Page:Keats - Poetical Works, DeWolfe, 1884.djvu/204

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 * And pale enchantment held her sleepy-eyed.
 * Never on such a night have lovers met,

Since Merlin paid his Demon all the monstrous debt.


 * "All cates and dainties shall be stored there
 * Quickly on this feast-night: by the tambour frame
 * Her own lute thou wilt see: no time to spare,
 * 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."


 * The lover's endless minutes slowly pass'd;
 * The dame return'd, and whisper'd in his ear
 * To follow her; with aged eyes aghast
 * From fright of dim espial. Safe at last,
 * Through many a dusky gallery, they gain
 * The maiden's chamber, silken, hush'd and chaste;
 * Where Porphyro took covert, pleased amain.

His poor guide hurried back with agues in her brain.


 * Old Angela was feeling for the stair,
 * When Madeline, St. Agnes' charmed maid,
 * Rose, like a mission'd spirit, unaware:
 * With silver taper's light, and pious care,