A Mirror of Faith Lays and Legends of the Church in England. By the Rev. J. M. Neale |
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| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. |
| X. |
| XI. |
| XII. |
| XIII. |
| XIV. |
| XV. |
| XVI. |
| XVII. |
| XVIII. |
| XIX. |
| XX. |
| XXI. |
| XXII. |
| XXIII. |
| XXIV. |
| XXV. |
| XXVI. |
| XXVII. |
| XXVIII. |
| XXX. |
| XXXI. |
| XXXII. | XXXII.
The Death of Lord Derby.
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| XXXIII. |
| XXXIV. |
| XXXV. |
| XXXVI. |
| XXXVII. |
| XXXVIII. |
| XXXIX. |
| XL. |
 | A Mirror of Faith |  |
128
XXXII. The Death of Lord Derby.
The headsman's at his post:
the Earl is on his knees:
There's a murmur through the host
Like the wind on forest trees;
“In battle-field his heart beat high;
But can he like a traitor die?”
the Earl is on his knees:
There's a murmur through the host
Like the wind on forest trees;
“In battle-field his heart beat high;
But can he like a traitor die?”
The Earl's last prayer is said:
the sorrowing Priests retire!
But, as he turn'd his head,
He saw a distant spire:
Tipp'd with the yellow light, afar
It shineth like some peaceful star.
the sorrowing Priests retire!
But, as he turn'd his head,
He saw a distant spire:
Tipp'd with the yellow light, afar
It shineth like some peaceful star.
“I pray, Sirs, turn the block:
All for the Church's name
I've faced the battle-shock,
I die this death of shame:
And I would fain that church might be
The last of earth mine eyes shall see.”
All for the Church's name
I've faced the battle-shock,
I die this death of shame:
And I would fain that church might be
The last of earth mine eyes shall see.”
129
They would not hear his prayer:
“Well! be it as ye will!
My soul will soon be there
Where ye can do no ill.
Lead on, Sirs!” Long his fame endure,
The Martyr-chief of Bolton-Moor!
“Well! be it as ye will!
My soul will soon be there
Where ye can do no ill.
Lead on, Sirs!” Long his fame endure,
The Martyr-chief of Bolton-Moor!
| A Mirror of Faith | |