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 wild 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.