Donica - A Ballad
Author
Note:
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
Darken'd
the
lake
below,
In
ancient
strength
majestic
stood
The
towers
of
Arlinkow.
The
fisher
in
the
lake
below
Durst
never
cast
his
net,
Nor
ever
swallow
in
its
waves
Her
passing
wings
would
wet.
The
cattle
from
its
ominous
banks
In
wild
alarm
would
run,
Tho'
parched
with
thirst
and
faint
beneath
The
summer's
scorching
sun.
For
sometimes
when
no
passing
breeze
The
long
lank
sedges
waved,
All
white
with
foam
and
heaving
high
Its
deafening
billows
raved;
And
when
the
tempest
from
its
base
The
rooted
pine
would
shake,
The
powerless
storm
unruffling
swept
Across
the
calm
dead
lake.
And
ever
then
when
Death
drew
near
The
house
of
Arlinkow,
Its
dark
unfathom'd
depths
did
send
Strange
music
from
below.
The
Lord
of
Arlinkow
was
old,
One
only
child
had
he,
Donica
was
the
Maiden's
name
As
fair
as
fair
might
be.
A
bloom
as
bright
as
opening
morn
Flush'd
o'er
her
clear
white
cheek,
The
music
of
her
voice
was
mild,
Her
full
dark
eyes
were
meek.
Far
was
her
beauty
known,
for
none
So
fair
could
Finland
boast,
Her
parents
loved
the
Maiden
much,
Young
EBERHARD
loved
her
most.
Together
did
they
hope
to
tread
The
pleasant
path
of
life,
For
now
the
day
drew
near
to
make
Donica
Eberhard's
wife.
The
eve
was
fair
and
mild
the
air,
Along
the
lake
they
stray;
The
eastern
hill
reflected
bright
The
fading
tints
of
day.
And
brightly
o'er
the
water
stream'd
The
liquid
radiance
wide;
Donica's
little
dog
ran
on
And
gambol'd
at
her
side.
Youth,
Health,
and
Love
bloom'd
on
her
cheek,
Her
full
dark
eyes
express
In
many
a
glance
to
Eberhard
Her
soul's
meek
tenderness.
Nor
sound
was
heard,
nor
passing
gale
Sigh'd
thro'
the
long
lank
sedge,
The
air
was
hushed,
no
little
wave
Dimpled
the
water's
edge.
Sudden
the
unfathom'd
lake
sent
forth
Strange
music
from
beneath,
And
slowly
o'er
the
waters
sail'd
The
solemn
sounds
of
Death.
As
the
deep
sounds
of
Death
arose,
Donica's
cheek
grew
pale,
And
in
the
arms
of
Eberhard
The
senseless
Maiden
fell.
Loudly
the
youth
in
terror
shriek'd,
And
loud
he
call'd
for
aid,
And
with
a
wild
and
eager
look
Gaz'd
on
the
death-pale
Maid.
But
soon
again
did
better
thoughts
In
Eberhard
arise,
And
he
with
trembling
hope
beheld
The
Maiden
raise
her
eyes.
And
on
his
arm
reclin'd
she
moved
With
feeble
pace
and
slow,
And
soon
with
strength
recover'd
reach'd
Yet
never
to
Donica's
cheek
Return'd
the
lively
hue,
Her
cheeks
were
deathy,
white,
and
wan,
Her
lips
a
livid
blue.
Her
eyes
so
bright
and
black
of
yore
Were
now
more
black
and
bright,
And
beam'd
strange
lustre
in
her
face
So
deadly
wan
and
white.
The
dog
that
gambol'd
by
her
side,
And
lov'd
with
her
to
stray,
Now
at
his
alter'd
mistress
howl'd
And
fled
in
fear
away.
Yet
did
the
faithful
Eberhard
Not
love
the
Maid
the
less;
He
gaz'd
with
sorrow,
but
he
gaz'd
With
deeper
tenderness.
And
when
he
found
her
health
unharm'd
He
would
not
brook
delay,
But
press'd
the
not
unwilling
Maid
To
fix
the
bridal
day.
And
when
at
length
it
came,
with
joy
They
hail'd
the
bridal
day,
And
onward
to
the
house
of
God
They
went
their
willing
way.
And
as
they
at
the
altar
stood
And
heard
the
sacred
rite,
The
hallowed
tapers
dimly
stream'd
A
pale
sulphureous
light.
And
as
the
Youth
with
holy
warmth
Her
hand
in
his
did
hold,
Sudden
he
felt
Donica's
hand
Grow
deadly
damp
and
cold.
And
loudly
did
he
shriek,
for
lo!
A
Spirit
met
his
view,
And
Eberhard
in
the
angel
form
His
own
Donica
knew.
That
instant
from
her
earthly
frame
Howling
the
Daemon
fled,
And
at
the
side
of
Eberhard
The
livid
form
fell
dead.
