Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE RITTERS RIDE FORTH, by WILLIAM MOTHERWELL


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE RITTERS RIDE FORTH, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: O, beautiful valley
Last Line: The ritters ride forth!
Alternate Author Name(s): Brown, Isaac
Subject(s): Germany; Germans


"On the eastern bank of the noble Rhine stood a lofty tower, named the
Ritterberg; and, in the pleasant simple days of which we speak, it was held by
nine tall knights, men of huge stature and prodigious strength, whose principal
amusement was knocking off the heads of the unfortunate serfs who inhabited the
fruitful valleys circumjacent to their stronghold. They madly galloped over
meadow and mountain, through firth and forest, blowing their large crooked
hunting horns, and ever and anon uplifting their stormy voices in song."
-- MOTHERWELL.

O, BEAUTIFUL valley,
We scar not thy bosom;
O bright gleaming lake, we
Disturb not thy slumber;
O tall hill, whose gray head
Is weeping in heaven,
We come not to pierce thro'
Thy dim holy chambers --
We see thee and love thee,
And never will mar thee: --
O beautiful valley,
Bright lake, and tall mountain,
The Ritters ride forth!
Churls scratch, with the base share,
The flower-girdled valley;
And sheer, with the sharp keel,
The dream-loving billow;
They pierce to the heart of
The grand giant mountain,
And fling on the fierce flame
His pale yellow life-strings.
We come to avenge thee,
To slay the destroyer.
O, beautiful valley,
Bright lake, and tall mountain,
The Ritters ride forth!





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net