Count Otto, ere thou bend thy knee, What shall the hire of my service be?" 66 Greedy hawk must gorge his prey, Pious priest must win his pay; Name the guerdon, and so to the task: He frowned as he answered-" Gold or gem, Count Otto, little I reck of them; But your bride has skill of the lute, they say: Let her sing me the song I shall name to-day." Loud laughed the Count: "And if she refuse Beside the maiden he took his stand, It seemed to them as if a gloom Had shrouded all the banquet room, Though over its boards, and over its beams, Sunlight was glowing in merry streams. The stern priest throws an angry glance But he signs the cross on his aching brow And arms his soul for its warfare now. "Mortal maid or goblin fairy, Sing me, I pray thee, an Ave-Mary!" Suddenly the maiden bent O'er the gorgeous instrument; "Lurley! Lurley !" And when the sound, in the liquid air, Of that brief hymn had faded, Nothing was left of the nymph who there For a year had masqueraded; But the harp in the midst of the wide hall set, Where her last strange word was spoken! The golden frame with tears was wet, And all the strings were broken! |