Page:Landon in Literary Gazette 1828.pdf/10

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Literary Gazette, 5th July, 1828, Page 427


ORIGINAL POETRY.

SIR ADALBERT: BALLAD.

Sir Adalbert, Sir Adalbert, why dost thou pass the wine?
The foam-beads are like diamonds upon a ruby shrine;
Why dost thou bend thy gloomy brow so oft upon thy sword?
Why dost thou guard such sullen mood beside the festal board?

"Mine eye is best upon my sword, because the Cross is there;
And I’ve a brow of care, for well it suits the heart of care.
Now fling down each untasted cup, and listen to my tale,
Then marvel that my lip is mute, or that my laughter fail.

You know the colours that I wore whene'er I rode the ring;
You know the soft eyes that were wont their sidelong glance to fling;
You know the Lady Adela, my own sweet sovereign dame,
When every knight rode up and kissed his goblet to her name.

Last night there came the little page so blest her lute to hear,
And gave my hand a scented scroll, bound with her sunny hair—