King Richard to the castle rode before the warlike band,

Lord Edward came to greet the King, and stood with cap in hand;

‘Now, welcome to my humble roof, come in, my Sovereign Lord,

May heaven confound The Cavanagh, and bless your royal sword.

And take with you the chosen best of these my trainèd men,

They'll guide your armies o'er the moor, or through the mountain glen.’

King Richard from his saddle stept beside the castle door,

And entered to the banquet hall, with fifty knights or more.

The tables groaned with wine, and flesh of oxen and of deer;

Knight Geoffrey mused, ‘What lordly woods must yield this lordly

cheer.’

The Lady Oona from her bower came forth in silk arrayed,

And low she bowed before the King, her blue eyes gave him welcoming,

yet not a word she said.

Her hair was black and smooth as silk, and lovely was her face.

‘Methinks she comes,’ Knight Geoffrey mused, ‘of rebel Irish race.’

Beside her stood Lord Edward's heir—a soldier–hearted boy,

For when he saw the knightly arms, his eyes lit up for joy.

Then when the King had sat to eat before Lord Edward's board,

Knight Geoffrey spoke: ‘Come hither, child, and look upon my sword.’

The boy stood up beside his knee, and strove the sword to wield,

And stared on ruddy lions, blazed upon the royal shield.

Then in the Irish tongue he told his wonder to the knight,

Who, turning, called unto the King in accents of delight:

‘My lord, give ear unto this child, so learned and so young,

Who gives no answer unto me, save in the Latin tongue!’

The King, who lovéd learning well, unto the boy smiled down.

But when he heard the Irish speech, his smile became a frown.

‘How comes it that an English boy, and one of lordly race,

Hath dared to speak this rebel tongue before his Sovereign's face?’

He turned where Lady Oona sat, her pale face flushed to red—

Her blue eyes flashed with queenly fire, yet not a word she said.