And many an hour fared patiently, The shattered casements gaped and stared; Black charcoal paved the floor; Up rose his hunger-maddened hound, And bit him in the door. He climbed the scathed and tottering stair Unto the sooty tower; With heavy heart and tread he trod A jeering face peeped in; he heard "Ho, worthy master, welcome home! Where hast thou left thy sword, Thy kingly port, and lusty blows? We serve another lord." They strove to trip him as he went; "Farewell my pride and pomp and power! Farewell, my slippery wealth, That bought my soul's sore malady, Nor stayed to buy my health! "Farewell, my sturdy strength, that did The Devil's work so well, "And thou, O brave and loyal Christ, "The crown and sceptre of the world, And choose the cross and rod, Thy more than earthly manhood in Its glory unto God |