BOOK THE FOURTH
133
The guests sat silent. When into the hall
The Messenger from that besieged town,
Stalk'd stately. "It is pleasant, King of France, 180
To feast at ease and hear the harper's song;
Far other music hear the men of Orleans!
Death is among them; there the voice of Woe
Moans ceaseless."
"Rude unmannerly intruder!"
Exclaim'd the Monarch, "Cease to interrupt 185
The hour of merriment; it is not thine
To instruct me in my duty."
Of reproof
Heedless, the stranger to the minstrel cried,
"Why harpest thou of Good Rinaldo's fame
Amid these walls? Virtue and Genius love 190
That lofty lay. Hast thou no loose lewd tale
To pamper and provoke the appetite?
Such should procure thee worthy recompence:
Or rather sing thou of that mighty one,
Who tore the ewe lamb from the poor man's bosom, 195
The Messenger from that besieged town,
Stalk'd stately. "It is pleasant, King of France, 180
To feast at ease and hear the harper's song;
Far other music hear the men of Orleans!
Death is among them; there the voice of Woe
Moans ceaseless."
"Rude unmannerly intruder!"
Exclaim'd the Monarch, "Cease to interrupt 185
The hour of merriment; it is not thine
To instruct me in my duty."
Of reproof
Heedless, the stranger to the minstrel cried,
"Why harpest thou of Good Rinaldo's fame
Amid these walls? Virtue and Genius love 190
That lofty lay. Hast thou no loose lewd tale
To pamper and provoke the appetite?
Such should procure thee worthy recompence:
Or rather sing thou of that mighty one,
Who tore the ewe lamb from the poor man's bosom, 195
"That
