The Dragon Knight. A poem, in twelve cantos

Front matter

THE DRAGON KNIGHT & #oem, IN TWELVE CANTOS. BY Sir JAMES BLAND BURGES, Bart. LONDON: PRINTED FOR LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, AND BROWN, PATERNOSTER-ROW. 1818. Printed by A. Sirahan, New-Street-Square, London. TO The COUNTESS of CHARLEVILLE. Madam, When a new work is introduced to the public, it cannot come forward with so good a grace, as under the immediate patronage of acknowledged taste and talents. Allow me, therefore, to inscribe this Poem to Your Ladyship, as a homage justly due to you, and as a memorial of the high consideration and respect with which I have the Honour to be Madam, Your Ladyship's Most obedient Humble servant, J. B. Burges. Lower Brook-Street, January 1. 1818.

ADVERTISEMENT.

. It being customary, in the publication of dramatic compositions, to give an enumeration of the characters to be represented, or what is commonly termed a Dramatis Personse, it has occurred to the Author that, in a work like the present, which is in some degree analogous to the Drama, the convenience of the reader might be materially consulted by the adoption of a similar plan. The following, therefore, is a List of the Interlocutors in the Poem. MEN. Prothenor, King of Maeonia. ChrysulpHus, King of Caria. Alcimedon, his son. VI Orosmanes, King of Mysia. Aracynthus, his brother. Artaces, King of Bithynia. Archilochus, Governor of Chios. Araspes, Ambassador from Armenia. Stratocles, a Phrygian Knight. Hyperbius, a Pisidian Knight. Lysander, a Mysian Knight. Damocles, Cresphontes, Melixertes, ,, .

Canto I

1 he sun, declining from his noon-tide course, His beams now darted with diminish'd force, And, as his milder rays around he threw, Ting'd the light clouds with many a brilliant hue. But, whde Maeonia's wide and fertile plain Exulted in his mitigated reign, The mighty forest, which to Mysia's bound From proud Larissa's ramparts stretch'd around, Impervious to his beams, a chequer'd shade Of intermingling light and gloom display'd. B O'er its majestic oaks, which circling wide For ages had the tempest's rage defied, Each variegated tint of green and red The hand of autumn had profusely spread, While, 'mid their boughs, the tuneful bird of night, Misguided by the vacillating light, Already chaunted his melodious lay, And prematurely hail'd the close of day. Nor haply could th' unwearying songsters boast A nobler auditor.

From Caria's coast Alcimedon, its monarch's princely heir, The forest travers'd, overwhelm'd with care. Still in the west the sun's last radiance glow'd, As wrapt in silent thought he onwards rode, Till at a spot arriv'd, where thro' the wood Two paths diversely stretch'd, in doubt he stood : When suddenly the trampling of a steed, Advancing through a neighb'ring glade with speed, His watchful ear arrested ; straight a knight Appear'd, with vizor clos'd, in armour bright, Who starting, plac'd his massive spear in rest, And thus the Prince with furious mien address'd. " Have I then met thee ? Dost thou still presume " To brave the wrath on which depends thy doom ? " Bestir thyself, or as my vassal yield — " 'Tis Orosmanes dares thee to the field. " Immortal pow'rs ! My Orosmanes !" cried The Carian Prince, and threw his shield aside — " Still in despite of time and absence dear, " Wield not against Alcimedon thy spear !"

" High heav'n be thank'd," the Mysian King exclaim'd. " No longer now may adverse stars be blam'd. " My heart with joy acknowleges the tie " Which bound us erst in tend'rest amity, " When early youth our kindred feelings fann'd, " And hope her airy edifices plann'd. " Alas ! misled by vengeance too long nurs'd, " I blindly took thee for my rival curs'd, " For base Ach_emenes. That shield he bore, " Now borne by thee ; the same impress it wore — " " Then let just Heav'n," replied the Prince, " be blest, " Fall'n is thy foe, thy vengeance now may rest. b " This morn beneath my victor arm he sank, " His trait'rous blood the neighb'ring greensward drank; " And, as my shield had yielded to his blows, " I sciz'd on his to guard me from my foes. " But now, since long opposing stars once more " Beyond all hope my valued friend restore, " Let us awhile together hold our way.

" Much have we both to hear, and much to say ; " And what can so relieve a suffering heart, " As the kind balm which friendship will impart ? " Ere we encounter'd, what was thy intent ? " The point to which my lonely travel bent " Was fair Larissa" — " Heav'ns !" exclaim'd the King, " Larissa ! Thence my direst torments spring. " Name it no more ! Rather than view again " That scene of woe, that theatre of pain, " In this sequester'd spot outstretch'd I'd lie, " Break my torn heart, and breathe my parting sigh !" " Then to some other more congenial place " Let us," replied the Prince, " our journey trace. " The last pale glimmer of departing day, " Prohibits in these wilds our farther stay." The sorrowing King in silence save assent. Thro' briars and brakes their tedious course they bent, Now dimly guided by the waning light, Now lost in gloom and shrouded deep in night.

While wand'ring thus their doubtful course they held, The rising breeze into a tempest swell'd, The drifting rain pour'd down a chilling flood, And rolling thunders ccho'd thro' the wood ; Yet still the Knights, to patient sufFrance train'd, Their way 'mid warring elements maintain'd, 'Till thro' the thickly-tangling boughs what seem'd A dim and waving light uncertain gleam'd. Hailing its welcome guidance, thro' the glade, Now less by brambles chok'd, their course they made, And soon an ancient castle, rising high And widely stretch'd in rugged majesty, Their eager glances met. Its turrets proud Were partly hid by night's encircling shroud, Tho', where a lamp its quiv'ring lustre shed, Terrific, grand and rude the frowning rampart spread. The pendent bugle Caria's chieftain blew, When op'ning wide the creaking portal flew, b Where grim and gaunt, of countenance severe, They saw the guardian of the gate appear.

" Two knights," exclaim'd the Prince, " with travel worn, " Crave from thy master's grace a brief sojourn. " Grant us to rest within this friendly wall, " Till the fresh sun our wasted strength recal." As thus he spoke, with scrutinizing air And scowling glance the churl survey'd the pair ; But when the Carian's buckler he perceiv'd, On which a blazon'd tiger was achiev'd, Sudden all colour from his visage fled, While thus with hesitating voice he said — " Tli' illustrious chieftain, who o'er these domains " In feudal state his seignory maintains, " Each wand'ring stranger courteously receives, " And all their wants with lib'ral hand relieves. " Till I announce your presence, here, I pray, " Safe from the storm within the portal stay." Thus saving, 'cross the court his steps he bent, And hurrying to his lord's apartment went, Where by a half-extinguish'd lamp, which shed A melancholy light, with hasty tread The chieftain pac'd, his heart o'er-whelm'd with woe, Breathing his sullen rage in murmurs low.

" Hence !" cried he to his vassal, " Hence ! Begone ! " Leave me to brood on my despair alone !" " My lord Cresphontes," said the churl, " I come " To hail thee master of that caitiff's doom, " Whose felon prowess, in unhallow'd strife, " This morn depriv'd thy honour'd son of life. " Two stranger knights, led here by fav'ring fate, " Implore admittance at the castle's gate. " One on his arm displays the blazon'd shield, " Borne by thy son in many a hostile field " — " Doth destiny relent," exclaim'd the chief, " And bring me vengeance to assuage my grief? " Thanks to the star which rules this wish'd-for hour " Hence ! Straight conduct them to the western tow'r. " In fancied safety let them there consume " The few short moments which protract their doom." B Back to the gate th' obedient ruffian went, And, as with def'rence to the knights he bent, Their entrance pray'd. They, following where he led, Thro' gloomy courts and long-drawn galleries sped, Till, to the lofty eastern turret brought, Their guide retir'd, nor of his error thought.

Scarce had he reach'd the portal, when again From the loud bugle burst a lusty strain : A horseman all in haste, with anxious air, Besought admittance for a lady fair. As still he spoke, the sound of wheels was heard, And at the porch a splendid car appear'd, In which a lady veil'd, of princely mien, Attended by a damsel train, was seen. Soon as the surly guardian of the gate The dame beheld, he pray'd her there await, Till he the pleasure of his lord might learn, And, authoris'd to welcome her, return. Ill could the Chief this new intrusion brook. With hurried voice and limbs with rage which shook, " Curse on the chance," he cried, " which hither sent " This crew to interrupt my great intent " But since chivalric usage gives them right " To claim a refuge for the passing night, " Conduct them to the turret most oppos'd " To that in which my victims are inclos'd : " There heedless of what passes let them lie, " While I enact my midnight tragedy."

The caitiff, with this foul instruction fraught, Again the gate with hasten'd footsteps sought, And to alight th' illustrious suppliant pray'd. She readily the wish'd request obey'd. An ag'd esquire, whose locks of silv'ry hue And waving beard half hid his face from view, Walk'd with observant caution by her side. Him with attention fix'd the caitiff ey'd, And oft to gain intelligence essay'd. The hoary senior still short answers made, And closely tended on his princely dame, Till to the western tow'r at length they came. There, minist'ring the aid their toils requir'd, With many a rev'rence low their guide retir'd. The gloomy night its zenith now attain'd, And death-like silence thro' the castle reign'd : No moon-beam quiver'd o'er the turrets grey, No star now glanc'd its dimly-twinkling ray, The owl no more his bootless chase pursued, No more the bat his circling course renew'd : 'Twas murder's own appropriated hour, When only treason, lust, or lawless pow'r Th' impoison'd chalice drugg'd, or leapt the fence, Weak guard of unsuspecting innocence ; Guilt only was awake — Fit emblem sure Of that avenging worm, which will endure To rack the sinful soul, when time shall die, Merg'd in the gulph of dark eternity.

Cresphontes now, his plan arrang'd, of those Who shar'd his confidence ten felons chose. With these along the shadowy halls he past, The wide courts travers'd and the galPries vast, Intent upon his sanguinary aim, Till to the turret in the west he came, Where, as he deem'd, his destin'd victims lay ; His stern heart bounding as at wassail gay, And flash'd a smile from his dark scowling eye Of mingled transport and malignity. " Here," to his followers hastily he said, " Here let your vengeful fury be di splay '-d ; " For me, for lost Ach_emenes, be shown " Your prowess oft in bloody conflict known. " Break down the barrier which secures the door, " Let those within who slumber wake no more." Obedient they to his behest unjust Against the feeble barrier rudely thrust. The feeble barrier to their force gave way ; And now like wolves they rush'd to seize their prey, When to confront them suddenly appear'd The aged esquire.

On high his sword he rear'd, And loudly, while his eye-balls gleam'd with fire, Bad them on peril of their fives retire. They, little daunted by so weak a foe, And heedless of his threats, advanc'd ; when lo ! With pow'rs at variance with declining age The vet'ran taught them to respect his rage. Casting a glance of fierce disdain around, He levell'd one assassin with the ground, And from another with o'er-pow'ring stroke Sever'd the arm which had the barrier broke. Backward the ruffians fell, impress'd with awe, When age and vigour thus combin'd they saw ; Their leader shrank abash'd from his design, And almost deem'd such energy divine. But soon with doubled force his vengeful hate Impell'd him to renew the dread debate, When, suddenly, a youth of visage wan And aspect dignified between them ran.

" Hold !" he exclaim'd, " within these blood-stain'd walls, " Where murder still for retribution calls, " Who thus with sacrilegious hands presume " Provoke from angry Heav'n their righteous doom !" Him sternly viewing thus Cresphontes cried : " Such be thy fate, if here thou dar'st abide ! " Tempt not my rage, Alcanor ! — Hence ! Begone ! " Here I command — These vassals are mine own." — " 'Tis false," Alcanor cried, " false as thy soul " By murder stain'd and many a treason foul. " Tremble, thou wretch, if conscience yet or shame " Can wring thee, tremble at Leucaspion's name ! " Here as th' avenger of his blood I stand, " His son, his heir — May heav'n direct my hand !" He said, nor long his purpose dread delay'd, But, rushing forward, with up-lifted blade Commenc'd his fierce assault : brief was the fray, For nought the vigour of his arm could stay ; Vain prov'd Cresphontes' valour, vain his force, Pierc'd to the heart he fell a lifeless corse.

As to avenge his fate his followers press'd, Them with impressive voice the youth address'd. " Hear me, misguided men — A moment pause, *' Nor rashly vindicate his guilty cause, ** Whose felon hand, with treachery abhorr'd, " The good Leucaspion slew, your rightful lord. " Behold in me his son!" — With wonder fill'd The crew fell back, their clam'rous rage was still'd ; Awe-struck they stood, not doubtful of the truth, While in Leucaspion's semblance spoke the youth ; For so had beam'd his eye with noble fire, Alike in voice and stature son and sire. While in the western tow'r the din of arms And midnight treasons spread around alarms, The royal pair, 'gainst whom the stern command Of their base host had mov'd his felon band, Unapprehensive of their savage foes, Throughout the night enjoy 'd serene repose.

At length, when morning's all-reviving ray Gilding the distant hills brought on the day, Soon as her early peal the sky-lark rang, The youthful chieftains from their couches sprang. Their mutual salutations soon as made, Each with solicitude his friend survey'd ; For in each manly and expressive face Some heart-corroding grief had left a trace, Which well had 'scap'd remark, save from the few Who were, like them, to early friendship true. Much yearn'd they both to know its secret cause, And oft-times, as they talk'd, a sudden pause Arrested their discourse ; till at the last A tender look the Mysian monarch cast Upon his sorrowing friend, and thus, while broke From his own breast a sigh, enquiring spoke. " What moves thee thus, Alcimedon ? Hath aught " To thy vex'd heart severe remembrance brought?

" If so, to Orosmanes be it known. " To him a friend's afflictions are his own. " If of a hopeless passion thou would'st tell, " My practis'd heart with sympathy can swell, " In each fond sentiment and feeling vie, " Drop tear for tear, and echo sigh for sigh." Thus spoke the King. The Prince of Caria sigh'd, And after short reflection thus replied. " Three years are almost past, since Mysias' throne, " Thine aged sire deceas'd, became thine own, " And graver duties and an empire's care " To Adramyttium made my friend repair. " Till then, beneath my royal father's care, " How blest were we one common lot to share, " To draw instruction from the same dear source, " Alike our hopes, our fears, our views, our course ! " 'Twas the first pang my youthful breast had felt : " Still hath my soul on the remembrance dwelt, " When last I press'd thee to my faithful heart, " And curs'd the greatness which should make us part.

" To calm the suff 'rings which my breast assail'd " Nor cool reflection nor time's balm avail'd ; " 'Mid servile crowds my heart was still alone, " For joy from Caria's court with thee had flown. " My anxious parent mark'd my alter'd guise, " And shortly bad me, tho' with moisten'd eyes, " His presence quit, and to my friend repair. " So free from self my gen'rous father's care ! " Gladly his welcome mandate I obey'd. " The eve was come, each tender duty paid, " When once again thy fav'rite grove I sought. " There as alone of past-gone scenes I thought, " To friendship sacred and to mem'ry dear, " Sudden, loud shrieks of anguish struck mine ear, <k And lo ! A Knight in harness black incas'd, " On whose broad shield a Dragon was enchas'd, " Urging with armed heel his foaming steed, " Hurried across the plain with breathless speed.

" But how can words my consternation paint, " When in his arms, disconsolate and faint, " Aspasia, my lov'd sister, I beheld ! " My heart with rage and vengefiil fury swell'd ; " Against the daring ravisher I flew, " Who to the ground his weeping suppliant threw, " And, goading on his steed to swifter flight, " Plung'd in the wood, and vanish'd from my sight. " Scarce had he left me, when his arm'd esquire " Approaching bad me from the grove retire. " His insolence I answer'd with my sword ; " But he, more valiant than his recreant lord, " Awhile, maintain'd a desultory fight, " Till issuing from the wood appear'd a knight, " Clad in green armour. Soon as him he view'd, " His bold assault my vig'rous foe renew'd ; " But soon the stranger struck him to the ground. " As in red torrents stream'd his blood around, " ' May all,' the gallant stranger cried, ' who dare " ' 'Gainst their allegiance trait'rous plans prepare, " ' Like thee o'ertaken in their treasons die, " ' Like thee a prey for dogs and vultures lie !' " Charm'd with his valour which so well had wrought, " When as to thank him for his aid I sought, c " The modest courtesy with which he spoke " High estimation in my breast awoke.

" Back to the court my sister we convey'd. " When to my father my report I made, " The good Chrysulphus hail'd the knight, and crav'd " To know who thus his lov'd Aspasia sav'd. " ' Hyperbius is my name,' the knight replied. " ' In fair Pisidia did I erst abide. " ' The warlike deeds of those from whom I sprung, " ' In chant heroic many a bard had sung ; " ' Their vaunted praises fir'd my youthful breast, " ' Like them with deathless glory to be blest : " ' I left my native home, and wander'd far, " ' My prompter glory, and my object war, " ' Till hearing of Chrysulphus' martial fame, " ' Hither in search of honour's meed I came ; " ' In this most blest, that fate so soon allow'd " ' To pledge the duty which my soul had vow'd.' " My noble father prais'd his val'rous feat, " His various fortunes made him oft repeat, " And soon, for merit his advance prepar'd, " His confidence the gallant stranger shar'd. " And now the hour of my departure came.

" I dropt a tender tear — 'twas nature's claim — " When to my reverend sire I bade adieu, " And to my last embrace my sisters flew. " But shortly, from the varied scenes around, " A pleasing cure for my regret I found. " Five days pass'd gaily on, when, as the sun " His course thro' heav'n's wide arch had almost run, " Arriv'd at Hermus' widely-ranging flood, " Whose banks were fring'd with many a waving wood, " On a projecting crag I mounted high, " And, o'er its waters as I cast mine eye, " Admir'd the richly variegated scene; " Whde fill'd with pleasure, ardent yet serene, " My glowing heart, which ne'er had known a pain, " Beat high with hopes and expectations vain. " Alas, how vain ! for now the hour was come, " Which fix'd thy friend's irrevocable doom, " When all his visionary joys should fade, " Blasted by love, by adverse stars betray'd. c " Th' attractive prospect still allur'd my sight, " When down the stream advanc'd a pinnace fight, " Which bounding o'er its surface swiftly flew, " Mann'd by a gay and well-assorted crew.

" Snow-white the sail, by silken cords confin'd, " Golden the streamers waving to the wind, " Wav'd, too, th' embroider'd awning, stretch'd on high, " To mingled sounds of joy and minstrelsy : " All, all combin'd to fix my ardent gaze, " And to its height fond expectation raise. " Near, but apart from damsels fair as those " Who laughing Venus' sportive train compose, " Two females stood, whose vestments rich with gold, " Their nobler state and birth conspicuous told. " Each seem'd a goddess of the chrystal stream, " Or like the vision of a fairy dream, " When flits th' unshackled soul from earth to sky, " Reviling in sweet unreal ecstacy. " Both were superior to their sex, but one — " That one, my friend, was nature's paragon ! " Her form was matchless, dignified her air, •' Whiter than snow her neck, which her loose hair " Wav'd by the breeze now show'd and now conceal'd, " And ev'ry moment beauties new reveal'd. " As pass'd the pinnace, with bewitching glance " On me, who gaz'd as if in speechless trance, " She fixed her eyes of pure celestial blue.

" Ye Gods ! all heav'n seem'd op'ning to my view ! " She smil'd upon me — yes, my friend, she smil'd — " Or was it fancy that my soul beguil'd " In transport rapt ? — She view'd me with surprise, " And blushing, not in anger, veil'd her eyes. " Already had their influence reach'd my heart, " Which bounding heav'd to meet the pleasing smart. " She spoke — Her silver voice had music's pow'r " And siren sweetness. As the drooping flow'r " Parch'd by the sun drinks up the balmy dew, " My thirsty soul imbib'd sensations new. " ' Kind friends,' she said, ' rest here each weary oar, " ' Bland is the air, romantic is the shore; " ' While by the current we are gently borne, " ' Let's wake yon sleeping echoes with the horn, " ' Then let each voice alternate numbers sing, " ' Or with sweet chorus make the welkin ring.' " Th' obedient crew receive her soft command, " And float the pinnace nearer to the strand.

" A lay begins — I heed it not — Mine ear " Such meaner melody disdains to hear. c " Now the full crew a chant symphonious raise — " Hateful the sound which song more sweet delays ! " But now those ruby lips breathe forth a strain — " Charm'd is my prison'd soul almost to pain — " Delicious tears my greedy eye-lids fill — " I dash them off that I may see her still, " And drink such poison in the fatal view, " As time can't remedy or scorn subdue ! " Smile not, my friend, if kneeling on the ground, " My ardent bosom all to rapture wound, " ' Stay yet,' I cried ' Oh ! do not thus depart, " ' And with thee take my unresisting heart. " ' Ye pitying winds ! compassionate my pain, " ' Swell not the sails, the envious bark detain, " ' Which bears my charmer to some distant shore, " ' Haply to bless my longing eyes no more !' " I breath'd my supplication to the air — " The breeze, regardless of my fond despair, " Down the smooth stream with force augmented blew, " And soon the pinnace vanish'd from my view !

" Now, fir'd by love, upon my steed I leapt ; " Skirting the stream, my rapid course I kept, " Till ev'ning's gloom obscur'd the waning light, " And the wide prospect ved'd itself in night. " No longer now my fond pursuit avail'd ; " Checking my steed, my fortune I bewail'd, " When good Gerontes, who my youth had train'd, " And o'er my mind ascendance still maintain'd, " Sooth'd my vex'd soul : to search the regions round " He proffer'd, till the fair one should be found. " I yielded license to his kind intent, " And sadly to thy court my progress bent. " But there again fresh disappointment rose : " My Orosmanes, who my mental woes " Would have consol'd, abandoning his realm " Had left his royal mother at the helm. " With gracious welcome she receiv'd her guest, " And, though herself by anxious thought oppress'd, " With varied pleasures sought to ease my care : " But vain her efforts, for thou wast not there !"

" My brother, surely," Mysia's monarch said, " Might well thy proffer'd friendship have repaid. " Ne'er did a youth acquire such early fame : " All Asia echoes Aracynthus' name." c " There adverse fate again," the prince replied, " To gratify my earnest wish denied ; " For, ere at Adrainyttium I arriv'd, " Thy court was of its primest grace depriv'd. " In search of thee the gallant prince was gone ; " But where he bent his travel was unknown." " Alas ! of all my griefs," the king rejoin'd, " This chiefly agitates my tortur'd mind. " Could I his fortunes learn, if yet he five, " The wrongs of fate I freely would forgive : " But o'er his destiny impends a cloud, " And myst'ries strange and dark the hero shroud. " Oh that to solve them by protecting Heav'n, " Which form'd such excellence, to me were giv'n !

" He was indeed a youth, whose matchless worth " Might dignity the age which gave him birth. " All grace, all virtue, were in him combin'd; " His outward form accorded with his mind; " Perfect in all that knighthood can adorn, " He seem'd for fame and deathless glory born : " Nature had fram'd him in her choicest mould, ~) ' Valiant yet gentle, though submissive bold, > " A youth in enterprise, in wisdom old. J " Forgive, if thus my feelings I obey. " Nature will speak, assert her pow'rful sway, " And claim a brother's tear. — Thy tale resume, " Which' makes me anxious for thy future doom."

Canto II

" ohort time," pursued the prince, " I there sojourn'd, " For soon Gerontes from his quest return'd, " And told that she, whom the gay pinnace bore " Was call'd Lycoris. From the Chian shore " Her sire Archilochus, who, nam'd by thee, " Rules o'er the islands of the western sea, " To king Prothenor's court had sent her, where " With Chariclea and Hermilia fair, " That monarch's daughters, she had dwelt awhile, " And thence return'd to her paternal isle. " As when thick-mantling mists the sky obscure, " From stagnant waters bred and fens impure, " Sudden, if through them dart the sun's bright ray, " The gilded scene more brillant shows and gay, " So vanish'd from my anxious breast its pain, " And hope inticing bade me join her train. " While blissful visions thus my soul inflam'd, " A plan suggested by my love I fram'd. " Gerontes secretly engag'd a bark, " And, soon as ev'ning with her mantle dark " Had veil'd the skies, withdrawing from the court, " With cautious speed we hasten'd to the port.

" The crew their unknown passengers receiv'd, " Their swelling canvas spread, their anchor heav'd ; " Fair was the gale, the vessel swiftly flew, " And soon the Chian shore appear'd in view. " I leapt upon the strand with eager haste, " And tow'rds the town my quicken'd progress trac'd. " When to its high-embattled walls I came, " I heard a herald with loud voice proclaim " A tournament, and call on ey'ry knight " At morrow's dawn in lists to prove his might. " Rejoic'd I heard ; for now, methought, kind chance " Occasion gave, which might my suit advance. " Soon as Aurora's tints illum'd the sky, " And the shrill lark denoted morning nigh, " With acclamations loud the city rang. " With instant ardour from my couch I sprang, " And buckled on my armour, brac'd my shield, " Which now a new and apt impress reveal'd — " A Helianthus flow'r, with petals close, " Turn'd to the sun as in the east it rose, " With a device expressive of my doom — " ' Hid till its beams my faithful breast illume.' " Now burst a warlike harmony around ; " The trumpet's clangor and the drum's hoarse sound, " Mix'd with our steeds' proud neighings, shook the air, " And bade us to the crowded field repair.

" None of the knights to me attention gave, " Save one of rev'rend years and aspect grave, " Who, courteously saluting me, enquir'd " If aught of information I desir'd. " ' If one,' said I, ' a stranger to this isle, " ' But anxious to partake your glorious toil, " ' Question too far, his error deign excuse. " « Report, which still her hearers will abuse, " ' Hath widely spread through many a distant coast " ' Lycoris' fame, your island's primest boast. " • I marvel much that in her rightful place " ' A dame so fair should not the tournay grace " ' Report in this,' replied he, 'truly said. " ' Our isle, in beauty fertile, boasts no maid, " ' Who with the fair Lycoris can compete ; " ' So just her form, her features so complete. " ' Perfect had been our festival this morn, " • Could charms like her's the splendid scene adorn ; " ' But, from Larissa since the fair return'd, " ' The wond'ring court her absence still has mourn'd. " ' Expect not then with scarf or chaplet bright " ' Her lovely hand shall grace the victor knight.' " As thus he spake, Archilochus appear'd. " A thousand clam'rous tongues his entrance cheer'd. " Soon as was still'd their cry, with prelude loud " A trumpet's pealing note gave challenge proud.