Ho! sound the tocsin from my tower, and fire the culverin; Throw wide the portal of my hall, and bring my armor there! An hundred hands were busy then: the banquet forth was spread, ¡hall. Fast hurrying through the outer gate, the mailed retainers poured On through the portal's frowning arch, and thronged around the board; While at its head, within his dark, carved, oaken chair of state, Armed cap-à-pie, stern Rudiger, with girded falchion, sate. "Fill every beaker up, my men,- - pour forth the cheering wine' "Ye're there; but yet I see ye not. Draw forth each trusty sword, Bowl rang to bowl, steel clanged to steel, and rose a deafening cry Down rang the massy cup, "But I defy him :- let him come !" While from its sheath the ready blade came flashing half-way up ; And, with the black and heavy plumes scarce trembling on his head, There, in his dark, carved, oaken chair, old Rudiger sat dead. ALBERT G. GREENE BERNARDO AND KING ALPHONSO. WITH Some good ten of his chosen men, Before them all in the palace hall, He came in reverend guise, But ever and anon he frowned, 'A curse upon thee," cries the king, "Who com'st unbid to me! But what from traitor's blood should spring, His sire, lords, had a traitor's heart, "Seize seize him!" loud the king doth scream: "There are a thousand here; Let his foul blood this instant stream; What! caitiffs, do you fear? Seize seize the traitor!" But not one To move a finger dareth: 'ernardo standeth by the throne, And calm his sword he bareth. And here's the sword that owns no lord, Fain would I know who dares its point, – WIDE o'er Bannock's heathy wold Freedom beamed in every eye; Freedom heaved their souls on high, Charging then the courser's sprang, LOCKHART Deathful see their eyeballs glare! And glance from every shield. Hark! the bowman's quivering strings! Lo! Edward, springing on the rear, And sweeps them from the shore. See how red the streamlets flow! How they melt at every blow! Darker yet the strife appears; HENRY V, AT THE SEIGE OF HARFLEUR. ONCE more unto the breach, dear friends, once more; Or close the wall up with our English dead. In peace there's nothing so becomes a man As modest stillness and humility; But when the blast of war blows in our ears, Disguise fair nature with hard favored rage; Let it pry through the portage of the head, Now set the teeth and stretch the nostrils wide. Have in these parts from morn till even fought, And sheathed their swords for lack of argument. And teach them how to war; and you, good yeomen, That you are worth your breeding, which I doubt not: I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips, SHAKSPEARE HENRY V, ENCOURAGING HIS SOLDIERS. WHAT's he that wishes for more men from England? My cousin Westmoreland! No, my fair cousin, If we are marked to die, we are enow To do our country loss; and if to live, The fewer men the greater share of honor; Heaven's will! I pray thee wish not one man more. Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost; It yearns me not if men my garments wear; I am the most offending soul alive. No, my good lord, wish not a man from England: |