Revelry wakes in the dim halls of Lindenwood; Strange is the minstrelsy there to be heard; Long have they slumbered in silence and solitude, Haunted alone of the night-roving bird. Swells with its chorus the mirth-mingled banquet song, Fresh as the tide-lifted billows at play; Why to the festal board comes not the bridal throng? Where, with the bride, doth the bridegroom delay? Lingering still stands the lord of green Lindenwood, Waiting the bride, for her nuptials arrayed, Loth to be led from the bower of her maidenhood, Lady of lineage proud to be made. Silently there at her portal he listeneth; Gloweth his heart with a rapture inspired; While in his glance as a beacon-star glisteneth Love with the flash of expectancy fired. Lo! is it she in the moonlight that beckoneth, Timing her step to the faint-flowing song? Nought but the spell of her presence he reckoneth, Flitting the intricate mazes along. Still from his touch like a shadow ethereal Glideth she on the dim-veiling light Till, as the torch in a vapor funereal, Quenched is the wildering vision to sight! Hark! let the choral-song cease in old Lindenwood! Pray for a soul from life's revelry fled! High in her chamber, the shrine of her maidenhood, Pale as her bridal-wreath lieth she, dead. Mourn, let us mourn for the gray walls of Lindenwood, There, nevermore, be the minstrelsy heard; Leave them alone in their silence and solitude, Haunted again of the night-roving bird. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...RUGBY CHAPEL by MATTHEW ARNOLD THE HEART OF THE TREE by HENRY CUYLER BUNNER THE PALM TREE by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS A DEAD HARVEST (IN KENSINGTON GARDENS) by ALICE MEYNELL NORTH-WEST PASSAGE: 1. GOOD NIGHT by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON |