Valentine Verses or, Lines of Truth, Love, and Virtue. By the Reverend Richard Cobbold |
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THE KNIGHT-ERRANT. |
 | Valentine Verses |  |
151
THE KNIGHT-ERRANT.
Young Sir Ardent return'd from the horrors of war,
Is arrived at his castle. He journey'd from far;—
Both by night and by day, in the midst of attack
He was never unguarded, and ne'er turn'd his back.
To the maiden he lov'd, he had vow'd to subdue
All the monsters he met with, and these were not few.
“Fair creature,” he said, “If I prosper, 'tis thou
“Both my heart, and my hand, and my home, that shalt know;
“'Tis for thee that I hasten to conquer, not fly,
“'Tis for thee I seek competence, prosper, or die.
“To the summit of Industry's hill I must go,
“And combat the sluggard who revels below;
“In the midst of attack, O believe me, dear girl,
“Whilst the spear I shall rest, or the javelin hurl,
“'Tis the Spirit of Love that shall prompt the brave deed,
“O believe me, such Spirit will make me succeed!”
Is arrived at his castle. He journey'd from far;—
Both by night and by day, in the midst of attack
He was never unguarded, and ne'er turn'd his back.
To the maiden he lov'd, he had vow'd to subdue
All the monsters he met with, and these were not few.
“Fair creature,” he said, “If I prosper, 'tis thou
“Both my heart, and my hand, and my home, that shalt know;
“'Tis for thee that I hasten to conquer, not fly,
“'Tis for thee I seek competence, prosper, or die.
“To the summit of Industry's hill I must go,
“And combat the sluggard who revels below;
“In the midst of attack, O believe me, dear girl,
“Whilst the spear I shall rest, or the javelin hurl,
“'Tis the Spirit of Love that shall prompt the brave deed,
“O believe me, such Spirit will make me succeed!”
152
He departed, and prospered, and fought against Pride,
And returns with success, to receive a rich bride.
But he gain'd not the prize without valor and worth,
He was noble, tho' humble, was brave from his birth;
He contended with foes, such as none could subdue,
But the honest in heart, and in love too, the true;
But he prospered!—Sir Ardent, the brave and the young,
Is return'd to his castle, the fort is made strong.
Let the man who likes wisdom accept this last rhyme—
God will speed the true Lover, at every time!
And returns with success, to receive a rich bride.
But he gain'd not the prize without valor and worth,
He was noble, tho' humble, was brave from his birth;
He contended with foes, such as none could subdue,
But the honest in heart, and in love too, the true;
But he prospered!—Sir Ardent, the brave and the young,
Is return'd to his castle, the fort is made strong.
Let the man who likes wisdom accept this last rhyme—
God will speed the true Lover, at every time!
| Valentine Verses | |