Айвенго

Chapter 42

           Fromthisroom,ereyetthedoorwasopened,proceededalowandmelancholystrainofvocalmusic.Whentheyentered,theyfoundthemselvesinthepresenceofabouttwentymatronsandmaidensofdistinguishedSaxonlineage.Fourmaidens,Rowenaleadingthechoir,raisedahymnforthesoulofthedeceased,ofwhichwehaveonlybeenabletodeciphertwoorthreestanzas:

           Dustuntodust,

           Tothisallmust;

           Thetenanthathresign’d

           Thefadedform

           Towasteandworm

           Corruptionclaimsherkind.

           Throughpathsunknown

           Thysoulhathflown,

           Toseektherealmsofwoe,

           Wherefierypain

           Shallpurgethestain

           Ofactionsdonebelow.

           Inthatsadplace,

           ByMary’sgrace,

           Briefmaythydwellingbe

           Tillprayersandalms,

           Andholypsalms,

           Shallsetthecaptivefree.

           Whilethisdirgewassung,inalowandmelancholytone,bythefemalechoristers,theothersweredividedintotwobands,ofwhichonewasengagedinbedecking,withsuchembroideryastheirskillandtastecouldcompass,alargesilkenpall,destinedtocoverthebierofAthelstane,whiletheothersbusiedthemselvesinselecting,frombasketsofflowersplacedbeforethem,garlands,whichtheyintendedforthesamemournfulpurpose.Thebehaviourofthemaidenswasdecorous,ifnotmarkedwithdeepaffliction;butnowandthenawhisperorasmilecalledforththerebukeoftheseverermatrons,andhereandtheremightbeseenadamselmoreinterestedinendeavouringtofindouthowhermourning-robebecameher,thaninthedismalceremonyforwhichtheywerepreparing.

Настройки
Фон страницы
Размер шрифта
Межстрочный интервал
Фразовые глаголы
Показать / Скрыть меню
Шрифт
Roboto Lora
Уведомления
Страница 671 из 723