The Poetical Works of William Motherwell/The Spell-Bound Knight

by William Motherwell

The Spell-Bound Knight.

 

Lady, dar'st thou seek the shore
Which ne'er woman's footstep bore;—
Where beneath yon rugged steep,
Restless rolls the darksome deep?

Dar'st thou, though thy blood run chill,
Thither speed at midnight still—
And when Horror rules the sky,
Raise for lover lost thy cry?

Dar'st thou at that ghastiest hour
Breathe the word of magic power—
Word that breaks the mermaid's spell,
Which false lover knows too well?

When affrighted spectres rise
'Twixt pale floods and ebon skies,
Dar'st thou, reft of maiden fear,
Bid the Water-Witch appear?

When upon the sallow tide
Pearly elfin boat does glide,
When the mystic oar is heard,
Like the wing of baleful bird—
Dar'st thou with a voice of might
Call upon thy spell-bound knight?

When the shallop neareth land,
Dar'st thou, with thy snow-white hand,
Boldly on the warrior's breast
Place the Cross by Churchman blest?—
When is done this work of peril,
Thou hast won proud Ulster's Earl!