A LEGEND OF THE RHINE.
139
Isabelle stood upon her lonely tower;
And as the evening-star rose up she saw
An armed train bearing her father's banner
In triumph to the castle. Down she flew
To greet the victors:—they had reached the hall
Before herself. What saw the maiden there?—
A bier!—her father laid upon that bier!
Roland was kneeling by the side, his face
Bowed on his hands and hid;—but Isabelle
Knew the dark curling hair and stately form,
And threw her on his breast. He shrank away
As she were death, or sickness, or despair.
"Isabelle! it was I who slew thy father!"
She fell almost a corpse upon the body.
It was too true! With all a lover's speed,
Roland had sought the thickest of the fight;
