 | Phantasmagoria |  |
44
Chivalry.
Oh, for the days of glorious chivalry!
I see knights sheathed in graven gold, that wear
Silk coats embroidered with rich blazonry,
Gold lilies sprinkled in an argent square,
Heraldic roses and devices rare,
Helms plumed with scarlet shade,
And ruby-studded belts, that bear
A diamond-hilted blade.
I see knights sheathed in graven gold, that wear
Silk coats embroidered with rich blazonry,
Gold lilies sprinkled in an argent square,
Heraldic roses and devices rare,
Helms plumed with scarlet shade,
And ruby-studded belts, that bear
A diamond-hilted blade.
Bright warriors, gay as birds of gorgeous plume,
On war-steeds barbed with gold-flowered purple woof,
In plated steel, that burns with a green gloom—
(Crowns gird with gems their globéd morion's proof),—
Pages and squires that follow far aloof,
Heralds in tabards sheen,
And ambling palfreys with gilt hoof
Rid by some wandering queen.
On war-steeds barbed with gold-flowered purple woof,
In plated steel, that burns with a green gloom—
(Crowns gird with gems their globéd morion's proof),—
Pages and squires that follow far aloof,
Heralds in tabards sheen,
And ambling palfreys with gilt hoof
Rid by some wandering queen.
Fair castles girt with battlement and moat,
With stone-paved courts, and closes of rose-bowers,
That rear aloft, 'neath golden flags afloat,
Their buttressed keep with pinnacles and towers;
Walled towns with huddled roofs and fencéd bowers,
Where warders' voices call
Counting the long and moonless hours,
At guard upon the wall
With stone-paved courts, and closes of rose-bowers,
That rear aloft, 'neath golden flags afloat,
Their buttressed keep with pinnacles and towers;
Walled towns with huddled roofs and fencéd bowers,
Where warders' voices call
Counting the long and moonless hours,
At guard upon the wall
45
Abbeys, that peal all night with full-voiced choir,
And shine through many-hued deep-grainéd glass,
Paving the tombs with pictures wrought in fire,
And shedding rainbows on the rank green grass;
Giants, magicians, and fay-dames that pass
Through each enchanted grove;
Tourneys, and fencéd lists, and gorgeous mass,
And gallant courts of love!
And shine through many-hued deep-grainéd glass,
Paving the tombs with pictures wrought in fire,
And shedding rainbows on the rank green grass;
Giants, magicians, and fay-dames that pass
Through each enchanted grove;
Tourneys, and fencéd lists, and gorgeous mass,
And gallant courts of love!
Arthur, and Charlemagne, and Amadis,
Tristram, thrice crowned by arms and love and art;
The fay that conquered Cæsar with a kiss,
And with a sigh stole Alexander's heart
And glorious Bradamant, and Britomart,
All pass in rich array—
A railway-whistle wakes me with a start
To our cold modern day.
Tristram, thrice crowned by arms and love and art;
The fay that conquered Cæsar with a kiss,
And with a sigh stole Alexander's heart
And glorious Bradamant, and Britomart,
All pass in rich array—
A railway-whistle wakes me with a start
To our cold modern day.
Aug. 1st, 1886.
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