Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A BALLAD OF SIN, by WILLIAM BRIAN HOOKER


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A BALLAD OF SIN, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: A king there was, both good and great
Last Line: "for now he hath dishonoured me."
Alternate Author Name(s): Hooker, Brian


A King there was, both good and great,
That was lord of a fair country;
And a certain man within his realm
Did scorn to the King's majesty.

For he paid no tribute to the King,
And he laughed away the law of the land,
And day by day did rob and slay
By craft of heart or might of hand.

The King said: "He hath broke my law
And in my realm done evilly;
Yet, lest some need have driven him,
He shall have gold and lands in fee."

He took the King's good lands and gold,
And squandered all in foolish wise;
For he pledged the lands and spent the gold,
On courtesans and courtesies.

The King said: "He hath lost my gifts,
And spent my goods in harlotry;
Yet folly may be force unyoked --
He shall have men to fight for me."

He took the soldiers of the King,
And led them forth to burn and kill,
And ever his Lord's own banner bore
To show he wrought by the King's will.

The King said: "He hath shamed my crown,
And stained my name with villainy;
Yet ... treason is but want of faith --
He shall have eyes that he may see."

The man rode forth one summer morn
Across a black and barren land,
And a girl-child stood in his way
Holding a white rose in her hand.

The child laughed up in the man's eyes,
And held her rose for him to take.
He smiled a stale smile, and passed by --
She wept as if her heart would break.

Then the King grieved, saying: "Alas,
That my realm harbour such as he!
There is no more that I may give,
For now he hath dishonoured Me."





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net