Page:Early poems of William Morris.djvu/200

 My hand was steady too, to take

My axe from round my neck, and break

John's steel-coat up for my love's sake.

''Hah! hah! la belle jaune giroflée.''

When I stood in my tent again,

Arming afresh, I felt a pain

Take hold of me, I was so fain—

''Hah! hah! la belle jaune giroflée.''

To hear: "Honneur aux fils des preux!"

Right in my ears again, and shew

The gilliflower blossom'd new.

''Hah! hah! la belle jaune giroflée.''

The Sieur Guillaume against me came,

His tabard bore three points of flame

From a red heart: with little blame—

''Hah! hah! la belle jaune giroflée.''

Our tough spears crackled up like straw;

He was the first to turn and draw

His sword, that had nor speck nor flaw,—

''Hah! hah! la belle jaune giroflée.''

But I felt weaker than a maid,

And my brain, dizzied and afraid,

Within my helm a fierce tune play'd,—

''Hah! hah! la belle jaune giroflée.''

Until I thought of your dear head,

Bow'd to the gilliflower bed,

The yellow flowers stain'd with red;—

''Hah! hah! la belle jaune giroflée.''