where Ulnor's turrets climb the skies, Where Ulnor's battlements are proud!"

"I rode by Ulnor's walls at noon; I heard no bell for pa.s.sing sprite; And saw no henchman straik'd for tomb; Thou hast not told thy bourne aright."

"O let me pa.s.s--a monk doth dwell In lowly hut by Ulnor's shrine; I seek the holy friar's cell, That he may shrive this soul of mine."

"I rode by Ulnor's shrine this day, I saw no hut--no friar's cowl; I heard no holy hermit pray-- I heard but hooting of the owl!"

"O let me pa.s.s--time flies apace-- And since thou wilt not let me be; I tryst with chief of Ulnor's race, Beneath the spreading hawthorn tree!"

"I rode beside the bonnie thorn, When this day's sun was sinking low; I saw a damsel like the morn, I saw a knight with hound and bow; The chief was chief of Ulnor's name, The maid was of a high degree; I saw him kiss the lovely dame, I saw him bend the suitor's knee!

"I saw the fond glance of his eye To her red cheek red roses bring; Between them, as my steed flew by, I saw them break a golden ring."

"O wouldst thou know, thou curious knight, Where Mary's bourne to-night will be?

Since thou has seen such traitor sight, Beneath the blooming hawthorn tree."

Fair shone the yellow of her locks, Her cheek and bosom's drifted snow; She leap'd adown the sharp grey rocks, She sought the sullen pool below.

The knight his iron vizard rais'd, He caught young Mary to his heart; She lifted up her head and gaz'd-- She drew her yellow locks apart.

The roses touch'd her lovely face; The lilies white did faint and flee; The knight was chief of Ulnor's race,-- His only true love still was she!

"IN EXCHANGE FOR HIS SOUL!"

Long time one whisper'd in his ear-- "Give me my strong, pure soul; behold 'Tis mine to give what men hold dear-- The treasure of red gold."

"I bribe thee not with crown and throne, Pale spectres they of kingly pow'r!

I give thee gold--red gold alone Can crown a king each hour!"

He frown'd, perchance he felt a throe, Gold-hunger gnawing at his heart-- A pa.s.sing pang--for, stern and low, He bade the fiend depart!

Again there came the voice and said: "Gold for that soul of thine were shame; Thine be that thing for which have bled Both G.o.ds and men,--high Fame.

"And in long ages yet to sweep Their gloom and glory on the day; When mould'ring kings, forgot, shall sleep In ashes, dust, and clay:

"Thy name shall, starlike, pulse and burn On heights most G.o.dlike; and divine, Immortal bays thy funereal urn Shall lastingly entwine!"

He sigh'd; perchance he felt the thrill, The answ'ring pulse to Fame's high call; But answer made his steadfast will-- "I will not be thy thrall!"

Again there came the voice and cried: "Dost thou my kingly bribes disdain?

Yet shalt thou barter soul and pride For things ign.o.bly vain!

"Two shameless eyes--two false, sweet eyes-- A sinful brow of sinless white, Shall hurl, thy soul from high clear skies To ME, and Stygian night.

"Beneath the spell of gilded hair, Thy palms, like sickly weeds, shall die!

G.o.d-strong Resolves, a sensuous air Shall mock and crucify.

"Go to! my thrall at last thou art!

Ere bud to rounded blossom change; Thou wilt for wanton lips and heart Most false, thy soul exchange!"

THE LAND OF KISSES

Where is the Land of Kisses, Can you tell, tell, tell?

Ah, yes; I know its blisses Very well!

'Tis not beneath the swinging Of the Jessamine, Where gossip-birds sit singing In the vine!

Where is the Land of Kisses, Do you know, know, know?

Is it such a land as this is?

No, truly no!

Nor is it 'neath the Myrtle, Where each b.u.t.terfly Can brush your lady's kirtle, Flitting by!

Where is the Land of Kisses, Can you say, say, say?

Yes; there a red lip presses Mine ev'ry day!

But 'tis not where the Pansies Open purple eyes, And gossip all their fancies To the skies!

I know the Land of Kisses Pa.s.sing well, well, well; Who seeks it often misses-- Let me tell.

Fly, lover, like a swallow, Where your lady goes; You'll find it if you follow, 'Neath the Rose.

SAID THE THISTLE-DOWN.

"If thou wilt hold my silver hair, O Lady sweet and bright; I'll bring thee, maiden darling, where Thy lover is to-night.

Lay down thy robe of cloth of gold-- Gold, weigheth heavily, Thy necklace wound in jewell'd fold, And hie thee forth with me."

"O Thistle-down, dear Thistle-down, I've laid my robe aside; My necklace and my jewell'd crown, And yet I cannot glide Along the silver crests of night With thee, light thing, with thee.

Rain would I try the airy flight, What sayest thou to me?"

"If thou wilt hold my silver hair, O maiden fair and proud; We'll float upon the purple air High as yon lilied cloud.

There is a jewel weighs thy heart; If thou with me wouldst glide That cold, cold jewel place apart-- The jewel of thy pride!"