Rudyard Kipling

Sir Richard's Song

            (A. D. 1066)

  I followed my Duke ere I was a lover,
    To take from England fief and fee;
  But now this game is the other way over--
    But now England hath taken me!

  I had my horse, my shield and banner,
    And a boy's heart, so whole and free;
  But now I sing in another manner--
    But now England hath taken me!

  As for my Father in his tower,
    Asking news of my ship at sea,
  He will remember his own hour--
    Tell him England hath taken me!

  As for my Mother in her bower,
    That rules my Father so cunningly,
  She will remember a maiden's power--
    Tell her England hath taken me!

  As for my Brother in Rouen City,
    A nimble and naughty' page is he,
  But he will come to suffer and pity--
    Tell him England hath taken me!

  As for my little Sister waiting
    In the pleasant orchards of Normandie,
  Tell her youth is the time for mating--
    Tell her England hath taken me!

  As for my comrades in camp and highway
    That lift their eyebrows scornfully,
  Tell them their way is not my way--
    Tell them England hath taken me!

  Kings and Princes and Barons famed,
    Knights and Captains in your degree;
  Hear me a little before I am blamed--
    Seeing England hath taken me!

  Howso great man's strength be reckoned,
    There are two things he cannot flee.
  Love is the first, and Death is the second-
    And Love in England hath taken me!