Alfred; or, The Adventures of a French Gentleman — page 215: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

184 ALFRED; OR ADVENTURES And when Pheebus’ course to the west had run, And Cynthia’s silent reign had begun, That out of the camp, attended by none, Towards the city walls rode an arméd one. He stopped at the castle-postern straight, And tarried no moment to meditate, But knocked full hard at the massive gate ; Nor long was the time that he had to wait, For a warder, appearing at the grate, Demanded who thither might come so late ; When the knight replied, that affairs of weight Had brought him there with a need so great. «<< Show me a sign, that I may obey, Else never, Sir Knight, wilt thou pass this way :— Such are the orders none gainsay.” ‘«‘— Shame to thy hair—thy locks so gray, If thou sendest me out in the night astray, When the sickly beams of the moon scarce play On the road where my journey back must lay.” “¢ —Sir Knight, you will manage as best you may.” “* --Of thy threats and thine orders all despite, Will I enter the gates this very night; Though the door be guarded by every sprite That avoids the earth in broad day-light, And in darkness comes to mortal sight. Against the legions of hell to fight, Were to me but a pastime of delight, Since it leads to Celestine,”’ quoth the Knight. Then the warrior turned to his charger there— He seized his mace and raised it in air :— The dint of its-force he did not spare, But to deal the blow his arm ’gan prepare ;— And, in sooth, the axe was of weight full rare; No delicate hand must that weapon bear : It fell with a din made the warder aware Of such warrior’s prowess to have a care. Loud thundered the mace—the door fell supine :-— «« Well aimed was that blow,”’ said the warrior, “‘ of mine ! Now to the bower of the fair Celestine ;— This feat has well earned her beauties divine ; And, maiden, I’m come to revel in thine! Shall such charms in a gloomy tower decline, When thou may’st be led to the bridal shrine By the bravest chieftain in Palestine ?” The warrior he entered—the warder essayed To stop his proceedings—he sighed—and he prayed ; But in vain his appeal and petition he made; The Knight, so undaunted, could never be stayed By even the words that a foeman had said ; And his heart was now full of the beautiful maid Whom Nature with every charm had arrayed ;— So he turned from the warder, nothing dismayed. Gomichbooksscom