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Defence of Guenevere and Other Poems

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<hr style="width: 65%;" />[Pg 159] <h2>THE GILLIFLOWER OF GOLD</h2> <div class="cpoem20"><div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> A GOLDEN gilliflower to-day I wore upon my helm alway, And won the prize of this tourney. Hah! hah! la belle jaune giroflée. </div> <div class="stanza"> However well Sir Giles might sit, His sun was weak to wither it, Lord Miles's blood was dew on it: Hah! hah! la belle jaune giroflée. </div> <div class="stanza"> Although my spear in splinters flew, From John's steel-coat, my eye was true; I wheel'd about, and cried for you, Hah! hah! la belle jaune giroflée. [Pg 160]</div> <div class="stanza"> Yea, do not doubt my heart was good, Though my sword flew like rotten wood, To shout, although I scarcely stood, Hah! hah! la belle jaune giroflée. </div> <div class="stanza"> My hand was steady too, to take My axe from round my neck, and break John's steel-coat up for my love's sake. Hah! hah! la belle jaune giroflée. </div> <div class="stanza"> When I stood in my tent again, Arming afresh, I felt a pain Take hold of me, I was so fain, Hah! hah! la belle jaune giroflée. </div> <div class="stanza"> To hear: Honneur aux fils des preux! Right in my ears again, and shew The gilliflower blossom'd new. Hah! hah! la belle jaune giroflée. </div> <div class="stanza"> The Sieur Guillaume against me came, His tabard bore three points of flame From a red heart: with little blame, Hah! hah! la belle jaune giroflée. [Pg 161]</div> <div class="stanza"> Our tough spears crackled up like straw; He was the first to turn and draw His sword, that had nor speck nor flaw; Hah! hah! la belle jaune giroflée. </div> <div class="stanza"> But I felt weaker than a maid, And my brain, dizzied and afraid, Within my helm a fierce tune play'd, Hah! hah! la belle jaune giroflée. </div> <div class="stanza"> Until I thought of your dear head, Bow'd to the gilliflower bed, The yellow flowers stain'd with red; Hah! hah! la belle jaune giroflée. </div> <div class="stanza"> Crash! how the swords met: giroflée! The fierce tune in my helm would play, La belle! la belle! jaune giroflée! Hah! hah! la belle jaune giroflée. </div> <div class="stanza"> Once more the great swords met again: "La belle! la belle!" but who fell then? Le Sieur Guillaume, who struck down ten; Hah! hah! la belle jaune giroflée. [Pg 162]</div> <div class="stanza"> And as with mazed and unarm'd face, Toward my own crown and the Queen's place, They led me at a gentle pace. Hah! hah! la belle jaune giroflée. </div> <div class="stanza"> I almost saw your quiet head Bow'd o'er the gilliflower bed, The yellow flowers stain'd with red. Hah! hah! la belle jaune giroflée. </div> </div></div> <div style="break-after:column;"></div>

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