Classic Poem

The Third Couple.

The L ORD C OMPTON ,

M ASTER H ENRY N OWELL

Next, in the virgin's colours, as before
Ran Cumberland, comes lovely Compton in;
His courser trapp'd in white, and plumes and staves
Of snowy hue, and squires in fair array,
Waiting their lord's good fortune in the field;
His armour glittering like the moon's bright rays,
Or that clear silver path, the milk-white way,
That in Olympus leads to Jove's high court.
Him noble-minded Nowell pricks to meet,
All arm'd in sables, with rich bandalier,
That baldrick-wise he ware, set with fair stones
And pearls of Inde, that like a silver bend
Show'd on his varnish'd corselet black as jet;
And beauteous plumes and bases suitable;
And on his stirrup waits a trusty train
Of servants clad in tawny liveries:
And to't they go, this lord and lusty knight,
To do their royal mistress honour's right