3o6 popular tales OF FLOWERS 
upon the undefended battlements of the turret, by the 
strength of his own youthful arm, and the aid of a mighty 
lever, he hurled back the scaling-ladder with the besiegers 
upon it, which snapped in two as it fell thundering upon 
the waters of the moat. 
“Rash boy!’’ exclaimed his father, as he looked up, 
the flashing anger of his eye somewhat softened Vv'hile he 
stood astonished at so daring and unexpected a deed ; 
“ an once I gain possession of the gates, I will put the 
strongest donjon-keep between thee and that pale-faced 
maiden for whose sake thou hast done this.” 
But the young lover waited not a moment to listen to 
what he said; for, flying to the chamber of his mistress, 
he pointed out the way by which she might escape, telling 
her that his trusty squire and page were awaiting, with 
swift and sure-footed steeds, at the secret postern behind 
the castle; that it was she alone his father sought to 
capture, that he might prevent their being united; and 
so, after a few tears, a few smiles, a few sighs, and un- 
numbered kisses, he succeeded in carrying off the Daisy 
of the Dale. The few followers who remained alive sal- 
lied with her out of the narrow postern, and went forth 
without a murmur to share the weal or woe of their be- 
loved mistress; for her father was then afar off, fighting- 
under the banner of his lawful sovereign. 
Picture the rage and the astonishment of the old knight 
when he had succeeded in beating the battered doors off 
their hinges, and discovered that the bird he sought to 
capture had flown, a.nd that his son was nowhere to be 
found. Thrice did he order the castle to be burnt and 
razed to the ground; then, before a brand was lighted, 
countermanded the charge in the same breath : for as he 
stalked sullenly from chamber to hall, he everywhere met 
with some object that recalled the remembrance of his 
youthful days, when, sworn in the solemn bond of friendly 
brotherhood with her father, they had in their younger 
years been the first to plunge into the foremost ranks of 
battle together. 
He reached her bower, or tiring-room, and saw the 
velvet cushion, the open missal, and the ivory crucifix; 
the coif adorned with Daisies, which, in her haste, she 
had thrown upon the floor ; while over all was suspended 
