BETA

The Knight’s Grave.

The bodies of a man and a woman are placed atop a heavily decorated alter. Their hands are positioned as though they are in prayer. A knight stands over their bodies. 1/4 page illustration contained within a single-ruled border; the top corners are rounded.

I.

Under painted cross and chalice1
In the flood of light,2
Lies in marble, with Dame Alice,3
Andrew Welldon, Knight ;4
Side by side, the legend sayeth,5
These two lived and died,6
And carvéd stone o’er mingled bone7
Showeth them side by side.8

II.

Nothing here, above or under,9
Of fanatic gloom ;10
No fool’s fear of death’s deep wonder11
Spoils their simple tomb :12
Seems it that the sculptor graved it13
Only for to show14
What the Knight and what his Dame were15
Now they are not so.16

III.

Merry cheeps of madcap swallows17
Reach them, darting by,18
Changeful shadows from the sallows19
On their white brows lie20
Changeful shadows from the sallows,21
Constant from the limes ;22
For light friends go, if winds do
blow,23
As in their ancient times.24

IV.

Certes, lovely was the Lady !25
Eyes, I guess, whose blue,26
Calm, and cold, but gleaming
steady,27
Tender was and true :28
Of a noble presence surely,29
Dutiful and staid,30
Worthinesse was glad before her,31
Worthlessnesse afraid.32

V.

Read beneath, in golden letters,33
Proudly written down,34
Names of all her “sonnes and
daughteres,”35
Each a matron crown :36
Deftly cut in ruff and wimple37
Kneeling figures show38
Small heads over smaller rising,39
In a solemn row.40

VI.

These her triumphs. Sterner token41
Chronicles her Lord :42
Hangs above him, grim and broken,43
Gilded helm and sword.44
Sometimes, when with quire and
organ45
All the still air swings,46
Red with the rust and grey with the
dust,47
Low rattles that blade, and rings.48

VII.

Time was, Knight, that tiny treble49
Should have stirred thy soul50
More than drums and trumpets rebel51
Braying health to Noll.52
No more fight now !— nay, nor flight now !53
The rest that thou hast given54
In chancel shade to that good blades55
God gives thy soul in heaven.56

VIII.

Somewhere on this summer morning,57
In this English isle,58
Blooms a cheek whose rich adorning59
Herits, Dame, thy smile :60
Some one in the realm whose fathers61
Suffered much, and long,62
Owes that sword and its good lord63
Thanks for a righted wrong.64

IX.

Therefore, for that maiden say I :65
“ Dame, God thee assoil ;”66
Therefore for that freeman pray I :67
“ Knight, God quit thy toil ;”68
And for all Christian men and me69
Grace from the gracious Lord70
To write our name with no more shame,71
And sheathe as clean a sword.72
Edwin Arnold.