Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1918.djvu/876

 LORD TENNYSON

And as the boat-head wound along The willowy hills and fields among, They heard her singing her last song, The Lady of Shalott.

Heard a carol, mournful, holy, Chanted loudly, chanted Jowly, Till her blood was frozen slowly, And her eyes were darken 'd wholly,

Turn'd to tower'd Camelot j For ere she reach'd upon the tide The first house by the water-side, Singing in her song she died,

The Lady of Shalott.

Under tower and balcony,

By garden-wall and gallery,

A gleaming shape she floated by,

Dead-pale between the houses high,

Silent into Camelot. Out upon the wharfs they came, Knight and burgher, lord and dame, And round the prow they read her name,

The Lady of S/ialott.

Who is this? and what is herc ? And in the lighted palace near Died the sound of royal cheer, And they cross'd themselves for fear,

All the knights at Camelot: But Launcelot mused a little space; He said, 'She has a lovely face , God in His mercy lend her grace,

The Lady of Shalott.'

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