KING Siegfried sat in his lofty hall: "Ye harpers! who sings the best song of all?" Then a youth stepped forth with a scornful lip, The harp in his hand, and the sword at his hip. "Three songs I know; but this first song Thou, O King! hast forgotten long: Thou hast stabbed my brother with murderous hand, -- Hast stabbed my brother with murderous hand! "The second song I learned aright In the midst of a dark and stormy night Thou must fight with me for life or death, -- Must fight with me for life or death!" On the banquet-table he laid his harp, And they both drew out their swords so sharp; And they fought in the sight of the harpers all, Till the King sank dead in the lofty hall. "And now for the third, the proudest, best! I shall sing it, sing it, and never rest: King Siegfried lies in his red, red blood, -- Siegfried lies in his red, red blood!" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE DONKEY by GILBERT KEITH CHESTERTON CORINNA'S GOING A-MAYING by ROBERT HERRICK ODE [FOR MUSIC] ON ST. CECILIA'S DAY by ALEXANDER POPE THE FORESTERS: NATIONAL SONG by ALFRED TENNYSON THE FIDDLER OF DOONEY by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS A DAY OF DAYS by WILLIAM ALLINGHAM |