Cosmo De' Medici An Historical Tragedy: And Other Poems: By Richard Hengist Horne |
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DON QUIXOTE
AT THE GRAVE OF ROZINANTE. |
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 | Cosmo De' Medici |  |
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DON QUIXOTE AT THE GRAVE OF ROZINANTE.
I.
Droop, stately trees!And bow your heads with all their heaviest shades,
While your leaves quiver as the daylight fades:
Let midnight dews distil upon this grave,
Where sleeps my friend—the loyal and the brave—
Droop, stately trees!
II.
O, ignorant earth!Can'st thou indeed contain the spirit high
That bore me through my task of chivalry?
Alive, so correspondent with my soul—
Can it be dead—erased from hope's white scroll—
Nothing, henceforth?
III.
This long, black shield—This interposing darkness of despair
But separates us now, and taints the air,
Higher enchantments, bred of virtuous aim,
May melt, and give a constellated fame
In starry field!
IV.
Whate'er thy doom,My heart, chief mourner, shall companion thee,
Thou rarest friend—true in extremity;
And this old, withered arm shall battle wage
With death's foul Shadows, smiting back their rage
Into the gloom!
| Cosmo De' Medici | |