EXTRACTS FROM AN OPERA. 1818. O! WERE I one of the Olympian twelve, Each step he took should make his lady's hand O, I am frighten'd with most hateful thoughts! The stranger lighted from his steed, And ere he spake a word, And kiss'd it all unheard. II. The stranger walk'd into the hall, And ere he spake a word, He kiss'd my lady's cherry lips, And kiss'd 'em all unheard. III. The stranger walk'd into the bower,— Aye hand in hand into the bower, My lady's maid had a silken scarf, And a kiss from the stranger, as off he went Again on his fair palfrey. Asleep! O sleep a little while, white pearl! My sudden adoration, my great love! LA BELLE DAME SANS MERCI. A BALLAD. I. 1819. O WHAT can ail thee, knight-at-arms, The sedge has wither'd from the lake, II. O what can ail thee, knight-at-arms! So haggard and so woe-begone? The squirrel's granary is full, And the harvest 's done. III. I see a lily on thy brow With anguish moist and fever dew, And on thy cheeks a fading rose Fast withereth too. IV. I met a lady in the meads, Full beautiful—a faery's child, Her hair was long, her foot was light, |