SONG. By T. K. Hervey, Esq. COME, touch the harp, my gentle one! And let the notes be sad and low, That smile of thine is all too bright Yet weep not thus, my gentle girl! Then touch the lyre, and let it wile Well hast thou cried, departed Burke, Is ended now and past! That iron age-which some have thought Is now all over-cast! Aye,-where are those heroic knights Who wore the plated vest,- The bold King Arthur sleepeth sound, F .76 A LAMENT FOR THE DECLINE OF CHIVALRY. Old Table such eclát! Oh Time has pluck'd the plumy brow! And none engage at turneys now But those who go to law! Grim John o' Gaunt is quite gone by, And Guy is nothing but a Guy, Orlando lies forlorn! Bold Sidney, and his kidney-nay, Those "early champions"-what are they But "Knights without a morn!" No Percy branch now perseveres The name is now a lie !- Surgeons, alone, by any chance, Alas! for Lion-Hearted Dick, That cut the Moslems to the quick, His weapon lies in peace,— The fam'd Rinaldo lies a-cold, And Tancred too, and Godfrey bold, That scal'd the holy wall! No Saracen meets Paladin, But only grow the small! Our Cressy's too have dwindled since To penny things-at our Black Prince Historic pens would scoff Where are those old and feudal clans, A battle was a battle then, A breathing piece of work-but men The curtal-axe is out of date! The good old cross-bow bends-to Fate, 'Tis gone-the archer's craft! No tough arm bends the springing yew, And jolly draymen ride, in lieu The spear-the gallant tilter's pride .78 A LAMENT FOR THE DECLINE OF CHIVALRY. Oh spits now domineer !- And where is all chain-armour gone? Go ask at Brighton Pier. 1 We fight in ropes and not in lists, No mounted man is overthrown- Methinks I see the bounding barb, For warding steel's appliance!— That bugles the "Defiance !" In cavils when will cavaliers No iron-crackling now is scor'd |