But Francis, in the vacant hall, Stood silent under dreary weight,-- 85 A phantasm, in which roof and wall Shook, tottered, swam before his sight; A phantasm like a dream of night! Thus overwhelmed, and desolate, He found his way to a postern-gate; 90 And, when he waked, his languid eye[45] Was on the calm and silent sky; With air about him breathing sweet, And earth's green grass beneath his feet; Nor did he fail ere long to hear 95 A sound of military cheer, Faint--but it reached that sheltered spot; He heard, and it disturbed him not. There stood he, leaning on a lance Which he had grasped unknowingly, 100 Had blindly grasped in that strong trance, That dimness of heart-agony; There stood he, cleansed from the despair And sorrow of his fruitless prayer. The past he calmly hath reviewed: 105 But where will be the fortitude Of this brave man, when he shall see That Form beneath the spreading tree, And know that it is Emily?[46] He saw her where in open view 110 She sate beneath the spreading yew-- Her head upon her lap, concealing In solitude her bitter feeling: [47]"Might ever son _command_ a sire, The act were justified to-day." 115 This to himself--and to the Maid, Whom now he had approached, he said-- "Gone are they,--they have their desire; And I with thee one hour will stay, To give thee comfort if I may." 120 She heard, but looked not up, nor spake; And sorrow moved him to partake Her silence; then his thoughts turned round,[48] And fervent words a passage found.