Oh, it was our gallant Prince Edward,
Rode forth into Alton wood;
His plume was white, his sword was bright,
His heart was brave and good;
He saw the sunlight through the trees,
Checkering the grassy earth;
He felt the breath of the summer breeze,
And his spirit was full of mirth.
It was there he met with a stranger knight,
With disdain upon his face;
His mail was worn, and his eye spake scorn,
And full stately was his pace.
“Now who art thou, of the darksome brow,
Who wanderest here so free?”
“Oh, I’m one that will walk the green green woods,
And never ask leave of thee.”
“How now, thou churl?” quoth the angry prince,
“Ask pardon on thy knee!
I am England’s heir, of my wrath beware,
Or ill shall it fare with thee.”
“Art thou England’s heir?” quoth the outlaw bold;
“Well, if thy words be true,
I see not why, such a knight as I
Should fear for such as you.
I am Adam de Gordon, a noble free;
Perchance thou hast heard my name.”
“I have heard it, I trow (quoth the prince), and thou
Art a traitor of blackest fame.
Yield thee to me!” But the outlaw cried,
“Now, if thou knowest not fear,
Out with thy sword! by a good knight’s word,
I will give thee battle here.”
“Come on!” cried that prince of dauntless heart;
“Yet pause while I alight,
For I never will play the craven’s part,
At odds with thee to fight.”
He sprang from his steed, he drew his blade,
And a terrible fray began,
The very first stroke that Prince Edward made,
Blood from the Gordon ran.
At the second stroke that Prince Edward made,
The Gordon fell on his knee;
But he did not kneel to cry for aid-
Of a loftier heart was he.
To his feet he sprang, and the angry clang
Of their flashing swords did sound
Far through the green and solemn woods,
Stretching in beauty round.
The Gordon is pale, and his strength doth fail,
And his blood is ebbing fast,
But the spirit so high, in his flashing eye
Is dauntless to the last.
He hath struck the prince on his mail
(Menella Bute Smedley)
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Based on Topics: Nature Poems, Faces Poems, Name Poems, Cry Poems, Beauty Poems, Fear Poems, Art Poems, Summer Poems, Anger Poems, Fame PoemsBased on Keywords: alton, checkering