William McCarty, comp. The American National Song Book. 1842.
The Courteous Knight; or, the Flying Gallant
F
Felt her heart and her heart-strings to ache:
To view his dear person, she look’d to and fro,
The name of the knight was Sir James Lucas Yeo—
And the Lady—’twas she of the Lake.
“Since my passion I cannot control,
When you see my white drapery floating in air
O, hither, and swiftly, I pri’thee, repair,
And indulge the first wish of my soul.”
And sprightly, and gay, made reply:
“As your heart, lovely maid, does my person require,
I assure you, mine burns with the like amorous fire,
And to your loved presence I’ll fly.”
Expecting the knight on that sea:
She dreamt not that he in his promise would fail,
And from a fair Lady, unmanlike, turn tail;
Yet he tarried!—what could the cause be?
Resolved o’er the whole lake to roam;
“O! have you not heard of my stout knight, pray?”
She plaintively ask’d all who came in her way:
“Do you think he’s to Kingston gone home?”
He fidgetted, ran, and he tack’d in and out:
He fear’d to embrace her: he promised to woo:
She hail’d him, “Sir James, charming fellow, heave to!
Why do you my tenderness flout?”
Her oglings and glances employ’d:
She aim’d at his heart, and she aim’d at his brain,
And she vow’d from pursuing she ne’er would refrain;
The knight was most sadly annoy’d.
And may have, for a season, some rest:
But if this fair Lady he ever comes near,
For breaking his promise he’ll pay very dear:
The price valiant Chauncey knows best.