There is not wind enough to twirl
The one red leaf, the last of its clan,
50 That dances as often as dance it can,
Hanging so light, and hanging so high,
On the topmost twig that looks up at the sky. Hush, beating heart of Christabel!
Jesu, Maria, shield her well!
55 She folded her arms beneath her cloak,
And stole to the other side of the oak.
What sees she there? There she sees a damsel bright,
Drest in a silken robe of white,
60 That shadowy in the moonlight shone:
The neck that made that white robe wan,
Her stately neck, and arms were bare;
Her blue-veined feet unsandal'd were,
And wildly glittered here and there
65 The gems entangled in her hair.
I guess, 'twas frightful there to see
A lady so richly clad as she?
Beautiful exceedingly! 'Mary mother, save me now!'
70 (Said Christabel,) 'And who art thou?'
The lady strange made answer meet,0 appropriateAnd her voice was faint and sweet:?
'Have pity on my sore distress,
I scarce can speak for weariness:
75 Stretch forth thy hand, and have no fear!'
Said Christabel, 'How earnest thou here?'
And the lady, whose voice was faint and sweet,
Did thus pursue her answer meet:? 'My sire is of a noble line,
so And my name is Geraldine:
Five warriors seized me yestermorn,
Me, even me, a maid forlorn:
They choked my cries with force and fright,
And tied me on a palfrey white.
85 The palfrey was as fleet as wind,
And they rode furiously behind. They spurred amain,0 their steeds were white: at top speed And once we crossed the shade of night.
As sure as Heaven shall rescue me,
90 I have no thought what men they be;
Nor do I know how long it is
(For I have lain entranced I wis5)
5. I believe (Coleridge's misinterpretation of the Middle English adverb yivis, meaning 'certainly').
.
45 2 / SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE
Since one, the tallest of the five, Took me from the palfrey's back, A weary woman, scarce alive. Some muttered words his comrades spoke: He placed me underneath this oak; He swore they would return with haste; Whither they went I cannot tell? I thought I heard, some minutes past, Sounds as of a castle bell. Stretch forth thy hand' (thus ended she), 'And help a wretched maid to flee.'
Then Christabel stretched forth her hand And comforted fair Geraldine: 'O well, bright dame! may you command The service of Sir Leoline; And gladly our stout chivalry Will he send forth and friends withal To guide and guard you safe and free Home to your noble father's hall.'
She rose: and forth with steps they passed That strove to be, and were not, fast. Her gracious stars the lady blest, And thus spake on sweet Christabel: 'All our household are at rest, The hall as silent as the cell;? a monastery Sir Leoline is weak in health, And may not well awakened be, But we will move as if in stealth, And I beseech your courtesy, This night, to share your couch with me.'
They crossed the moat, and Christabel Took the key that fitted well; A little door she opened straight, All in
