40
POEMS.
But kings have silver speech to use
When on their pleasure they are bent;
The simple shepherd could not choose;
Like one in dream he went.
When on their pleasure they are bent;
The simple shepherd could not choose;
Like one in dream he went.
O hear! O hear! The ringing sound
Of twenty trumpets swept the street,
The king a minstrel now has found,
For royal music meet.
Of twenty trumpets swept the street,
The king a minstrel now has found,
For royal music meet.
With cloth of gold, and cloth of red,
And woman's eyes the place is bright.
"Now, shepherd, sing," the king has said,
"The song you sang last night!"
And woman's eyes the place is bright.
"Now, shepherd, sing," the king has said,
"The song you sang last night!"
One faint sound stirs the perfumed air,
The courtiers scornfully look down;
The shepherd kneels in dumb despair,
Seeing the king's dark frown.
The courtiers scornfully look down;
The shepherd kneels in dumb despair,
Seeing the king's dark frown.
The king is just; the king will wait.
"Ho, guards! let him be gently led,
Let him grow used to royal state,—
To being housed and fed."
"Ho, guards! let him be gently led,
Let him grow used to royal state,—
To being housed and fed."
All night the king unquiet lay,
Racked by his dream's presentiment;
Then rose in haste at break of day,
And for the shepherd sent.
Racked by his dream's presentiment;
Then rose in haste at break of day,
And for the shepherd sent.
"Ho now, thou beast, thou savage man,
How sound thou sleepest, not to hear!"
They jeering laughed, but soon began
To louder call in fear.
How sound thou sleepest, not to hear!"
They jeering laughed, but soon began
To louder call in fear.
