Alas, how many hours and years have past, Since human forms have round this table sat, Or lamp, or taper, on its surface gleamed! Methinks, I hear the sound of time long pass’d Still murmuring o’er us, in the lofty void Of these dark arches, like the ling’ring voices Of those who long within their graves have slept.

While these measures were taking in behalf of Cedric and his companions, the armed men by whom the latter had been seized, hurried their captives along towards the place of security, where they intended to imprison them. But darkness came on fast, and the paths of the wood seemed but imperfectly known to the marauders. They were compelled to make several long halts, and once or twice to return on their road to resume the direction which they wished to pursue. The summer morn had dawned upon them ere they could travel in full assurance that they held the right path. But confidence returned with light, and the cavalcade now moved rapidly forward. Meanwhile, the following dialogue took place between the two leaders of the banditti.