Part IV

Christabel, who now knew

Geraldine's claims must be untrue,

despaired, "What now am I to do?

Shall I defy my father's will,

or stay within the castle still?

But if I act, what power have I

even if I've the courage to try?

I fell to Geraldine last night;

to stand would use up all my might,

and if my father takes her side

he will think that I have lied

and turned false witness to a guest

whom I invited in to rest!

He'll call me hypocrite, I fear,

scold me for bringing danger near.

But if he takes me for my word,

and knows me for Bard Bracy's bird

and Geraldine for the same snake,

then what action might she take?

How might she retaliate?

Why use James and his men as bait?

Is it I she seeks to harm,

the maid who last night kept her warm,

or Father, or James, or Sir Roland?

Can anyone undo this band

of knots and lies and spells and snares

that took us captive unawares?"

She had no confidant with her,

unless she turned again to prayer—

the same act that had catalyzed

this nightmare that she now despised!

She knew herself a sinner now,

but thought if she could make a vow

to stay on the right path thereon,

then God would see the danger gone.

She could not to her room return,

for its new memories made her burn

with shame and fear. And so she fled

to the manor's shrine instead.

She lit a candle, hoping it

would cast out any unkind spirit,

then knelt with hands clasped to her neck;

for she knew who would come at her call and beck.

"O mother! You have been my guide,

ever always at my side;

I need your guidance at this hour,

a grain of Heaven's holy power!

Beseech our Lady and our Lord

to help me take the next step forward.

Let the Advocate inspire

some plan, that we may not expire!

Let at least my father be saved

from the woman so depraved;

and my own betrothed knight,

after whom I've sighed many a night,

keep safe, and let him know I'll love

from this Earth or from Heaven above."

In her mind she saw once more

all she'd seen the night before,

her actions, and those of her peers

older than her by many years.

And by the Holy Spirit came

a thought to help her win this game:

Bard Bracy had a sense of fear

and knew his words would help, if near

came danger. If someone could save

Sir Leoline from an early grave,

it was this visionary bard.

For him it would not be so hard!

She would employ the music player.

"Mother, thank you for your prayer!

Lord, help me make this journey now,

and all my life I will avow

the good things you have done for me.

I cannot pray more; I must flee!

Be now my swiftness as I go;

I pray it is Your will I do!"

With hasty speed, she found the Bard

tuning his harp in the courtyard.

His audience was the mastiff bitch,

who barked when he misplaced his pitch.

Christabel approached with some fear,

but found when Geraldine was not near

(and perhaps her prayer had helped her too)

she could speak freely of what she knew.

"Bard Bracy, when you told your dream

my father thought the snake to seem

some danger coming to Geraldine.

Alas, if only it had been!

'Tis Geraldine that is the snake,

that will try the dove's life to take.

The dove is I, or else your lord,

or those five knights he took. The word

that you may speak can save us all,

but must be spake before the wall

is reached by their full company.

Will you this favor do for me?"

"Will I?" the good Bard replied,

more indignant than surprised.

"I trust the Baron's good intent,

but even he can give consent

to some malevolent devising

that would enable an enemy's rising.

Fear not, repentant Christabel;

I'll find the words to break the spell

the Girl cast on your father's eyes.

If we can take her by surprise,

we may save him from more woe

at the hands of such a foe."

Conclusion to Part the Fourth

A lone stallion may out-speed

a party fixed on the same deed.

So it was in this due course,

when these two picked out a horse

to take them to the tourney court

free from a hindering escort.

An ally in such a time as this

is a blessing one is sure to miss,

for 'tis far easier to be brave

when one has hope and power to save

if not one's own life, then the other's,

for comrades ought to be like brothers

bound in love if not by blood,

and standing where the other stood,

in steadfast solidarity

and undying fraternity.