The Epic

"To arms!" the battle bugles blew.
The daughter of their Chief was she,--
Lord of a thousand spears and true;--
He but a squire of low degree.

The horns of war blew up to horse:
He kissed her mouth; her face was white:
"God grant they bear thee back no corse!"
"God give I win my spurs to-night!"

The watch-towers' blazing beacons scarred
With blood-red wounds the face of night:
She heard men gallop battleward;
She saw their armor gleam with light.

"My God, deliver me and mine!
My child! my love!"--all night she prayed:
She watched the battle beacons shine;
She watched the battle beacons fade....

They brought him on a bier of spears.--
For him, the death-won spurs and name;
For her, the grief of lonely years,
And donjon walls to hide her shame.