44
ARNULLIN'S BRIDE.
Oh, the gloom of vaulted ceilings! oh, the gloom of musty halls!
Did he dare to let the taper stream up the oaken walls?
Did he dare, to pause and listen to his stealthy foot step's falls?
Did he dare to let the taper stream up the oaken walls?
Did he dare, to pause and listen to his stealthy foot step's falls?
A tale of blood and horror that bridal room might tell!
What dismal burden was laid down in yonder tangled dell?
What crime was ever half so black this side the gates of hell?
What dismal burden was laid down in yonder tangled dell?
What crime was ever half so black this side the gates of hell?
Night waned. They called her to the feast in bowers of jessamine;
They rapped upon her bolted door, crying, vainly, "Geraldine!
The board is spread, the master waits, and crimson is the wine!"
They rapped upon her bolted door, crying, vainly, "Geraldine!
The board is spread, the master waits, and crimson is the wine!"
They burst the bars,—an empty room! a bed as softly white
As the great drifts the snow-king piles up on some yule-tide night!
A silent dearth! a nuptial room shorn of its ripe delight!
As the great drifts the snow-king piles up on some yule-tide night!
A silent dearth! a nuptial room shorn of its ripe delight!
They sought her far, and heralds went throughout the country wide,
Asking of all if they had seen Arnullin's missing bride:
But, ah! the gates of death were strong as the Earl's regnant pride!
Asking of all if they had seen Arnullin's missing bride:
But, ah! the gates of death were strong as the Earl's regnant pride!
