Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, O, THE PLEASANT DAYS OF OLD!, by FRANCES BROWNE



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O, THE PLEASANT DAYS OF OLD!, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: O, the pleasant days of old, which so often people praise!
Last Line: Blessed times of old!
Subject(s): Contentment; Great Britain - History; English History


O, THE pleasant days of old, which so often
people praise!
True, they wanted all the luxuries that grace our
modern days:
Bare floors were strewed with rushes, the walls
let in the cold;
O, how they must have shivered in those pleasant
days of old!
O, those ancient lords of old, how magnificent
they were!
They threw down and imprisoned kings, -- to
thwart them who might dare?
They ruled their serfs right sternly; they took
from Jews their gold, --
Above both law and equity were those great lords
of old!
O, the gallant knights of old, for their valor so
renowned!
With sword and lance and armor strong they
scoured the country round;
And whenever aught to tempt them they met by
wood or wold,
By right of sword they seized the prize, -- those
gallant knights of old!
O, the gentle dames of old! who, quite free from
fear or pain,
Could gaze on joust and tournament, and see
their champion slain;
They lived on good beefsteaks and ale, which
made them strong and bold, --
O, more like men than women were those gentle
dames of old!
O, those mighty towers of old! with their turrets,
moat, and keep,
Their battlements and bastions, their dungeons
dark and deep.
Full many a baron held his court within the
castle hold;
And many a captive languished there, in those
strong towers of old.
O, the troubadours of old! with the gentle min-
strelsie
Of hope and joy, or deep despair, whiche'er their
lot might be;
For years they served their ladye-loves ere they
their passions told, --
O, wondrous patience must have had those trou-
badours of old!
O, those blessed times of old, with their chivalry
and state!
I love to read their chronicles, which such brave
deeds relate;
I love to sing their ancient rhymes, to hear their
legends told, --
But, Heaven be thanked! I lived not in those
blessed times of old!




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