He is desired to continue his way to the castle of Tryermaine. Bracy is thus made to act in a double capacity, as bard and herald: in the first, he is to announce to Lord Roland the safety of his daughter in Langdale Hall; in the second as herald to the Baron, he is to convey an apology according to the custom of that day, "He bids thee come without delay, With all thy numerous array; And take thy lovely daughter home, And he will meet thee on the way, With all his numerous array; White with their panting palfrey's foam, And by mine honour! I will say, That I repent me of the day; When I spake words of fierce disdain, To Roland de Vaux of Tryermaine!-- For since that evil hour hath flown, Many a summer's sun hath shone; Yet ne'er found I a friend again Like Roland de Vaux of Tryermaine." The lady fell, and clasped his knees, Her face upraised, her eyes o'erflowing, And Bracy replied, with faltering voice, His gracious hail on all bestowing:-- Thy words, thou sire of Christabel, Are sweeter than my harp can tell. Yet might I gain a boon of thee, This day my journey should not be, So strange a dream hath come to me: That I had vow'd with music loud To clear yon wood from thing unblest, Warn'd by a vision in my rest! The dream is then related by Bracy; it is an outline of the past, and a prophecy of the future.--The Baron listens with a smile, turns round, and looks at Geraldine, "His eyes made up of wonder and love; And said in courtly accents fine, Sweet maid, Lord Roland's beauteous dove, With arms more strong than harp or song, Thy sire and I will crush the snake!" He kissed her forehead as he spake, And Geraldine in maiden wise, Casting down her large bright eyes; With blushing cheek and courtesy fine, She turn'd her from Sir Leoline; Softly gathering up her train, That o'er her right arm fell again; And folded her arms across her chest, And couch'd her head upon her breast. And look'd askance at Christabel-- Jesu, Maria, shield her well! Then takes place that extraordinary change which, being read in a party at Lord Byron's, is said to have caused Shelley to faint: A snake's small eye blinks dull and shy, And the lady's eyes, they shrunk in her head, Each shrunk up to a serpent's eye, And with somewhat of malice, and more of dread At Christabel she looked askance!-- One moment,--and the sight was fled! But Christabel in dizzy trance, Stumbling on the unsteady ground-- Shudder'd aloud, with a hissing sound; And Geraldine again turn'd round, And like a thing, that sought relief, Full of wonder and full of grief; She roll'd her large bright eyes divine, Wildly on Sir Leoline. The maid, alas! her thoughts are gone, She nothing sees--no sight but one!