Explore "The Epic" by Madison Cawein on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
/ "To arms! " the battle bugles blew. / The daughter of their Earl was she, / Lord of a thousand swords and true; / He but a squire of low degree.
/ The horns of war blew up to horse: / He kissed her mouth; her face was white; / "God grant they bear thee back no corse! " -- / "God give I win my spurs to-night!"
/ Each watch-tower's blazing beacon scarred / A blood-blot in the wounded dark: / She heard knights gallop battleward, / And from the turret leaned to mark.
/ "My God, deliver me and mine! / My child! my God! " all night she prayed: / She saw the battle beacons shine; / She saw the battle beacons fade.
/ They brought him on a bier of spears. -- / For him -- the death-won spurs and name; / For her -- the sting of secret tears, / And convent walls to hide her shame.