Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE TROUBADOUR'S LAMENT, by WILLIAM MOTHERWELL Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: It was a gallant troubadour Last Line: Unstained by woman's tear. Alternate Author Name(s): Brown, Isaac Subject(s): Troubadours; Minnesingers | ||||||||
IT was a gallant troubadour, A child of sword and song, That loved a gentle paramour, And loved her leal and long; He woo'd her as a knight should woo, And laying lance in rest, In listed fields, her colours flew O'er many a haughty crest. He loved her as a bard should do, And taking harp in hand, In sweetest lays, that lady's praise He poured o'er many a land: But all in vain, His noblest strain Awoke no kind return; That lady proud Smiled on the crowd, But his true love did spurn. It was a tristful troubadour, Heart-broken by disdain, That then to France and belle amour Bequeathed this mournful strain, As riding on the yellow sand With many a knightly feere, He smote his harp with feeblest hand, To sing with feebler cheer: Adieu, proud love! adieu, fair land! Where heathen banners float, This broken heart can act its part, Can die, and be forgot. Alas! too late; It was its fate To learn, with saddest pain, It loved one Who scorned to own Her heart could love again. Fair France, farewell! my latest breath Shall still be spent for thee, While meeting strife, I court my death In distant Galilee. My soul is bound up with the glaive That glitters at my thigh, And fixed upon the banner brave Now flashing to the sky. A last adieu I well may waive To her I loved so well; She does not care what doom I bear, Yet, heartless maid, farewell! No bridal sheet For me is meet, I seek the soldier's bier, Who, for his God, Sleeps on the sod, Unstained by woman's tear. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...RUDEL TO THE LADY OF TRIPOLI by ROBERT BROWNING SORDELLO: BOOK 1 by ROBERT BROWNING SORDELLO: BOOK 2 by ROBERT BROWNING SORDELLO: BOOK 3 by ROBERT BROWNING SORDELLO: BOOK 4 by ROBERT BROWNING SORDELLO: BOOK 5 by ROBERT BROWNING SORDELLO: BOOK 6 by ROBERT BROWNING THE ROLL OF THE ROSES by NATHALIA CRANE THE DEATH OF GEOFFREY RUDEL, THE TROUBADOUR by ROWLAND EYLES EGERTON-WARBURTON JEANIE MORRISON by WILLIAM MOTHERWELL |
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