"And fain it would stoop downward

To the mirrored wave below; And fain it would soar upward

In the evening's crimson glow."

"Well have I seen that castle,
That Castle by the sea,
And the moon above it standing,
And the mist rise solemnly."

"The winds and the waves of ocean,

Had they a merry chime?

Didst thou hear, from those lofty chambers, The harp and the minstrel's rhyme?"

"The winds and the waves of ocean,

They rested quietly;

But I heard on the gale a sound of wail, And tears came to mine eye."

"And sawest thou on the turrets
The King and his royal bride?
And the wave of their crimson mantles?
And the golden crown of pride?

"Led they not forth, in rapture,
A beauteous maiden there?
Resplendent as the morning sun,
Beaming with golden hair?"

"Well saw I the ancient parents; Without the crown of pride;

They were moving slow, in weeds of woe, No maiden was by their side!"

"TWAS Pentecost, the Feast of Gladness, When woods and fields put off all sadness. Thus began the King and spake;

"So from the halls

Of ancient Hofburg's walls,

A luxuriant Spring shall break."

Drums and trumpets echo loudly,
Wave the crimson banners proudly.
From balcony the King looked on;
In the play of spears,

Fell all the cavaliers,

Before the monarch's stalwart son.

To the barrier of the fight

Rode at last a sable Knight.

"Sir Knight! your name and scutcheon, say!"

"Should I speak it here,

Ye would stand aghast with fear;

I am a Prince of mighty sway!"

When he rode into the lists,

The arch of heaven grew black with mists,

And the castle 'gan to rock.

At the first blow,

Fell the youth from saddle-bow,
Hardly rises from the shock.

Pipe and viol call the dances,

Torch-light through the high hall glances;

Waves a mighty shadow in;

With manner bland

Doth ask the maiden's hand,

Doth with her the dance begin ;

Danced in sable iron sark,

Danced a measure weird and dark,

Coldly clasped her limbs around.

From breast and hair

Down fall from her the fair

Flowerets, faded, to the ground.

THE BLACK KNIGHT.

To the sumptuous banquet came
Every Knight and every Dame.

"Twixt son and daughter all distraught, With mournful mind

The ancient King reclined,

Gazed at them in silent thought.

Pale the children both did look,

But the guest a beaker took;

"Golden wine will make you whole!" The children drank,

Gave many a courteous thank;

SONG OF THE SILENT LAND.

FROM THE GERMAN OF SALIS,

INTO the Silent Land!

Ah! who shall lead us thither?

Clouds in the evening sky more darkly gather,
And shattered wrecks lie thicker on the strand.
Who leads us with a gentle hand

Thither, O thither,

Into the Silent Land?

Into the Silent Land!

To you, ye boundless regions

Of all perfection! Tender morning-visions

Of beauteous souls! The Future's pledge and band! Who in Life's battle firm doth stand,

Shall bear Hope's tender blossoms

Into the Silent Land!

For all the broken-hearted

The mildest herald by our fate allotted,

Beckons, and with inverted torch doth stand

To lead us with a gentle hand

Into the land of the great Departed,

Into the Silent land!