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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

BALLAD OF THE BITTER KNIGHT by AUGUSTA DAVIES WEBSTER

First Line: I LORDED IN AN ANCIENT HALL
Last Line: AND I WILL LAUGH UNTIL I DIE.
I LORDED in an ancient hall,
Sing merrily, sing merrily,
The night owl haunts the fire-laid wall,
And I will laugh until I die.

I loved a maiden fair as Heaven,
Sing merrily, sing merrily,
A weary wife to a churl is given,
And I will laugh until I die.

My worshipped mother was my pride,
Sing merrily, sing merrily,
A stain was on her when she died,
And I will laugh until I die.

I had a sister, dear to me,
Sing merrily, sing merrily,
She sleeps beneath the moaning sea,
And I will laugh until I die.

I chose a friend, he had my trust,
Sing merrily, sing merrily,
He trod my honour to the dust,
And I will laugh until I die.

I came of name and lineage high,
Sing merrily, sing merrily,
My name is soiled by calumny,
And I will laugh until I die.

My youth of faith and love is lorn,
Sing merrily, sing merrily,
I scorn the world that gives me scorn,
And I will laugh until I die.

Earth holds no hope to warm my breast,
Sing merrily, sing merrily,
I will not seek unhallowed rest,
And I will laugh until I die.




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