Classic and Contemporary Poetry
COEUR DE LION AT THE BIER OF HIS FATHER, by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Torches were blazing clear Last Line: "look on me till I die!" Alternate Author Name(s): Browne, Felicia Dorothea Subject(s): Henry Ii, King Of England (1133-1189); Remorse; Richard I, King Of England (1157-1199) | ||||||||
TORCHES were blazing clear, Hymns pealing deep and slow, Where a king lay stately on his bier In the church of Fontevraud. Banners of battle o'er him hung, And warriors slept beneath; And light, as noon's broad light, was flung On the settled face of death. On the settled face of death A strong and ruddy glare, Though dimmed at times by the censer's breath, Yet it fell still brightest there: As if each deeply furrowed trace Of earthly years to show. Alas! that sceptred mortal's race Had surely closed in woe! The marble floor was swept By many a long dark stole, As the kneeling priests round him that slept Sang mass for the parted soul: And solemn were the strains they poured Through the stillness of the night, With the cross above, and the crown and sword, And the silent king in sight. There was heard a heavy clang, As of steel-girt men that tread, And the tombs and the hollow pavement rang With a sounding thrill of dread; And the holy chant was hushed awhile, As, by the torch's flame, A gleam of arms up the sweeping aisle With a mail-clad leader came. He came with haughty look, An eagle-glance and clear; But his proud heart through its breast-plate shook When he stood beside the bier! He stood there still with a drooping brow, And clasped hands o'er it raised For his father lay before him low -- It was Coeur-de-Lion gazed! And silently he strove With the workings of his breast, But there's more in late repentant love Than steel may keep suppressed, And his tears brake forth, at last, like rain, -- Men held their breath in awe; For his face was seen by his warrior train, And he recked not that they saw. He looked upon the dead -- And sorrow seemed to lie, A weight of sorrow, even like lead, Pale on the fast-shut eye. He stooped -- and kissed the frozen cheek, And the heavy hand of clay; Till bursting words -- yet all too weak -- Gave his soul's passion way. "O father! is it vain, This late remorse and deep? Speak to me, father! once again: I weep -- behold, I weep! Alas! my guilty pride and ire! -- Were but this work undone, I would give England's crown, my sire! To hear thee bless thy son. "Speak to me! Mighty grief Ere now the dust hath stirred! Hear me, but hear me! -- father, chief, My king! I must be heard! Hushed, hushed -- how is it that I call, And that thou answerest not? When was it thus? -- Woe, woe for all The love my soul forgot! "Thy silver hairs I see, So still, so sadly bright! And father, father! but for me, They had not been so white! I bore thee down, high heart! at last: No longer couldst thou strive. Oh! for one moment of the past, To kneel and say -- 'forgive!' "Thou wert the noblest king On royal throne e'er seen; And thou didst wear in knightly ring, Of all, the stateliest mien; And thou didst prove, where spears are proved, In war, the bravest heart: Oh! ever the renowned and loved Thou wert -- and there thou art! "Thou that my boyhood's guide Didst take fond joy to be! -- The times I've sported at thy side, And climbed thy parent knee! And there before the blessed shrine, My sire! I see thee lie, -- How will that sad still face of thine Look on me till I die!" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...COEUR DE LION: 2; SONNET by DINAH MARIA MULOCK CRAIK COEUR DE LION, SELECTION by ELEANOR ANNE (PORDEN) FRANKLIN ROMANCERO: BOOK 1. HISTORIES: KING RICHARD by HEINRICH HEINE THE TROUBADOUR AND RICHARD COEUR DE LION by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS COEUR DE LION TO BERENGARIA by THEODORE TILTON CRUSADE by THOMAS WARTON THE YOUNGER A DIRGE (1) by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS ARABELLA STUART by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS BERNARDO DEL CARPIO by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS CASABIANCA by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS ENGLAND'S DEAD by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS EVENING SONG OF THE TYROLESE PEASANTS by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS |
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