Siegfried Sassoon (1886–1967). Picture-Show. 1920.

19. Middle-Ages

I HEARD a clash, and a cry,

And a horseman fleeing the wood.

The moon hid in a cloud.

Deep in shadow I stood.

‘Ugly work!’ thought I,

Holding my breath.

‘Men must be cruel and proud,

‘Jousting for death’.

With gusty glimmering shone

The moon; and the wind blew colder.

A man went over the hill,

Bent to his horse’s shoulder.

‘Time for me to be gone’…

Darkly I fled.

Owls in the wood were shrill,

And the moon sank red.