"Now open thou!" he loudly cried

"A traitor Knight we seek,

So quickly throw the portal wide;

Or must we through it break?"

Then outspake dark Hate, "That sound dost thou hear? Have we won the arrow, or thou the spear?

And said bold Ambition-" Heard'st thou the Knight? Already his spirit longs for the fight.

Ho! ho! thou hast lost!

Thy purpose is crost!—

Throw down the wage, and betake thee to flight."

"Not so," quoth young Love—he laugh'd as he spoke, "Nor Hate, nor Ambition can break my yoke;

Love is greater than both-stay but awhile,—
Pleasure again on those lovers shall smile.
Though blind, I can tell

What thoughts the heart swell ;

Methinks that fair maid his foes will beguile."

Now, courteous stranger, this way tread," In accents bland that maiden said—

"Within this room he lies."

She oped the door where shrouded lay Her once loved brother's lifeless clay. ""Tis well!" the stranger cries ;

Thy word, fair lady, doubt I not,

Yet leave I not thy halls, Till I have traversed ev'ry spot

That lies between these walls."

"Ha!" Ellen said, "the King shall know The doubt, proud man thou dar'st to throw On Montfort's noble race;

Think'st thou I harbour traitors here,

When traitors stretch'd on yon sad bier

Nay! hear thou me," the stranger said,A kingly price on Percy's head

By outraged royalty is placed;
For at his beck fell treason blazed,
Rebellion's banner first he raised,

And disaffection first embraced;
And I am sent to search him out-
To drag the wretch to Justice' fount;'
See, here the royal seal and crest"
He drew a parchment from his breast,
And held it to the maid:

She turn❜d aside-that lady sweet

"Now dar'st thou tax me with deceit ?

In dauntless tones she said.

He answered thus-"I

may not stay

To prattle, while escapes my prey;
These peasants saw him hither borne
With yonder corpse on yester-morn.
Then paused awhile that stranger base,
And scann'd with curious eye, her face;
O'er which the tell-tale blushes danced,
And hope and fear all wildly glanced.

With quiv'ring voice again she spoke-
"Well to thy cause such men may yoke ;
The ruffian is the hangman's mate,
But know, discourteous Knight,
To win the prize thou com'st too late,
The bird hath taken flight.
A helpless orphan here I stand,
Yet none more loyal in the land;
See! there-before thy very eyes
A well-loved brother's body lies,
Who sacrificed his precious life
To win for royalty the strife;
Yet mark my words! were Percy here,
Nor guerdon great-nor base-born fear,-
Nor torture's utmost skill,

Should wring one sentence from my tongue To do a wounded Knight foul wrong; So work, proud man. thy will." "Ha! bravest thou, fond maid my power;' The stranger fiercely cried, "Hid'st thou a traitor in thy bower?

Then woe thy house betide!

Another might thy speech believe,

Such seeming scorn might well deceive;

Another might the search forbear,

Misled by words so just and fair:
But I am of a firmer mould,
Deep cause to seek his life I hold.

I hate him with a holy hate,

Which death, and death alone may sate:

My first-my worst-my deadliest foe
Is Percy, and his blood shall flow.
Thrice have I risen to high pow'r,

And thrice his arm hath thrust me down; At length sweet retribution's hour

Is come my long stay'd hopes to crown. Stand by!—no more shall parley vain Time for that caitiff vile obtain.”

So, forth in wrathful mood he stepp'd,
The lady bow'd her head and wept,

And wildly throbb'd her timid heart;
Oh! should he by mischance alight
Where tapestry concealed the Knight

Full well she knew his shrift were short; With tearful hope and trembling doubt She parley'd, till a fierce wild shout The babbling echoes baldly bore To her fond ears-she could no more, But shrieking fell in deathly swound Upon the dark and clammy ground.

When wakes fair Ellen from her trance, Around her wandering eyeballs glance With stony glare; and, "Where" she cried, "That stranger-doth he here abide ? And brave Sir Percy tell me where ? " "The Knight is safe," her maids replied,

"And gone the stranger in despair.

They found his casque-his shield they seized, And shouted loud-thereat well pleased:

But ah! Sir Percy found they not,

And fierce with fury, fled the spot."

Then vexed was Ambition, Hate he was cow'd
Love vented his rapture in laughter loud.

"What say ye, wise fools?" cried the urchin gay,
"The spear have I won: can you say me nay?
See, yonder weak maid

By love's faithful aid,

Hath saved her brave knight from them that would slay."

"So far thou art right," quoth the rival pow'rs,
"Yet one trial more, he yet shall be ours;
Ambition his proud heart yet can ensnare,

And Hate fill that maiden's bosom with care."
Quoth Love, "You may try,

But oh! well know I,

In vain you will seek my throne to impair."

Within a bow'r of eglantine,

Where roses with the jasmine twine,
And honey-suckles creep,

Secluded sat a youthful pair,—
'Twas Percy and that lady fair,-

And held they converse deep.
"I long to don my arms," he cried;
"Oh Percy, stay!" the maid replied,
“And list thou to my piteous tale,
Nor let the plea of mercy fail.