THE NORMAN KNIGHT

Within the castle chamber The Norman knight lay dead; The quarterings of the casement Shone holy round his head. And first there came a maiden; Her face was wet and white: She kissed his mouth and murmured, "Thou wast my own true knight." Within the arrased chamber The Norman knight lay dead; And tapers four and twenty Burnt at his feet and head. And next there came a friar And prayed beside the bier: "Thou art a blesséd angel, Who wast so noble here." Within the lofty chamber The Norman knight lay dead; Dim through the carven casement The moonbeams lit his head. And then there came a varlet— Loud laughed he in his face: "Thus do I spit upon thee, Thee and thy curséd race!" Within the silent chamber The Norman knight lay dead— Nor Norman knight nor Saxon serf Heard aught the dead man said.