THE knightly legend of thy shield betrays The moral of thy life; a forecast wise, And that large honor that deceit defies, Inspired thy fathers in the elder days, Who decked thy scutcheon with that sturdy phrase, To be rather than seem. As eve's red skies Surpass the morning's rosy prophecies, Thy life to that proud boast its answer pays. Scorning thy faith and purpose to defend The ever-mutable multitude at last Will hail the power they did not comprehend, -- Thy fame will broaden through the centuries; As, storm and billowy tumult overpast, The moon rules calmly o'er the conquered seas. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A BIRTHDAY by LOUIS UNTERMEYER AUTUMN DIALOGUE by LOUIS UNTERMEYER THE SAD MOTHER by KATHARINE TYNAN FIRST LOVE by JOHANNA AMBROSIUS THE COMMON LOT by ANNA HEMPSTEAD BRANCH SONNETS FROM THE PORTUGUESE: 37 by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING TO THE MOST DISCONSOLATE GREAT BRITAIN by THOMAS CAMPION FOR A PICTURE WHERE A QUEEN LAMENTS OVER THE TOMB OF A SLAIN KNIGHT by THOMAS CAREW |