"Ho! sound the tocsin from my tower, and fire the culverin; Bid each retainer arm with speed; call every vassal in. Up with my banner on the wall,--the banquet board prepare,-- Throw wide the portal of my hall, and bring my armor there!" An hundred hands were busy then; the banquet forth was spread, And rung the heavy oaken floor with many a martial tread; While from the rich, dark tracery, along the vaulted wall, Lights gleamed on harness, plume and spear, o'er the proud old Gothic hall. Fast hurrying through the outer gate, the mailed retainers poured, On through the portal's frowning arch, and thronged around the board; While at its head, within his dark, carved, oaken chair of state, Armed cap-à-pie, stern Rudiger, with gilded falchion, sat. "Fill every beaker up, my men! pour forth the cheering wine! There 's life and strength in every drop,--thanksgiving to the vine! Are ye all there, my vassals true?--mine eyes are waxing dim: Fill round, my tried and fearless ones, each goblet to the brim! "Ye're there, but yet I see you not!--forth draw each trusty sword, And let me hear your faithful steel clash once around my board! I hear it faintly!--louder yet! What clogs my heavy breath? Up, all!--and shout for Rudiger, 'Defiance unto death!'" Bowl rang to bowl, steel clanged to steel, and rose a, deafening cry, That made the torches flare around, and shook the flags on high: "Ho! cravens! Do ye fear him? Slaves! traitors! have ye flown? Ho! cowards, have ye left me to meet him here alone? "But I defy him!--let him come!" Down rang the massy cup, While from its sheath the ready blade came flashing half-way up; And with the black and heavy plumes scarce trembling on his head, There in his dark, carved, oaken chair, old Rudiger sat--dead! A. G. Greene. CXCVI. THE WATER DRINKER. O, water for me! Bright water for me, And wine for the tremulous debauchee. Water cooleth the brow, and cooleth the brain, And maketh the faint one strong again; It comes o'er the sense like a breeze from the sea, All freshness, like infant purity; O, water, bright water, for me, for me! Give wine, give wine, to the debauchee!