The poetical works of Sir Walter Scott ... Notes & life of the author.

CANTO V. ROKEBY. 481
A nd now-O! would that earth woulds ve,
And close upon me while alive!Is there no hope? Is all then lost?Bertram's already on his postl
Ev'n now, beside the Hall's arch'd door,
I saw his shadow cross the floorl
He was to wait my signal strain
A little respite thus we gain:
By what I heard the menials say,
Young Wycliffe's troop are on their wayAlarm precipitates the crime!
My harp must wear away the time."And then, in accents faint and low,
He falter'd forth a tale of woe.
XXVIL
BALLAD.
"And whither would you lead me, then?"
Quoth the Friar of orders grey;
And the Ruffians twain replied again,
"By a dying woman to pray.""I see," he said, a "lovely sight,
A sight bodes little harm,
A lady as a lily bright,
With an infant on her arm.""Then do thine office, Friar grey,
And see thou shrive her free!
Else shall the sprite, that parts to-night,
Fling all its guilt on thee.
"Let mass be said, and trentals read,
When thou'rt to convent gone,
And bid the bell of St Benedict
Toll out its deepest tone."
The shrift is done, the Friar is gone,
Blindfolded as he came-,
Next morning, all in Littlecot Hall
Were weeping for their dame.
Wild Darrell is an alter'd man,
The village crones can tell;
He looks pale as clay, and strives to pray,
If he hears the convent bell.
If prince or peer cross Darrell's way,
He'll beard him in his prideIf he meet a Friar of orders grey,
lie droops and turns aside.
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