Of a white figure in the twilight air, Gazing intent, as one who with surprise His form and features seemed to recognize; And in a whisper to the king he said: "What is yon shape, that, pallid as the dead, Is watching me, as if he sought to trace In the dim light the features of my face?" The king looked, and replied: "I know him well; It is the Angel men call Azrael, 'Tis the Death Angel; what hast thou to fear?" And the guest answered: "Lest he should come near, And speak to me, and take away my breath! Save me from Azrael, save me from death! O king, that hast dominion o'er the wind, Bid it arise and bear me hence to Ind.' "Not so," the eager Poet said; "It is a tale of Charlemagne, With lightning flaming through its showers, He swept across the Lombard plain, Thus heralded the tale began, And thus in sober measure ran. THE POET'S TALE. CHARLEMAGNE. OLGER the Dane and Desiderio, League after league of harvests, to the foot Of the snow-crested Alps, and saw approach A mighty army, thronging all the roads That led into the city. And the King Said unto Olger, who had passed his youth As hostage at the court of France, and knew The Emperor's form and face : "Is Charlemagne Among that host?" And Olger answered: "No." "This must be Charlemagne !" and as before Did Olger answer: "No; not yet, not yet." And then appeared in panoply complete The Bishops and the Abbots and the Priests Of the imperial chapel, and the Counts; And Desiderio could no more endure The light of day, nor yet encounter death, But sobbed aloud and said: "Let us go down And hide us in the bosom of the earth, Far from the sight and anger of a foe So terrible as this!" And Olger said : "When you 66 behold the harvests in the fields Shaking with fear, the Po and the Ticino Lashing the city walls with iron waves, Then may you know that Charlemagne is come." And even as he spake, in the northwest, Lo! there uprose a black and threatening cloud, Out of whose bosom flashed the light of The Lombard King o'ercome with terror cried : streets. The Paladins of France; and at the sight This at a single glance Olger the Dane Saw from the tower, and turning to the King Exclaimed in haste: "Behold! this is the man You looked for with such eagerness!" and then Fell as one dead at Desiderio's feet. INTERLUDE. WELL pleased all listened to the tale, When strangers landed on the coast, And hugged them in his arms, and pressed Their bodies to his burning breast. The Poet answered: "No, not thus And, clothed in mystery, appeared The Theologian said: "Perchance Bowmen and troops with wicker shields, To this the Student answered: "Well, Of Charlemagne ; a tale that throws And mingled love and reverence in his look, Or hear the cloister and the court repeat The measured footfalls of his sandaled feet, Or watch him with the pupils of his school, And ranks of men, and spears up-thrust, Gentle of speech, but absolute of rule. *See page 340. |