64
ROBERT OF NORMANDY.
Could these perish too,
I might be happier! but before my view
They rise, and spectre-like point to the days
Of buried greatness, when the warrior's bays
Bloomed round my brow, and many a deed of fame
The minstrel sung in honor of my name!
When kings were my companions, when afar
Came bannered hosts on to the Holy War
In distant Palestine; when blood was poured
Forth, like the mountain-torrent, when the sword
Was drawn and left unsheathed, and wrath was sent
Upon the wings of every element
Dealing destruction!
I might be happier! but before my view
They rise, and spectre-like point to the days
Of buried greatness, when the warrior's bays
Bloomed round my brow, and many a deed of fame
The minstrel sung in honor of my name!
When kings were my companions, when afar
Came bannered hosts on to the Holy War
In distant Palestine; when blood was poured
Forth, like the mountain-torrent, when the sword
Was drawn and left unsheathed, and wrath was sent
Upon the wings of every element
Dealing destruction!
O, for one short hour
Wherein to dream! to feel again the power
Of a free spirit on the battle-plain!
To hear the martial call to arms again,
The rousing up to conquest, and to see
The red-cross flag wave on to victory
Hosts of brave men! to mark thy ancient walls,
O, high Jerusalem! shake at the call
Of crowned heads, who struggled hard to die
Low at thy jeweled feet!
Wherein to dream! to feel again the power
Of a free spirit on the battle-plain!
To hear the martial call to arms again,
The rousing up to conquest, and to see
The red-cross flag wave on to victory
Hosts of brave men! to mark thy ancient walls,
O, high Jerusalem! shake at the call
Of crowned heads, who struggled hard to die
Low at thy jeweled feet!
I heard the cry
Of the wild Saracen rise on the air,
Shouting defiance—and the crescent there,
Of the wild Saracen rise on the air,
Shouting defiance—and the crescent there,
