The Norman Knight

Within the castle chamber The Norman knight lay dead; The quarterings of the casement Shone holy round his head.

And first there came a maiden; Her face was wet and white: She kissed his mouth and murmured, "Thou wast my own true knight."

Within the arrased chamber The Norman knight lay dead; And tapers four and twenty Burnt at his feet and head.

And next there came a friar And prayed beside the bier: "Thou art a blesséd angel, Who wast so noble here."

Within the lofty chamber The Norman knight lay dead; Dim through the carven casement The moonbeams lit his head.

And then there came a varlet-- Loud laughed he in his face: "Thus do I spit upon thee, Thee and thy curséd race!"

Within the silent chamber The Norman knight lay dead-- Nor Norman knight nor Saxon serf Heard aught the dead man said.