Poems (Linn)/The Knight and the Maid
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THE KNIGHT AND THE MAID.
THERE was a knight of noble name
Who loved a lady fair;
A valiant knight in war was he,
A braver heart in love had she,—
The maid with sunny hair.
Who loved a lady fair;
A valiant knight in war was he,
A braver heart in love had she,—
The maid with sunny hair.
The land had need of men like him,
He drew the maiden near:
"I cannot, will not leave your side,
Let duty call,—I here abide;
My world, my all is here."
He drew the maiden near:
"I cannot, will not leave your side,
Let duty call,—I here abide;
My world, my all is here."
The maiden kissed her lover's brow,
Then put him from her breast:
"I cannot love you if you stay.
Away! where duty calls,—away!
Though death should do his best."
Then put him from her breast:
"I cannot love you if you stay.
Away! where duty calls,—away!
Though death should do his best."
She clasped the sword about his waist,
She held his gleaming spear,
She watched him through the postern gate;
His duty action,—hers to wait
In agony and fear.
She held his gleaming spear,
She watched him through the postern gate;
His duty action,—hers to wait
In agony and fear.
The knight upon the hard-won field
Wore an unflinching brow.
He won the envied wreath of fame,
And later days repeat his name;—
The maid—forgotten now.
Wore an unflinching brow.
He won the envied wreath of fame,
And later days repeat his name;—
The maid—forgotten now.