Yet where to harbour him, and how to hide?-- The husband not at home, means must be tried!"-- So thought these dames, I ween, that fateful hour, While feebly onward to the marble tower, Propp'd, right and left, by snowy shoulders twain, Sir Gugemer repair'd with mickle pain. There on a bed of down they plac'd their guest, Cleans'd the deep wound, with healing balsam dress'd, Brought, for his plight most fit, choice simple food, And, watchful how he far'd, attendant stood; Till now returning strength grew swiftly on, And his firm voice confess'd his anguish gone. In sooth, the fay, protectress of his worth, Had shower'd down balm, unknown to wights on earth; One night achieves his cure; but other smart Plays o'er the weetless region of his heart; Pains, such as beam from bright Nogiva's eyes, Flit round his bed, and quiral [Errata: genial] slumber flies. Now, as the ruddy rays of morning peer, Him seem'd his kind physician's step drew near; She comes; his cheeks with new-found blushes burn; Nogiva--she, too, blushes in her turn: Love sure had neither spar'd; yet at the last Faintly she asks him how the night had pass'd? O! how the trembling patient then confess'd Strange malady at heart, and banish'd rest: And sued once more for life, restor'd so late, Now hers alone to grant, the mistress of his fate. She speaks assurance kind with witching smile, "No ill from sickness felt so little while!" Yet nought the knight believes; a kiss, I ween, Fell from her dainty lips, and clos'd the scene. One year or more within some secret bower, So dwelt the knight beneath the marble tower; Thoughts of his sire, at last, how he might bear His son's long absence, so awaken'd care, Needs must he back to Leon: vainly here Sues fond Nogiva's interdicting tear. "Sad leave reluctantly I yield!" she cries, "Yet take this girdle, knit with mystick ties, Wed never dame till first this secret spell Her dextrous hands have loosen'd:--so farewell!" "Never, I swear, my sweet! so weal betide!" With heavy heart Sir Gugemer replied; Then hied him to the gate, when lo! at hand Nogiva's hoary lord is seen to stand, (Brought by the fairy foe's relentless ire,) And lustily he calls for knight and squire: Now with his trusty blade, of temper good, The stout knight clears his course to ocean's flood, Sweeps right and left the scatter'd rout away, And climbs the bark of his protectress fay; Light glides the ebon keel the waters o'er, And his glad footsteps press his native shore.