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Poem
July 1, 1847
Alexandria Gazette
Alexandria, Alexandria County, District Of Columbia
What is this article about?
Narrative poem by Leigh Hunt about King Francis watching lions fight. The Count de Lorge's lady drops her glove into the pit to test his love; he retrieves it but throws it back in her face, as the king praises him for exposing her vanity over true love.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
THE GLOVE AND THE LIONS.
BY LEIGH HUNT.
King Francis was a hearty king, and loved a royal sport,
And one day, as his lions fought, sat looking on the court;
The nobles fill'd the benches round, the ladies by their side,
And 'mongst them sat the Count de Lorge, with one for whom he sigh'd:
And truly 'twas a gallant thing to see that crowning show,
Valor and love, and a king above, and the royal beasts below.
Ramp'd and roar'd the lions, with horrid laughing jaws;
They bit, they glared, gave blows like beams, a wind went with their paws;
With swallowing might and stifled roar, they roll'd on one another,
Till all the pit, with sand and mane, was in a thunderous smother:
The bloody foam above the bars came whizzing through the air:
Said Francis, then, "Faith, gentlemen, we're better here than there."
De Lorge's love overheard the king, a beauteous, lively dame,
With smiling lips and sharp bright eyes, which always seem'd the same.
She thought, the count, my lover, is brave as brave can be-
He surely would do wondrous things to show his love for me:
King, ladies, lovers, all look on; the occasion is divine
I'll drop my glove, to prove his love; great glory will be mine.
She dropped her glove, to prove his love, then look'd at him and smiled;
He bow'd and in a moment leap'd among the lions wild:
The leap was quick, return was quick, he has regain'd the place;
Then threw the glove, but not with love, right in the lady's face.
"Well done!" cried Francis, "rightly done!" and he rose from where he sat;
"No love," quoth he, "but vanity, sets love a task like that!"
BY LEIGH HUNT.
King Francis was a hearty king, and loved a royal sport,
And one day, as his lions fought, sat looking on the court;
The nobles fill'd the benches round, the ladies by their side,
And 'mongst them sat the Count de Lorge, with one for whom he sigh'd:
And truly 'twas a gallant thing to see that crowning show,
Valor and love, and a king above, and the royal beasts below.
Ramp'd and roar'd the lions, with horrid laughing jaws;
They bit, they glared, gave blows like beams, a wind went with their paws;
With swallowing might and stifled roar, they roll'd on one another,
Till all the pit, with sand and mane, was in a thunderous smother:
The bloody foam above the bars came whizzing through the air:
Said Francis, then, "Faith, gentlemen, we're better here than there."
De Lorge's love overheard the king, a beauteous, lively dame,
With smiling lips and sharp bright eyes, which always seem'd the same.
She thought, the count, my lover, is brave as brave can be-
He surely would do wondrous things to show his love for me:
King, ladies, lovers, all look on; the occasion is divine
I'll drop my glove, to prove his love; great glory will be mine.
She dropped her glove, to prove his love, then look'd at him and smiled;
He bow'd and in a moment leap'd among the lions wild:
The leap was quick, return was quick, he has regain'd the place;
Then threw the glove, but not with love, right in the lady's face.
"Well done!" cried Francis, "rightly done!" and he rose from where he sat;
"No love," quoth he, "but vanity, sets love a task like that!"
What sub-type of article is it?
Ballad
Satire
What themes does it cover?
Love Courtship
Moral Virtue
Satire Society
What keywords are associated?
Glove Lions
Leigh Hunt
King Francis
Count De Lorge
Vanity Love
Royal Court
Bravery Test
What entities or persons were involved?
By Leigh Hunt.
Poem Details
Title
The Glove And The Lions.
Author
By Leigh Hunt.
Form / Style
Rhymed Couplets
Key Lines
She Dropped Her Glove, To Prove His Love, Then Look'd At Him And Smiled;
He Bow'd And In A Moment Leap'd Among The Lions Wild:
Then Threw The Glove, But Not With Love, Right In The Lady's Face.
"Well Done!" Cried Francis, "Rightly Done!" And He Rose From Where He Sat;
"No Love," Quoth He, "But Vanity, Sets Love A Task Like That!"