Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1912-02-28
BOREAL KNIGHTS.
BY II. II. GREEN.

AT midnight
From out the Temple Gates
I he glazial temples of the North,
Three farfamed knights, all CARRIED in purest white
Farcd FORTH
some one and thirty dawns aoof
First came Sir JAM
For thus he had been dubbed by Man.
The knight of the Frigid Face.
stalwart youth this frstng knight;
Behold! he dawdles not Right
Merry doth he ride.
He jewels his path with glittering gem:
Broadcasted from his lavish hand;
Full fitted to adorn a bride,
Or to enrich a royal GLADDEN.
T: en- followed Sir Fitful Febrico-
The knight of Parheion Place;
In stature, called inadequate
Because forsooth he fingered not so late.
bic, tickle, he oft behind a cloud
Concealed his face;
Then whimsically brushed he the cloud aside
And SO revealed again the uncurtained skies.
IT'S thus
The fancfu fantastic Febrico
Reveals himself. Now trivial, now so wise
Then last of all, Sir Lenet-Monath
Issued forth from out the Temple Gates
Bearing promise of apr: aching heightened day.
He, bold knight of the Boreal Blows,
Made longer stay
tbs true; Or it seemed,
Till overcome by splendOrs of the knightly Sol,
ENDORSED, the clustering knight gave way
ID yielded he the field.
Twas by summons of Sir Kalendar
These hardy knights rode forth
All shieldless, armorless, unhelmeted
No greaves upon their limbs,
No gauntlets Wore. Only they their ances bore
Lances fashioned of frosted air.
Transported pom their Borean steeds
Wild Wind, Storm King and Geld Spectrum, speed
In order reversed,
Ger mountain, sea, plain;
Breathing out Life, or breathing out Death,
Or Pain.
Meier a thought, or eer care
Dsturbs these riders of the air.
Or ruffles their tranquility.
Grip they of Man, his toes,
His fnger-ps, his ears, his nose,
Grip they his face, in fond entrance
Too fond alas For
Engirded by their brumal breath
OFT it becometh grasp of DEATH
Exultng DER wreck of age-worn mortal
OF howell and castle they pass the portal.
Speed they afar with fendish glee, as
Twere in deadly enmty
GainSt all mankind.
Seemeth it so? Well then, of a truth
If esteemed,
These valiant knights are harshly deemed; For
Think you their garb of purest white,
Their purpose wholly black? Nay,
OF virtue they had scanty lack
OF courage vast and bright.
Sir Galahad Lancelot,
Nor Percivale nor IvanhOe
More CALAMITY assaulted the foe,
More swiftly laid him low.
For oft in softer mood with lance in pose
These worthy gentlemen
Oerthrew some dread disease:
Some cruel wound they heal-some burning brow
They touch with cooling hand,
Some pain-racked tossing body of Man.
Some fevered brain relieve.
For look YOU
These knights warriors tits true;
But then they are physicians too.
No longer now, they linger here,
Their flight these knights have taken.
First flew Sir Jan, then Febrice,
Then Lenet-Monath last of all
Awakened by the mild Spring call
From puerile dreams of lenten rule;
Hed him at once away.
Jan.
Hear We the Norsemens clarion call,
Far-fung from Iceand's glazial walls?
| hear it sounding my recall
Back t. my old ancestral halls.
Adieu adeu, fair Febrco,
The MoTsemen call and must go.
Febrice.
Farewell, farewell, my gallant Jan,
So fare thee worth to thine abode;
No longer now remain with Man;
But as for me, here sust stay
Awhile To rule the Night, the Day,
Then to the LGnet-Monath yield,
And leave to hirs this tickle field
Lenet-Monath
What no. We frigid catif knights,
Leave We this vanishing field to NE?
To ME, forsooth, who, even now,
By Sol endorsed repent my vow?
All! do I-tear the voice of Spring?
Begins it in mine ears to ring?
No longer am wanted here,
Yet, still linger here in fear.
My strength is falling fast know,
My weakened will, it leaves me too.
Why should l longer wish to stay?
Round me I'll wrap my mantle, gray;
I'll tender my farewell, and then,
I'll haste, I'll haste away.