Stedman and Hutchinson, comps. A Library of American Literature:
An Anthology in Eleven Volumes. 1891.
Vols. IX–XI: Literature of the Republic, Part IV., 1861–1889
Knight Falstaff
By Louise Imogen Guiney (1861–1920)[Born in Boston, Mass., 1861. Died in Gloucestershire, England, 1920. Songs at the Start. 1884.—The White Sail, and Other Poems. 1887.]
I
Its purple tatters twitched aside, and lo!
The fourth King Harry’s reign in lusty show
Behind, its deeds in living file outrolled
Of peace and war; some sage, some mad, and bold:
Last, near a tree, a bridled neighing row
With latest spoils encumbered, saints do know,
By Hal and Hal’s boon cronies; on the wold
Laughter of prince and commons; there and here
Travellers fleeing; drunken thieves that sang;
Wild bells; a tavern’s echoing jolly shout;
Signals along the highway, full of cheer;
A gate that closed with not incautious clang,
When that sweet rogue, bad Jack! came lumbering out.