XVII.
Fast and fain the bridal train along the night-storm rode amain—
Toll slowly.
Hard the steeds of lord and serf struck their hoofs out on the turf,
In the pauses of the rain.
XVIII.
Fast and fain the kinsmen's train along the storm pursued amain—
Toll slowly.
Steed on steed-track, dashing off,—thickening, doubling, hoof on hoof,
In the pauses of the rain.
XIX.
And the bridegroom led the flight on his red-roan steed of might—
Toll slowly.
And the bride lay on his arm, still, as if she feared no harm,
Smiling out into the night.
XX.
"Dost thou fear?" he said at last. "Nay," she answered him in haste,—
Toll slowly.
"Not such death as we could find—only life with one behind.
Ride on fast as fear, ride fast!"
XXI.
Up the mountain wheeled the steed—girth to ground, and fetlocks spread—
Toll slowly.
Headlong bounds, and rocking flanks,—down he staggered, down the banks,
To the towers of Linteged.