Oriental Scenes, Dramatic Sketches and Tales/Ballad—My castle towers on Severn's side
BALLAD.
My castle towers on Severn's side
Smile in the summer's sun,
Not brighter flows the silvery tide
Of thy fair stream, Garonne!
The wild bee murmurs in the bower,
The deer bounds through the wood,
And gaily blooms the primrose flower
In that sweet solitude.
I'll hang rich jewels in thine ear
If thou wilt be my bride;
I'll trap thy robe with minever
And broidery beside,
My page shall at thy palfrey stands
And hold its silken rein,
If thou wilt quit thine own fair land
To cross the foaming main.
Your charms shall gifted minstrels sing
And vassals bend the knee,
Your welcome through my halls shall ring
With songs and revelry;
And as the festal board you grace,
Or lead the joyous dance,
The pleasures round you shall efface
The thoughts of distant France.
My lineage I will scorn to name
Though high its boast may be—
I leave the trumpet tongue of fame
To tell thee my degree;
For I have borne me in the fight
Through many a toilsome day,
As best becomes an English knight—
The foremost in the fray.
St. George's banner waves on high
O'er tower and citadel;
The widow's wail, the orphan's cry,
The midnight breezes swell.
Then sweet, this scene of sadness leave
For merry England's coast—
And in my arms forget to grieve
For all that you have lost.