Classic Poem

Hearts bound so late by love's sweet hallowed chain
By war's fierce edicts rent,
Lie bleeding sore;
And scan with eyes from weeping well-nigh spent,
Love's waning signals till they see no more.
Heaven grant them soon to see those signals once again!

By Bertram's arrow pierced with fatal aim,
The Lion-heart was torn.
Beside him lay,
Of strength, by pain and bleeding torn,
One Eric whom the king had dubbed that day
A knight--no worthier yet--adorned the roll of fame!

* * * * * *

Once more on Ragnor's brow the beacons blaze,
The Orient Pearl to greet,
On her return.
Two brides wait mid a throng of friends to meet
Their war-proof knights. The shades of rank they spurn;
They'd vowed for each a sister's love for aye and aye.