The fairy camp, with tents displayed , Squadrons and glittering files arrayed In strict battalia o'er the plain: Gay trumpets sound the shrill refrain; From field to field loud orders ring, And couriers scour from wing to wing. On a soft ambling jennet-fly And girt with elfin chivalry Who mingle in suppressed debate, Rides forth the pigmy Autocrat. Her ivory spear swings in its rest, Close and succinct her martial vest Tucked up above her snowy knee, A miniature Penthesilee! Her Amazonian nymphs beside Their queen, at humble distance ride; Encased in golden helms their hair, In corslets steel their bosoms fair, With trowsered skirt loopt strait and high Upon the limb's white luxury, That clasps so firm, yet soft, each steed Thinks himself manfully bestrid, And snorts and paws with fierce delight, Proud of his own young Maiden-knight, Whose moony targe at saddle-bow Hangs loose, and glimmers as they go. Now breathe your fifes and roll your drums, 'Tis the Queen's Majesty that comes! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A SHROPSHIRE LAD: 28. THE WELSH MARCHES by ALFRED EDWARD HOUSMAN A WAYFARING SONG by HENRY VAN DYKE FAMILIAR EPISTLES ON A SERMON, 'OFFICE & OPERATIONS OF HOLY SPIRIT': 2 by JOHN BYROM LINES ON HEARING THAT LADY BYRON WAS ILL by GEORGE GORDON BYRON |