 | Young Arthur |  |
THE LEGEND.
1
Two bonny roses they blossom'd and bloom'd,A white rose and a red;
And two gallant knights, with helmets plum'd,
That way by chance were led;
12
And the other he pull'd the white;
And a bonny rose bloom'd near the plum'd crest now
Of either gallant knight.
2
Two bonny roses they blossom'd and bloom'd,More bright than I can sing;
On two bonny cheeks, with smiles illum'd,
Of a maiden fit for a king.
Whence came this maiden none e'er knew;
But over the sea came she;
And her bark was steer'd by a gallant crew,
And blue their livery.
3
Came then that lady, so bright, to whereStood the knight of either rose;
Each gaz'd with ecstasy on the fair:
And became that instant foes.
For each in himself could a lover see,
A rival in his foe;
Each offer'd a rose on his bended knee,
But to each she answer'd “no.”
13
4
Two gallant knights I could ne'er refuse,Then said that lady bright;
But two gallant knights I can never choose.
Then angry grew each knight.—
And will you take, O, lady fair,
A rose of the best of twain?
She answered not—and the bold knights there
Themselves to fight have ta'en.
5
By turn and by turn, each 'vantage gain'd,In turn each 'vantage lost;
And that lady she wept, for her heart was pain'd
That her charms their friendship cross'd.
That lady she wept, and her tears flowed fast,
And the knights were sore to see;
Yet either was fain to contend to the last,
To gain the victory.
6
Now, seeing the tears that fair dame shed,Their swords the scabbard find;
14
In a posey of peace they 'twin'd.
She plac'd the posey on her breast,
To either she gave an hand—
A moral within my tale doth rest
And peace to the British land.
Such was her song, and Hubert, in his turn,
First made the faggot with more vigour burn;
Resign'd his pipe, the cheering pitcher plied,
And follow'd thus th' example of his bride.
First made the faggot with more vigour burn;
Resign'd his pipe, the cheering pitcher plied,
And follow'd thus th' example of his bride.
| Young Arthur | |