Home > Authors Index > Browse all available works of Robert Southey > Text of Donica
A poem by Robert Southey |
||
Donica |
||
________________________________________________
Title: Donica Author: Robert Southey [More Titles by Southey] In Finland there is a Castle which is called the New Rock, moated about with a river of unfounded depth, the water black and the fish therein very distateful to the palate. In this are spectres often seen, which foreshew either the death of the Governor, or some prime officer belonging to the place; and most commonly it appeareth in the shape of an harper, sweetly singing and dallying and playing under the water. It is reported of one Donica, that after she was dead, the Devil walked in her body for the space of two years, so that none suspected but that she was still alive; for she did both speak and eat, though very sparingly; only she had a deep paleness on her countenance, which was the only sign of death. At length a Magician coming by where she was then in the company of many other virgins, as soon as he beheld her he said, "fair Maids, why keep you company with the dead Virgin whom you suppose to be alive?" when taking away the magic charm which was tied under her arm, the body fell down lifeless and without motion. The following Ballad is founded on these stories. They are to be found in the notes to The Hierarchies of the blessed Angels; a Poem by Thomas Heywood, printed in folio by Adam Islip, 1635.
High on a rock, whose castled shade The fisher in the lake below The cattle from its ominous banks For sometimes when no passing breeze And when the tempest from its base And ever then when Death drew near The Lord of Arlinkow was old, A bloom as bright as opening morn Far was her beauty known, for none Together did they hope to tread The eve was fair and mild the air, And brightly o'er the water stream'd Youth, Health, and Love bloom'd on her cheek, Nor sound was heard, nor passing gale Sudden the unfathom'd lake sent forth As the deep sounds of Death arose, Loudly the youth in terror shriek'd, But soon again did better thoughts And on his arm reclin'd she moved Yet never to Donica's cheek Her eyes so bright and black of yore The dog that gambol'd by her side, Yet did the faithful Eberhard And when he found her health unharm'd And when at length it came, with joy And as they at the altar stood And as the Youth with holy warmth And loudly did he shriek, for lo! That instant from her earthly frame [The end] GO TO TOP OF SCREEN |