RICHARD I

By William Wordsworth

Redoubted King, of courage leonine,

I mark thee, Richard! urgent to equip

Thy warlike person with the staff and scrip;

I watch thee sailing o'er the midland brine;

In conquered Cyprus see thy Bride decline

Her blushing cheek, love-vowsupon her lip,

And see love-emblems streaming from thy ship,

As thence she holds her way to Palestine.

My Song, a fearless homager, would attend

Thy thundering battle-axe as it cleaves the press

Of war, but duty summons her away

To tell — how, finding in the rash distress

Of those Enthusiasts a subservient friend,

Togiddier heights hath clomb the Papal sway.