LXXII.
On the east tower, high'st of all,—there, where never a hoof did fall—
Toll slowly.
Out they swept, a vision steady, noble steed and lovely lady,
Calm as if in bower or stall.
LXXIII.
Down she knelt at her lord's knee, and she looked up silently—
Toll slowly.
And he kissed her twice and thrice, for that look within her eyes
Which he could not bear to see.
LXXIV.
Quoth he, "Get thee from this strife, and the sweet saints bless thy life!"
Toll slowly.
"In this hour I stand in need of my noble red-roan steed,
But no more of my noble wife."
LXXV.
Quoth she, "Meekly have I done all thy biddings under sun":
Toll slowly.
"But by all my womanhood, which is proved so, true and good,
I will never do this one.
LXXVI.
"Now by womanhood's degree and by wifehood's verity"—
Toll slowly.
"In this hour if thou hast need of thy noble red-roan steed,
Thou hast also need of me.