Sudden a thought came like a full-blown rose, Flushing his brow, and in his pained heart Made purple riot[159]: then doth he propose A stratagem, that makes the beldame start: "A cruel man and impious thou art:140 Sweet lady, let her pray, and sleep, and dream Alone with her good angels, far apart From wicked men like thee. Go, go! I deem Thou canst not surely be the same that thou didst seem."
XVII
"I will not harm her, by all saints I swear,"145 Quoth Porphyro: "O may I ne'er find grace When my weak voice shall whisper its last prayer, If one of her soft ringlets I displace, Or look with ruffian passion in her face: Good Angela, believe me by these tears;150 Or I will, even in a moment's space, Awake, with horrid shout, my foemen's ears, And beard them, though they be more fang'd than wolves and bears."
XVIII
"Ah! why wilt thou affright a feeble soul? A poor, weak, palsy-stricken, church-yard thing,155 Whose passing-bell may ere the midnight toll; Whose prayers for thee, each morn and evening, Were never miss'd." Thus plaining, doth she bring A gentler speech from burning Porphyro; So woful, and of such deep sorrowing,160 That Angela gives promise she will do Whatever he shall wish, betide her weal or woe.
XIX
Which was, to lead him, in close secrecy, Even to Madeline's chamber, and there hide Him in a closet, of such privacy165 That he might see her beauty unespied, And win perhaps that night a peerless bride, While legion'd fairies paced the coverlet, And pale enchantment held her sleepy-eyed. Never on such a night have lovers met,170 Since Merlin[160] paid his Demon all the monstrous debt.
XX
"It shall be as thou wishest," said the Dame: "All cates[161] and dainties shall be stored there Quickly on this feast-night: by the tambour frame[162] Her own lute thou wilt see: no time to spare,175 For I am slow and feeble, and scarce dare On such a catering trust my dizzy head. Wait here, my child, with patience; kneel in prayer The while: Ah! thou must needs the lady wed, Or may I never leave my grave among the dead."180
XXI