The Downing legends : Stories in Rhyme :: :: University of Virginia Library

I find that never wight of worth
Can go, no matter where, on earth,
But men divine his honored name,
And point him out, and tell his fame.
This lordly youth could scarcely save
An ambushed girl from savage glaive
And hide her safe behind his van,
Before a passing dotard man
Uplifted ragged hat and smiled,
And greeted her as Downing's child.

Ah! mighty was the captor's joy;
He colored like a gladdened boy;
For chance had compassed what he planned,
And triumph overbrimmed his hand.
But all the hotter flushed his face
Because his captive's piteous grace,
(Unconsciously and lacking guile)
Had made him long to win her smile.

So, while he faced his ranks about
And cheerly trode the seaward route,
He brought her wherewithal to ride
And journeyed courteous by her side,
Beseeching pardon for the wrong
He did in haling her along;
Or grieving o'er the bloody shame

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Of strife 'twixt men of English name;
Or trusting that her sire would bring
New loyalty to crown and king,
And garner clemency for those
Who now were Britain's valiant foes;
With many other words of ruth.
Befitting well a noble youth
Who followed gentilesse in sooth.