---

Robert Southey - Rudiger - A Ballad
Work rating: Medium

Bright on the mountain`s heathy slope
  The day`s last splendors shine
And rich with many a radiant hue
  Gleam gayly on the Rhine.

And many a one from Waldhurst`s walls
  Along the river stroll`d,
As ruffling o`er the pleasant stream
  The evening gales came cold.

So as they stray`d a swan they saw
  Sail stately up and strong,
And by a silver chain she drew
  A little boat along,

Whose streamer to the gentle breeze
  Long floating fluttered light,
Beneath whose crimson canopy
  There lay reclin`d a knight.

With arching crest and swelling breast
  On sail`d the stately swan
And lightly up the parting tide
  The little boat came on.

And onward to the shore they drew
  And leapt to land the knight,
And down the stream the swan-drawn boat
  Fell soon beyond the sight.

Was never a Maid in Waldhurst`s walls
  Might match with Margaret,
Her cheek was fair, her eyes were dark,
  Her silken locks like jet.

And many a rich and noble youth
  Had strove to win the fair,
But never a rich or noble youth
  Could rival Rudiger.

At every tilt and turney he
  Still bore away the prize,
For knightly feats superior still
  And knightly courtesies.

His gallant feats, his looks, his love,
  Soon won the willing fair,
And soon did Margaret become
  The wife of Rudiger.

Like morning dreams of happiness
  Fast roll`d the months away,
For he was kind and she was kind
  And who so blest as they?

Yet Rudiger would sometimes sit
  Absorb`d in silent thought
And his dark downward eye would seem
  With anxious meaning fraught;

But soon he rais`d his looks again
  And smil`d his cares eway,
And mid the hall of gaiety
  Was none like him so gay.

And onward roll`d the waining months,
  The hour appointed came,
And Margaret her Rudiger
  Hail`d with a father`s name.

But silently did Rudiger
  The little infant see,
And darkly on the babe he gaz`d
  And very sad was he.

And when to bless the little babe
  The holy Father came,
To cleanse the stains of sin away
  In Christ`s redeeming name,

Then did the cheek of Rudiger
  Assume a death-pale hue,
And on his clammy forehead stood
  The cold convulsive dew;

And faltering in his speech he bade
  The Priest the rites delay,
Till he could, to right health restor`d,
  Enjoy the festive day.

When o`er the many-tinted sky
  He saw the day decline,
He called upon his Margaret
  To walk beside the Rhine.

"And we will take the little babe,
  "For soft the breeze that blows,
"And the mild murmurs of the stream
  "Will lull him to repose."

So forth together did they go,
  The evening breeze was mild,
And Rudiger upon his arm
  Did pillow the sweet child.

And many a one from Waldhurst`s walls
  Along the banks did roam,
But soon the evening wind came cold,
  And all betook them home.

Yet Rudiger in silent mood
  Along the banks would roam,
Nor aught could Margaret prevail
  To turn his footsteps home.

"Oh turn thee—turn thee Rudiger,
  "The rising mists behold,
"The evening wind is damp and chill,
  "The little babe is cold!"

"Now hush thee—hush thee Margaret,
  "The mists will do no harm,
"And from the wind the little babe
  "Lies sheltered on my arm."

"Oh turn thee—turn thee Rudiger,
  "Why onward wilt thou roam?
"The moon is up, the night is cold,
  "And we are far from home."

He answered not, for now he saw
  A Swan come sailing strong,
And by a silver chain she drew
  A little boat along.

To shore they came, and to the boat
  Fast leapt he with the child,
And in leapt Margaret—breathless now
  And pale with fear and wild.

With arching crest and swelling breast
  On sail`d the stately swan,
And lightly down the rapid tide
  The little boat went on.

The full-orb`d moon that beam`d around
  Pale splendor thro` the night,
Cast through the crimson canopy
  A dim-discoloured light.

And swiftly down the hurrying stream
  In silence still they sail,
And the long streamer fluttering fast
  Flapp`d to the heavy gale.

And he was mute in sullen thought
  And she was mute with fear,
Nor sound but of the parting tide
  Broke on the listening ear.

The little babe began to cry
  And waked his mother`s care,
"Now give to me the little babe
  "For God`s sake, Rudiger!"

"Now hush thee, hush thee Margaret!
  "Nor my poor heart distress—
"I do but pay perforce the price
  "Of former happiness.

"And hush thee too my little babe,
  "Thy cries so feeble cease:
"Lie still, lie still;—a little while
  "And thou shalt be at peace."

So as he spake to land they drew,
  And swift he stept on shore,
And him behind did Margaret
  Close follow evermore.

It was a place all desolate,
  Nor house nor tree was there,
And there a rocky mountain rose
  Barren, and bleak, and bare.

And at its base a cavern yawn`d,
  No eye its depth might view,
For in the moon-beam shining round
  That darkness darker grew.

Cold Horror crept thro` Margaret`s blood,
  Her heart it paus`d with fear,
When Rudiger approach`d the cave
  And cried, "lo I am here!"

A deep sepulchral sound the cave
  Return`d "lo I am here!"
And black from out the cavern gloom
  Two giant arms appear.

And Rudiger approach`d and held
  The little infant nigh;
Then Margaret shriek`d, and gather`d then
  New powers from agony.

And round the baby fast and firm
  Her trembling arms she folds,
And with a strong convulsive grasp
  The little infant holds.

"Now help me, Jesus!" loud she cries.
  And loud on God she calls;
Then from the grasp of Rudiger
  The little infant falls.

And now he shriek`d, for now his frame
  The huge black arms clasp`d round,
And dragg`d the wretched Rudiger
  Adown the dark profound.
Source
The script ran 0.002 seconds.