Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE GILLYFLOWER OF GOLD, by WILLIAM MORRIS (1834-1896) Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: A golden gillyflower today Last Line: Hah! Hah! La belle jaune giroflee. Subject(s): Knights & Knighthood; Love | ||||||||
A GOLDEN gillyflower to-day I wore upon my helm alway, And won the prize of this tourney. Hah! hah! la belle jaune giroflee. However well Sir Giles might sit, His sun was weak to wither it, Lord Miles's blood was dew on it: Hah! hah! la belle jaune giroflee. Although my spear in splinters flew From John's steel-coat, my eye was true; I wheeled about, and cried for you. Hah! hah! la belle jaune giroflee. Yea, do not doubt my heart was good, Though my sword flew like rotten wood, To shout, although I scarcely stood, Hah! hah! la belle jaune giroflee. My hand was steady, too, to take My axe from round my neck, and break John's steel-coat up for my love's sake. Hah! hah! la belle jaune giroflee. When I stood in my tent again, Arming afresh, I felt a pain Take hold of me, I was so fain -- Hah! hah! la belle jaune giroflee. To hear: "Honneur aux fils des preux!" Right in my ears again, and shew The gillyflower blossomed new. Hah! hah! la belle jaune giroflee. The Sieur Guillaume against me came, His tabard bore three points of flame From a red heart: with little blame -- Hah! hah! la belle jaune giroflee. Our tough spears crackled up like straw; He was the first to turn and draw His sword, that had no speck nor flaw, -- Hah! hah! la belle jaune giroflee. But I felt weaker than a maid, And my brain, dizzied and afraid, Within my helm a fierce tune play'd, -- Hah! hah! la belle jaune giroflee. Until I thought of your dear head, Bowed to the gillyflower bed, The yellow flowers stained with red; -- Hah! hah! la belle jaune giroflee. Crash! how the swords met, "giroflee!" The fierce tune in my helm would play, "La belle! la belle jaune giroflee!" Hah! hah! la belle jaune giroflee. Once more the great swords met again, "La belle! la belle!" but who fell then? Le Sieur Guillaume, who struck down ten; -- Hah! hah! la belle jaune giroflee. And as, with mazed and unarmed face, Toward my own crown and the Queen's place They led me at a gentle pace, -- Hah! hah! la belle jaune giroflee. I almost saw your quiet head Bowed o'er the gillyflower bed, The yellow flowers stained with red, -- Hah! hah! la belle jaune giroflee. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE INVENTION OF LOVE by MATTHEA HARVEY TWO VIEWS OF BUSON by ROBERT HASS A LOVE FOR FOUR VOICES: HOMAGE TO FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN by ANTHONY HECHT AN OFFERING FOR PATRICIA by ANTHONY HECHT LATE AFTERNOON: THE ONSLAUGHT OF LOVE by ANTHONY HECHT A SWEETENING ALL AROUND ME AS IT FALLS by JANE HIRSHFIELD FOR THE BED AT KELMSCOTT by WILLIAM MORRIS (1834-1896) |
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