1 Sebastien, Sebastien, The archer of the King I be. Strip off thine armor, strong and bright, And naked stand against yon tree For target to mine arrows' flight; This is the King's command to thee. O Archer, draw thy long grey bow, Thine arrows loosen, wing by wing; Naked I stand against the tree; I am obedient to the King. 2 Sebastien, Sebastien, I fit an arrow in my bow, With poisoned laughter it is shod. O naked knight, with head bent low, Thus slaves bend down to take the rod -- I doubt if blood so meek can flow! O marksman pale, with eyes of mist, Close to my side I heard it sing! And thou must choose a goodlier shaft Than laughter levelled at my King. 3 Sebastien, Sebastien, I choose me seven arrows old, And never the heart of man they miss; Two red, one green, two black, one gold, And one soft-falling like a kiss. Call up thy spirits, Knight, be bold! Blood, blood, it flows! and oh, the kiss Upon my heart of that warm thing! Yet shoot another sheaf, for still I am but wounded for my King! 4 Sebastien, Sebastien, Behold a barb that takes away The love of one thou lovest best. The love it takes it does not slay, But leaves it in another's breast. . . . With tears the ancient barb is grey. Oh, can it be the King ordains This agony that slays the spring? But for the years that thou wast loved, Kneel down, O heart, and bless the King. 5 Sebastien, Sebastien, Dost thou still turn thy pain to praise? Wilt thou not die, though crimson-flecked? Then take the shaft that never strays, 'Tis called "The Death of Self-Respect" -- Its song is laughter, and it slays. There is no quarry left for death, And I am dead without death's sting . . . Take all, take all; Thou gavest all, O Lord of mine, my Lord the King! 6 Sebastien, Sebastien, What is the faith that flows and fills Thy heart with strength, thine eyes with light While ruby-red the life-blood spills? Look up, look up, O dying Knight -- That faith this blunted arrow kills! And me . . . No archer thou of His! Back, back! This death, this suffering Are but thy sport . . . Lift not my head! . . . O pale-eyed man, art @3thou@1 the King? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE LAMP [LAMPE] by HENRY VAUGHAN KNOW THYSELF by WILLIAM ARBUTHNOT DELIVERANCE by JOHN KENDRICK BANGS ON THE DEATH OF MRS. JENNINGS by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD PEACE AND SHEPHERD by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD AN EVENING PRAYER by C. MAUDE BATTERSBY |