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Fair  Alianore  at  her  orisons  knelt
And  the  Chaplain  led  on  as  the  Rubric  he  spelt ;
Soon  the  missal  was  closed  with  a  sigh  and  a  tear
As  she  craved  the  weal  of  the  brave  cavalier :

When  sudden  the  sound  of  affright  met  her  ear,

A  shriek  from  the  gate  where  the  warden  stood  near ;

For  Leo  was  there  with  his  lion-like  crest

And  glared  his  red  eyes  like  to  spring  from  their  rest.
Then  straight  she  fled  down  as  the  dog  in  his  wrath
With  might  of  a  giant,  rushed  fast  on  her  path,
And  quick  as  a  thought  her  bright  mantle  he  seized
And  gently  compelled  her  to  go  where  he  pleased.
But  suddenly  staid  she  like  fair  stricken  deer
And  glazed  her  dark  eyes  with  the  cold  damp  of  fear ;
For  lo  !  on  the  greensward,  all  cold  in  his  blood
Lay  noble  De  Sudely,  just  hard  by  the  wood.
A  blade  of  Damascus,  keen  edged  to  his  heart
At  a  moment  unware  caused  the  life  blood  to  start,
And  the  red  robe  of  Tyre  alas !  proved  too  true
Some  fiend  from  the  East  his  foul  hands  did  imbrue


las


In  the  blood  of  the  bravo — a  knight  without  scathe,
The  truest  in  heart,  and  the  noblest  in  faith  !
And  sadly  they  bore  him  with  masses  and  knell
Away  to  the  church  where  they  laid  him  to  dwell.
Then  that  vision  of  beauty  soon  faded  away

As  snow  wreaths  fast  melt  neath  the  sun's  potent  ray ;

And  never  again  on  those  pale  lips  a  smile

E'er  quivering  played  that  lorn  heart  to  beguile.
