Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE CAVALIER'S SONG, by WILLIAM MOTHERWELL


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE CAVALIER'S SONG, by             Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: A steed, a steed of matchless speed!
Last Line: And hero-like to die!
Alternate Author Name(s): Brown, Isaac
Variant Title(s): Song Of The Cavalier
Subject(s): Animals; Horses; War


A STEED! a steed of matchlesse speed,
A sword of metal keene!
All else to noble heartes is drosse,
All else on earth is meane.
The neighyinge of the war-horse prowde,
The rowlinge of the drum,
The clangor of the trumpet lowde,
Be soundes from heaven that come;
And oh! the thundering presse of knightes,
Whenas their war-cryes swell,
May tole from heaven an angel bright,
And rouse a fiend from hell.

Then mounte! then mounte, brave gallants all,
And don your helmes amaine;
Deathe's couriers, fame and honor, call
Us to the field againe.
No shrewish feares shall fill our eye
When the sword-hilt's in our hand --
Heart-whole we'll part, and no whir sighe
For the fayrest of the land;
Let piping swaine, and craven wight,
Thus weepe and puling crye;
Our business is like men to fight,
And hero-like to die!




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