The Poetical Works of William Motherwell/The Ritters Ride Forth
The Ritters Ride Forth.
"On the eastern bank of the noble Rhine stood a lofty tower, named the Ritterberg; and, in the pleasant simple days of which we speak, it was held by nine tall knights, men of huge stature and prodigious strength, whose principal amusement was knocking off the heads of the unfortunate serfs who inhabited the fruitful valleys circumjacent to their stronghold. They madly galloped over meadow and mountain, through firth and forest, blowing their large crooked hunting horns, and ever and anon uplifting their stormy voices in song."—Motherwell.
O, beautiful valley,
We scar not thy bosom;
0 bright "learning lake, we
Disturb not thy slumber;
O tall hill, whose gray head
Is weeping in heaven,
We come not to pierce thro'
Thy dim holy chambers—
We see thee and love thee,
And never will mar thee:—
O beautiful valley,
Bright lake, and tall mountain,
The Ritters ride forth!
Churls scratch, with the base share,
The flower-girdled valley;
And sheer, with the sharp keel,
The dream-loving billow;
They pierce to the heart of
The grand giant mountain,
And fling on the fierce flame
His pale yellow life-strings.
We come to avenge thee,
To slay the destroyer.
O, beautiful valley,
Bright lake, and tall mountain,
The Ritters ride forth!