Classic Poem

I know: the valley sound I heard erstwhile
was not the pacing steed of mounted knight:
it was the rain, that beat in furious might
against the gutter, from the dripping tile.

But on and on along the bank, where laves
the stream, I saw the knights of chivalry pass;
I saw the shining brightness of cuirass,
I saw the shadow gallop o'er the waves.

When then the wind had ceased, I heard no more
the sound of galloping, no longer quaked
at flights remote, seen in the dubious gleam;

but you I saw, my poplars, friends of yore!
They rustled soft, their heads they gently shaked,
along beside the bank of my sweet stream.