He rode a fiery dappled gray, like wind he scoured the plain;

Yet all her power and mettle could a slender bit restrain;

The livery of his pages was purple, green, and red--

Tints gay as was the vernal joy within his bosom shed.

And all had lances tawny gray, and all on jennets rode,

Plumes twixt their ears; adown their flanks the costly housings flowed.

Himself upon his gallant steed carries the circling shield,

And a new device is blazoned upon its ample field.

The phoenix there is figured, on flaming nest it dies,

And from its dust and ashes again it seems to rise.