第33章

``Aballad，aballad，’’saidthehermit，``againstallthe_ocs_and_ouis_ofFrance。DownrightEnglishamI，SirKnight，anddownrightEnglishwasmypatronStDunstan，andscorned_oc_and_oui_，ashewouldhavescornedtheparingsofthedevil’shoof——downrightEnglishaloneshallbesunginthiscell。’’

``Iwillassay，then，’’saidtheknight，``aballadcomposedbyaSaxonglee-man，whomIknewinHolyLand。’’

Itspeedilyappeared，thatiftheknightwasnotacompletemasteroftheminstrelart，histasteforithadatleastbeencultivatedunderthebestinstructors。

Arthadtaughthimtosoftenthefaultsofavoicewhichhadlittlecompass，andwasnaturallyroughratherthanmellow，and，inshort，haddoneallthatculturecandoinsupplyingnaturaldeficiencies。

Hisperformance，therefore，mighthavebeentermedveryrespectablebyablerjudgesthanthehermit，especiallyastheknightthrewintothenotesnowadegreeofspirit，andnowofplaintiveenthusiasm，whichgaveforceandenergytotheverseswhichhesung。

THECRUSADER’SRETURN。

1。

Highdeedsachievedofknightlyfame，FromPalestinethechampioncame；

Thecrossuponhisshouldersborne，Battleandblasthaddimm’dandtorn。

Eachdintuponhisbatter’dshieldWastokenofafoughtenfield；

Andthus，beneathhislady’sbower，Hesungasfellthetwilighthour：——

2。

``Joytothefair！——thyknightbehold，Return’dfromyonderlandofgold；

Nowealthhebrings，norwealthcanneed，Savehisgoodarmsandbattle-steedHisspurs，todashagainstafoe，Hislanceandswordtolayhimlow；

Suchallthetrophiesofhistoil，Such——andthehopeofTekla’ssmile！

3。

``Joytothefair！whoseconstantknightHerfavourfiredtofeatsofmight；

Unnotedshallshenotremain，Wheremeetthebrightandnobletrain；

Minstrelshallsingandheraldtell——

`Markyondermaidofbeautywell，’TissheforwhosebrighteyeswerewonThelistedfieldatAskalon！

4。

```Notewellhersmile！——itedgedthebladeWhichfiftywivestowidowsmade，When，vainhisstrengthandMahound’sspell，Iconium’sturban’dSoldanfell。

Seestthouherlocks，whosesunnyglowHalfshows，halfshades，herneckofsnow?

Twinesnotofthemonegoldenthread，ButforitssakeaPaynimbled。’

5。

``Joytothefair！——mynameunknown，Eachdeed，andallitspraisethineownThen，oh！unbarthischurlishgate，Thenightdewfalls，thehourislate。

InuredtoSyria’sglowingbreath，Ifeelthenorthbreezechillasdeath；

Letgratefullovequellmaidenshame，Andgranthimblisswhobringstheefame。’’

Duringthisperformance，thehermitdemeanedhimselfmuchlikeafirst-ratecriticofthepresentdayatanewopera。Hereclinedbackuponhisseat，withhiseyeshalfshut；now，foldinghishandsandtwistinghisthumbs，heseemedabsorbedinattention，andanon，balancinghisexpandedpalms，hegentlyflourishedthemintimetothemusic。Atoneortwofavouritecaden