Historical & Legendary Ballads & Songs By Walter Thornbury. Illustrated by J. Whistler, F. Walker, John Tenniel, J. D. Watson, W. Small, F. Sandys, G. J. Pinwell, T. Morten, M. J. Lawless, and many others |
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 | Historical & Legendary Ballads & Songs |  |
IV.
“My son, any tidings of him?” said the king, as an archer came running,And fell at the feet of his prince, wounded and feathered with arrows.
“How goes the battle below—where is my son and his horsemen?”—
“Ha! by St. Ives and St. Giles, and the crown of our Lady in heaven,
Schwartzhof and Hoffmann are dead, and half the stout troopers of Binzlau.”—
“And my son?” “By the road that turns hard by the neighbouring valley,
I saw him lopping his lance four feet from the wood of the handle,
Doffing the spurs from his heels, and standing at bay 'mong the hunters;
His eyes half hid by the plumes that covered his brow and his forehead;
He had stripped his trappings and gems, his helm was dinted and cloven,
His sword was clotted and dark, and dark was his visor and armour,
His red beard tangled and long fell on his breast and his shoulders;
His right hand wielding an axe, was cleaving a road through the archers;
Mowing a path to the tents; he trampled the dead and the dying,—
Seeing my armour and badge he waved me a proud salutation.—
So through flights of great stones, 'mid the terrible roar of the engines,
Through thrustings of lances and blades, and sweepings of two-handed falchions,
Through cleavings of gorgets and shields and clouds of gathering banners,
Through shriekings, groanings, and cries, and curses, and moanings to Heaven,
I came to render thee aid, loving thee chiefest of any.”—
“Go,” said the monarch, and sighed. “Thou hast home and a child to inherit.
My son is no traitor, thank God! but died in the heart of the onslaught;
I am now childless and old, and life is to me but a burden:
Go tell the monarch of France how the chief of Bohemia perished.”
Then slow and silent and sad the old blind king and his courtiers
Bound all their bridles together and rode down into the battle.
| Historical & Legendary Ballads & Songs | |