Historical & Legendary Ballads & Songs By Walter Thornbury. Illustrated by J. Whistler, F. Walker, John Tenniel, J. D. Watson, W. Small, F. Sandys, G. J. Pinwell, T. Morten, M. J. Lawless, and many others |
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 | Historical & Legendary Ballads & Songs |  |
III.
But a traitor and villanous spy ran to the King of Bohemia,Tears in his treacherous eyes, and knelt at the feet of the monarch.
“What tidings, Sir Knight, of my son? I fear he is slain in the mêlée?”
“Alas!” said the traitor, “he's fled by the highway leading to Paris,
Leaving his barons and flag to the care of his squires and his yeomen.”
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Not caring an hour to survive this shame and this stain on my honour.”
As he spoke rolled down on his beard hot tears of anger and sorrow.
“I will carry my banner to death through ranks of the insolent foemen;
Ah! as God is my help, I will never return from the battle,
By Him who, weeping for us, died on the tree like a felon.
Let us break the van of these slaves. Advance, Sir Knight, with my banner.—
Ye all are my vassals and friends,” cried the king, as he smothered his sorrow;
“Ye will not refuse the request of an old man weary and broken:
I fain would strike with my sword, if only one blow, in this contest;
'T is better to fall in the field than to die with one's head on the pillow.
Tie my steed's bridle to yours, and lead me first with my banner.”
Then two of the stalwartest knights tied their three bridles together,
And slow, and silent, and sad they rode down the hill to the valley.
| Historical & Legendary Ballads & Songs | |