Marmion . these,Exposed to the tempestuous seas,Scourged by the winds eternal sway,Open to rovers fierce as they,Which could twelve hundred years withstandWinds, waves, and northern pirates hand. 80 MAEMIOX. Not but that portions of the pile, Robniklod in a later style, Showed where the spoilers hand had been; Not but the wasting sea-breeze keen Had worn the ])illars earving quaint. And mouldered in his niehe the saint, And rounded, with consuming power, The pointed angles of each tower; Yet still entire the Abbey stood. Like veteran, worn, l)ut unsubdued. XI. Soon as they neared his turrets s
Marmion . these,Exposed to the tempestuous seas,Scourged by the winds eternal sway,Open to rovers fierce as they,Which could twelve hundred years withstandWinds, waves, and northern pirates hand. 80 MAEMIOX. Not but that portions of the pile, Robniklod in a later style, Showed where the spoilers hand had been; Not but the wasting sea-breeze keen Had worn the ])illars earving quaint. And mouldered in his niehe the saint, And rounded, with consuming power, The pointed angles of each tower; Yet still entire the Abbey stood. Like veteran, worn, l)ut unsubdued. XI. Soon as they neared his turrets strong,The maidens i-aised Saint Hildas with the sea wave and the wind,Their voices, sweetly shrill, combined. And made harmonious close:Then, answering from the sandy amid the breakers roar. According chorus rose:Down to the haven of the Isle,The monks and nuns in order iile,From Cuthberts cloisters grim;Banner, and cross, and relics meet Saint Hildas maids, thev bare:. THE CONVENT. 81 And, as they caught the sounds on air, They echoed back the islanders, in joyous mood,Rushed emulously through the flood. To hale the bark to land ;Conspicuous by her veil and hood,Signing the cross, the Abbess stood, And blessed them with her hand. XII. Suppose we now the Avelcome said,Suppose the Convent banquet made: All through the holy cloister, aisle, and gallery,Wherever vestal maid might risk to meet unhallowed eye. The stranger sisters roam :Till fell the evening damp with dew,And the sharp sea-l^reeze coldly blew,For there, even summer night is , having strayed and gazed their fill, Tliey closed around the fire ;And all, in turn, essayed to paintThe rival merits of their saint, A theme that neer can tireA holy maid; for, be it their saints honor is their own. XIII. Tlicn Whitbys nuns exulting told,How to their house three Barons bold Must menial service do;While horns blow out a note of mon
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