{"collection":"Northern European Mythology","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/neu/arthur/art015.htm","path":"neu/arthur/art015.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/neu/arthur/art015.htm","text":"Sacred Texts\u00a0\n Legends/Sagas\u00a0\n England\u00a0\n Index\u00a0\n Previous\u00a0\n Next\u00a0\n \n \n An Arthurian Miscellany\n BALLADE OF TRISTRAM'S LAST HARPING\n by\n GERTRUDE BARTLETT\n \n \n \n The end that Love doth seek, what bard can say,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0In that fair season when the tender green\n Of opening leaves doth roof the woods of May,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0And sweet wild buds from out their places lean\n To touch the dainty feet that heedless stray\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Among them, with a youth in knight's attire?\n His lady's will capricious to obey,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0This is the end of dawning Love's desire.\n \n And when amid the summer's bright array\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Of blossoms, are the crimson roses seen,\n And one young maid, fairer than any spray\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0In perfect bloom, wanders their lines between,\n What bless\u00ebd solace can the lover pray\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Of her compassion, for his heart of fire?\n With kisses on her mouth all words to stay--\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0This is the end of eager Love's desire.\n \n With driven clouds the hovering sky is grey;\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The winds above the frozen hills are keen,\n And all fair buds have fallen in decay;\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0What joy hath now the true knight of his Queen?\n No rapture less exultant can allay\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0His need, than softly craves this faulty lyre:\n To answer all his pleading with sweet 'Yea'--\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0This is the end of yearning Love's desire.\n \n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Envoy\n \n Beloved, now is done our life's brief day;\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Not with the day howe'er doth Love expire.\n Within thine arms the night to dream away--\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0This is the end of Love's supreme desire.\n \n \n \n Next: Merlin's Youth, by George Bidder [1899]","title":"Arthurian Miscellany: Ballade of Tristram's Last Harping, by Gertrude Bartlett [1916]","type":"page"}