Mutter its curses in the air,

The Devil's own and only prayer!

The dusty road is brown with rain,

And speeding on with might and main,

Hitherward rides a gallant train.

They do not parley, they cannot wait,

But hurry in at the convent gate.

What a fair lady! and beside her

What a handsome, graceful, noble rider!

Now she gives him her hand to alight;