Glimpses of Antiquity Being a collection of metrical sketches, in the form of ballads, lyrics, &c., with main reference to mediaeval times or classical subjects. By George F. Preston [i.e. J. B. L. Warren] |
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THE EAGLE RING. |
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 | Glimpses of Antiquity |  |
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THE EAGLE RING.
There came an eagle soaring towards the sea,
Above the palace of an ancient king;
He spied a princess fair as fair could be,
And from his talons cast a diamond ring.
Above the palace of an ancient king;
He spied a princess fair as fair could be,
And from his talons cast a diamond ring.
The princess stooped, and found the costly prize,
That on her finger day by day she wore;
And it reflected back her glorious eyes,
And made their brilliants sparkle tenfold more.
That on her finger day by day she wore;
And it reflected back her glorious eyes,
And made their brilliants sparkle tenfold more.
Till as the years rolled round and she must wed,
Ere she of summers twice had numbered eight;
Proud kings, and princes of high sovereigns bred,
Rode knight-attended to her palace gate.
Ere she of summers twice had numbered eight;
Proud kings, and princes of high sovereigns bred,
Rode knight-attended to her palace gate.
A youth behind came mounted all alone,
Upon a charger white, in mean attire;
Across his brow the clustered ringlets shone,
Beneath them flashed an eagle glance of fire.
Upon a charger white, in mean attire;
Across his brow the clustered ringlets shone,
Beneath them flashed an eagle glance of fire.
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The princess passed through all that grand array,
Nor heeded king, or him of monarch born;
She saw the humble knight that stood away,—
She flushed as rosy as an April morn.
Nor heeded king, or him of monarch born;
She saw the humble knight that stood away,—
She flushed as rosy as an April morn.
As towards that unknown youth she bent aside,
Through April tears her eyes of lustre shine:
“Sir Knight, if thou wilt have me for thy bride,
Poor as thou art, my fate is surely thine.”
Through April tears her eyes of lustre shine:
“Sir Knight, if thou wilt have me for thy bride,
Poor as thou art, my fate is surely thine.”
Spake forth the king in wrath unto his child:—
“Bid this thy chosen one disclose his name.
A girlish phantasy, by love beguiled,
Will bring our ancient lineage down to shame.”
“Bid this thy chosen one disclose his name.
A girlish phantasy, by love beguiled,
Will bring our ancient lineage down to shame.”
“A fairy prince,—no low-born wanderer I;
Bright are my islands of the western sea:
Of gorgeous visions, and unclouded sky,
Thy home, my love, if thou wilt come with me!
Bright are my islands of the western sea:
Of gorgeous visions, and unclouded sky,
Thy home, my love, if thou wilt come with me!
“I wed thee with this ring of jewels rare,
And thou like this another ring canst show;
For we have been betrothed since thou didst wear
That other ring I sent thee long ago.”
And thou like this another ring canst show;
For we have been betrothed since thou didst wear
That other ring I sent thee long ago.”
| Glimpses of Antiquity | |