WHO is it rides across the dun And desolate wolds? It is the father-and his son In his arms he holds: He rides through Night, he rides through storm, And from wild to wild, But in his mantle, wrapped up warm, He carries the child. THE FATHER. "My son, my son, why dost thou bow Thy head, as in fear?" THE SON. "O, father! father! seest not thou The Alder-King near? The Alder-King! -he glares on me With his crown and trail!" THE FATHER. "Hush! hush! my child-I only see The mist from the vale." THE SPECTRE. "O, come with me, dear little boy! Come with me, O, come! I've many a pretty play and toy For thee at my home: Pied flowers are springing on the strand; My mother, she, too, Shall weave thee dresses gay and grand Of a goldbright hue. " THE SON. "List! father, list! -the Alder-King's Words creep on mine ear He whispers me such wileful things! O! dost thou not hear?" THE FATHER. "Peace, peace, my darling child! -be still Thy hearing deceives. The wind at midnight whistles shrill Through the shrunken leaves. " THE SPECTRE. "My charming babe! dost hear me call? Come hither to me! Come, and my pretty daughters all Shall wait upon thee; And they and thou so merrily Shall dance and shall leap; They'll play with thee and sing for thee, And rock thee asleep. " THE SON. "O, father, look! -O, father mine! Descriest thou not His daughters? Look! -their garments shine From yon gloomy spot! THE FATHER. "My son! my son! thou dost but rave; All night in that way One sees the long-armed willows wave So ancient and grey. " THE SPECTRE. "Sweet child! I love thy comely shape, So come! come away! Nay! nay! thou shalt not thus escape; I'll make thee obey." THE SON. " Ha, father! ha! -the Alder- King- He grasps me so tight! Father! I've suffered some bad thing From his hand to- night." The father, shuddering, swiftly rides O'er the lightless wild, And closelier in his mantle hides The terrified child. With toil and pain he nears the gate, And reins in his horse Unhappy father! -' tis too late! In thine arms is a corse! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ON LOOKING INTO GOLDING'S OVID by STEVE SCAFIDI JR. AGAMEMNON: CHORUS by AESCHYLUS WITH MY FANCY by KONSTANTIN DMITRIYEVICH BALMONT PSALM 23. DOMINUS REGIT ME by OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE TO A LADY WEEPING by WILLIAM CARTWRIGHT |