Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE LORD OF BUTRAGO, by ANONYMOUS


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE LORD OF BUTRAGO, by                    
First Line: "your horse is faint, my king, my lord! Your gallant horse is sick"
Last Line: "he died, god wot! But not before his sword had drunk its fill"
Subject(s): "aljubarrota, Battle Of (1385);juan (john) I, King De Castile (& Leon);spain;war;


"YOUR horse is faint, my King, my Lord! your
gallant horse is sick, --
His limbs are torn, his breast is gored, on his eye the
film is thick;
Mount, mount on mine, O mount apace, I pray
thee, mount and fly!
Or in my arms I'll lift your Graced -- their tram-
pling hoofs are nigh!

"My King, my King,! you're wounded sore, --
the blood runs from your feet;
But only lay a hand before, and I'll lift you to
your seat;
Mount, Juan, for they gather fast!--I hear their
coming cry, --
Mount, mount, and ride for jeopardy, -- I'll save
you though I die!

"Stand, noble steed! this hour of need, -- be gen-
tle as a lamb;
I'll kiss the foam from off thy mouth, -- thy mas-
ter dear I am,--
Mount, Juan, mount; whate'er betide, away the
bridle fling,
And plunge the rowels in his side -- My horse
shall save my King!

"Nay, never speak; my sires, Lord King, received
their land from yours,
And joyfully their blood shall spring, so be it
thine secures;
If I should fly, and thou, my King, be found
among the dead,
How could I stand 'mong gentlemen, such scorn
on my gray head?

"Castile's proud dames shall never point the
finger of disdain,
And say there's one that ran away when our
good lords were slain!
I leave Diego in your care, -- you'll fill his
father's place;
Strike, strike the spur, and never spare -- God's
blessing on your Grace!"

So spake the brave Montanez, Butrago's lord was
he;
And turned him to the coming host in steadfast-
ness and glee;
He flung himself among them, as they came down
the hill, --
He died, God wot! but not before his sword had
drunk its fill.




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