Poetry > Lady of the lake

2S2
THE LADY OF THE LAKE.
Canto V
XVII.
He falter’d thanks to Heaven for life,
Redeem’d, unhoped, from desperate strife ;1
Next on his foe his look he cast,
Whose every gasp appear’d his last;
In Roderick’s gore he dipt the braid,—
“ Poor Blanche! thy wrongs are dearly paid:
Yet with thy foe must die, or live,
The praise that Faith and Valour give.”
With that he blew a bugle-note,
Undid the collar from his throat,
Unbonneted, and by the wave
Sate down his brow and hands to lave.
Then faint afar are heard the feet2
Of rushing steeds in gallop fleet;
The sounds increase, and now are seen
Four mounted squires in Lincoln green;
Two who bear lance, and two who lead,
By loosen’d rein, a saddled steed;
Each onward held his headlong course,
And by Fitz-James rein’d up his horse,—
With wonder view’d the bloody spot—
—“ Exclaim not, gallants ! question not.—
«
i [MS.—“ Redeem’d, unhoped, from deadly strife i
Next ou his foe his look he f cast’
( threw,
Whose erery breath appear’d his last.”]
1 [MS.—“ Faint and afar are heard the feet.”l