«E’er and anon, thence hither —
Yore of this glum gauntness.
Ye eavesdroppest to my plea —
Tarry not thy fealty!
Stint this bereavement dear friend! —
Wherefore dreegh me?
Nay leech, nay witch,
Doth but to cede my pall!»
Harness gilded, steed mounted.
Stern — I deem — a sire of conquer.
Alack! — Solely bethought —
Mayhap a song by the hearth?!
Uncouth esquire parch’d my veins —
Drat this sapling-drag! — Fray me! —
And heed me! — Aye! — Be naught! —
Should ye muster daggers in thy brow!
«Fare well! — my kinsmen —
I have drunk my last ale —
Eat and drink well —
O! — Behold my final skirmish.»
Crops be irk’d by draught —
Kinsmen waylain by robbers —
Kine of thine stampeding —
Curse thee fore’ermore!
Until then ne’er will I drink wine,
Nor shall I feel the melodious taste of honey!