 | Specimens of American poetry |  |
3. PART III.—THE VISIT.
Slow o'er the platform paced a knight,In glittering vest and armor dight;
High on his helm, like passing cloud,
With awful nod, a horsetail bow'd.
'T was said by Douglas, in his pride,
“Right fairly” doth Lord Marmion ride;
To give this mailed chief his due,
He rode as well and fairly too.
The steed Bucephalus of yore,
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Great Philip's son, in warlike pride;
'T is said, when that famed stallion died,
The monarch many a tear-drop shed,
And built a city o'er his head:
Our chief, for love of faithful steed,
Had done almost as good a deed;
To build a city, though not able,
He built, 't was all he could—a stable.
The knights who to the gateway came,
Call'd on Floressa's honor'd name,
Saying, within that lady's bower,
They came to spend a short half hour.
The mailed chieftain, turning, said,
“That lady bright has gone to bed:”
The knight his manly port admired,
And bowing—would have soon retired;
When quick they heard a mighty jar,
A tumult wild, a din of war:
High on the castle's slanting stair,
Appear'd the form of female fair;
Wild was her look with haggard fright,
Her hair was loose, her dress was white:
Down—down she swept, like fell Simoom,
Left all her armor in her room,
Toss'd from her eyes the flowing hair,
Brandish'd her stalwart arm in air;
And thus 'midst thunders, fire, and smoke,
That tender, lovely virgin spoke.
| Specimens of American poetry | |