KING Siegfried sat in his lofty hall: "Ye harpers! who sings the best song of all?" Then a youth stepped forth with a scornful lip, The harp in his hand, and the sword at his hip. "Three songs I know; but this first song Thou, O King! hast forgotten long: Thou hast stabbed my brother with murderous hand, -- Hast stabbed my brother with murderous hand! "The second song I learned aright In the midst of a dark and stormy night Thou must fight with me for life or death, -- Must fight with me for life or death!" On the banquet-table he laid his harp, And they both drew out their swords so sharp; And they fought in the sight of the harpers all, Till the King sank dead in the lofty hall. "And now for the third, the proudest, best! I shall sing it, sing it, and never rest: King Siegfried lies in his red, red blood, -- Siegfried lies in his red, red blood!" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE BALLAD OF EAST AND WEST by RUDYARD KIPLING A SONNET. ON THE DEATH OF SYLVIA by PHILIP AYRES STANZAS TO WILLIAM ROSCOE, ESQ. by BERNARD BARTON THE CHRISTENING OF THE STADIUM by HARRY RANDOLPH BLYTHE ON THE DEATH OF ALEXANDER, EMPEROR OF THE RUSSIAS by JOHN GARDINER CALKINS BRAINARD |