"These shall never die for me—life-blood falls too heavily."— Toll slowly. "And if I die here apart,—o'er my dead and silent heart They shall pass out safe and free.
"When the foe hath heard it said—'Death holds Guy of Linteged,'"— Toll slowly. "That new corse new peace shall bring, and a blessed, blessed thing Shall the stone be at its head.
"Then my friends shall pass out free, and shall bear my memory,"— Toll slowly. "Then my foes shall sleek their pride, soothing fair my widowed bride Whose sole sin was love of me.
"With their words all smooth and sweet, they will front her and entreat,"— Toll slowly. "And their purple pall will spread underneath her fainting head While her tears drop over it.
"She will weep her woman's tears, she will pray her woman's prayers,"— Toll slowly. "But her heart is young in pain, and her hopes will spring again By the suntime of her years.
"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."
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.
"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.
"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.
"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.