The Dagger
Well do I love thee, my dagger of steel,
My comrade so bright and so cold!
Thou wast forged in hate by a Georgian fell,
For the fierce fight edged by Circassian bold.
Thee to me as a gift did a lily hand bear
In the moment of sad farewell;
For that once no blood, but a glittering tear,
A pearl of passion, adown thee fell.
Fixed upon mine, her dark black eyes
Full of mysterious sorrow seemed;
As plays thy blade when flickering flames arise,
Darkling they gloomed, and then they brightly gleamed.
Dumb pledge of love to cheer my cheerless way,
To wanderer lone a useful guide,
My strength of soul I never shall betray,
But true like thee, true steel, will I abide!