Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1845-06-18

shs wnssr, s,ar Of considerable magnitude sbo,
Ca shae IL The peeucsl world. u is followe-The No
BILE and fsrfamsd knight De Courcy hes been mprlsonc
by King John fcrmany ycsrs.
--r-tss sssh NV IA dungeon nov.
PowefIr>s,i In proud despsi;
For fslss King John had him In.
And eiosely chained him there.
Ths noble knight was weary
.Aimofn, and eve. and noon;
For chilly bright seemed dswn's soft light,
Aud ieiy shone the moon.
NsSlssmins msil gave back the rays
Ofthe dim unfnendy sky,
Aud the proud Tree disdaincd TO game
Through HE lattice barred and high.
But when the rumpsLnoie Of var
Rang through his room,
Telling 81 bsnners streaming far,
Of knight aud steed, and plume,
% tho wild nsiee. and the sabrc's clash.
How would his spirit bound.
Yet ever after the lghtnngs fash,
Night closcth darker round
Down would he sink on the floor again.
Like The pilgr a who sinks desert plain,
Evsn while his thirsting
The hum of distant streams;
Or tue MANNED hound. who hears the chase
Swcep past him in his dreams"
Tho King of France challenge. John to combat by
champion clear his fame OF the murder OF Arthur of
Brittany. John summons the knights and mobiles but
will do battle for the false King The Queen at last be-
thinks her Of DE Coureyhc appears chains before the
court:
"iie is brough, before the council
There chains upon his hands;
With his silver hair, that aged knight,
Like rock oerhuag with foam. white,
Proudly and calmly stands.
file eazcs the monarch
With and star.kc eye;
And the company muse and marvel much,
That the light Of the old mans eye lie such,
After long captivity.
Ills letters hang upon him
Like an UNDECIDED thing;
Orhke q robe OF purple
With graceful and indifferent
BY some ercathearted king.
And strange il to witness
How the false king looked aside;
For he dared not meet his captye's eye
Thus ever the spirits royalty
lsgrcaler than pomp and pride"
The King mcanly declares his ignorance he impri-
OF the old soldier but the knights eye upon
him ''ke s,ar," and the lying words died hrs lips
"Like the murmuring sounds OF an ebbing tide
BY the traveller heard aiar"
"From the warriors form they loosed the chain;
His face was lighted with calm disdsn;
Nor cheek, nor lip, nor eye gave token
Fen that he knew his chains broken.
lie spake--no music. loud clear,
Was in the voicr OF the gray haired knight;
But a low sound, like that We hear
In the march Of meil-clad host by night.
Brother Of CGur de Lion said ne,
These chains have not dishonored me :"
There crushing scorn each simple word,
Mighuer than battle axe or sword"
The King soon rccovers himself, however and in his
need prays DE Courcy TO be his champion
.The old knight struck his foot on the ground,
Like horse hearing the trumpet sound;
And he spake with voice Of thunder
Solemn and fierce in tone,
Waving his hand 10 the stately band
Who stood by the nonarch's throne.
As warrior might his flashing glaive
When cheering his squadrons
twill Fight for the honor OF England,
Though no, for false King John :"
De Courcy goes France and is the conqueror
'Fior the and the north came champions forth
They came in a knighy crowd;
From the south and the each generous breast
eThrobbed at that summons proud.
But though brave each lord, and keen each sword
No warrior could Withstand
The strength OF the hero spirit
Which nerved that old mans hand.
lie is conqueror in the battle
He hath won the wreath OF bag;
To The shining OF his fair renown
vssHe hath added another roy;
lie hath drawn his sword Tor England
He hath fought for her spotless name;
And the isle resounds TO her farthest bounds
With the gray haired hero's fame.
In the ears OF the monarch
OH this burden ring
Though the crown be thine and the royal line.
lie Is in heart thy king :"
So they gave this graceful honor
To the bold DE Courcy's race,
That they should dare their helms 10 wear
Before the kings face:
And the Of that line Of heroes
To this day their right assume:
For when every head is unbonneited,
They walk in cap and plumc!"
This ballad is, indeed noble one II has the tru
trumpet sound say nothing OF tho beauty OF single line
and particular pictures and deseription.-Bah Pat