little roland.
187
Within the hall little Roland treads,
As though it were his own:
He takes a dish from the royal board
In silence, and is gone.
As though it were his own:
He takes a dish from the royal board
In silence, and is gone.
The king he thinks—what do I see?
This is a curious way;
But, as he quietly submits,
The rest do nothing say.
This is a curious way;
But, as he quietly submits,
The rest do nothing say.
In a little while again he comes:
To the king he marches up;
And little Roland boldly takes
The royal golden cup.
To the king he marches up;
And little Roland boldly takes
The royal golden cup.
"Halloa! stop there! thou saucy wight!"
King Charles's voice did ring:
Little Roland kept the golden cup.
And looked up at the king.
King Charles's voice did ring:
Little Roland kept the golden cup.
And looked up at the king.
The king at first looked angrily;
But very soon he smiled:
"You tread here in our golden hall,
As in the green woods wild,"
But very soon he smiled:
"You tread here in our golden hall,
As in the green woods wild,"
From the royal table you take a dish,
As they take an apple from a tree;
As with the waters of the brook,
With my red wine you make free."
As they take an apple from a tree;
As with the waters of the brook,
With my red wine you make free."
