Christabel Samuel Taylor Coleridge

PART I 'Tis the middle of night by the castle clock And the owls have awakened the crowing cock; Tu whit! Tu whoo! And hark" again! the crowing cock" #ow drowsily it crew$ Sir %eoline" the &aron rich" #ath a toothless mastiff" which 'rom her kennel beneath the rock (aketh answer to the clock" 'our for the )uarters" and twelve for the hour; *ver and aye" by shine and shower" Si+teen short howls" not over loud; Some say" she sees my lady's shroud$ Is the night chilly and dark, The night is chilly" but not dark$ The thin gray cloud is s-read on high" It covers but not hides the sky$ The moon is behind" and at the full; And yet she looks both small and dull$ The night is chill" the cloud is gray. 'T is a month before the month of (ay" And the S-ring comes slowly u- this way$ The lovely lady" Christabel" /hom her father loves so well" /hat makes her in the wood so late" A furlong from the castle gate, She had dreams all yesternight 0f her own betrothed knight; And she in the midnight wood will -ray 'or the weal of her lover that's far away$ She stole along" she nothing s-oke" The sighs she heaved were soft and low" And naught was green u-on the oak" &ut moss and rarest mistletoe. She kneels beneath the huge oak tree" And in silence -rayeth she$ The lady s-rang u- suddenly" The lovely lady" Christabel! It moaned as near" as near can be"

&ut what it is she cannot tell$ 0n the other side it seems to be" 0f the huge" broad breasted" old oak tree$ The night is chill; the forest bare; Is it the wind that moaneth bleak, There is not wind enough in the air To move away the ringlet curl 'rom the lovely lady's cheek There is not wind enough to twirl The one red leaf" the last of its clan" That dances as often as dance it can" #anging so light" and hanging so high" 0n the to-most twig that looks u- at the sky$ #ush" beating heart of Christabel! 1esu" (aria" shield her well! She folded her arms beneath her cloak" And stole to the other side of the oak$ /hat sees she there, There she sees a damsel bright" 2ressed in a silken robe of white" That shadowy in the moonlight shone. The neck that made that white robe wan" #er stately neck" and arms were bare; #er blue veined feet unsandaled were; And wildly glittered here and there The gems entangled in her hair$ I guess" 't was frightful there to see A lady so richly clad as she &eautiful e+ceedingly! '(ary mother" save me now!' Said Christabel" 'and who art thou,' The lady strange made answer meet" And her voice was faint and sweet. '#ave -ity on my sore distress" I scarce can s-eak for weariness. Stretch forth thy hand" and have no fear!' Said Christabel" '#ow camest thou here,' And the lady" whose voice was faint and sweet" 2id thus -ursue her answer meet. '(y sire is of a noble line" And my name is 3eraldine. 'ive warriors sei4ed me yestermorn" (e" even me" a maid forlorn. They choked my cries with force and fright" And tied me on a -alfrey white$

The -alfrey was as fleet as wind" And they rode furiously behind$ They s-urred amain" their steeds were white. And once we crossed the shade of night$ As sure as #eaven shall rescue me" I have no thought what men they be; 5or do I know how long it is 6'or I have lain entranced" I wis7 Since one" the tallest of the five" Took me from the -alfrey's back" A weary woman" scarce alive$ Some muttered words his comrades s-oke. #e -laced me underneath this oak; #e swore they would return with haste; /hither they went I cannot tell I thought I heard" some minutes -ast" Sounds as of a castle bell$ Stretch forth thy hand"' thus ended she" 'And hel- a wretched maid to flee$' Then Christabel stretched forth her hand" And comforted fair 3eraldine. '0 well" bright dame" may you command The service of Sir %eoline; And gladly our stout chivalry /ill he send forth" and friends withal" To guide and guard you safe and free #ome to your noble father's hall$' She rose. and forth with ste-s they -assed That strove to be" and were not" fast$ #er gracious stars the lady blest" And thus s-ake on sweet Christabel. 'All our household are at rest" The hall is silent as the cell; Sir %eoline is weak in health" And may not well awakened be" &ut we will move as if in stealth; And I beseech your courtesy" This night" to share your couch with me$' They crossed the moat" and Christabel Took the key that fitted well; A little door she o-ened straight" All in the middle of the gate; The gate that was ironed within and without" /here an army in battle array had marched out$ The lady sank" belike through -ain" And Christabel with might and main

%ifted her u-" a weary weight" 0ver the threshold of the gate. Then the lady rose again" And moved" as she were not in -ain$ So" free from danger" free from fear" They crossed the court. right glad they were$ And Christabel devoutly cried To the %ady by her side; 'Praise we the 8irgin all divine" /ho hath rescued thee from thy distress!' 'Alas" alas!' said 3eraldine" 'I cannot s-eak for weariness$' So" free from danger" free from fear" They crossed the court. right glad they were$ 0utside her kennel the mastiff old %ay fast aslee-" in moonshine cold$ The mastiff old did not awake" 9et she an angry moan did make$ And what can ail the mastiff bitch, 5ever till now she uttered yell &eneath the eye of Christabel$ Perha-s it is the owlet's scritch. 'or what can aid the mastiff bitch, They -assed the hall" that echoes still" Pass as lightly as you will$ The brands were flat" the brands were dying" Amid their own white ashes lying; &ut when the lady -assed" there came A tongue of light" a fit of flame; And Christabel saw the lady's eye" And nothing else saw she thereby" Save the boss of the shield of Sir %eoline tall" /hich hung in a murky old niche in the wall$ '0 softly tread"' said Christabel" '(y father seldom slee-eth well$' Sweet Christabel her feet doth bare" And" :ealous of the listening air" They steal their way from stair to stair" 5ow in glimmer" and now in gloom" And now they -ass the &aron's room" As still as death" with stifled breath! And now have reached her chamber door; And now doth 3eraldine -ress down The rushes of the chamber floor$ The moon shines dim in the o-en air"

And not a moonbeam enters here$ &ut they without its light can see The chamber carved so curiously" Carved with figures strange and sweet" All made out of the carver's brain" 'or a lady's chamber meet. The lam- with twofold silver chain Is fastened to an angel's feet$ The silver lam- burns dead and dim; &ut Christabel the lam- will trim$ She trimmed the lam-" and made it bright" And left it swinging to and fro" /hile 3eraldine" in wretched -light" Sank down u-on the floor below$ '0 weary lady" 3eraldine" I -ray you" drink this cordial wine! It is a wine of virtuous -owers; (y mother made it of wild flowers$' 'And will your mother -ity me" /ho am a maiden most forlorn,' Christabel answered '/oe is me! She died the hour that I was born$ I have heard the gray haired friar tell" #ow on her death bed she did say" That she should hear the castle bell Strike twelve u-on my wedding day$ 0 mother dear! that thou wert here!' 'I would"' said 3eraldine" 'she were!' &ut soon" with altered voice" said she '0ff" wandering mother! Peak and -ine! I have -ower to bid thee flee$' Alas! what ails -oor 3eraldine, /hy stares she with unsettled eye, Can she the bodiless dead es-y, And why with hollow voice cries she" '0ff" woman" off! this hour is mine Though thou her guardian s-irit be" 0ff" woman$ off! 't is given to me$' Then Christabel knelt by the lady's side" And raised to heaven her eyes so blue 'Alas!' said she" 'this ghastly ride 2ear lady! it hath wildered you!' The lady wi-ed her moist cold brow" And faintly said" ''T is over now!' Again the wild flower wine she drank. #er fair large eyes 'gan glitter bright"

And from the floor" whereon she sank" The lofty lady stood u-right. She was most beautiful to see" %ike a lady of a far countree$ And thus the lofty lady s-ake 'All they" who live in the u--er sky" 2o love you" holy Christabel! And you love them" and for their sake" And for the good which me befell" *ven I in my degree will try" 'air maiden" to re)uite you well$ &ut now unrobe yourself; for I (ust -ray" ere yet in bed I lie$' ;uoth Christabel" 'So let it be!' And as the lady bade" did she$ #er gentle limbs did she undress And lay down in her loveliness$ &ut through her brain" of weal and woe" So many thoughts moved to and fro" That vain it were her lids to close; So half way from the bed she rose" And on her elbow did recline$ To look at the lady 3eraldine$ &eneath the lam- the lady bowed" And slowly rolled her eyes around; Then drawing in her breath aloud" %ike one that shuddered" she unbound The cincture from beneath her breast. #er silken robe" and inner vest" 2ro--ed to her feet" and full in view" &ehold! her bosom and half her side A sight to dream of" not to tell! 0 shield her! shield sweet Christabel! 9et 3eraldine nor s-eaks nor stirs. Ah! what a stricken look was hers! 2ee- from within she seems half way To lift some weight with sick assay" And eyes the maid and seeks delay; Then suddenly" as one defied" Collects herself in scorn and -ride" And lay down by the maiden's side! And in her arms the maid she took" Ah" well a day! And with low voice and doleful look These words did say.

'In the touch of this bosom there worketh a s-ell" /hich is lord of thy utterance" Christabel! Thou knowest to night" and wilt know to morrow" This mark of my shame" this seal of my sorrow; &ut vainly thou warrest" 'or this is alone in Thy -ower to declare" That in the dim forest Thou heard'st a low moaning" And found'st a bright lady" sur-assingly fair. And didst bring her home with thee" in love and in charity" To shield her and shelter her from the dam- air$' It was a lovely sight to see The lady Christabel" when she /as -raying at the old oak tree$ Amid the :agged shadows 0f mossy leafless boughs" <neeling in the moonlight" To make her gentle vows; #er slender -alms together -rest" #eaving sometimes on her breast; #er face resigned to bliss or bale #er face" oh" call it fair not -ale" And both blue eyes more bright than clear$ *ach about to have a tear$ /ith o-en eyes 6ah" woe is me!7 Aslee-" and dreaming fearfully" 'earfully dreaming" yet" I wis" 2reaming that alone" which is 0 sorrow and shame! Can this be she" The lady" who knelt at the old oak tree, And lo! the worker of these harms" That holds the maiden in her arms" Seems to slumber still and mild" As a mother with her child$ A star hath set" a star hath risen" 0 3eraldine! since arms of thine #ave been the lovely lady's -rison$ 0 3eraldine! one hour was thine Thou'st had thy will! &y tarn and rill" The night birds all that hour were still$ &ut now they are :ubilant anew" 'rom cliff and tower" tu whoo! tu whoo! Tu whoo! tu whoo! from wood and fell! And see! the lady Christabel

3athers herself from out her trance; #er limbs rela+" her countenance 3rows sad and soft; the smooth thin lids Close o'er her eyes; and tears she sheds %arge tears that leave the lashes bright! And oft the while she seems to smile As infants at a sudden light! 9ea" she doth smile" and she doth wee-" %ike a youthful hermitess" &eauteous in a wilderness" /ho" -raying always" -rays in slee-$ And" if she move un)uietly" Perchance" 't is but the blood so free Comes back and tingles in her feet$ 5o doubt" she hath a vision sweet$ /hat if her guardian s-irit 't were" /hat if she knew her mother near, &ut this she knows" in :oys and woes" That saints will aid if men will call. 'or the blue sky bends over all$ PART II *ach matin bell" the &aron saith" <nells us back to a world of death$ These words Sir %eoline first said" /hen he rose and found his lady dead. These words Sir %eoline will say (any a morn to his dying day! And hence the custom and law began That still at dawn the sacristan" /ho duly -ulls the heavy bell" 'ive and forty beads must tell &etween each stroke a warning knell" /hich not a soul can choose but hear 'rom &ratha #ead to /yndermere$ Saith &racy the bard" 'So let it knell! And let the drowsy sacristan Still count as slowly as he can!' There is no lack of such" I ween" As well fill u- the s-ace between$ In %angdale Pike and /itch's %air" And 2ungeon ghyll so foully rent" /ith ro-es of rock and bells of air Three sinful se+tons' ghosts are -ent" /ho all give back" one after t' other" The death note to their living brother; And oft too" by the knell offended"

1ust as their one! two! three! is ended" The devil mocks the doleful tale /ith a merry -eal from &orrowdale$ The air is still! through mist and cloud That merry -eal comes ringing loud; And 3eraldine shakes off her dread" And rises lightly from the bed; Puts on her silken vestments white" And tricks her hair in lovely -light" And nothing doubting of her s-ell Awakens the lady Christabel$ 'Slee- you" sweet lady Christabel, I trust that you have rested well$' And Christabel awoke and s-ied The same who lay down by her side 0 rather say" the same whom she Raised u- beneath the old oak tree! 5ay" fairer yet! and yet more fair! 'or she belike hath drunken dee0f all the blessedness of slee-! And while she s-ake" her looks" her air" Such gentle thankfulness declare" That 6so it seemed7 her girded vests 3rew tight beneath her heaving breasts$ 'Sure I have sinned!' said Christabel" '5ow heaven be -raised if all be well!' And in low faltering tones" yet sweet" 2id she the lofty lady greet /ith such -er-le+ity of mind As dreams too lively leave behind$ So )uickly she rose" and )uickly arrayed #er maiden limbs" and having -rayed That #e" who on the cross did groan" (ight wash away her sins unknown" She forthwith led fair 3eraldine To meet her sire" Sir %eoline$ The lovely maid and the lady tall Are -acing both into the hall" And -acing on through -age and groom" *nter the &aron's -resence room$ The &aron rose" and while he -rest #is gentle daughter to his breast" /ith cheerful wonder in his eyes The lady 3eraldine es-ies" And gave such welcome to the same"

As might beseem so bright a dame! &ut when he heard the lady's tale" And when she told her father's name" /hy wa+ed Sir %eoline so -ale" (urmuring o'er the name again" %ord Roland de 8au+ of Tryermaine, Alas! they had been friends in youth; &ut whis-ering tongues can -oison truth; And constancy lives in realms above; And life is thorny; and youth is vain; And to be wroth with one we love 2oth work like madness in the brain$ And thus it chanced" as I divine" /ith Roland and Sir %eoline$ *ach s-ake words of high disdain And insult to his heart's best brother. They -arted ne'er to meet again! &ut never either found another To free the hollow heart from -aining They stood aloof" the scars remaining" %ike cliffs which had been rent asunder; A dreary sea now flows between$ &ut neither heat" nor frost" nor thunder" Shall wholly do away" I ween" The marks of that which once hath been$ Sir %eoline" a moment's s-ace" Stood ga4ing on the damsel's face. And the youthful %ord of Tryermaine Came back u-on his heart again$ 0 then the &aron forgot his age" #is noble heart swelled high with rage; #e swore by the wounds in 1esu's side #e would -roclaim it far and wide" /ith trum- and solemn heraldry" That they" who thus had wronged the dame /ere base as s-otted infamy! 'And if they dare deny the same" (y herald shall a--oint a week" And let the recreant traitors seek (y tourney court that there and then I may dislodge their re-tile souls 'rom the bodies and forms of men!' #e s-ake. his eye in lightning rolls! 'or the lady was ruthlessly sei4ed; and he kenned In the beautiful lady the child of his friend! And now the tears were on his face"

And fondly in his arms he took 'air 3eraldine who met the embrace" Prolonging it with :oyous look$ /hich when she viewed" a vision fell =-on the soul of Christabel" The vision of fear" the touch and -ain! She shrunk and shuddered" and saw again 6Ah" woe is me! /as it for thee" Thou gentle maid! such sights to see,7 Again she saw that bosom old" Again she felt that bosom cold" And drew in her breath with a hissing sound. /hereat the <night turned wildly round" And nothing saw" but his own sweet maid /ith eyes u-raised" as one that -rayed$ The touch" the sight" had -assed away" And in its stead that vision blest" /hich comforted her after rest" /hile in the lady's arms she lay" #ad -ut a ra-ture in her breast" And on her li-s and o'er her eyes S-read smiles like light! /ith new sur-rise" '/hat ails then my beloved child,' The &aron said #is daughter mild (ade answer" 'All will yet be well!' I ween" she had no -ower to tell Aught else. so mighty was the s-ell$ 9et he who saw this 3eraldine" #ad deemed her sure a thing divine$ Such sorrow with such grace she blended" As if she feared she had offended Sweet Christabel" that gentle maid! And with such lowly tones she -rayed She might be sent without delay #ome to her father's mansion$ '5ay! 5ay" by my soul!' said %eoline$ '#o! &racy the bard" the charge be thine! 3o thou" with music sweet and loud" And take two steeds with tra--ings -roud" And take the youth whom thou lov'st best To bear thy har-" and learn thy song" And clothe you both in solemn vest" And over the mountains haste along" %est wandering folk" that are abroad" 2etain you on the valley road$

'And when he has crossed the Irthing flood" (y merry bard! he hastes" he hastes =- <norren (oor" through #alegarth /ood" And reaches soon that castle good /hich stands and threatens Scotland's wastes$ '&ard &racy! bard &racy! your horses are fleet" 9e must ride u- the hall" your music so sweet" (ore loud than your horses' echoing feet! And loud and loud to %ord Roland call" Thy daughter is safe in %angdale hall! Thy beautiful daughter is safe and free Sir %eoline greets thee thus through me$ #e bids thee come without delay /ith all thy numerous array; And take thy lovely daughter home. And he will meet thee on the way /ith all his numerous array /hite with their -anting -alfreys' foam. And" by mine honor! I will say" That I re-ent me of the day /hen I s-ake words of fierce disdain To Roland de 8au+ of Tryermaine! 'or since that evil hour hath flown" (any a summer's sun hath shone; 9et ne'er found I a friend again %ike Roland de 8au+ of Tryermaine$' The lady fell" and clas-ed his knees" #er face u-raised" her eyes o'erflowing; And &racy re-lied" with faltering voice" #is gracious hail on all bestowing; 'Thy words" thou sire of Christabel" Are sweeter than my har- can tell; 9et might I gain a boon of thee" This day my :ourney should not be" So strange a dream hath come to me; That I had vowed with music loud To clear yon wood from thing unblest" /arned by a vision in my rest! 'or in my slee- I saw that dove" That gentle bird" whom thou dost love" And call'st by thy own daughter's name Sir %eoline! I saw the same" 'luttering" and uttering fearful moan" Among the green herbs in the forest alone$ /hich when I saw and when I heard" I wondered what might ail the bird;

'or nothing near it could I see" Save the grass and herbs underneath the old tree$ And in my dream methought I went To search out what might there be found; And what the sweet bird's trouble meant" That thus lay fluttering on the ground$ I went and -eered" and could descry 5o cause for her distressful cry; &ut yet for her dear lady's sake I stoo-ed" methought" the dove to take" /hen lo! I saw a bright green snake Coiled around its wings and neck$ 3reen as the herbs on which it couched" Close by the dove's its head it crouched; And with the dove it heaves and stirs" Swelling its neck as she swelled hers! I woke; it was the midnight hour" The clock was echoing in the tower; &ut though my slumber was gone by" This dream it would not -ass away It seems to live u-on my eye! And thence I vowed this self same day /ith music strong and saintly song To wander through the forest bare" %est aught unholy loiter there$' Thus &racy said. the &aron" the while" #alf listening heard him with a smile; Then turned to %ady 3eraldine" #is eyes made u- of wonder and love; And said in courtly accents fine" 'Sweet maid" %ord Roland's beauteous dove" /ith arms more strong than har- or song" Thy sire and I will crush the snake!' #e kissed her forehead as he s-ake" And 3eraldine in maiden wise Casting down her large bright eyes" /ith blushing cheek and courtesy fine She turned her from Sir %eoline; Softly gathering u- her train" That o'er her right arm fell again; And folded her arms across her chest" And couched her head u-on her breast" And looked askance at Christabel 1esu" (aria" shield her well! A snake's small eye blinks dull and shy" And the lady's eyes they shrunk in her head" *ach shrunk u- to a ser-ent's eye"

And with somewhat of malice" and more of dread" At Christabel she looked askance! 0ne moment and the sight was fled! &ut Christabel in di44y trance Stumbling on the unsteady ground Shuddered aloud" with a hissing sound; And 3eraldine again turned round" And like a thing that sought relief" 'ull of wonder and full of grief" She rolled her large bright eyes divine /ildly on Sir %eoline$ The maid" alas! her thoughts are gone" She nothing sees no sight but one! The maid" devoid of guile and sin" I know not how" in fearful wise" So dee-ly had she drunken in That look" those shrunken ser-ent eyes" That all her features were resigned To this sole image in her mind. And -assively did imitate That look of dull and treacherous hate! And thus she stood" in di44y trance" Still -icturing that look askance /ith forced unconscious sym-athy 'ull before her father's view As far as such a look could be In eyes so innocent and blue! And when the trance was o'er" the maid Paused awhile" and inly -rayed. Then falling at the &aron's feet" '&y my mother's soul do I entreat That thou this woman send away!' She said. and more she could not say; 'or what she knew she could not tell" 0'er mastered by the mighty s-ell$ /hy is thy cheek so wan and wild" Sir %eoline, Thy only child %ies at thy feet" thy :oy" thy -ride$ So fair" so innocent" so mild; The same" for whom thy lady died! 0 by the -angs of her dear mother Think thou no evil of thy child! 'or her" and thee" and for no other" She -rayed the moment ere she died. Prayed that the babe for whom she died" (ight -rove her dear lord's :oy and -ride! That -rayer her deadly -angs beguiled"

Sir %eoline! And wouldst thou wrong thy only child" #er child and thine, /ithin the &aron's heart and brain If thoughts" like these" had any share" They only swelled his rage and -ain" And did but work confusion there$ #is heart was cleft with -ain and rage" #is cheeks they )uivered" his eyes were wild" 2ishonored thus in his old age; 2ishonored by his only child" And all his hos-itality To the insulted daughter of his friend &y more than woman's :ealousy &rought thus to a disgraceful end #e rolled his eye with stern regard =-on the gentle ministrel bard" And said in tones abru-t" austere '/hy" &racy! dost thou loiter here, I bade thee hence!' The bard obeyed; And turning from his own sweet maid" The aged knight" Sir %eoline" %ed forth the lady 3eraldine! T#* C05C%=SI05 T0 PART II A little child" a limber elf" Singing" dancing to itself" A fairy thing with red round cheeks" That always finds" and never seeks" (akes such a vision to the sight As fills a father's eyes with light; And -leasures flow in so thick and fast =-on his heart" that he at last (ust needs e+-ress his love's e+cess /ith words of unmeant bitterness$ Perha-s 'tis -retty to force together Thoughts so all unlike each other; To mutter and mock a broken charm" To dally with wrong that does no harm$ Perha-s 'tis tender too and -retty At each wild word to feel within A sweet recoil of love and -ity$ And what" if in a world of sin 60 sorrow and shame should this be true!7 Such giddiness of heart and brain Comes seldom save from rage and -ain" So talks as it's most used to do$

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