Classic Poem

A King there was in Thule,
Kept troth unto the grave;
The maid he loved so truly
A goblet to him gave.

And ever set before him
At banquet was the cup;
And saddening thoughts came o'er him,
Whene'er he took it up.

When Death with him had spoken,
His treasures ranged he there,
And all, save one dear token,
He gifted to his heir.

Once more to royal wassail
His peers he summon'd all;
Around were knight and vassal
Throng'd in his father's hall.

Then rose the grand old Rover,
Again the cup drain'd he,
And bravely flung it over
Into the welt'ring sea.

He saw it flashing, falling,
And settling in the main,
Heard Death unto him calling—
He never drank again!

A King there was in Thule,
Kept troth unto the grave;
The maid he loved so truly
A goblet to him gave.

And ever set before him
At banquet was the cup;
And saddening thoughts came o'er him,
Whene'er he took it up.

When Death with him had spoken,
His treasures ranged he there,
And all, save one dear token,
He gifted to his heir.

Once more to royal wassail
His peers he summon'd all;
Around were knight and vassal
Throng'd in his father's hall.

Then rose the grand old Rover,
Again the cup drain'd he,
And bravely flung it over
Into the welt'ring sea.

He saw it flashing, falling,
And settling in the main,
Heard Death unto him calling—
He never drank again!