XXII

Her falt'ring hand upon the balustrade,

      Old Angela was feeling for the stair,

      When Madeline, St. Agnes' charmed maid,

      Rose, like a mission'd spirit, unaware:

      With silver taper's light, and pious care,

      She turn'd, and down the aged gossip led

      To a safe level matting. Now prepare,

      Young Porphyro, for gazing on that bed;

She comes, she comes again, like ring-dove fray'd and fled.