"The tokens on his helmet tell 8 Of Hereford's high blood he came, eye He spurred his steed, he couched his lance, As motionless as rocks that bide The Bruce stood fast.-Each breast beat high, If that slight palfrey stand the shock; F 40 45 50 55 60 65 But swerving from the knight's career, His course-but soon his course was o'er! High in his stirrups stood the King, NOTES. 70 75 1. The Monarch, Robert Bruce, King, 5. Basinet, helmet. of Scotland. 2. The van, the front of the army. 3. The foe, the English army led by King Edward. 4. Wight, powerful. 80 85 THE DEATH OF KING RICHARD I. IN the tent-door Stood Isabel, and saw the dying King. At his bed-foot, defiant, in the gripe 5 Of men whose faces thirsted for his blood, away, And set him free, I freely pardon him." They dragg'd him forth. Then was the place made calm Except for grief; and the King smiled, and waved His strong hand feebly, and, with steady voice, 15 Slow dying into silence like a horn, Said: "Farewell, England! farewell, all my knights! Remember me in battle, as a man Who never turn'd his back, nor broke his faith, Nor fail'd to spare the weak. I have not shaped 20 A law to keep my name for after-times, One poor brief life, helping to feed the flame 25 Of chivalry, and keep alive the truth That courage, honour, mercy, make a knight." Here paused the stately sound, and then resumed More softly: "Do not weep. Oh, die with me, But do not hold me back! I cannot die With all this weight of tears about my heart." And low sobs answer'd through the stillness, yet You could not see who wept. Then stretch'd the King 30 His arms, and cried: "I see, I see a cross Beneath the palms. Oh, weary waste of sand! 35 O Cross, my home! let me lie down and sleep At thy dear foot, and dream of deeds to come, Forgetting all the feeble, sinful past! Father, forgive me! Is To horse! To horse!" Erect he sate, and shook His sword, cried: "God for England!" and was dead. |