Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, CHANT OF PRESTER JOHN, by CLINTON SCOLLARD


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

CHANT OF PRESTER JOHN, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Far in the golden heart of the dawn
Last Line: This was the chant of prester john!
Subject(s): Christianity; Courts & Courtiers


Far in the golden heart of the dawn
This was the Chant of Prester John.

In a land of lily and asphodel,
In a city of forty towers I dwell;
Never a cursed crescent there,
But a thousand crosses hung in air
That through each circling season knows
The scent of the paradisal rose!
My palace poises upon a height
Burning with beryl and chrysolite;
Therein the throne of my power is set,
Fashioned of jasper and of jet,
In a court where flows the Fountain of Youth, --
Whose dazzling dome is the Mirror of Truth.

Around my throne upon every hand
Do kings and princes and bishops stand, --
Croziered bishops and sceptred kings,
Enrobed in ermine with garnishings
Of pale moon-silver and crusted gold.
At the opal gateway manifold
Knights and squires in their armor are,
Each with a cross like a blazing star
In his massy helmet sunken deep;
And never the watchful warders sleep,
Lifting ever a warrior's song, --
"Death to the Wrong! Death to the Wrong!"

And when in the ranks of war I ride,
No bright banner in purple pride
Over the host flaunts boastfully;
But mighty, marvellous crosses three,
With a million facets raying light,
Beacon the army on to the fight.
And when the burst of our conflict-cry
Sweeps and surges up to the sky,
Palsy of fear foreboding woe
Shakes the heart of the paynim foe;
And still shall our battle-burden be, --
"Christ for the right and Victory!"

Far in the mists of the ages gone
This was the Chant of Prester John!





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