ON the mountain summit darkling Lies the castle, veil'd in night; Lights are in the valley sparkling, Clashing swords are gleaming bright. Brothers 'tis, who in fierce duel Fight, with wrath to fury fann'd; Tell me why these brothers cruel Strive thus madly, sword in hand? By the eyes of Countess Laura Were they thus in strife array'd; Both with glowing love adore her, -- Her, the noble, beauteous maid. Unto which now of the brothers Is her heart the most inclined? She her secret feelings smothers, -- Out, then, sword, the truth to find! And they fight with rage despairing, Blows exchange with savage might; Take good heed, ye gallants daring, -- Mischief walks abroad by night. Woe, O woe, ye brothers cruel! Woe, O woe, thou vale abhorr'd! Both fall victims in the duel, Falling on each other's sword. Races are to dust converted, Many centuries have flown, And the castle, now deserted, Sadly from the mount looks down. But at night-time in the valley Wondrous forms appear again; At the stroke of twelve, forth sally To the fight the brothers twain. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE DINNER-PARTY by AMY LOWELL TOWERS OF SIMON RODIA; FOR HOWARD W. SWENSON 1903-1081 by KAREN SWENSON ON THE RECEIPT OF MY MOTHER'S PICTURE [OUT OF NORFOLK] by WILLIAM COWPER WOODNOTES: 2 by RALPH WALDO EMERSON ON THE RUINS OF A COUNTRY INN by PHILIP FRENEAU |