Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE CAPTIVE KNIGHT, by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE CAPTIVE KNIGHT, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Twas a trumpet's pealing sound!
Last Line: "sound! For the captive's dream of hope is past."
Alternate Author Name(s): Browne, Felicia Dorothea
Subject(s): Prisons & Prisoners; Convicts


"Twas a trumpet's pealing sound!
And the knight looked down from the Payim's tower,
And a Christian host, in its pride and power,
Thro' the pass beneath him wound.
Cease awhile, clarion! Clarion, wild and shrill,
Cease! let them hear the captive's voice -- be still!

"I knew 'twas a trumpet's note!
And I see my brethren's lances gleam,
And their pennons wave by the mountain stream,
And their plumes to the glad wind float!
Cease awhile, clarion! Clarion, wild and shrill,
Cease! let them hear the captive's voice -- be still!

"I am here, with my heavy chain!
And I look on a torrent sweeping by,
And an eagle rushing to the sky,
And a host, to its battle-plain!
Cease awhile, clarion! Clarion, wild and shrill,
Cease! let them hear the captive's voice -- be still!

:Must I pine in my fetters here?
With the wild wave's foam, and the free bird's flight,
And the tall spears glancing on my sight,
And the trumpet in mine ear?
Cease awhile, clarion! Clarion, wild and shrill,
Cease! let them hear the captive's voice -- be still!

"They are gone! they have all pass'd by!
They in whose wars I had borne my part,
They that I lov'd with a brother's heart,
They have left me here to die!
Sound again, clarion! Clarion pour thy blast!
Sound! for the captive's dream of hope is past."






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