 | The Ingoldsby Lyrics |  |
The Cavalier.
The Cavalier came riding
As the beams of the setting sun
Shed a lurid light
On the field of fight—
Of the fight that was lost and won.
As the beams of the setting sun
Shed a lurid light
On the field of fight—
Of the fight that was lost and won.
There was blood on his saddle bow,
There was blood on his bridle rein,
As the panting steed
Relaxed his speed,
At the bower of the Lady Jane.
There was blood on his bridle rein,
As the panting steed
Relaxed his speed,
At the bower of the Lady Jane.
Fair Jane look'd east, fair Jane look'd west,
As far as she could see,
And she was aware
Of a company there
Fast galloping over the lea.
As far as she could see,
And she was aware
Of a company there
Fast galloping over the lea.
“Oh, saw ye a horseman, lady?
Oh, saw ye one ride this way,
Full proud was his mien,
And his scarf was of green,
And his steed was a dapple grey?”
Oh, saw ye one ride this way,
Full proud was his mien,
And his scarf was of green,
And his steed was a dapple grey?”
255
“Oh, I saw no horseman pass,
But a dapple grey steed came by;
There was blood on his mane,
There was blood on his rein,
But no rider might I espy.
But a dapple grey steed came by;
There was blood on his mane,
There was blood on his rein,
But no rider might I espy.
“All travel-stain'd was that courser's side,
And masterless was he,
And away and away
Flew that gallant dapple grey,
Like the summer gale fleet and free.”
And masterless was he,
And away and away
Flew that gallant dapple grey,
Like the summer gale fleet and free.”
They have search'd that hall and bower,
They have search'd both wide and near,
And the maiden's heart beat high,
Though no trace could they espy
Of that war-worn cavalier.
They have search'd both wide and near,
And the maiden's heart beat high,
Though no trace could they espy
Of that war-worn cavalier.
Fair Jane look'd east, fair Jane look'd west,
No scarf of green could she see,
But she spied in the yew,
Through the coppice where it grew,
The blink of a bonny black e'e.
No scarf of green could she see,
But she spied in the yew,
Through the coppice where it grew,
The blink of a bonny black e'e.
“Now haste and away, Lord William,
Now haste and away,” she cried,
“For the bellying sail
Bends low to the gale,
And fair are both wind and tide.”
Now haste and away,” she cried,
“For the bellying sail
Bends low to the gale,
And fair are both wind and tide.”
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Now hoist every sail to the breeze,
And boatman ply thine oar,
For a truer hearted pair
Than the maid and Cavalier
Never yet sail'd from shore.
And boatman ply thine oar,
For a truer hearted pair
Than the maid and Cavalier
Never yet sail'd from shore.
| The Ingoldsby Lyrics | |