Page:Troubadour.pdf/74

70

And around the fire, like a laurell'd arch, Raised for some victor's triumphal march, The wood is fretted with tracery fair, And green boughs and flowers are waving there. Lamps, like faery planets shine, O'er massive cups of the genial wine, And shed a ray more soft and fair Than the broad red gleam of the torch's glare; And, flitting like a rainbow, plays In beautiful and changing rays, When from the pictured windows fall The colour'd shadows o'er the hall; As every pane some bright hue lent To vary the lighted element.

The ladye of the festive board Was ward to the castle's absent lord;