By the mossy weed-flowered column, br Where the setting moonbeam's glance br Streams a radiance cold and solemn br On the haunts of old romance: br Know'st thou what those shafts betoken, br Scattered on that tablet lone, br Where the ivory bow lies broken br By the monumental stone? br br When true knighthood's shield, neglected, br Mouldered in the empty hall; br When the charms that shield protected br Slept in death's eternal thrall; br When chivalric glory perished br Like the pageant of a dream, br Love in vain its memory cherished, br Fired in vain the minstrel's theme. br br Falsehood to an elvish minion br Did the form of Love impart: br Cunning plumed its vampire pinion; br Avarice tipped its golden dart.