The Laggard Knight
Too late ! The mighty dragon’s crest of gold1
Lies cloven on the cavern’s sparry floor ;2
And flameless now the throat whence never more3
Shall blighting fume on the blast of fire be rolled.4
But he, my Friend, lies lifeless—in his hold5
The venomed tongue his dying valour tore6
For triumph’s token—with the monster’s gore7
Sanguine, and stifled in its scaly fold.8
And diamond and emerald lie blent9
The ruby and the amethyst amid ;10
And treasury is mine more opulent11
Than catacomb e’er stored, or pyramid ;12
But, ah ! the deed illustrious I meant13
Rebukes the deed inglorious I did.14