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And soon I deem'd the time would be, For many a chief stood leagued with me.

It was one evening we had sate In my tower's secret council late, Our bands were number'd, and we said That the pale moon's declining head Should shed her next full light o'er bands With banners raised, and sheathless brands. We parted; I to seek the shade Where my heart's choicest gem was laid; I flung me on my fleetest steed, I urged it to its utmost speed,— On I went, like the hurrying wind, Hill, dale, and plain were left behind, And yet I thought my courser slow— Even when the forest lay below.