Classic Poem

I

With a glimmer of plumes and a sparkle of lances,
With blare of the trumpet and neigh of the steed,
At morning they rode where the bright river glances,
And the sweet summer wind ripples over the mead.
The green sod beneath them was ermined with daisies,
Smiling up to green boughs tossing wild in their glee,
While a thousand glad hearts sang their honors and praises,
Where the knights of the mountain rode down to the sea.

II

One rode 'neath the banner whose face was the fairest,
Made royal with deeds that his manhood had done,
And the halo of blessing fell richest and rarest
On his armor that splintered the shafts of the sun.
So moves o'er the water the cygnet sedately;
So waits the strong eagle to mount on the wing;
Serene and puissant and simple and stately,
So shines among princes the form of the king!

III

With a gay bugle-note, when the daylight's last glimmer
Smites, crimson and gold, on the snow of his crest,
At evening he rides, through the shades growing dimmer,
While the banners of sunset stream red in the west.
His comrades of morning are scattered and parted, —
The clouds hanging low and the winds making moan, —
But, smiling, and dauntless, and calm, and true-hearted,
All proudly he rides down the valley, alone.

IV

Sweet gales of the woodland, embrace and caress him!
White wings of renown, be his comfort and light!
Pale dews of the star-beam, encompass and bless him
With the peace, and the balm, and the glory of night!
And, O, while he wends to the verge of that ocean
Where the years, like a garland, shall fall from his brow,
May his glad heart exult in the tender devotion —
The love that encircles and hallows him now!