Poems (Hooper)/The Two Kings
THE TWO KINGS.
Zwei Konige sassen auf Orkadal.
Two kings sat stately at Orcadal;
Bright flamed the torch in the pillared hall.
Bright flamed the torch in the pillared hall.
The harpers sang. Bright sparkled the wine;
The kings looked darkly into its shine.
The kings looked darkly into its shine.
Then spoke one: "Give thou to me the girl
With azure eyes and with brow of pearl."
With azure eyes and with brow of pearl."
The other answer'd, with angry scorn,
"She's mine, and I'll keep her; so I've sworn!"
"She's mine, and I'll keep her; so I've sworn!"
The kings spoke never another word;
Each one arose, and each took his sword.
Each one arose, and each took his sword.
And forth from the lighted hall they go;
Deep by the castle wall lies the snow.
Deep by the castle wall lies the snow.
Out flash their swords, and the lights die all;
Two kings have fallen at Orcadal.
Geibel.
Two kings have fallen at Orcadal.
Geibel.