Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE BLACK KNIGHT, by JOHANN LUDWIG UHLAND Poet's Biography First Line: Twas pentecost, the feast of gladness Last Line: "roses in the spring I gather!" Subject(s): Knights & Knighthood | ||||||||
'T was Pentecost, the Feast of Gladness, When woods and fields put off all sadness. Thus began the King and spake: "So from the halls Of ancient hofburg's walls, A luxuriant Spring shall break." Drums and trumpets echo loudly, Wave the crimson banners proudly, From balcony the King looked on; In the play of spears, Fell all the cavaliers, Before the monarch's stalwart son. To the barrier of the fight Rode at last a sable Knight. "Sir Knight! your name and scutcheon, say!" "Should I speak it here, Ye would stand aghast with fear; I am a Prince of mighty sway!" When he rode into the lists, The arch of heaven grew black with mists, And the castle 'gan to rock; At the first blow, Fell the youth from saddle-bow, Hardly rises from the shock. Pipe and viol call the dances, Torch-light through the high halls glances; Waves a mighty shadow in; With manner bland Doth ask the maiden's hand, Doth with ter the dance begin. Danced in sable iron sark, Danced a measure weird and dark, Coldly clasped her limbs around; From breast and hair Down fall from her the fair Flowerets, faded, to the ground. To the sumptuous banquet came Every Knight and every Dame, 'Twixt son and daughter all distraught, With mournful mind The ancient King reclined, Gazed at them in silent thought. Pale the children both did look, But the guest a beaker took: "Golden wine will make you whole! The children drank, Gave many a courteous thank: "O, that draught was very cool!" Each the father's breast embraces, Son and daughter; and their faces Colorless grow utterly; Whichever way Looks the fear-struck father gray, He beholds his children die. "Woe! the blessed children both Takest thou in the joy of youth; Take me, too, the joyless father! Spake the grim Guest, From his hollow, cavernous breast; "Roses in the spring I gather!" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE WILD RIDE by LOUISE IMOGEN GUINEY LA BELLE DAME SANS MERCI by JOHN KEATS THE GILLYFLOWER OF GOLD by WILLIAM MORRIS (1834-1896) THE HAYSTACK IN THE FLOODS by WILLIAM MORRIS (1834-1896) TO A CHILD OF QUALITY, FIVE YEARS OLD. THE AUTHOR THAN FORTY by MATTHEW PRIOR MAIDEN MELANCHOLY by RAINER MARIA RILKE TWO POEMS TO HANS THOMA ON HIS SIXIETH BIRTHDAY: 2. THE KNIGHT by RAINER MARIA RILKE SIR GAWAINE AND THE GREEN KNIGHT by YVOR WINTERS THE RHYME OF SIR LAUNCELOT BOGLE; A LEGEND OF GLASGOW by WILLIAM EDMONSTOUNE AYTOUN THE CASTLE BY THE SEA by JOHANN LUDWIG UHLAND |
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