Yet never from the book She raised her head, nor did she deign The knight a single look. "Off, traitor friend! how darest thou fix Thy wanton gaze on me? And why, against my earnest suit, 66 Go, tell thy Lord, that slow is sure: Fair speed his shafts to-day! I follow here a stronger lure, She said and with a baleful smile And staggering onward, leaves the ear And Alice sate with troubled mien Then rose and donn'd her dress of green, There stands the flowering may-thorn tree! From thro' the veiling mist you see The black and shadowy stem ;— Smit by the sun the mist in glee With tear-drop glittering to a smile, "Hip! Florian, hip! To horse, to horse! Go, bring the palfrey out. "My Julian's out with all his clan, And, bonny boy, you wis, Lord Julian is a hasty man, Who comes late, comes amiss." Now Florian was a stripling squire, That toss'd his head in joy and pride But blush'd to hold her train. The huntress is in her dress of green,- Her buskins and her quiver ! The squire no younger e'er was seen— With restless arm and laughing een, He makes his javelin quiver. And had not Ellen stay'd the race, Give the last parting kiss-like touch It chanced that up the covert lane, And with him must Lord Julian go, In vain he sought, 'twixt shame and pride, He bit his lip, he wrung his glove, It grieves me sore to think, to say, Straight from the forest's skirt the trees Where hermit old might pace and chaunt From underneath its leafy screen, You pass at once into a green, A green and lightsome glade. And there Lord Julian sate on steed; Stood knight and squire, and menial train ; When up the alley green, Sir Hugh Fall in behind his lord. Lord Julian turn'd his steed half round.— "What! doth not Alice deign To accept your loving convoy, knight? With stifled tones the knight replied, 66 'Nay, let the hunt proceed!— The Lady's message that I bear, I guess would scantly please your ear, "You sent betimes. Not yet unbarr'd I found the middle door ;— Two stirrers only met my eyes, Fair Alice, and one more. "I came unlook'd for: and, it seem'd, In an unwelcome hour; And found the daughter of Du Clos “But hush! the rest may wait. If lost,, No great loss,. I divine; And idle words will better suit A fair maid's lips than mine." "God's wrath! speak out, man," Julian cried,. O'ermaster'd by the sudden smart ;— And feigning wrath, sharp, blunt, and rude, The knight his subtle shift pursued."Scowl not at me; command my skill, To lure your hawk back, if you will, But not a woman's heart. "Go!' (said she) ' tell him,-slow is sure; Fair speed his shafts to-day! I follow here a stronger lure,, "The game, pardie, was full in sight, The fair dame's eyes engage ; The last word of the traitor knight |