Classic Poem

Yet sleep my lord and know
One true heart beats for thee
That neither pain nor want nor woe
Can taint with treachery

If in this lonely wood
A host now sought thy life
How freely would I pour my blood
To shield thee in the strife

Whitened and cold thy brow
And wasted thy young cheek

Long, long ago — before the weight of pain
Made life a weary burden — I would dream
Of such a time as this — and now again
Comes memory with that faint and doubtful gleam
Her faded taper yields, and shews how vain
Is Hope — Anticipation — Checked the stream
I thought would flow forever — — — — .