162 Desertion of i)te Corpse 6g |)te &ttenliantj$, 



What broken thoughts of by-gone days, 



Visions of youth, and welcome lays, 



Lays, that the harp could soothly sound, 



When merry steps went pranking round. 



And then his father's castle hall, 



And sooth and bland the cheerful call, 



Of voices lov'd in distant clime, 



Were seen and heard at that sad time ; 



Lov'd forms did round his pillow bend, 



And gentle hands his bidding tend, 



The wife and mother by his side, 



In bloom of youth and beauty's pride, 



His own dear child, Gundreda fair, 



With gentle step and smile was there ; 



But soon the fitful dream was gone, 



The dying man was all alone, 



Save that stern men were waiting round, 



With cowl and casque, and helm unbound. M. R. 



His last sigh was a signal for a general flight and 

 scramble. The knights buckled on their spurs, the 

 priests and doctors, who had passed the night by his 

 bed-side, made no delay in leaving their wearisome 

 occupation. " To horse ! to horse ! " resounded through 

 the monastery, and each one galloped off to his own 

 home, in order to secure his interests or his property. 

 A few of the king's servants, and some vassals of minor 

 rank staid behind, but not to do honour to the poor 

 remains of him who had been their king. They spoke 

 loudly and trod heavily, where but a short time before 

 men would scarcely have dared to whisper ; where the 

 noiseless step and hushed sound, told the rank and 

 sufferings of him, whom now the voice of seven thunders 



