 | The Poetical Works of Reginald Heber |  |
334
IMITATION OF A SONG,
SAID TO HAVE BEEN COMPOSED BY ROBERT DUKE OF NORMANDY, DURING HIS CONFINEMENT IN CARDIFF CASTLE, ADDRESSED TO AN OAK WHICH GREW IN AN ANCIENT ENCAMPMENT WITHIN SIGHT OF HIS WINDOWS.
Oak, that stately and alone
On the war-worn mound hast grown,
The blood of man thy sapling fed,
And dyed thy tender root in red;
Woe to the feast where foes combine,
Woe to the strife of words and wine!
On the war-worn mound hast grown,
The blood of man thy sapling fed,
And dyed thy tender root in red;
Woe to the feast where foes combine,
Woe to the strife of words and wine!
Oak, thou hast sprung for many a year,
'Mid whisp'ring rye-grass tall and sear,
The coarse rank herb, which seems to show
That bones unbless'd are laid below;
Woe to the sword that hates its sheath,
Woe to th' unholy trade of death!
'Mid whisp'ring rye-grass tall and sear,
The coarse rank herb, which seems to show
That bones unbless'd are laid below;
Woe to the sword that hates its sheath,
Woe to th' unholy trade of death!
335
Oak, from the mountain's airy brow
Thou view'st the subject woods below,
And merchants hail the well-known tree,
Returning o'er the Severn sea.
Woe, woe to him whose birth is high,
For peril waits on royalty!
Thou view'st the subject woods below,
And merchants hail the well-known tree,
Returning o'er the Severn sea.
Woe, woe to him whose birth is high,
For peril waits on royalty!
Now storms have bent thee to the ground,
And envious ivy clips thee round;
And shepherd hinds in wanton play
Have stripp'd thy needful bark away;
Woe to the man whose foes are strong,
Thrice woe to him who lives too long!
And envious ivy clips thee round;
And shepherd hinds in wanton play
Have stripp'd thy needful bark away;
Woe to the man whose foes are strong,
Thrice woe to him who lives too long!
| The Poetical Works of Reginald Heber | |