Page:Harold the Dauntless - Scott (1817).djvu/44
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HAROLD THE DAUNTLESS.
Canto I.
Bore oft a light of deadly flame
That ne'er from mortal courage came.
Those limbs so strong, that mood so stern,
That loved the couch of heath and fern,
Afar from hamlet, tower, and town,
More than to rest on driven down;
That stubborn frame, that sullen mood,
Men deem'd must come of aught but good,
And they whisper'd, the great master fiend was at one
With Harold the Dauntless, Count Witikind's son.
That ne'er from mortal courage came.
Those limbs so strong, that mood so stern,
That loved the couch of heath and fern,
Afar from hamlet, tower, and town,
More than to rest on driven down;
That stubborn frame, that sullen mood,
Men deem'd must come of aught but good,
And they whisper'd, the great master fiend was at one
With Harold the Dauntless, Count Witikind's son.
XX.
Years after years had gone and fled,
The good old prelate lies lapp'd in lead;
Years after years had gone and fled,
The good old prelate lies lapp'd in lead;