A RIDE FOR THE QUEEN

Queen of queens, oh lady mine,

You who say you love me,

Here's a cup of crimson wine

To the stars above me;

Here's a cup of blood and gall

For a soldier's quaffing!

What's the prize to crown it all?

Death? I'll take it laughing!

I ride for the Queen to-night!

Though I find no knightly fee

Waiting on my lealty,

High upon the gallows-tree

Faithful to my fealty,

What had I but love and youth,

Hope and fame in season?

She has proved that more than truth

Glorifies her treason!

Would that other do as much?

Ah, but if in sorrow

Some forgotten look or touch

Pierce her heart to-morrow

She might love me yet, I think;

So her lie befriends me,

Though I know there's darker drink

Down the road she sends me.

Ay, one more great chance is mine

( Can I faint or falter? )

She shall pour my blood like wine,

Make my heart her altar,

Burn it to the dust! For, there,

What if o'er the embers

She should stoop and — I should hear —

“Hush! Thy love remembers!”

One more chance for every word

Whispered to betray me,

While she buckled on my sword

Smiling to allay me;

One more chance; ah, let me not

Mar her perfect pleasure;

Love shall pay me, jot by jot,

Measure for her measure.

Faith shall think I never knew,

I will be so fervent!

Doubt shall dream I dreamed her true

As her war-worn servant!

Whoso flouts her spotless name

( Love, I wear thy token! )

He shall face one sword of flame

Ere the lie be spoken!

All the world's a-foam with may,

( Fragrant as her bosom! )

Could I find a sweeter way

Through the year's young blossom,

Where her warm red mouth on mine

Woke my soul's desire?...

Hey! The cup of crimson wine,

Blood and gall and fire!

Castle Doom or Gates of Death?

( Smile again for pity! )

“Boot and horse,” my lady saith,

“Spur against the City,

Bear this message!” God and she

Still forget the guerdon;

Nay, the rope is on the tree!

That shall bear the burden!

I ride for the Queen to-night!