Landon in The Literary Gazette 1827/Falcon-Messenger

by Letitia Elizabeth Landon

10

The Literary Gazette, 12th May 1827, page 300

THE FALCON-MESSENGER.

The warrior loosed the silken string
That was around his falcon's wing.
"Go forth, till thou that thing shalt see
More than my life-blood dear to me."
The bird went forth—the red gold shone—
The white steed neighed—the bird swept on;
He paused above a tower—and then
Sought out his warrior lord again.
"I saw a lady and a child—
The infant in its slumber smiled;
Methinks the mother would have wept,
But 'twas such soothing watch she kept."
His look grew soft, his voice sank low:
"My own brave bird, well dost thou know
What thou in thy wild flight couldst see,
More dear than life-blood dear to me."