LII.
"Ah, sweet May! ah, sweetest grief!—once I vowed thee my belief"—
Toll slowly—
"That thy name expressed thy sweetness,—May of poets, in completeness!
Now my May-day seemeth brief."
LIII.
All these silent thoughts did swim o'er his eyes grown strange and dim—
Toll slowly.
Till his true men, in the place, wished they stood there face to face
With the foe instead of him.
LIV.
"One last oath, my friends that wear faithful hearts to do and dare!"
Toll slowly.
"Tower must fall and bride be lost—swear me service worth the cost!"
Bold they stood around to swear.
LV.
"Each man clasp my hand and swear by the deed we failed in there"—
Toll slowly.
"Not for vengeance, not for right, will ye strike one blow to-night!"
Pale they stood around to swear.
LVI.
"One last boon, young Ralph and Clare! faithful hearts to do and dare!"
Toll slowly.
"Bring that steed up from his stall, which she kissed before you all.
Guide him up the turret-stair.