"The Ballad of the White Horse" Quotes

The men of the East may spell the stars, And times and triumphs mark, But the men signed of the cross of Christ Go gaily in the dark.

The men of the East may search the scrolls For sure fates and fame, But the men that drink the blood of God Go singing to their shame.

And the King said, 'I know of an ancient isle, Where the feet of no men stray; Where the clouds, and the dreams, and the gods, go by, And the souls of the heroes alway.'

For the old pagan faiths decay; And the heart of the King is glad, And the Lord whose lances love the green Leaps up, and rides the bad.

God's will is not in man's will, But God's will is God's will.

And he sees the vision splendid Of the valley of the vines, Where the youth of the good King's levy With the vision of the vines.

For he is the heart of the court and the garden, And the good King's kinsman.

For the grass is the green flag of all his lands, And the trees all the tents of his knights.

A good man's work is never done.

For the red blood reigns, with the heart and reins, And the white stars are cold and high.