Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.

By Charles HenryWebb

582 Gil, the Toreador

THE QUEEN sat in her balcony,

The Loveliest of Spain;

Beneath rode all the chivalry,

And roses fell like rain

To crown the gallant gentlemen

The gonfalon who bore:

A woman’s favor fell for one,—

Gil, the Toreador.

Beneath the royal canopy,

To see the red bull slain,

They sat, like loyal lovers,

The King and Queen of Spain.

Came marshal, noble, knight and squire,

Chulo and picador:

Of all a woman saw but one,—

Gil, the Toreador.

The trumpets clanged, the sport was on,

The royal sport of Spain;

Maddened by shouts and thrust of lance

The bull now charged amain:

Down to their death went chulos then,

And many a matador:—

A woman only knew there fell

Gil, the Toreador.

When through the streets of proud Madrid

Swept next the courtly train,

Sat not upon her balcony

The Loveliest of Spain.

Long live the King and his fair Queen,

Still loyal thousands roar:—

None know what woman died when fell

Gil, the Toreador.