Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, AN ANCIENT TOAST (2), by ANONYMOUS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

AN ANCIENT TOAST (2), by                    
First Line: St. Leon raised his kindling eye
Last Line: "and gently said--""my mother!"
Subject(s): Mothers


At a festal gathering in the age of chivalry each of the
knights, except St. Leon, had pledged his lady fair, and
now it was his turn to speak.

ST. LEON raised his kindling eye,
And lifted sparkling cup on high.
"I drink to one," he said,
"Whose image never may depart,
Deep graven on this grateful heart,
Till memory be dead;
"To one whose love for me shall last
When lighter passions long have passed,
So holy 'tis, and true;
To one whose love hath longer dwelt,
More deeply fixed, more keenly felt,
Than any pledged by you!"

Each guest upstarted at the word,
And laid a hand upon his sword,
With fiery flashing eye;
And Stanley said: "We crave the name,
Proud knight, of this most peerless dame,
Whose love you count so high."

St. Leon paused, as if he would
Not breathe her name in careless mood,
Thus lightly to another;
Then bent his noble head, as though
To give that name the reverence due,
And gently said--"My Mother!"






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