The golden violet, with its tales of romance and chivalry And other poems. By L. E. L. [i.e. Landon] |
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 | The golden violet, with its tales of romance and chivalry |  |
Rose the last minstrel; he was one
Well the eye loves to look upon.
Slight but tall, the gallant knight
Had the martial step he had used in fight;
Dark and rich curl'd the auburn hair
O'er a brow, like the ocean by moonlight, fair;
His island colour was on his cheek,
Enough of youth in its health to speak;
But shaded it was with manly brown,
From much of toil and of peril known:
Frank was his courtesy, and sweet
The smile he wore at fair lady's feet;
Yet haughty his step, and his mien was high
Half softness, half fire his falcon eye.
England, fair England, hath earth or sea,
Land of hearth and home, aught to liken with thee!
Well the eye loves to look upon.
Slight but tall, the gallant knight
Had the martial step he had used in fight;
Dark and rich curl'd the auburn hair
O'er a brow, like the ocean by moonlight, fair;
His island colour was on his cheek,
Enough of youth in its health to speak;
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From much of toil and of peril known:
Frank was his courtesy, and sweet
The smile he wore at fair lady's feet;
Yet haughty his step, and his mien was high
Half softness, half fire his falcon eye.
England, fair England, hath earth or sea,
Land of hearth and home, aught to liken with thee!
| The golden violet, with its tales of romance and chivalry | |