Page:The New Monthly Magazine - Volume 011.djvu/228
my own arrangements. Let me know when you wish me.to be with you, and I will arrange accordingly. Let me know soon as you can whether you want me by the fifteenth of July. I had rather not open the theatre if you can avoid it. Let Imogine be my first character. Will there be time for the MS. play I mentioned to be got up for my night if I play the four nights in one week? I send this off immediately on the receipt of your's—uncertain if you will get it to-night, as I have not a messenger. But I suppose these letters will be forwarded to you at Gravesend. I shall feel obliged by hearing from you as to the time, as I have some literary arrangements to make that I am pledged for the finishing of in a stated time.
I have the honour to be,
Sir, your obedient,
TROUBADOUR SONG.
The Captive Knight.
'Twas a trumpet's pealing sound!
And the Knight look'd down from the Paynim's tower,
And a Christian host, in its pride and power,
Through the pass beneath him wound.
Cease awhile, clarion! clarion wild and shrill,
Cease! let them hear the captive's voice,—be still!
"I knew 'twas a trumpet's note!
And I see my brethren's lances gleam,
And their pennons wave, by the mountain-stream,
And their plumes to the glad wind float!
Cease awhile, clarion! clarion wild and shrill,
Cease! let them hear the captive's voice,—be still!
"I am here, with my heavy chain!
And I look on a torrent, sweeping by,
And an eagle, rushing to the sky,
And a host, to its battle-plain!
Cease awhile, clarion! clarion wild and shrill,
Cease! let them hear the captive's voice,—be still!
"Must I pine in my fetters here?
With the wild wave's foam, and the free bird's flight,
And the tall spears glancing on my sight,
And the trumpet in mine ear?
Cease awhile, clarion! clarion wild and shrill,
Cease! let them hear the captive's voice,—be still!
"They are gone! they have all pass'd by!
They in whose wars I had borne my part,
They that I loved with a brother's heart,
They have left me here to die!
Sound again, clarion! clarion, pour thy blast!
Sound! for the captive's dream of hope is past!"