| |
| CLOTHED in sable, crowned with gold, | |
| All his wars and councils ended, | |
| Philip lay, surnamed The Bold: | |
| Passing-bell his quittance tolled, | |
| And the chant of priests ascended. | 5 |
| |
| Mailéd knights and archers stand, | |
| Thronging in the church of Arras; | |
| Nevermore at his command | |
| Shall they scour the Netherland, | |
| Nevermore the outlaws harass; | 10 |
| |
| Naught is left of his array | |
| Save a barren territory; | |
| Forty years of generous sway | |
| Sped his princely hordes away, | |
| Bartered all his gold for glory. | 15 |
| |
| Forth steps Flemish Margaret then, | |
| Striding toward the silent ashes; | |
| And the eyes of arméd men | |
| Fill with startled wonder, when | |
| On the bier her girdle clashes! | 20 |
| |
| Swift she drew it from her waist, | |
| And the purse and keys it carried | |
| On the ducal coffin placed; | |
| Then with proud demeanor faced | |
| Sword and shield of him she married. | 25 |
| |
| “No incumbrance of the dead | |
| Must the living clog forever; | |
| From thy debts and dues,” she said, | |
| “From the liens of thy bed, | |
| We this day our line dissever. | 30 |
| |
| “From thy hand we gain release, | |
| Know all present by this token! | |
| Let the dead repose in peace, | |
| Let the claims upon us cease, | |
| When the ties that bound are broken. | 35 |
| |
| “Philip, we have loved thee long, | |
| But, in years of future splendor, | |
| Burgundy shall count among | |
| Bravest deeds of tale and song | |
| This, our widowhood’s surrender.” | 40 |
| |
| Back the stately duchess turned, | |
| While the priests and friars chanted, | |
| And the swinging incense burned: | |
| Thus by feudal rite was earned | |
| Greatness for a race undaunted. | 45 |
| |
