WITH shield and spear apace they ride, Seven knights all true and bold, For the king's fair daughter A tournament to hold. Hark! the bells are tolling, tolling, Over the castle wall; As they enter, see the tapers Burning in the lofty hall. Sweet Adelheid, the princess fair, Lieth in death's cold sleep; At her head the old king watches, Watches but to weep. Then out spake proud Degenwerth— "Loud must I complain; Vainly have I girt my steed, Borne shield and spear in vain." Answered him young Adelbert— "There needs not this lament, The daughter of the king is worth Always a tournament." Quoth bold Sir Walther: "Rather far Our steps be homeward led; Small honor waits to crown their war Who battle for the dead." Cried Adelbert: "Well is she dead; There liveth none so fair To wear her wreath of roses red, Her golden ring to wear." Forthwith these seven knights so bold Rode out upon the plain; Hard was the strife, until, at last, Six of the seven were slain. The seventh was young Adelbert, The victor over all, He lighted pale from off his steed, And paced the lofty hall. He took the wreath of roses red, The golden ring as well, Then quickly by the maiden's side, As pale as she, he fell. Hark! the bells are tolling, tolling— Wrapt in funeral weeds, To the grave the heroes slain, The mournful monarch leads; And with the conquering knight they bear The gentle Adelheid, Beneath one stone, in the cool earth To slumber side by side. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MADMAN OF THE SOUTH SIDE by CLARENCE MAJOR A BOOK OF AIRS: SONG 3. AMARYLLIS by THOMAS CAMPION THE BIRD WITH THE COPPERY, KEEN CLAWS by WALLACE STEVENS IN MEMORIAM A.H.H.: 55 by ALFRED TENNYSON POLLY BE-EN UPZIDES WI' TOM by WILLIAM BARNES THE TRIUMPH OF MELANCHOLY by JAMES BEATTIE |