 | A New Year's Eve, and Other Poems |  |
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CŒUR DE LION.
A warrior's arm of stalwart might,
Which well could wield the spear or sword;
A heart undaunted in the fight,
And gallant at the festive board;
A monarch's and a minstrel's fame
In tented fields of Palestine;
A bold crusader's dreaded name;—
These, Cœur de Lion! these were thine
Which well could wield the spear or sword;
A heart undaunted in the fight,
And gallant at the festive board;
A monarch's and a minstrel's fame
In tented fields of Palestine;
A bold crusader's dreaded name;—
These, Cœur de Lion! these were thine
Yet what was the result of all
Thy skill and prowess in the fray?
Thy bearing in the banquet hall,
The gayest there among the gay?
What meed did sword or lyre obtain,
Once far renowned o'er land and sea?
Rude honours, and a ruder strain
Were all, alas! they won for thee.
Thy skill and prowess in the fray?
Thy bearing in the banquet hall,
The gayest there among the gay?
164
Once far renowned o'er land and sea?
Rude honours, and a ruder strain
Were all, alas! they won for thee.
A name to still a froward child,
Or taunt a painim's startled steed;
A wreath by blood and tears defiled—
These were thy valour's empty meed.
Then who would chivalry deplore?
Or who its barbarous splendours sing?
Since all its glories did no more
For England's lion-hearted king!
Or taunt a painim's startled steed;
A wreath by blood and tears defiled—
These were thy valour's empty meed.
Then who would chivalry deplore?
Or who its barbarous splendours sing?
Since all its glories did no more
For England's lion-hearted king!
“In Palestine, Cœur de Lion left behind him an impression that long survived himself. His dreaded name was employed by the Syrian mothers to silence their froward children; and if a horse suddenly started from the way, his rider would exclaim: ‘Dost thou think King Richard is in that bush?’”—Maria Hack's English Stories.
| A New Year's Eve, and Other Poems | |