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Defence of Guenevere and Other Poems

<hr style="width: 65%;" />[Pg 111] <h2><big>RAPUNZEL</big></h2> <hr style="width: 65%;" />[Pg 113] <h2>RAPUNZEL</h2> <div class="cpoem20"> The Prince, being in the wood near the tower, in the evening. <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> I COULD not even think What made me weep that day, When out of the council-hall The courtiers pass'd away,— </div> </div> The Witch. <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> Rapunzel, Rapunzel, Let down your hair! </div> </div> Rapunzel. <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> Is it not true that every day She climbeth up the same strange way, Her scarlet cloak spread broad and gay, Over my golden hair? [Pg 114]</div> </div> The Prince. <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> And left me there alone, To think on what they said: 'Thou art a king's own son, 'Tis fit that thou should'st wed.' </div> </div> The Witch. <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> Rapunzel, Rapunzel, Let down your hair! </div> </div> Rapunzel. <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> When I undo the knotted mass, Fathoms below the shadows pass Over my hair along the grass. O my golden hair! </div> </div> The Prince. <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> I put my armour on, Thinking on what they said: 'Thou art a king's own son, 'Tis fit that thou should'st wed.' </div> </div> The Witch. <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> Rapunzel, Rapunzel, Let down your hair! [Pg 115]</div> </div> Rapunzel. <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> See on the marble parapet, I lean my brow, strive to forget That fathoms below my hair grows wet With the dew, my golden hair. </div> </div> The Prince. <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> I rode throughout the town, Men did not bow the head, Though I was the king's own son: He rides to dream, they said. </div> </div> The Witch. <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> Rapunzel, Rapunzel, Wind up your hair! </div> </div> Rapunzel. <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> See on the marble parapet, The faint red stains with tears are wet; The long years pass, no help comes yet To free my golden hair. </div> </div> The Prince. <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> For leagues and leagues I rode, Till hot my armour grew, [Pg 116] Till underneath the leaves I felt the evening dew. </div> </div> The Witch. <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> Rapunzel, Rapunzel, Weep through your hair! </div> </div> Rapunzel. <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> And yet: but I am growing old, For want of love my heart is cold; Years pass, the while I loose and fold The fathoms of my hair. </div> </div></div> <div class="cpoem30" style="margin-top:3em;"> The Prince, in the morning.[Pg 117] <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> I HAVE heard tales of men, who in the night Saw paths of stars let down to earth from heaven, Who followed them until they reach'd the light Wherein they dwell, whose sins are all forgiven; </div> <div class="stanza"> But who went backward when they saw the gate Of diamond, nor dared to enter in; All their life long they were content to wait, Purging them patiently of every sin. </div> <div class="stanza"> I must have had a dream of some such thing, And now am just awaking from that dream; For even in grey dawn those strange words ring Through heart and brain, and still I see that gleam. </div> <div class="stanza"> For in my dream at sunset-time I lay Beneath these beeches, mail and helmet off, [Pg 118] Right full of joy that I had come away From court; for I was patient of the scoff </div> <div class="stanza"> That met me always there from day to day, From any knave or coward of them all: I was content to live that wretched way; For truly till I left the council-hall, </div> <div class="stanza"> And rode forth arm'd beneath the burning sun, My gleams of happiness were faint and few, But then I saw my real life had begun, And that I should be strong quite well I knew. </div> <div class="stanza"> For I was riding out to look for love, Therefore the birds within the thickets sung, Even in hot noontide; as I pass'd, above The elms o'ersway'd with longing towards me hung. </div> <div class="stanza"> Now some few fathoms from the place where I Lay in the beech-wood, was a tower fair, The marble corners faint against the sky; And dreamily I wonder'd what lived there: [Pg 119]</div> <div class="stanza"> Because it seem'd a dwelling for a queen, No belfry for the swinging of great bells. No bolt or stone had ever crush'd the green Shafts, amber and rose walls, no soot that tells </div> <div class="stanza"> Of the Norse torches burning up the roofs, On the flower-carven marble could I see; But rather on all sides I saw the proofs Of a great loneliness that sicken'd me; </div> <div class="stanza"> Making me feel a doubt that was not fear, Whether my whole life long had been a dream, And I should wake up soon in some place, where The piled-up arms of the fighting angels gleam; </div> <div class="stanza"> Not born as yet, but going to be born, No naked baby as I was at first, But an armed knight, whom fire, hate and scorn Could turn from nothing: my heart almost burst </div> <div class="stanza"> Beneath the beeches, as I lay a-dreaming, I tried so hard to read this riddle through, To catch some golden cord that I saw gleaming Like gossamer against the autumn blue. [Pg 120]</div> <div class="stanza"> But while I ponder'd these things, from the wood There came a black-hair'd woman, tall and bold, Who strode straight up to where the tower stood, And cried out shrilly words, whereon behold— </div> </div> The Witch, from the tower. <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> Rapunzel, Rapunzel, Let down your hair! </div> </div> The Prince. <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> Ah Christ! it was no dream then, but there stood (She comes again) a maiden passing fair, Against the roof, with face turn'd to the wood, Bearing within her arms waves of her yellow hair. </div> <div class="stanza"> I read my riddle when I saw her stand, Poor love! her face quite pale against her hair, Praying to all the leagues of empty land To save her from the woe she suffer'd there. </div> <div class="stanza"> To think! they trod upon her golden hair In the witches' sabbaths; it was a delight For these foul things, while she, with thin feet bare, Stood on the roof upon the winter night, [Pg 121]</div> <div class="stanza"> To plait her dear hair into many plaits, And then, while God's eye look'd upon the thing, In the very likenesses of Devil's bats, Upon the ends of her long hair to swing. </div> <div class="stanza"> And now she stood above the parapet, And, spreading out her arms, let her hair flow, Beneath that veil her smooth white forehead set Upon the marble, more I do not know; </div> <div class="stanza"> Because before my eyes a film of gold Floated, as now it floats. O unknown love, Would that I could thy yellow stair behold, If still thou standest the lead roof above! </div> </div> The Witch, as she passes. <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> Is there any who will dare To climb up the yellow stair, Glorious Rapunzel's golden hair? </div> </div> The Prince. <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> If it would please God make you sing again, I think that I might very sweetly die, My soul somehow reach heaven in joyous pain, My heavy body on the beech-nuts lie. [Pg 122]</div> <div class="stanza"> Now I remember what a most strange year, Most strange and awful, in the beechen wood I have pass'd now; I still have a faint fear It is a kind of dream not understood. </div> <div class="stanza"> I have seen no one in this wood except The witch and her; have heard no human tones, But when the witches' revelry has crept Between the very jointing of my bones. </div> <div class="stanza"> Ah! I know now; I could not go away, But needs must stop to hear her sing that song She always sings at dawning of the day. I am not happy here, for I am strong, </div> <div class="stanza"> And every morning do I whet my sword, Yet Rapunzel still weeps within the tower, And still God ties me down to the green sward, Because I cannot see the gold stair floating lower. </div> </div> Rapunzel sings from the tower. <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> My mother taught me prayers To say when I had need; I have so many cares, That I can take no heed [Pg 123] Of many words in them; But I remember this: Christ, bring me to thy bliss. Mary, maid withouten wem, Keep me! I am lone, I wis, Yet besides I have made this By myself: Give me a kiss, Dear God dwelling up in heaven! Also: Send me a true knight, Lord Christ, with a steel sword, bright, Broad, and trenchant; yea, and seven Spans from hilt to point, O Lord! And let the handle of his sword Be gold on silver, Lord in heaven! Such a sword as I see gleam Sometimes, when they let me dream. </div> <div class="stanza"> Yea, besides, I have made this: Lord, give Mary a dear kiss, And let gold Michael, who looked down, When I was there, on Rouen town From the spire, bring me that kiss On a lily! Lord do this! </div> <div class="stanza"> These prayers on the dreadful nights, [Pg 124] When the witches plait my hair, And the fearfullest of sights On the earth and in the air, Will not let me close my eyes, I murmur often, mix'd with sighs, That my weak heart will not hold At some things that I behold. Nay, not sighs, but quiet groans, That swell out the little bones Of my bosom; till a trance God sends in middle of that dance, And I behold the countenance Of Michael, and can feel no more The bitter east wind biting sore My naked feet; can see no more The crayfish on the leaden floor, That mock with feeler and grim claw. </div> <div class="stanza"> Yea, often in that happy trance, Beside the blessed countenance Of golden Michael, on the spire Glowing all crimson in the fire Of sunset, I behold a face, Which sometime, if God give me grace, May kiss me in this very place. [Pg 125]</div> </div> Evening in the tower. Rapunzel. <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> IT grows half way between the dark and light; Love, we have been six hours here alone: I fear that she will come before the night, And if she finds us thus we are undone. </div> </div> The Prince. <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> Nay, draw a little nearer, that your breath May touch my lips, let my cheek feel your arm; Now tell me, did you ever see a death, Or ever see a man take mortal harm? </div> </div> Rapunzel. <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> Once came two knights and fought with swords below, And while they fought I scarce could look at all, My head swam so; after, a moaning low Drew my eyes down; I saw against the wall [Pg 126]</div> <div class="stanza"> One knight lean dead, bleeding from head and breast, Yet seem'd it like a line of poppies red In the golden twilight, as he took his rest, In the dusky time he scarcely seemed dead. </div> <div class="stanza"> But the other, on his face, six paces off, Lay moaning, and the old familiar name He mutter'd through the grass, seem'd like a scoff Of some lost soul remembering his past fame. </div> <div class="stanza"> His helm all dinted lay beside him there, The visor-bars were twisted towards the face, The crest, which was a lady very fair, Wrought wonderfully, was shifted from its place. </div> <div class="stanza"> The shower'd mail-rings on the speedwell lay, Perhaps my eyes were dazzled with the light That blazed in the west, yet surely on that day Some crimson thing had changed the grass from bright </div> <div class="stanza"> Pure green I love so. But the knight who died Lay there for days after the other went; Until one day I heard a voice that cried: Fair knight, I see Sir Robert we were sent [Pg 127]</div> <div class="stanza"> To carry dead or living to the king. So the knights came and bore him straight away On their lance truncheons, such a batter'd thing, His mother had not known him on that day, </div> <div class="stanza"> But for his helm-crest, a gold lady fair Wrought wonderfully. </div> </div> The Prince. <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> Ah, they were brothers then, And often rode together, doubtless where The swords were thickest, and were loyal men, </div> <div class="stanza"> Until they fell in these same evil dreams. </div> </div> Rapunzel. <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> Yea, love; but shall we not depart from hence? The white moon groweth golden fast, and gleams Between the aspens stems; I fear, and yet a sense </div> <div class="stanza"> Of fluttering victory comes over me, That will not let me fear aright; my heart, Feel how it beats, love, strives to get to thee; I breathe so fast that my lips needs must part; [Pg 128]</div> <div class="stanza"> Your breath swims round my mouth, but let us go. </div> </div> The Prince. <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> I, Sebald, also, pluck from off the staff The crimson banner; let it lie below, Above it in the wind let grasses laugh. </div> <div class="stanza"> Now let us go, love, down the winding stair, With fingers intertwined: ay, feel my sword! I wrought it long ago, with golden hair Flowing about the hilts, because a word, </div> <div class="stanza"> Sung by a minstrel old, had set me dreaming Of a sweet bow'd down face with yellow hair; Betwixt green leaves I used to see it gleaming, A half smile on the lips, though lines of care </div> <div class="stanza"> Had sunk the cheeks, and made the great eyes hollow; What other work in all the world had I, But through all turns of fate that face to follow? But wars and business kept me there to die. </div> <div class="stanza"> O child, I should have slain my brother, too, My brother, Love, lain moaning in the grass, [Pg 129] Had I not ridden out to look for you, When I had watch'd the gilded courtiers pass </div> <div class="stanza"> From the golden hall. But it is strange your name Is not the same the minstrel sung of yore; You call'd it Rapunzel, 'tis not the name. See, love, the stems shine through the open door. [Pg 130]</div> </div> Morning in the woods. Rapunzel. <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> O LOVE! me and my unknown name you have well won; The witch's name was Rapunzel: eh! not so sweet? No! but is this real grass, love, that I tread upon? What call they these blue flowers that lean across my feet? </div> </div> The Prince. <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> Dip down your dear face in the dewy grass, O love! And ever let the sweet slim harebells, tenderly hung, Kiss both your parted lips; and I will hang above, And try to sing that song the dreamy harper sung. </div> </div> He sings. <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> 'Twixt the sunlight and the shade Float up memories of my maid: God, remember Guendolen! [Pg 131]</div> <div class="stanza"> Gold or gems she did not wear, But her yellow rippled hair, Like a veil, hid Guendolen! </div> <div class="stanza"> 'Twixt the sunlight and the shade, My rough hands so strangely made, Folded Golden Guendolen. </div> <div class="stanza"> Hands used to grip the sword-hilt hard, Framed her face, while on the sward Tears fell down from Guendolen. </div> <div class="stanza"> Guendolen now speaks no word, Hands fold round about the sword: Now no more of Guendolen. </div> <div class="stanza"> Only 'twixt the light and shade Floating memories of my maid Make me pray for Guendolen. </div> </div> Guendolen. <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> I kiss thee, new-found name! but I will never go: Your hands need never grip the hammer'd sword again, But all my golden hair shall ever round you flow, Between the light and shade from Golden Guendolen. [Pg 132]</div> </div></div> Afterwards, in the Palace. <div class="cpoem20"> King Sebald. <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> I TOOK my armour off, Put on king's robes of gold; Over the kirtle green The gold fell fold on fold. </div> </div> The Witch, out of hell. <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> Guendolen! Guendolen! One lock of hair! </div> </div> Guendolen. <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> I am so glad, for every day He kisses me much the same way As in the tower: under the sway Of all my golden hair. </div> </div> King Sebald. <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> We rode throughout the town, A gold crown on my head; [Pg 133] Through all the gold-hung streets, Praise God! the people said. </div> </div> The Witch. <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> Gwendolen! Guendolen! Lend me your hair! </div> </div> Guendolen. <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> Verily, I seem like one Who, when day is almost done, Through a thick wood meets the sun That blazes in her hair. </div> </div> King Sebald. <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> Yea, at the palace gates, Praise God! the great knights said, For Sebald the high king, And the lady's golden head. </div> </div> The Witch. <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> Woe is me! Guendolen Sweeps back her hair. [Pg 134]</div> </div> Guendolen. <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> Nothing wretched now, no screams; I was unhappy once in dreams, And even now a harsh voice seems To hang about my hair. </div> </div> The Witch. <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> Woe! that any man could dare To climb up the yellow stair, Glorious Guendolen's golden hair. </div> </div></div> <div style="break-after:column;"></div>

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