And, as the moon shone bright and cold, So hollow, and so faintly blown, It might be echo of my own. XX. “Thus judging, for a little space I listened, ere I left the place; But scarce could trust my eyes, In form distinct of shape and hue, In single fight, and mixed affray, And ever, I myself may say, Have borne me as a knight; But when this unexpected foe Seemed starting from the gulph below,– I care not though the truth I show,— I trembled with affright; And as I placed in rest my spear, I scarce could couch it right. XXI. "Why need my tongue the issue tell? We ran our course,-my charger fell;— What could he 'gainst the shock of hell?- High o'er my head, with threatening hand, The spectre shook his naked brand,— Yet did the worst remain ; My dazzled eyes I upward cast,- Their sight, like what I saw ! Full on his face the moonbeam strook,→ A face could never be mistook! I knew the stern vindictive look, And held my breath for awe. I saw the face of one who, fled To foreign climes, has long been dead, I well believe the last; For ne'er, from visor raised, did stare A'human warrior, with a glare So grimly and so ghast. Thrice o'er my head he shook the blade; But when to good Saint George I prayed, (The first time e'er I asked his aid,) He plunged it in the sheath; And, on his courser mounting light, The moonbeam drooped, and deepest night "Twere long to tell what cause I have To know his face, that met me there, Called by his hatred from the grave Dead, or alive, good cause had he To be my mortal enemy." XXII. Marvelled Sir David of the Mount; Then, learned in story, 'gan recount When once, near Norham, there did fight In likeness of a Scottish knight, With Brian Bulmer bold, And trained him nigh to disallow The aid of his baptismal vow. "And such a phantom, too, 'tis said, With Highland broad-sword, targe, and plaid, And fingers red with gore, Is seen in Rothiemurcus glade, Or where the sable pine-trees shade And yet, whate'er such legends say, Lord Marmion turned him half aside, * See the traditions concerning Bulmer, and the spectre called Lhamdearg, or Bloody-hand, in a note on Canto III. |