That no strong voice too late may enter in
Its prison-range, to teach what might have been.
Was there no conscious spirit thus to plead
For this bright lady, as the wondering guest
Closed with his welcomers, and each took heed
Of each, and horse to horse they rode abreast,
Nearing a fair and spacious house that stood,
Half hidden, in the edges of the wood?
And while, the last court-tidings running o’er,
Their talk on this and that at random fell,