This is an old tale of adventure, the incident
occurring in the days of chivalry. But it is of
sufficient dramatic interest to cause Sir Edward
Bulwer-Lytton and Robert Browning each to use it
also as the subject for a poem. As you read it try
to picture the scene as it is developed line by
line.
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 filled the benches, and the ladies in their pride,
And 'mongst them sat the Count de Lorge with one for 5
whom he sighed;
And truly 'twas a gallant thing to see that crowning show,
Valor and love, and a king above, and the royal beasts
below.
Ramped and roared the lions, with horrid laughing jaws; 10
They bit, they glared, gave blows like beams, a wind went
with their paws;
With wallowing might and stifled roar they rolled on one
another,
Till all the pit with sand and mane was in a thunderous 15
smother;
The bloody foam above the bars came whisking through the
air;
Said Francis then, "Faith, gentlemen, we're better here
than there." 20
De Lorge's love o'erheard the king, a beauteous lively
dame,
With smiling lips and sharp bright eyes which always
seemed the same;
She thought, "The count, my lover, is brave as brave can 5
be;
He surely would do wondrous things to show his love of 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." 10
She dropped her glove, to prove his love, then looked at
him and smiled;
He bowed, and in a moment leaped among the lions wild;
The leap was quick, return was quick, he has regained his
place, 15
Then threw the glove, but not with love, right in the lady's
face.
"By Heaven," said Francis, "rightly done!" and he rose
from where he sat;
"No love," quoth he, "but vanity, sets love a task like 20
that."
1. Where did this incident take place? How do you
know?
2. Imagine yourself in a seat near King Francis.
Tell what is happening in the arena. Make your
description vivid.
3. What is your opinion of the lady? Did De Lorge
treat her properly? In answering this, consider the
fact that he did the rash act simply as gallantry.
What could he have done instead of going among the
lions? Why did he choose to go?
4. Leigh Hunt (1784-1859) was an English poet,
essayist, and critic. Most of his poetry is witty
and clever.