THE NOBLE MORINGER.

I.

O, WILL you hear a knightly tale of old Bohemian

day,

It was the noble Moringer in wedlock bed he lay; He halsed and kiss'd his dearest dame, that was as sweet as May,

And said, "Now, lady of my heart, attend the words I say.

II.

"Tis I have vow'd a pilgrimage unto a distant shrine,

And I must seek Saint Thomas-land, and leave the land that's mine;

Here shalt thou dwell the while in state, so thou wilt pledge thy fay,

That thou for my return wilt wait seven twelvemonths and a day."

III.

Then out and spoke that Lady bright, sore troubled in her cheer,

"Now tell me true, thou noble knight, what order takest thou here;

And who shall lead thy vassal band, and hold thy lordly sway,

And be thy lady's guardian true when thou art far

Out spoke the noble Moringer, " Of that have thou

no care,

There's many a valiant gentleman of me holds living fair;

The trustiest shall rule my land, my vassals and my state,

And be a guardian tried and true to thee, my lovely mate.

V.

"As Christian-man, I needs must keep the vow which I have plight,

When I am far in foreign land, remember thy true knight;

And cease, my dearest dame, to grieve, for vain

were sorrow now,

But grant thy Moringer his leave, since God hath heard his vow."

VI.

It was the noble Moringer from bed he made him

boune,

And met him there his Chamberlain, with ewer and with gown:

He flung the mantle on his back, 'twas furr'd with

miniver,

He dipp'd his hand in water cold, and bathed his forehead fair.

Vir.

"Now hear," he said, "Sir Chamberlain, true vassal art thou mine,

And such the trust that I repose in that proved worth of thine,

For seven years shalt thou rule my towers, and lead my vassal train,

And pledge thee for my Lady's faith till I return again."

VIII.

The Chamberlain was blunt and true, and sturdily

said he,

"Abide, my lord, and rule your own, and take this rede from me;

That woman's faith's a brittle trust-Seven twelvemonths didst thou say?

I'll pledge me for no lady's truth beyond the seventh fair day."

IX.

The noble Baron turn'd him round, his heart was

full of care,

His gallant Esquire stood him nigh, he was Marstetten's heir,

To whom he spoke right anxiously, "Thou trusty squire to me,

Wilt thou receive this weighty trust when I am o'er the sea?

X.

"To watch and ward my castle strong, and to protect my land,

And to the hunting or the host to lead my vassal

band;

And pledge thee for my Lady's faith, till seven long years are gone,

And guard her as Our Lady dear was guarded by Saint John."

XI.

Marstetten's heir was kind and true, but fiery, hot, and young,

And readily he answer made with too presumptuous tongue;

"My noble lord, cast care away, and on your journey wend,

And trust this charge to me until your pilgrimage

have end.

XII.

"Rely upon my plighted faith, which shall be truly tried,

To guard your lands, and ward your towers, and with your vassals ride;

And for your lovely Lady's faith, so virtuous and so dear,

I'll gage my head it knows no change, be absent thirty year."

XIII.

The noble Moringer took cheer when thus he heard him speak,

And doubt forsook his troubled brow, and sorrow left his cheek;

A long adieu he bids to all-hoists topsails, and

away,

And wanders in Saint Thomas-land seven twelve months and a day.

XIV.

It was the noble Moringer within an orchard

slept,

When on the Baron's slumbering sense a boding vision crept;

And whisper'd in his ear a voice, "Tis time, Sir Knight, to wake,

Thy lady and thy heritage another master

tal