The Epic

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Title:     The Epic
Author: Madison Julius Cawein [More Titles by Cawein]

"To arms!" the battle bugles blew.
The daughter of their Earl was she,
Lord of a thousand swords and true;
He but a squire of low degree.

The horns of war blew up to horse:
He kissed her mouth; her face was white;
"God grant they bear thee back no corse!"--
"God give I win my spurs to-night!"

Each watch-tower's blazing beacon scarred
A blood-blot in the wounded dark:
She heard knights gallop battleward,
And from the turret leaned to mark.

"My God, deliver me and mine!
My child! my God!" all night she prayed:
She saw the battle beacons shine;
She saw the battle beacons fade.

They brought him on a bier of spears.--
For him--the death-won spurs and name;
For her--the sting of secret tears,
And convent walls to hide her shame.

[The end]
Madison Julius Cawein's poem: Epic

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