All this I can remember well; But of what afterwards befell I nothing further can recall Than a blind, desperate, headlong fall; The rest is a blank and darkness all. When I awoke out of this swoon, The sun was shining, not the moon, Making a cross upon the wall With the bars of my windows narrow and tall; And I prayed to it, as I had been wont to pray, From early childhood, day by day, Each morning, as in bed I lay! I was lying again in my own room! And I thanked God, in my fever and pain, That those shadows on the midnight plain Were gone, and could not come again! I struggled no longer with my doom!
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
WILLIAM AND HELEN.
From heavy dreams fair Helen rose, And eyed the dawning red: "Alas, my love, thou tarriest long! O art thou false or dead?"—
With gallant Fred'rick's princely power He sought the bold Crusade; But not a word from Judah's wars Told Helen how he sped.
With Paynim and with Saracen At length a truce was made, And every knight returned to dry The tears his love had shed.
Our gallant host was homeward bound With many a song of joy; Green waved the laurel in each plume, The badge of victory.
And old and young, and sire and son, To meet them crowd the way, With shouts and mirth and melody, The debt of love to pay.
Full many a maid her true-love met, And sobbed in his embrace, And fluttering joy in tears and smiles Arrayed full many a face.