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Alfred Noyes - A Ride For The QueenAlfred Noyes - A Ride For The Queen
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Queen of queens, oh lady mine,       You who say you love me,     Here`s a cup of crimson wine       To the stars above me;     Here`s a cup of blood and gall       For a soldier`s quaffing!     What`s the prize to crown it all?       Death? I`ll take it laughing!     I ride for the Queen to-night!     Though I find no knightly fee       Waiting on my lealty,     High upon the gallows-tree       Faithful to my fealty,     What had I but love and youth,       Hope and fame in season?     She has proved that more than truth       Glorifies her treason!     Would that other do as much?       Ah, but if in sorrow     Some forgotten look or touch       Pierce her heart to-morrow     She might love me yet, I think;       So her lie befriends me,     Though I know there`s darker drink       Down the road she sends me.     Ay, one more great chance is mine       (Can I faint or falter?)     She shall pour my blood like wine,       Make my heart her altar,     Burn it to the dust! For, there,       What if o`er the embers     She should stoop and--I should hear--       "_Hush! Thy love remembers!_"     One more chance for every word       Whispered to betray me,     While she buckled on my sword       Smiling to allay me;     One more chance; ah, let me not       Mar her perfect pleasure;     Love shall pay me, jot by jot,       Measure for her measure.     Faith shall think I never knew,       I will be so fervent!     Doubt shall dream I dreamed her true       As her war-worn servant!     Whoso flouts her spotless name       (Love, I wear thy token!)     He shall face one sword of flame       Ere the lie be spoken!     All the world`s a-foam with may,       (Fragrant as her bosom!)     Could I find a sweeter way       Through the year`s young blossom,     Where her warm red mouth on mine       Woke my soul`s desire?...     Hey! The cup of crimson wine,       Blood and gall and fire!     Castle Doom or Gates of Death?       (Smile again for pity!)     "Boot and horse," my lady saith,       "Spur against the City,     Bear this message!" God and she       Still forget the guerdon;     Nay, the rope is on the tree!       That shall bear the burden!     I ride for the Queen to-night!
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