King Henry V. and the Hermit of Dreux

He pass'd unquestion'd through the camp,
Their heads the soldiers bent
In silent reverence, or begg'd
A blessing as he went ;
And so the Hermit pass'd along
And reach'd the royal tent

King Henry sate in his tent alone,
The map before him lay,
Fresh conquests he was planning there
To grace the future day.

King Henry lifted up his eyes
The intruder to behold ;
With reverence he the hermit saw,
For the holy man was old,
His look was gentle as a Saint's,
And yet his eye was bold.

" Repent thee, Henry, of the wrongs
Which thou hast done this land !
O King, repent in time, for know
The judgment is at hand.

"I have pass'd forty years of peace
Beside the river Blaise,
But what a weight of woe hast thou
Laid on my latter days !

" I used to see along the stream
The white sail gliding down.
That waited food in better times
To yonder peaceful town.

" Henry ! I never now behold
The white sail gliding down ;
Famine, Disease, and Death, and Thou
Destroy that wretched town.

" I used to hear the traveller's voice
As here he pass'd along,
Or maiden as she loiter'd home
Singing her even-song.

" No traveller's voice may now be heard,
In fear he hastens by;
But I have heard the village maid
In vain for succour cry.

"I used to see the youths row down
And watch the dripping oar,
As pleasantly their viol's tones
Came soften'd to the shore.

"King Henry, many a blacken'd corpse
I now see floating down !
Thou man of blood ! repent in time,
And leave this leaguer'd town."

"I shall go on," King Henry cried,
" And conquer this good land ;
Seest thou not, Hermit, that the Lord
Hath given it to my hand ? "

The Hermit heard King Henry speak,
And angrily look'd down ;
His face was gentle, and for that
More solemn was his frown.

"What if no miracle from Heaven
The murderer's arm control ;
Think you for that the weight of blood
Lies lighter on his soul ?

"Thou conqueror King, repent in time,
Or dread the coming woe !
For, Henry, thou hast heard the threat
And soon shalt feel the blow ! "

King Henry forced a careless smile.
As the Hermit went his way ;
But Henry soon remember'd him
Upon his dying day.