Defence of Guenevere and Other Poems — The Gilliflower of Gold
A golden gilliflower to-day I wore upon my helm alway, And won the prize of this tourney.
_Hah!
hah!
la belle jaune giroflee.
_ 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 giroflee.
_ 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 giroflee.
_ 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 giroflee.
_ 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 giroflee.
_ 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 giroflee.
_ To hear: _Honneur aux fils des preux!
_ Right in my ears again, and shew The gilliflower blossom'd new.
_Hah!
hah!
la belle jaune giroflee.
_ 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 giroflee.
_ 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 giroflee.
_ 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 giroflee.
_ 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 giroflee.
_ Crash!
how the swords met: _giroflee!
_ The fierce tune in my helm would play, _La belle!
la belle!
jaune giroflee!
Hah!
hah!
la belle jaune giroflee.
_ 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 giroflee.
_ 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 giroflee.
_ 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 giroflee.
_
