Walter Thornbury

“ Go tell the monarch of France how the chief of Bohemia perished."
Then slow and silent and sad the old blind king and his courtiers
Bound all their bridles together and rode down into the battle.
V.
Deep under mountains of dead, gashed, and smitten, and trampled,
The heralds searching the field, counting the banners and scutcheons,
Found the corpse of the son pierced with arrows and lances;
Above him the old man lay, the old blind King of Bohemia,
One arm round the neck of the youth and one on a gash in his forehead. ”

“ His charger, pawing the ground, neighed by the open pavilion,
Ardent as hound for the chase, eager to leap on the lances.
The king spake never a word, but lifted his eyes unto Heaven,
And his tears fell trickling fast, as he muttered a prayer and a blessing ”

“ Through flights of arrows and stones, mid the terrible roar of the engine,
Through thrustings of lances and blades, and sweepings of two-handed falchions,
Through cleavings of gorgets and shields and clouds of gathering banners,
Through shriekings, groanings, and cries, and curses, and moanings to Heaven,
I came to render thee aid, loving thee chiefest of any."
"Go," said the monarch, and sighed. "Thou hast home and a child to inherit. ”