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SIR CARPET-KNIGHT, who canst not fight,
Thy gallantries are not for me ;
The man whom I with love requite
Must sing in a more martial key.

I have two brothers on the field,
And one beneath it, — none knows where ;
And I shall keep my spirit steeled
To any save a soldier’s prayer.

If thou have music in thy soul,
Yet hast no sinew for the strife,
Go teach thyself the war-drum’s roll,
And woo me better with a fife !