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In substance, he half
recited, half sung, the following ballad:--
"'Maiden, braid those tresses bright,
Wreathe thy ringlets from the blast;
Why those locks of curling light
Heedless to the rude winds cast?
"'Maiden, why that darkened brow?
From those eyes, once dimmed with weeping,
Lurid gleams are gathering now,
O'er their pale wan shadows creeping.'
"Silent still the maid passed by,
Near nor voice nor footstep came.
Sudden cleaving earth and sky,
Flashed a brand of arrowy flame!
"'Maiden, turn that gaze on me,
Onwards why so madly bent?'
Still no stay, no pause made she
Through that kindling element.
* * * * *
"Now, the midnight chant is stealing,
Mass and requiem breathing near;
Hushed the blast, as if revealing
Sounds to earth that Heaven might hear.
"From yon pile, soft voices swelling
Dirge and anthem for the dead;--
Demon shrieks, their lost doom yelling,
Tend Lord Rudolph's dying bed.
"Holy men, with song and prayer,
Fain would shrive the passing soul;
Fiend-like whispers, to his ear.


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