How blest the years of pastoral life shall roll! 65 Full little shall their wishes rove beyond Its mountains blue, and melon-skirted streams, Since childhood loved and dreamt of in their dreams. 70 And bring as sweet thoughts o'er his bosom's chords Go forth and prosper then, emprising band; ST. GEORGE AND THE DRAGON. OF Hector's deeds did Homer sing; What griefs fair Helena did bring, St. George's deeds, an English knight. Against the Sarazens so rude Fought he full-long and many a day ; In honour of the Christian way: 5 ΙΟ Now, as the story plain doth tell, Whereby they were full sore opprest: The grief whereof did grow so great Throughout the limits of the land, That they their wise-men did entreat To shew their cunning out of hand; What way they might this fiend destroy, That did the country thus annoy. 15 20 The dragon's breath infects their blood, Among them such a plague it bred, 35 The living scarce could bury the dead. No means there were, as they could hear, For to appease the dragon's rage, But to present some virgin clear, Whose blood his fury might assuage; 40 Each day he would a maiden eat, This thing by art the wise-men found, 45 Thus did the dragon every day Untimely crop some virgin flower, Till all the maids were worn away, And none were left him to devour : Saving the king's fair daughter bright, Her father's only heart's delight. Then came the officers to the king That heavy message to declare, Which did his heart with sorrow sting; 66 66 She is,” quoth he, “ my kingdom's heir ; O let us all be poison'd here, Ere she should die, that is my dear." Then rose the people presently, And to the king in rage they went; They said his daughter dear should die, The dragon's fury to prevent : "Our daughters all are dead," quoth they, "And have been made the dragon's prey : 50 55 60 65 "And by their blood we rescued were, And thou hast saved thy life thereby ; And now in sooth it is but fair, For us thy daughter so should die." "O save my daughter," said the king; 66 And let me feel the dragon's sting." 70 Then fell fair Sabra on her knee, And to her father dear did say, "O father, strive not thus for me, 75 But let me be the dragon's prey; It may be, for my sake alone, This plague upon the land was thrown. "Tis better I should die," she said, "Than all your subjects perish quite ; 80 Perhaps the dragon here was laid, For my offence to work his spite : "What hast thou done, my daughter dear, For to deserve this heavy scourge ? It is my fault, as may appear, Which makes the gods our state to purge; Then ought I die, to stint the strife, And to preserve thy happy life." Like mad-men, all the people cried, In making her the dragon's food." "Nay stay, dear daughter," quoth the queen, So let me clothe thee all in white; And crown thy head with flowers sweet, And when she was attired so, According to her mother's mind, Unto the stake then did she go; 105 To which her tender limbs they bind : And being bound to stake a thrall "Farewell, my father dear," quoth she, Take you no thought nor weep for me, For you may have another child: Since for my country's good I die, Death I receive most willingly." The king and queen and all their train With weeping eyes went then their way, And let their daughter there remain, To be the hungry dragon's prey : But as she did there weeping lie, Behold St. George came riding by. 115 120 And seeing there a lady bright So rudely tied unto a stake, He straight to her his way did take : "Tell me, sweet maiden," then quoth he, 125 "What caitiff thus abuseth thee? "And, lo! by Christ his cross I vow, Which here is figured on my breast, "Here comes that cursed fiend," quoth she, "That soon will make an end of me." St. George then looking round about, 140 And like a knight of courage stout, Against him did most fiercely ride; And with such blows he did him greet, He fell beneath his horse's feet. For with his lance that was so strong, 145 As he came gaping in his face, In at his mouth he thrust along; For he could pierce no other place : 150 The savour of his poison'd breath Could do this holy knight no harm. Thus he the lady saved from death, And home he led her by the arm; Which when King Ptolemy did see, There was great mirth and melody. Old Ballad. 155 |