Classic and Contemporary Poetry
BRUCE: INTRODUCTION, by JOHN BARBOUR Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Stories we read right willingly / altho' they naught but fables be Last Line: Aught but the truth therein shall be. Subject(s): Robert I. King Of Scotland (1274-1329); Bruce, Robert; The Bruce | ||||||||
STORIES we read right willingly, Altho' they naught but fables be, So should a truthful tale of old, An it were well and fitly told, Be doubly good to hear, I trow -- Pleasant the telling were enow, Twofold that pleasure, if right well Ye tell the thing as it befell; And truth, when it shall please the ear Is found by men right good to hear. Therefore I fain would set my will, If so my wit suffice me still, To write a story true of old That men may aye in memory hold, So that it live in this, my rhyme, Nor be forgot thro' length of time. For such old tales, to him who reads, Do represent the valiant deeds Of stalwart folk, who lived of yore, E'en as they chanced their face before; And we their memory sure should prize Who in their days were brave and wise, And in great travail passed their life -- In battle oft, and sternest strife Did win of chivalry the praise Avoiding false and cowardly ways. For such was our King Robert's part, Hardy was he of hand and heart, And good Sir James of Douglas, who Was in his time a knight so true, So valiant, and so free of hand, Men sang his praise in many a land. Of them this book I fain would write, God give me Grace that I, aright May treat my theme that ne'er thro' me Aught but the truth therein shall be. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ROBERT THE BRUCE (TO DOUGLAS IN DYING) by EDWIN MUIR IN EQUAL SACRIFICE by ROBERT FROST THE HEART OF THE BRUCE by WILLIAM EDMONSTOUNE AYTOUN BRUCE AND THE SPIDER by BERNARD BARTON ROBERT BRUCE'S ADDRESS TO HIS ARMY BEFORE BANNOCKBURN by ROBERT BURNS BRUCE CONSULTS HIS MEN by JOHN BARBOUR BRUCE: HOW AYMER DE VALENCE, AND JOHN OF LORN CHASED THE BRUCE ... by JOHN BARBOUR BRUCE: HOW KING ROBERT WAS HUNTED BY THE SLEUTH-HOUND by JOHN BARBOUR BRUCE: HOW THE BRUCE CROSSED LOCH LOMOND by JOHN BARBOUR BRUCE CONSULTS HIS MEN by JOHN BARBOUR BRUCE: HOW AYMER DE VALENCE, AND JOHN OF LORN CHASED THE BRUCE ... by JOHN BARBOUR BRUCE: HOW KING ROBERT WAS HUNTED BY THE SLEUTH-HOUND by JOHN BARBOUR |
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