Complete Works of William Morris, page 552
They bound his corpse to nod by my side:
Then on we rode, in the bright March weather,
With clash of cymbals did we ride.
We ride no more, no more together;
My prison-bars are thick and strong,
I take no heed of any weather,
The sweet Saints grant I live not long.
RIDING TOGETHER.
For many, many days together
The wind blew steady from the East;
For many days hot grew the weather,
About the time of our Lady’s Feast.
For many days we rode together,
Yet met we neither friend nor foe;
Hotter and clearer grew the weather,
Steadily did the East wind blow.
We saw the trees in the hot, bright weather,
Clear-cut, with shadows very black,
As freely we rode on together
With helms unlaced and bridles slack.
And often as we rode together,
We, looking down the green-bank’d stream,
Saw flowers in the sunny weather,
And saw the bubble-making bream.
And in the night lay down together,
And hung above our heads the rood,
Or watch’d night-long in the dewy weather,
The while the moon did watch the wood.
Our spears stood bright and thick together,
Straight out the banners stream’d behind,
As we gallop’d on in the sunny weather,
With faces turn’d towards the wind.
Down sank our threescore spears together,
As thick we saw the pagans ride;
His eager face in the clear fresh weather,
Shone out that last time by my side.
Up the sweep of the bridge we dash’d together,
It rock’d to the crash of the meeting spears,
Down rain’d the buds of the dear spring weather,
The elm-tree flowers fell like tears.
There, as we roll’d and writhed together,
I threw my arms above my head,
For close by my side, in the lovely weather,
I saw him reel and fall back dead.
I and the slayer met together,
He waited the death-stroke there in his place,
With thoughts of death, in the lovely weather,
Gapingly mazed at my madden’d face.
Madly I fought as we fought together,
In vain, the little Christian band
The Pagans drowned, as in stormy weather,
The wild waves drown low-lying land.
They bound my blood-stain’d hands together,
They bound his corpse to nod by my side:
Then on we rode, in the bright March weather,
With clash of cymbals did we ride.
We ride no more, no more together;
My prison-bars are thick and strong,
I take no heed of any weather,
The sweet Saints grant I live not long.
THAT QUEER STORY
Amidst a forest of the wild
A woodman dwelt with wife & child
A man made fair & tall and strong
So that no man had deemed it wrong
Had he sat at the lords right hand
In any castle of the land.
Little of learning did he wot
Great men’s degrees he heeded not
He deemed his raiment good enough
Although to the most of winds that blow
Found them all open to his skin.
The Poems
Kelmscott Manor in the Cotswolds – Morris purchased the Manor with Dante Gabriel Rossetti in June 1871, as a holiday home. His artisan Kelmscott Press, is named after the house.
LIST OF POEMS IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER
THE DEFENCE OF GUENEVERE
KING ARTHUR’S TOMB
SIR GALAHAD, A CHRISTMAS MYSTERY
THE CHAPEL IN LYONESS
SIR PETER HARPDON’S END
RAPUNZEL
CONCERNING GEFFRAY TESTE NOIRE
A GOOD KNIGHT IN PRISON
OLD LOVE
THE GILLIFLOWER OF GOLD
SHAMEFUL DEATH
THE EVE OF CRECY
THE JUDGMENT OF GOD
THE LITTLE TOWER
THE SAILING OF THE SWORD
SPELL-BOUND
THE WIND
THE BLUE CLOSET
THE TUNE OF SEVEN TOWERS
GOLDEN WINGS
THE HAYSTACK IN THE FLOODS
TWO RED ROSES ACROSS THE MOON
WELLAND RIVER
RIDING TOGETHER
FATHER JOHN’S WAR-SONG
SIR GILES’ WAR-SONG
NEAR AVALON
PRAISE OF MY LADY
SUMMER DAWN
IN PRISON
LIFE AND DEATH OF JASON: BOOK I.
LIFE AND DEATH OF JASON: BOOK II.
LIFE AND DEATH OF JASON: BOOK III.
LIFE AND DEATH OF JASON: BOOK IV.
LIFE AND DEATH OF JASON: BOOK V.
LIFE AND DEATH OF JASON: BOOK VI.
LIFE AND DEATH OF JASON: BOOK VII.
LIFE AND DEATH OF JASON: BOOK VIII.
LIFE AND DEATH OF JASON: BOOK IX.
LIFE AND DEATH OF JASON: BOOK X.
LIFE AND DEATH OF JASON: BOOK XI.
LIFE AND DEATH OF JASON: BOOK XII.
LIFE AND DEATH OF JASON: BOOK XIII.
LIFE AND DEATH OF JASON: BOOK XIV.
LIFE AND DEATH OF JASON: BOOK XV.
LIFE AND DEATH OF JASON: BOOK XVI.
LIFE AND DEATH OF JASON: BOOK XVII.
AN APOLOGY
PROLOGUE — THE WANDERERS.
MARCH.
APRIL.
MAY.
JUNE.
JULY.
AUGUST.
SEPTEMBER.
OCTOBER.
NOVEMBER.
DECEMBER.
JANUARY.
FEBRUARY.
EPILOGUE.
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
LOVE IS ENOUGH
STORY OF SIGURD: BOOK I.
STORY OF SIGURD: BOOK II.
STORY OF SIGURD: BOOK III.
GLOSSARY
THE MESSAGE OF THE MARCH WIND
THE BRIDGE AND THE STREET
SENDING TO THE WAR
MOTHER AND SON
NEW BIRTH
THE NEW PROLETARIAN
IN PRISON — AND AT HOME
THE HALF OF LIFE GONE
A NEW FRIEND
READY TO DEPART
A GLIMPSE OF THE COMING DAY
MEETING THE WAR-MACHINE
THE STORY’S ENDING
THE DAY IS COMING
THE VOICE OF TOIL
NO MASTER
ALL FOR THE CAUSE
THE MARCH OF THE WORKERS
DOWN AMONG THE DEAD MEN
A DEATH SONG
MAY DAY
MAY DAY, 1894
ALFRED LINNELL, KILLED IN TRAFALGAR SQUARE. A DEATH SONG
FROM THE UPLAND TO THE SEA.
OF THE WOOING OF HALLBIORN THE STRONG. A STORY FROM THE LAND- SETTLING BOOK OF ICELAND, CHAPTER XXX.
ECHOES OF LOVE’S HOUSE.
THE BURGHERS’ BATTLE.
HOPE DIETH: LOVE LIVETH.
ERROR AND LOSS.
THE HALL AND THE WOOD.
THE DAY OF DAYS.
TO THE MUSE OF THE NORTH.
OF THE THREE SEEKERS.
LOVE’S GLEANING-TIDE.
THE MESSAGE OF THE MARCH WIND.
A DEATH SONG.
ICELAND FIRST SEEN
THE RAVEN AND THE KING’S DAUGHTER.
SPRING’S BEDFELLOW.
MEETING IN WINTER.
THE TWO SIDES OF THE RIVER
LOVE FULFILLED.
THE KING OF DENMARK’S SONS.
ON THE EDGE OF THE WILDERNESS.
A GARDEN BY THE SEA.
MOTHER AND SON.
THUNDER IN THE GARDEN.
THE GOD OF THE POOR.
LOVE’S REWARD.
THE FOLK-MOTE BY THE RIVER.
THE VOICE OF TOIL.
GUNNAR’S HOWE ABOVE THE HOUSE AT LITHEND.
THE DAY IS COMING.
EARTH THE HEALER, EARTH THE KEEPER.
ALL FOR THE CAUSE.
PAIN AND TIME STRIVE NOT.
DRAWING NEAR THE LIGHT.
VERSES FOR PICTURES.
FOR THE BRIAR ROSE.
ANOTHER FOR THE BRIAR-ROSE.
THE WOODPECKER.
THE LION.
THE FOREST.
POMONA.
FLORA.
THE ORCHARD.
TAPESTRY TREES.
THE FLOWERING ORCHARD.
THE END OF MAY.
THE HALF OF LIFE GONE.
MINE AND THINE. FROM A FLEMISH POEM OF THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY.
THE LAY OF CHRISTINE. TRANSLATED FROM THE ICELANDIC.
HILDEBRAND AND HELLELIL. TRANSLATED FROM THE DANISH.
THE SON’S SORROW. FROM THE ICELANDIC.
AGNES AND THE HILL-MAN. TRANSLATED FROM THE DANISH.
KNIGHT AAGEN AND MAIDEN ELSE. TRANSLATED FROM THE DANISH.
HAFBUR AND SIGNY. TRANSLATED FROM THE DANISH.
GOLDILOCKS AND GOLDILOCKS.
THE WANDERERS
THE STORY OF DOROTHEA
THE STORY OF ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE
THE STORY OF ARISTOMENES
THE WOOING OF SWANHILD
WHY WEEPETH HE?
THE ABBEY AND THE PALACE: STANDING AWAY FROM THE CORNFIELDS
BALLAD: WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN SO LONG TO-DAY?
BALLAD: MALMSTON HAD A DREAM IN THE NIGHT
THE NIGHT-WALK: NIGHT LAY UPON THE CITY
THE BANNERS: STANDS A HOUSE AMONG THE TREES
DROWNED: WHAT IS THE BOTTOM OF THE RIVER LIKE?
THE RUINED CASTLE
THE MOSQUE RISING IN THE PLACE OF THE TEMPLE OF SOLOMON (OR, THE DEDICATION OF THE TEMPLE).
THE THREE FLOWERS (NOW THE CROCUS IS BESIDE ME / IN THE SWEET SPRING-TIDE OF YEAR;)
FROM ALL OTHER MOVING SHADOWS
AND THEN AS THE SHIP MOVES OVER THE DEEP
THE WILLOW AND THE RED CLIFF (ABOUT THE RIVER GOES THE WIND)
WINTER WEATHER (FOR MANY, MANY DAYS TOGETHER)
THE FEN-RIVER (DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, EVER DOWN THE RIVER)
THE BLACKBIRD
TWAS IN CHURCH ON PALM SUNDAY
BLANCHE
THE MAYING OF QUEEN GUENEVERE
THE LONG LAND
REJECTED FRAGMENT FROM SIR PETER HARPDON’S END
ONCE MY FELL FOE
THE ROMANCE OF THE THREE WOOERS
ST. AGNES’ CONVENT
PALOMYDES QUEST
WE HAVE DONE ALL THAT MEN COULD DO
BALLAD: THERE WERE TWO KNIGHTS RODE TOGETHER
SAINT GEORGE
WHY DO THEY MAKE THESE LISTS IN THE GREAT SQUARE?
A TIME THERE WAS IN DAYS LONG PAST AWAY
THE LADY OF HAVERING
GOD SAVE THE KINGS HIGHNESS
THAT SUMMER MORNING OUT IN THE GREEN FIELDS
SCENES FROM THE FALL OF TROY
ON THE EDGE OF THE WILDERNESS
THE SLEEVE OF GOLD
THE LADY OF THE WASTED LAND
LO SIRS A DESOLATE DAMOZEL
THE STORY OF THE FLOWER
SONGS FROM “THE HOLLOW LAND”
SONG FROM “GERTHA’S LOVERS”
PRAY BUT ONE PRAYER FOR ME
SONG FROM “GOLDEN WINGS”
SIR RICHARD
DEAR FRIENDS, I LAY AWAKE IN THE NIGHT
EARLY DRAFT: THE MAN BORN TO BE KING
YOLAND
I WHO AM CURIOUS…
SIR GILES WAR SONG
SONG FROM “FRANK’S SEALED LETTER”
IN PRISON.
HANDS
THE CAPTIVE
FROM THE OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE MAGAZINE, MAY 1856
RIDING TOGETHER.
THAT QUEER STORY
LIST OF POEMS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER
A-D E-H I-L M-O P-S T-V W-Z
A DEATH SONG
A DEATH SONG.
A GARDEN BY THE SEA.
A GLIMPSE OF THE COMING DAY
A GOOD KNIGHT IN PRISON
A NEW FRIEND
A TIME THERE WAS IN DAYS LONG PAST AWAY
AGNES AND THE HILL-MAN. TRANSLATED FROM THE DANISH.
ALFRED LINNELL, KILLED IN TRAFALGAR SQUARE. A DEATH SONG
ALL FOR THE CAUSE
ALL FOR THE CAUSE.
AN APOLOGY
AND THEN AS THE SHIP MOVES OVER THE DEEP
ANOTHER FOR THE BRIAR-ROSE.
APRIL.
AUGUST.
BALLAD: MALMSTON HAD A DREAM IN THE NIGHT
BALLAD: THERE WERE TWO KNIGHTS RODE TOGETHER
BALLAD: WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN SO LONG TO-DAY?
BLANCHE
CONCERNING GEFFRAY TESTE NOIRE
DEAR FRIENDS, I LAY AWAKE IN THE NIGHT
DECEMBER.
DOWN AMONG THE DEAD MEN
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
DRAWING NEAR THE LIGHT.
DROWNED: WHAT IS THE BOTTOM OF THE RIVER LIKE?
EARLY DRAFT: THE MAN BORN TO BE KING
EARTH THE HEALER, EARTH THE KEEPER.
ECHOES OF LOVE’S HOUSE.
EPILOGUE.
ERROR AND LOSS.
FATHER JOHN’S WAR-SONG
FEBRUARY.
FLORA.
FOR THE BRIAR ROSE.
FROM ALL OTHER MOVING SHADOWS
FROM THE OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE MAGAZINE, MAY 1856
FROM THE UPLAND TO THE SEA.
GLOSSARY
GOD SAVE THE KINGS HIGHNESS
GOLDEN WINGS
GOLDILOCKS AND GOLDILOCKS.
GUNNAR’S HOWE ABOVE THE HOUSE AT LITHEND.
HAFBUR AND SIGNY. TRANSLATED FROM THE DANISH.
HANDS
HILDEBRAND AND HELLELIL. TRANSLATED FROM THE DANISH.
HOPE DIETH: LOVE LIVETH.
I WHO AM CURIOUS…
ICELAND FIRST SEEN
IN PRISON
IN PRISON — AND AT HOME
IN PRISON.
JANUARY.
JULY.
JUNE.
KING ARTHUR’S TOMB
KNIGHT AAGEN AND MAIDEN ELSE. TRANSLATED FROM THE DANISH.
LIFE AND DEATH OF JASON: BOOK I.
LIFE AND DEATH OF JASON: BOOK II.
LIFE AND DEATH OF JASON: BOOK III.
LIFE AND DEATH OF JASON: BOOK IV.
LIFE AND DEATH OF JASON: BOOK IX.
LIFE AND DEATH OF JASON: BOOK V.
LIFE AND DEATH OF JASON: BOOK VI.
LIFE AND DEATH OF JASON: BOOK VII.
LIFE AND DEATH OF JASON: BOOK VIII.
LIFE AND DEATH OF JASON: BOOK X.
LIFE AND DEATH OF JASON: BOOK XI.
LIFE AND DEATH OF JASON: BOOK XII.
LIFE AND DEATH OF JASON: BOOK XIII.
LIFE AND DEATH OF JASON: BOOK XIV.
LIFE AND DEATH OF JASON: BOOK XV.
LIFE AND DEATH OF JASON: BOOK XVI.
LIFE AND DEATH OF JASON: BOOK XVII.
LO SIRS A DESOLATE DAMOZEL
LOVE FULFILLED.
LOVE IS ENOUGH
LOVE’S GLEANING-TIDE.
LOVE’S REWARD.
MARCH.
MAY DAY
MAY DAY, 1894
MAY.
MEETING IN WINTER.
MEETING THE WAR-MACHINE
MINE AND THINE. FROM A FLEMISH POEM OF THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY.
MOTHER AND SON
MOTHER AND SON.
NEAR AVALON
NEW BIRTH
NO MASTER
NOVEMBER.
OCTOBER.
OF THE THREE SEEKERS.
OF THE WOOING OF HALLBIORN THE STRONG. A STORY FROM THE LAND- SETTLING BOOK OF ICELAND, CHAPTER XXX.
OLD LOVE
ON THE EDGE OF THE WILDERNESS
ON THE EDGE OF THE WILDERNESS.
ONCE MY FELL FOE
PAIN AND TIME STRIVE NOT.
PALOMYDES QUEST
POMONA.
PRAISE OF MY LADY
PRAY BUT ONE PRAYER FOR ME
PROLOGUE — THE WANDERERS.
RAPUNZEL
READY TO DEPART
REJECTED FRAGMENT FROM SIR PETER HARPDON’S END
RIDING TOGETHER
RIDING TOGETHER.
SAINT GEORGE
SCENES FROM THE FALL OF TROY
SENDING TO THE WAR
SEPTEMBER.
SHAMEFUL DEATH
SIR GALAHAD, A CHRISTMAS MYSTERY
SIR GILES WAR SONG
SIR GILES’ WAR-SONG
SIR PETER HARPDON’S END
SIR RICHARD
SONG FROM “FRANK’S SEALED LETTER”
SONG FROM “GERTHA’S LOVERS”
SONG FROM “GOLDEN WINGS”
SONGS FROM “THE HOLLOW LAND”
SPELL-BOUND
SPRING’S BEDFELLOW.
ST. AGNES’ CONVENT
STORY OF SIGURD: BOOK I.
STORY OF SIGURD: BOOK II.
STORY OF SIGURD: BOOK III.
SUMMER DAWN
TAPESTRY TREES.
THAT QUEER STORY
THAT SUMMER MORNING OUT IN THE GREEN FIELDS
THE ABBEY AND THE PALACE: STANDING AWAY FROM THE CORNFIELDS
THE BANNERS: STANDS A HOUSE AMONG THE TREES
THE BLACKBIRD
THE BLUE CLOSET
THE BRIDGE AND THE STREET
THE BURGHERS’ BATTLE.
THE CAPTIVE
THE CHAPEL IN LYONESS
THE DAY IS COMING
THE DAY IS COMING.
THE DAY OF DAYS.
THE DEFENCE OF GUENEVERE
THE END OF MAY.
THE EVE OF CRECY
THE FEN-RIVER (DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, EVER DOWN THE RIVER)
THE FLOWERING ORCHARD.
THE FOLK-MOTE BY THE RIVER.
THE FOREST.
THE GILLIFLOWER OF GOLD
THE GOD OF THE POOR.
THE HALF OF LIFE GONE
THE HALF OF LIFE GONE.
THE HALL AND THE WOOD.
THE HAYSTACK IN THE FLOODS
THE JUDGMENT OF GOD
THE KING OF DENMARK’S SONS.
THE LADY OF HAVERING
THE LADY OF THE WASTED LAND
THE LAY OF CHRISTINE. TRANSLATED FROM THE ICELANDIC.
THE LION.
THE LITTLE TOWER
THE LONG LAND
THE MARCH OF THE WORKERS
THE MAYING OF QUEEN GUENEVERE
THE MESSAGE OF THE MARCH WIND
THE MESSAGE OF THE MARCH WIND.
