A “So. 
1826. ] Songs of a, Summer Nighi. 595 
erate A: ‘Many 2 knight lies stark and dead, 
9199 Some slain with a single blow ; Bart, hus 
Many a knight hath hung his head, bf 
Abashed at his overthrow. 
For one alone hath conquered all, 
And he woundless kneels for his coronal, 
_, But the heralds haye blown a blast again, 
_ And a stalwart knight pricks oyer the plain: 
_ He stands in the lists, and his armour bright 
Reflects the form of the victor knight. 
He laughs with disdain when the foe he sees, . 
And looks at the throng with glee; 
While his plume starts up and fronts the breeze, 
Boy% All sure of the victory. 
{3 ‘* Who is he?—who is he?” is heard apart; 
*Tis the haughty Knight of the Marble Heart. 
And who is he that hath fought so well, 
And done such deeds for a world to tell ? 
Alas, he looks a child, and his eyes 
Are hoodwinked too; from his shoulders rise 
Two feathery wings, and his tilting spear 
Is an arrow small and light; 
He a weapon finds in the starting tear, 
And a smile is his brand of might. 
Aha! by the heart-shaped shield we know 
Sir Cupid, the Knight of the Bended Bow. 
They rein back their steeds, and both prepare 
BALIOY To splinter a lance for the honours there: 
}oot69 2): But he of the Marble Heart surveys 
}> io ec. s The eare of his foe with a scornful gaze; 
ror | For Sir Cupid hath gemmed with two beaming eyes 
The centre of his shield, 
ae 4 And resting his feathered spear, defies 
ee His champion to the field. 
dihteieh, Fair cheeks are flushed, and brows are bent, 
tee, As the knights prepare for the tournament. 
oh The trumpets clang, and the sound is heard 
Of the furious rush and the cheering word ; 
But the scornful knight in wild surprise 
Is dazzled and mad with the beaming eyes, 
Dycs - Through his vizor they flash, from his horse he reels, 
bsy For the shaft lance strikes him through ; 
Mel 2 And the Marble Heart despairing feels 
bilavrre What the champion-boy can do. 
H45 On a bed of shields he is borne away, 
ea) Blo, And Sir Cupid is lord of the fierce tourney. f 
| The first song being finished, a general inspiration seemed to spread 
through the whole group. All the accustomed singers were selecting 
within themselves their most favourite lay, in the event of a request for 
their, strains; and those whose voices were seldom lifted up in song, 
strove to recal to memory some ancient ditty, that they might venture 
their imperfect skill in the lists of harmony. Opinions were asked and 
given of the sweetness of the music, and the beauty of the poetry of 
some popular troubadour, and various were the passages and cadences 
gently trilled as specimens for particular admiration. Even a brook, 
which hitherto none had heard, now rippled and tripped over its shallow 
bed, and sang its tinkling melody to the delighted rushes, that bent and 
4G2 
