youthful follies. But now it is thy turn again. I warrant me there
is store of ravishing melodies in the treasury whence thou didst take
thine."

"I dare not," said the young man modestly, "sing after thee. My poor
notes would sound like those of the croaking raven, in comparison with
the warblings of the yellow minstrel of the Canaries."

"Out with thee, hyperbolical flatterer! Believe me--I set a higher
value on thy nature than on my art. Come, pipe up once more, and I
will, meanwhile, try to recall another ditty."

"If such is to be my reward, I will not refuse, although I do thereby
only expose my own incapacity. Here is a serenade:

"I stand beneath thy window, love,
To tell my pleasing pain:
O, flowers below, and stars above,
Bear to her heart my strain!
Say that the charms of earth and sky
Are waiting for her company,
And all sweet things my fair invite,
To rise and perfect make the night.

"Yet, no! I would no earthly sound
Might mar that tranquil sleep,
O'er which the angels, standing round,
Admiring vigil keep.
With these bright guards I choose to share
The watching of my jewel rare;
For though their love may be divine,
I know it cannot equal mine.

"I see her as she chastely lies
Upon the linen white;
Was ne'er to man's or angel's eyes
So beautiful a sight!
O, mark her bosom's fall and swell,
(Profane it were of more to tell.)
While hover round her rose-leaf mouth,
Sweets that excel the Arabian South.

"Listen! she murmurs in her dreams,
And music puts to shame:
O, can it be I she breathes, meseems,
My too--too happy name!
O cease, bliss-crowded heart, to beat
So fast, lest like some India fleet
Surcharged with spices, thou outright
Founder, o'erfreighted with delight!"

"Excellent," exclaimed the Knight. Never talk to me of the wonderful
little birds of the Canaries, unless to call thyself one. I fancy thy
verses a tribute to the celestial attractions of Mistress Eveline
Dunning."

"And now let me hear thee," said Arundel.

"I did match my first lay," said Sir Christopher, "to thy youthful
blood. Now will I give thee one more befitting my years and gravity,"
and adapting the words to a wild foreign air, the Knight sent his rich
full voice ringing through the wood.

"Who, on Glory's pinion,
Shall mount the upper air,
And write his name with sunbeams
Sublimely there?

"Blar