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1770–1850

RICHARD I

William Wordsworth

Redoubted King, of courage leonine, I mark thee, Richard! urgent to equip Thy warlike person with the staff and scrip; I watch thee sailing o'er the midland brine;

In conquered Cyprus see thy Bride decline Her blushing cheek, love-vowsupon her lip, And see love-emblems streaming from thy ship, As thence she holds her way to Palestine.

My Song, a fearless homager, would attend Thy thundering battle-axe as it cleaves the press Of war, but duty summons her away To tell — how, finding in the rash distress

Of those Enthusiasts a subservient friend, Togiddier heights hath clomb the Papal sway.

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RICHARD I · William Wordsworth · Poetry Cove