| Higginson and Bigelow, comps. American Sonnets. 1891. | | | | Knight Falstaff | | By Louise Imogen Guiney (1861–1920) |
| | | I SAW the dusty curtain, ages old, | |
| 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: | 5 |
| 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 | |
| Travelers fleeing; drunken thieves that sang; | 10 |
| 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. | | | | |
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