 | Poems of "Frank Forester" (Henry William Herbert) |  |
159
SONG OF THE FREE COMPANIONS.
Trowl, trowl the brown bowl—
Merrily trowl it, ho!
For the nut-brown ale shall never fail,
However the seasons go.
Merrily trowl it, ho!
For the nut-brown ale shall never fail,
However the seasons go.
Drink, drink! He who'll slink
When circling beakers flow,
That knave, I swear, will never dare
Like a man to meet the foe.
When circling beakers flow,
That knave, I swear, will never dare
Like a man to meet the foe.
Then steep, steep your souls deep
In the wassail cup to-night;
For the next day-spring shall surely bring
The dry and sober flight.
In the wassail cup to-night;
For the next day-spring shall surely bring
The dry and sober flight.
Cho.
Trowl, trowl the brown bowl—Merrily trowl it, ho!
For the nut-brown ale shall never fail,
However the seasons go.
Wine, wine! comrades, wine!
In wine the pledge must be,
When drink the brave to a soldier's grave,
Or a soldier's victory.
In wine the pledge must be,
When drink the brave to a soldier's grave,
Or a soldier's victory.
Hence, hence with all offence,
Though foes of old were we!
Our future life shall know no strife,
Save who the first shall be.
Though foes of old were we!
Our future life shall know no strife,
Save who the first shall be.
160
Then up! up with each cup,
From whatever land ye be!—
Whether knights of the lance from sunny France,
Or old England's archers free.
From whatever land ye be!—
Whether knights of the lance from sunny France,
Or old England's archers free.
Cho.
Wine, wine! comrades, wine!In wine the pledge must be,
When drink the brave to a soldier's grave,
Or a soldier's victory.
| Poems of "Frank Forester" (Henry William Herbert) | |