The corslet shield and sword supplied:

His lessons fit my soul for war.”

Then the old man with locks so grey

In close embrace his Tialfe held:

The youth with self-esteem swell’d high,

Proud of his casque, his lance and shield.

“My darling boy! in truth, ’tis strange,”

Thus sobbing did the parent say:

“Whence comes so wonderful a change?

Thou wert a child but yesterday.