With fiery eyes that wildly glared,
And beard so long and gray.
“In Heaven’s name, I bid thee, phantom,
Tell me who art thou?”
“A bard was I when in the world,
To whom did all men bow.
If I into the palace came,
A joyous crowd pressed round,
And gleaming gold fell from the trees
When my harp began to sound.
“My country’s kings all loved me well;
And strange kings held in fear
The mighty bard with harp of gold,
To Brittany so dear.
Now in the woods I dwell alone:
Men honor me no more.
Grinding their teeth, there pass me by
The wolf and fierce wild boar.
“My harp is lost; the trees are felled
From whence dropped glittering gold;