Make it known that my Companion 115 Is of royal eastern blood, Thirsting after all perfection, Innocent, and meek, and good, Though with misbelievers bred; but that dark night Will holy Church disperse by beams of gospel-light." 120 XXI Swiftly went that grey-haired Servant, Soon returned a trusty Page Charged with greetings, benedictions, Thanks and praises, each a gage For a sunny thought to cheer the Stranger's way, 125 Her virtuous scruples to remove, her fears allay. XXII And how blest the Reunited, While beneath their castle-walls, Runs a deafening noise of welcome!-- Blest, though every tear that falls 130 Doth in its silence of past sorrow tell, And makes[649] a meeting seem most like a dear farewell. XXIII Through a haze of human nature, Glorified by heavenly light, Looked the beautiful Deliverer 135 On that overpowering sight, While across her virgin cheek pure blushes strayed, For every tender sacrifice her heart had made. XXIV On the ground the weeping Countess Knelt, and kissed the Stranger's hand; 140 Act of soul-devoted homage, Pledge of an eternal band: Nor did aught of future days that kiss belie, Which, with a generous shout, the crowd did ratify. XXV Constant to the fair Armenian, 145 Gentle pleasures round her moved, Like a tutelary spirit Reverenced, like a sister, loved. Christian meekness smoothed for all the path of life, 149 Who, loving most, should wiseliest love, their only strife. XXVI Mute memento of that union In a Saxon church survives, Where a cross-legged Knight lies sculptured As between two wedded Wives-- Figures with armorial signs of race and birth, 155 And the vain rank the pilgrims bore while yet on earth. FOOTNOTES: [647] See, in Percy's _Reliques_, that fine old ballad, "The Spanish Lady's Love;" from which Poem the form of stanza, as suitable to dialogue, is adopted.--W. W. 1835. [648] A small town in Prussian-Saxony, the residence of the Counts of Stolberg-Stolberg.--ED. [649] 1836. Fancy (while, to banners floating High on Stolberg's Castle walls, Deafening noise of welcome mounted, Trumpets, Drums, and Atabals,) The devout embraces still, while such tears fell As made ... 1835.