Poems - Sir Richard's Song

"Sir Richard's Song"

I followed my Duke ere I was a lover,

To take from England fief and fee;
But now this game is the other way over -

But now England hath taken me!

I had my horse, my shield and banner,

And a boy's heart, so whole and free;
But now I sing in another manner -

But now England hath taken me!

As for my Father in his tower,

Asking news of my ship at sea,
He will remember his own hour -

Tell him England hath taken me!

As for my Mother in her bower,

That rules my Father so cunningly,
She will remember a maiden's power -

Tell her England hath taken me!

As for my Brother in Rouen City,

A nimble and naughty' page is he,
But he will come to suffer and pity -

Tell him England hath taken me!

As for my little Sister waiting

In the pleasant orchards of Normandie,
Tell her youth is the time for mating -

Tell her England hath taken me!

As for my comrades in camp and highway

That lift their eyebrows scornfully,
Tell them their way is not my way -

Tell them England hath taken me!

Kings and Princes and Barons famed,

Knights and Captains in your degree;
Hear me a little before I am blamed -

Seeing England hath taken me!

Howso great man's strength be reckoned,

There are two things he cannot flee.
Love is the first, and Death is the second -

And Love in England hath taken me!