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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


COEUR DE LION: 2; SONNET by DINAH MARIA MULOCK CRAIK

First Line: O RICHARD, O MON ROI.' SO MINSTRELS SIGHED
Last Line: "WHISPERING WITH INNOCENT AWE -- ""THIS WAS A KING."
Subject(s): RICHARD I, KING OF ENGLAND (1157-1199);

"O Richard, O mon roi." So minstrels sighed.
The many-centuried voice dies fast away
Amidst the turmoil of our modern day.
How know we but these green-wreathed legends hide
An ugly truth that never could abide
In this our living world's far purer air? --
Nevertheless, O statue, rest thou there,
Our Richard, of all chivalry the pride;
Or if not the true Richard, still a type
Of the old regal glory, fallen, o'er-ripe,
And giving place to better blossoming:
Stand -- imaging the grand heroic days;
And let our little children come and gaze,
Whispering with innocent awe -- "This was a King."




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