Page:Felicia Hemans in The New Monthly Magazine Volume 17 1826.pdf/18



Kaiser feasted in his hall, The red wine mantled high; Banners were trembling on the wall To the peals of minstrelsy: And many a gleam and sparkle came From the armour hung around, As it caught the glance of the torch's flame, Or the hearth with pine-boughs crown'd.

Why fell there silence on the chord Beneath the harper's hand? And suddenly, from that rich board, Why rose the wassail-band? The strings were hush'd—the Knights made way For the queenly Mother's tread, As up the hall, in dark array, Two fair-hair'd boys she led.