 | Ballads in Imitation of the Antient |  |
25
Ballad, Of Sir Edgar of the Flood.
26
[_]
Setting forth the worthiness of one Sir Edgar, a brave Knight of Westmoreland, who having slain an Earle's Son, was forced to flee and become an Outlaw dwelling in the green woods.
Also, shewing the trustiness of his young Page, by whose cunning the Knight was saved when at his last shift.
As it was the custom formerly, to signalize the exploits of those who for their misdeeds were compelled to seek shelter in the extensive forests, which at that period were existing in many parts of England, I have framed a Hero, and planned a Tale, as similar to those of ancient times as was consistent with the Ballads of those periods now extant.
27
FIRST FYT.
Great stories are told
Of young and of old
Concerning the stout Robin Hood!
And eke of his Squire
Whom yet we admire,
That ranged amid the green wood.
Of young and of old
Concerning the stout Robin Hood!
And eke of his Squire
Whom yet we admire,
That ranged amid the green wood.
28
There's one Adam Bell,
Of whom ye've heard tell,
A brave wight that never would flee.
There's also I trow,
Bold Clim of the Clough,
And his friend Will of Cloudeslee.
Of whom ye've heard tell,
A brave wight that never would flee.
There's also I trow,
Bold Clim of the Clough,
And his friend Will of Cloudeslee.
Likewise many more
That lived before,
And some who have since gain'd applause;
Whose deeds were upright
As any true Knight,
Though they were proscribed Outlaws.
That lived before,
And some who have since gain'd applause;
Whose deeds were upright
As any true Knight,
Though they were proscribed Outlaws.
29
Yet tell ye I can
Of a stout Yeoman
None ere did his bold feats proclaim;
May Christ him defend,
He was the poor's friend;
From Westmoreland's country he came.
Of a stout Yeoman
None ere did his bold feats proclaim;
May Christ him defend,
He was the poor's friend;
From Westmoreland's country he came.
His lin'age was great,
And fair the estate
Of Edgar sirnam'd of the Flood;
He'd stem the rough wave,
His heart was right brave,
His arrows oft drank the deer's blood.
And fair the estate
Of Edgar sirnam'd of the Flood;
He'd stem the rough wave,
His heart was right brave,
His arrows oft drank the deer's blood.
30
His eye was most true,
His bow was of Ewe,
So sturdy his arm was and strong;
The string tough and tight,
The dart's blade was bright,
His arrows a clothier's yard long.
His bow was of Ewe,
So sturdy his arm was and strong;
The string tough and tight,
The dart's blade was bright,
His arrows a clothier's yard long.
A silver tipp'd horn
His breast did adorn;
A plume grac'd his bonnet so green,
His vest, hose and shoon
Were everichone
The brightest that ere yet were seen.
His breast did adorn;
A plume grac'd his bonnet so green,
His vest, hose and shoon
Were everichone
The brightest that ere yet were seen.
31
The comliest grace
Shone forth in his face,
His limbs were both sturdy and strait;
With glave at his side,
He'd walk, run and ride,
While bold and upright was his gait.
Shone forth in his face,
His limbs were both sturdy and strait;
With glave at his side,
He'd walk, run and ride,
While bold and upright was his gait.
It chanc'd on a day
As forth he did stray
With greyhounds so swift, and so good,
His bugle he wound
The clear dulcit sound
With sweet echo rung through the wood.
As forth he did stray
With greyhounds so swift, and so good,
His bugle he wound
The clear dulcit sound
With sweet echo rung through the wood.
32
An Erle's Son so proud
Heard th' echo so loud
He urg'd on his high-blooded steed;
He swore by his Say
His hunter so gay,
For his bold presumption should bleed.
Heard th' echo so loud
He urg'd on his high-blooded steed;
He swore by his Say
His hunter so gay,
For his bold presumption should bleed.
“Woe worth thee betide
“Sir Hunter,” he cried,
As proudly he straight did appear;
“Gang hence from my sight,
“Thou'rt no worthy Knight,
“And therefore thou shalt not hunt here.”
“Sir Hunter,” he cried,
As proudly he straight did appear;
“Gang hence from my sight,
“Thou'rt no worthy Knight,
“And therefore thou shalt not hunt here.”
33
“What tongue is't so bold
“That ever hath told
“To mortal a deed did me shame;
“Speak quick,” cried the youth,
“And speak naught but truth;
“I'll know the defamer's base name.”
“That ever hath told
“To mortal a deed did me shame;
“Speak quick,” cried the youth,
“And speak naught but truth;
“I'll know the defamer's base name.”
The Erle's Son then said
“Thoud'st better been dead
“Than call him a liar and base;
“For I am that he
“Who dares title thee
“Unworthy in these woods to chace.
“Thoud'st better been dead
“Than call him a liar and base;
“For I am that he
“Who dares title thee
“Unworthy in these woods to chace.
34
“I am the rich heir
“Of these plains so fair,
“My father lords o'er this rich land;
“I'm Son to an Earl,
“And thou but a Churl,
“So straightways obey my command.”
“Of these plains so fair,
“My father lords o'er this rich land;
“I'm Son to an Earl,
“And thou but a Churl,
“So straightways obey my command.”
Sir Edgar then cried,
“Thy threats I deride,
“Though noble, yet base is thy blood!
“Thy words I deny
“And give thee the lie,
“I'm Edgar sirnam'd of the Flood.”
“Thy threats I deride,
“Though noble, yet base is thy blood!
“Thy words I deny
“And give thee the lie,
“I'm Edgar sirnam'd of the Flood.”
35
The Earl's Son's dread ire
Then kindled to fire;
“Prepare thee, or yield to my will.”
His glave then he drew,
On Edgar he flew
The murderous threat to fulfill.
Then kindled to fire;
“Prepare thee, or yield to my will.”
His glave then he drew,
On Edgar he flew
The murderous threat to fulfill.
“Thou vain hearted youth,
“Retract thine untruth,”
Cried Edgar, usheathing his steel,
“For title nor gold,
“My wrath shall withhold,
“Thou quickly my prowess shalt feel.”
“Retract thine untruth,”
Cried Edgar, usheathing his steel,
“For title nor gold,
“My wrath shall withhold,
“Thou quickly my prowess shalt feel.”
36
Then straight 'gan the fight,
Their weapons so bright
With warm blood were soon crimson'd o'er,
Till Edgar's keen glave
In life's blood did lave;
The Earl's son he never spake more.
Their weapons so bright
With warm blood were soon crimson'd o'er,
Till Edgar's keen glave
In life's blood did lave;
The Earl's son he never spake more.
That moment rode by
In green livery,
Two Squires of the bleeding Earl's son,
To Edgar they cried,
“Woe worth thee betide,
“For thou hast this bloody deed done.”
In green livery,
Two Squires of the bleeding Earl's son,
To Edgar they cried,
“Woe worth thee betide,
“For thou hast this bloody deed done.”
37
“Troth Sirs, ye speak true,
“I gave him his due,
“His insolence caus'd his sad fate;”
Sir Edgar's brave steed
Then onward did speed,
Thus ended the Earl's Son so great.
“I gave him his due,
“His insolence caus'd his sad fate;”
Sir Edgar's brave steed
Then onward did speed,
Thus ended the Earl's Son so great.
38
SECOND FYT.
With much grief of heart
In this second part,
I'll tell ye what judgement befell;
How for this youth's blood
The Knight of the Flood
Was forced in green woods to dwell.
In this second part,
I'll tell ye what judgement befell;
How for this youth's blood
The Knight of the Flood
Was forced in green woods to dwell.
39
The Earl proud and great,
Soon learnt his son's fate,
The Squires to the Castle did hie,
With dolorous wail
They told the sad tale,
The great Earl then loudly did cry.
Soon learnt his son's fate,
The Squires to the Castle did hie,
With dolorous wail
They told the sad tale,
The great Earl then loudly did cry.
I swear by my lance
My direst vengeance,
For this shall Sir Edgar pursue,
By Christ his dear blood,
This Knight of the Flood,
His daring presumption shall rue.
My direst vengeance,
For this shall Sir Edgar pursue,
By Christ his dear blood,
This Knight of the Flood,
His daring presumption shall rue.
40
For I can command
Throughout Westmoreland,
And judged he straightways shall be,
For this deed so dire
He soon shall expire
All under the forest's green tree.
Throughout Westmoreland,
And judged he straightways shall be,
For this deed so dire
He soon shall expire
All under the forest's green tree.
The warder then blew
A blast shrill and true,
Each vassal obey'd the known call,
Their armours they lac'd,
Their bucklers they brac'd,
Then quickly did speed to the hall.
A blast shrill and true,
Each vassal obey'd the known call,
Their armours they lac'd,
Their bucklers they brac'd,
Then quickly did speed to the hall.
41
Yclad was each Knight
In arms rich and bright
Each Squire bore a lance stout and long,
A bow, spear, and shield,
Each vassal did wield,
Right gaudy and gay was the throng.
In arms rich and bright
Each Squire bore a lance stout and long,
A bow, spear, and shield,
Each vassal did wield,
Right gaudy and gay was the throng.
All rich to behold
In steel wrought with gold,
And mounted on courser so fine,
With plumed crest so wide
The Earl's self did ride,
While brightly his Anlace did shine.
In steel wrought with gold,
And mounted on courser so fine,
With plumed crest so wide
The Earl's self did ride,
While brightly his Anlace did shine.
42
And in such array
This troop bent its way
Till dun clouds of night dimm'd the sky,
Haste, haste, the Earl cried,
I'd rather have died,
This night base Sir Edgar will fly.
This troop bent its way
Till dun clouds of night dimm'd the sky,
Haste, haste, the Earl cried,
I'd rather have died,
This night base Sir Edgar will fly.
The Earl prick'd his steed,
His war-horse did bleed
As foaming he pranc'd o'er the plain,
Each Knight and each Squire
Obey'd his desire
As onward they march'd with much pain.
His war-horse did bleed
As foaming he pranc'd o'er the plain,
Each Knight and each Squire
Obey'd his desire
As onward they march'd with much pain.
43
The hour it was late,
When lo to the gate
Of Appleby's town the Earl came,
His Squire the horn blew,
The warder so true
Cried, whence came ye, what is your name.
When lo to the gate
Of Appleby's town the Earl came,
His Squire the horn blew,
The warder so true
Cried, whence came ye, what is your name.
Straight ope your gates wide
The Earl's Page he cried,
So wills the great Lord of this land,
Without more delay
His mandate obey,
He's here with his own chosen band.
The Earl's Page he cried,
So wills the great Lord of this land,
Without more delay
His mandate obey,
He's here with his own chosen band.
44
The warder came down,
They enter'd the town;
Said the Earl to his own trusty Knight,
See the bolts clos'd again
Wind up the bridge-chain,
That no one escape hence this night.
They enter'd the town;
Said the Earl to his own trusty Knight,
See the bolts clos'd again
Wind up the bridge-chain,
That no one escape hence this night.
To Sheriff and Mayor
The Earl did repair,
And straightways the truth did unfold;
Cried they by the Rood,
This Knight of the Flood
Shall die for the murder so bold.
The Earl did repair,
And straightways the truth did unfold;
Cried they by the Rood,
This Knight of the Flood
Shall die for the murder so bold.
45
The Earl, the Sheriff,
The Mayor and Bailiff,
With Knights, Squires, and many beside,
Did quickly repair
To the Mansion so fair
That stood by the Town's wall so wide.
The Mayor and Bailiff,
With Knights, Squires, and many beside,
Did quickly repair
To the Mansion so fair
That stood by the Town's wall so wide.
But now to unfold
How Edgar the bold
The hate of the proud Earl did dread,
He therefore rode straight
To Appleby's gate
And thus to his foot-page he said:
How Edgar the bold
The hate of the proud Earl did dread,
He therefore rode straight
To Appleby's gate
And thus to his foot-page he said:
46
When Eve's beam is spent
And night clouds have shent
In darkness the bright beam of day,
Straight mount my war steed,
And with thy best speed
From Appleby's gate wend thy way.
And night clouds have shent
In darkness the bright beam of day,
Straight mount my war steed,
And with thy best speed
From Appleby's gate wend thy way.
And fast to a stave
Within the dark cave
That borders the brook in yon glen,
Do thou my steed tie,
Then back quickly hie,
And pass through the West gate again.
Within the dark cave
That borders the brook in yon glen,
Do thou my steed tie,
Then back quickly hie,
And pass through the West gate again.
47
There by the watch band
See thou take thy stand,
And should any stranger come near,
List, list, to their say,
If th' Earl gang this way,
My Page there is much cause of fear.
See thou take thy stand,
And should any stranger come near,
List, list, to their say,
If th' Earl gang this way,
My Page there is much cause of fear.
Then hitherward straight
Return from the gate
And note ye those tidings to me,
So surely thoult prove
Thy duty and love,
Still dearer to this heart thoult be.
Return from the gate
And note ye those tidings to me,
So surely thoult prove
Thy duty and love,
Still dearer to this heart thoult be.
48
The gentle young page
With skill and courage
The will of the Knight did obey,
The news being told,
Sir Edgar the bold
A rope to his window did stay.
With skill and courage
The will of the Knight did obey,
The news being told,
Sir Edgar the bold
A rope to his window did stay.
With gold mickle store
The Page went before
And safe gain'd the moat of the town;
Well arm'd, the brave Knight
From the casement's dread height,
By the rope slid safely adown.
The Page went before
And safe gain'd the moat of the town;
Well arm'd, the brave Knight
From the casement's dread height,
By the rope slid safely adown.
49
His arms he unbrac'd,
His vestment unlac'd,
And straight on his page did them bind:
Thus Edgar he bore
To th' opposite shore,
Himself and his young squire so kind.
His vestment unlac'd,
And straight on his page did them bind:
Thus Edgar he bore
To th' opposite shore,
Himself and his young squire so kind.
Then straight to the den
Within the deep glen,
The youth and Sir Edgar did speed,
When quick to the wood
This Knight of the Flood
And his page were borne on by the steed.
Within the deep glen,
The youth and Sir Edgar did speed,
When quick to the wood
This Knight of the Flood
And his page were borne on by the steed.
50
The Earl proud and great
Long knock'd at the gate,
The Sheriff and Mayor loud did cry,
But labour and pain
Was then all in vain,
Sir Edgar mid green woods did fly.
Long knock'd at the gate,
The Sheriff and Mayor loud did cry,
But labour and pain
Was then all in vain,
Sir Edgar mid green woods did fly.
The guards with huge stroke
The sturdy bars broke
Then ranged the chambers so bright
But all were astound,
No being was found,
The Knight he had 'scap'd from their sight.
The sturdy bars broke
Then ranged the chambers so bright
But all were astound,
No being was found,
The Knight he had 'scap'd from their sight.
51
So Edgar the fam'd
Next morn was proclaim'd,
And sentenc'd to hang on a tree.
Thus he turn'd fellaw
And rang'd an Outlaw,
I trow 'twas the greater pitty.
Next morn was proclaim'd,
And sentenc'd to hang on a tree.
Thus he turn'd fellaw
And rang'd an Outlaw,
I trow 'twas the greater pitty.
52
THIRD FYT.
This Knight bold and good
Sirnam'd of the Flood,
With his page so young and so fair,
Ne'er made a long stand
Till in the rich land
Of Cumberland's county they were.
Sirnam'd of the Flood,
With his page so young and so fair,
Ne'er made a long stand
Till in the rich land
Of Cumberland's county they were.
53
There in fam'd Carlisle,
They rested awhile,
Till tidings from Appleby came
How Edgar the Knight
Had slain in the fight
The Earl's Son of such mighty fame.
They rested awhile,
Till tidings from Appleby came
How Edgar the Knight
Had slain in the fight
The Earl's Son of such mighty fame.
Then men did ycry,
Sir Edgar must die,
The bells toll'd with dolorous sound
The Earl he had said,
That living or dead,
For the Knight he'd give five hundred pound.
Sir Edgar must die,
The bells toll'd with dolorous sound
The Earl he had said,
That living or dead,
For the Knight he'd give five hundred pound.
54
Then to the green wood
The Knight of the Flood
With his tiny page swift did speed,
No yooman I trow
But would have done so
For great was the peril and need.
The Knight of the Flood
With his tiny page swift did speed,
No yooman I trow
But would have done so
For great was the peril and need.
“Kind page,” said the Knight,
“Thou art my delight,
“Thine heart is right trusty and true.”
Sir Edgar's sweet eyne
Then brightly did shene
For dank'd was his cheek with the dew.
“Thou art my delight,
“Thine heart is right trusty and true.”
Sir Edgar's sweet eyne
Then brightly did shene
For dank'd was his cheek with the dew.
55
“But prove always kind,
“Thou surely shalt find
“In me one that's trusty and true:
“Though young, I've a heart
“That never will part
“Though death should my master pursue.
“Thou surely shalt find
“In me one that's trusty and true:
“Though young, I've a heart
“That never will part
“Though death should my master pursue.
“Christ bless thee my page,
“And grant thee courage,
“To dwell in these forests so drear;”
The Knight scan had spoke,
When through the woods broke
An echo that swell'd on the ear.
“And grant thee courage,
“To dwell in these forests so drear;”
The Knight scan had spoke,
When through the woods broke
An echo that swell'd on the ear.
56
“Hark hark!” cried the Knight,
“Yon sound yields' delight,
“Tis wound from the clear bugle horn”
“They are my fellaws,
“Some trusty outlaws
“That rouse with the dew dankish dawn.
“Yon sound yields' delight,
“Tis wound from the clear bugle horn”
“They are my fellaws,
“Some trusty outlaws
“That rouse with the dew dankish dawn.
“Busk,
busk you, my Squire,
“Let's join the sweet choir,
“Our horns are as shrill and as good”
Both instantly blew
A blast loud and true
Whose echo wound clear through the wood.
“Let's join the sweet choir,
“Our horns are as shrill and as good”
Both instantly blew
A blast loud and true
Whose echo wound clear through the wood.
57
Eftsoons
from the ground
A clattering sound,
Did seem tow'rd the Knight to advance,
“They come,” cried the youth,
“I'll plight them my troth.”
Sir Edgar then onward did prance.
A clattering sound,
Did seem tow'rd the Knight to advance,
“They come,” cried the youth,
“I'll plight them my troth.”
Sir Edgar then onward did prance.
Each hunter was dress'd
In green hoose and vest,
Boots laced their leggs up before:
With horn and with bow,
With dirk and arrow,
Each archer a green bonnet wore.
In green hoose and vest,
Boots laced their leggs up before:
With horn and with bow,
With dirk and arrow,
Each archer a green bonnet wore.
58
“Speak what men ye be,
“That mid green wood tree
“The shrill horn so ably did wind:
“Sweet Sirs!” quoth the wight,
“I'm Edgar the Knight,
“With my Squire so trusty and kind:
“That mid green wood tree
“The shrill horn so ably did wind:
“Sweet Sirs!” quoth the wight,
“I'm Edgar the Knight,
“With my Squire so trusty and kind:
“An Earl's Son I've slain,
“For which mickle pain
“And thraldom doth my steps surround;
“Though great, he was base,
“Thus standeth my case,
“My life's forfeit if I be found.”
“For which mickle pain
“And thraldom doth my steps surround;
“Though great, he was base,
“Thus standeth my case,
“My life's forfeit if I be found.”
59
“Ne'er sigh man nor wail
“An such be thy tale,
“In these woods thou safe shalt abide:
“From rich men we take
“And for Jesus sake,
“The poor man is never denied.
“An such be thy tale,
“In these woods thou safe shalt abide:
“From rich men we take
“And for Jesus sake,
“The poor man is never denied.
“We all be outlaws,
“And sturdy fellaws,
“Each man to his brother is true:
“To us thine oath take,
“Thou'lt never forsake,
“Nor to thy fellaws prove untrue.”
“And sturdy fellaws,
“Each man to his brother is true:
“To us thine oath take,
“Thou'lt never forsake,
“Nor to thy fellaws prove untrue.”
60
The Knight swore an oath,
He plighted his troth,
And eke his young page did the same.
From that time, I trow,
Their deeds with the bow,
From each fellaw gain'd them much fame.
He plighted his troth,
And eke his young page did the same.
From that time, I trow,
Their deeds with the bow,
From each fellaw gain'd them much fame.
It needs not I tell
Of all that befell,
Full four years in forest's rich land,
How for his deeds bold,
Sir Edgar did hold
In green woods a Chieftain's command:
Of all that befell,
Full four years in forest's rich land,
How for his deeds bold,
Sir Edgar did hold
In green woods a Chieftain's command:
61
How Nobles so great,
And all of Estate,
Priests, Monks, and rich Knights his pow'r felt:
But what he did take,
'Twas for Jesus sake,
For 'mongst the poor yeomen 'twas dealt.
And all of Estate,
Priests, Monks, and rich Knights his pow'r felt:
But what he did take,
'Twas for Jesus sake,
For 'mongst the poor yeomen 'twas dealt.
Thus four years were sped,
Since Edgar had fled,
The proud Earl enrag'd then did cry
Can no pow'r withhold
This Outlaw so bold,
By the Rood now I swear he shall die.
Since Edgar had fled,
The proud Earl enrag'd then did cry
Can no pow'r withhold
This Outlaw so bold,
By the Rood now I swear he shall die.
62
From Westmoreland then,
The Earl and his men,
Full fourscore in number, did hie;
They march'd to the wood
Where th' Knight of the Flood
With his bonny fellaws did lie.
The Earl and his men,
Full fourscore in number, did hie;
They march'd to the wood
Where th' Knight of the Flood
With his bonny fellaws did lie.
Sir Edgar that day
Alone forth did stray,
He thought of his well-lov'd Countree:
The Earl did espy
His green livery,
In vain the Knight strove him to flee.
Alone forth did stray,
He thought of his well-lov'd Countree:
The Earl did espy
His green livery,
In vain the Knight strove him to flee.
63
The Knight thus was caught,
And to Carlisle brought,
There lodg'd in the dungeon's dread cell:
The Earl straight did say,
To-morrow's bright day
Shall sound out my Son's murd'rer's knell.
And to Carlisle brought,
There lodg'd in the dungeon's dread cell:
The Earl straight did say,
To-morrow's bright day
Shall sound out my Son's murd'rer's knell.
When in the green wood
Each man understood
That the Knight their leader was ta'en,
Each swore he would save
His chief from the grave,
Or suffer himself the same pain.
Each man understood
That the Knight their leader was ta'en,
Each swore he would save
His chief from the grave,
Or suffer himself the same pain.
64
Sir Edgar's young Squire
Each man did inspire,
For he bore the true Lion's heart:
At midnight, I trow,
Each man bent his bow;
Thus did they for Carlisle depart.
Each man did inspire,
For he bore the true Lion's heart:
At midnight, I trow,
Each man bent his bow;
Thus did they for Carlisle depart.
65
FOURTH FYT.
Now in the dread Cell
Sir Edgar did dwell,
The night blast made dolorous sound;
The youth felt no dread;
Damp stones were his bed,
He stretch'd him upon the cold ground.
Sir Edgar did dwell,
The night blast made dolorous sound;
The youth felt no dread;
Damp stones were his bed,
He stretch'd him upon the cold ground.
66
When morning's pale light
First struck Edgar's sight
He knelt him adown on his knee,
And thus did he say,
O Lord, since this day
It pleaseth thee that I should dee :
First struck Edgar's sight
He knelt him adown on his knee,
And thus did he say,
O Lord, since this day
It pleaseth thee that I should dee :
What boots to complain,
I yield to my pain,
We all must die sooner or late;
As Jesu did bleed
For Adam's foul deed,
So willing I yield to my fate.
I yield to my pain,
We all must die sooner or late;
As Jesu did bleed
For Adam's foul deed,
So willing I yield to my fate.
67
To Christ then he praid,
And Mary the maid,
Saying “Moder of grace, have pitty,
For I oft did stray
From out the bless'd way,
My misdeeds have been full many.”
And Mary the maid,
Saying “Moder of grace, have pitty,
For I oft did stray
From out the bless'd way,
My misdeeds have been full many.”
When thus he had done
Prayers many a one,
His heart it was fill'd with courage:
Meanwhile his bold men,
Close hid in a Den,
Were led by the Knight's cunning page.
Prayers many a one,
His heart it was fill'd with courage:
Meanwhile his bold men,
Close hid in a Den,
Were led by the Knight's cunning page.
68
This Squire just at dawn
Hied forth to the Lawn,
He looked upon the great Town;
He thought of the Knight
His own Soul's delight
While tears trickled his cheeks adown.
Hied forth to the Lawn,
He looked upon the great Town;
He thought of the Knight
His own Soul's delight
While tears trickled his cheeks adown.
“Come, busk ye, my men
“That be in the den,
“And list now to what I shall say;
“Here ye shall abide
“While swiftly I ride,
“And hence to Carlisle wend my way.
“That be in the den,
“And list now to what I shall say;
“Here ye shall abide
“While swiftly I ride,
“And hence to Carlisle wend my way.
69
“Hard by yonder tree,
“A man well may see
“The great gate that leads to Langdowne.
“There with horn in hand
“Let one take his stand
“And should many men quit the Town:
“A man well may see
“The great gate that leads to Langdowne.
“There with horn in hand
“Let one take his stand
“And should many men quit the Town:
“Then each bend his bow,
“And set the arrow,
“To Carlisle then haste everichone,
“For I will abide
“Hard by the gate's side,
“And straighways the deed shall be done.
“And set the arrow,
“To Carlisle then haste everichone,
“For I will abide
“Hard by the gate's side,
“And straighways the deed shall be done.
70
“But if from the Town
“No men should gang down,
“Then trust me there's peril and need;
“Oh then we shall see
“If stout hearts ye be,
“If so ye are worthy much meed.
“No men should gang down,
“Then trust me there's peril and need;
“Oh then we shall see
“If stout hearts ye be,
“If so ye are worthy much meed.
“Let what will befall,
“Ye must mount the wall,
“And to the great Cross quickly hie;
“If this deed ye do
“Ye be fellaws true
“If not, then your chieftain must die.”
“Ye must mount the wall,
“And to the great Cross quickly hie;
“If this deed ye do
“Ye be fellaws true
“If not, then your chieftain must die.”
71
Then to Carlisle's gate
The Squire hied him straight.
Each Steeple toll'd forth a death knell,
Townsmen did repair
To high Cross so fair,
Where soon ye shall know what befell.
The Squire hied him straight.
Each Steeple toll'd forth a death knell,
Townsmen did repair
To high Cross so fair,
Where soon ye shall know what befell.
The Earl in great state
The throng did await,
And first came the Mayor and Sheriff,
Of Bowmen, I trow
Full fifty and mo
In pairs march'd behind the Bailiff.
The throng did await,
And first came the Mayor and Sheriff,
Of Bowmen, I trow
Full fifty and mo
In pairs march'd behind the Bailiff.
72
The hangman, array'd
In dress of his trade,
His hond did the fatal rope bear;
Next bold march'd the wight
Sir Edgar the Knight,
In him was no terror nor care.
In dress of his trade,
His hond did the fatal rope bear;
Next bold march'd the wight
Sir Edgar the Knight,
In him was no terror nor care.
Behind him a throng
Of guards march'd along,
Their armour was gay to behold;
Each anlace so bright
Did dazzle the sight;
These guards were all stout men and bold.
Of guards march'd along,
Their armour was gay to behold;
Each anlace so bright
Did dazzle the sight;
These guards were all stout men and bold.
73
And when on the ground
The troop rang'd them round,
The young page had entered the Town,
“Busk, busk ye” he cried,
“From Cheviot so wide
“The Scotsmen now march to Langdoune.
The troop rang'd them round,
The young page had entered the Town,
“Busk, busk ye” he cried,
“From Cheviot so wide
“The Scotsmen now march to Langdoune.
“Where's Westmoreland's Chief,
“The Mayor and Sheriff,
“They quickly must hence wend their way.”
All men hied them straight
From out the great gate,
Few guardsmen in Carlisle did stay.
“The Mayor and Sheriff,
“They quickly must hence wend their way.”
All men hied them straight
From out the great gate,
Few guardsmen in Carlisle did stay.
74
The Sheriff and Mayor
Did feel mickle care,
The Earl cried “Sir Edgar shall die!”
But all was affright,
Men fled the Earl's sight,
They thought that the Scotsmen were nigh.
Did feel mickle care,
The Earl cried “Sir Edgar shall die!”
But all was affright,
Men fled the Earl's sight,
They thought that the Scotsmen were nigh.
Amid this great din,
The page he did rin,
And by the gate's side took his stand;
When galloping down
Toward Carlisle Town
Appeared Sir Edgar's bold band,
The page he did rin,
And by the gate's side took his stand;
When galloping down
Toward Carlisle Town
Appeared Sir Edgar's bold band,
75
The page on his steed
Tow'rd high Cross did speed,
The brave Troop behind him did ride,
The Townsmen in fear
Cried “lo they be here
With bows and stout glaves at their side.”
Tow'rd high Cross did speed,
The brave Troop behind him did ride,
The Townsmen in fear
Cried “lo they be here
With bows and stout glaves at their side.”
And as they drew nigh
The gallows so high,
The hangman, a Villain and Churl,
For golden monie
Had tied to the tree
The hemp cord — So will'd the proud Earl.
The gallows so high,
The hangman, a Villain and Churl,
For golden monie
Had tied to the tree
The hemp cord — So will'd the proud Earl.
76
But as he would fain
The Ladder have ta'en,
Whereon bold Sir Edgar did stand,
The page bent his Ewe
His arrow so true,
Like lightning yfled from his hand.
The Ladder have ta'en,
Whereon bold Sir Edgar did stand,
The page bent his Ewe
His arrow so true,
Like lightning yfled from his hand.
The goose wing so fair
Swift wizz'd on the air,
The bright steel did thro' the churl go;
The blow struck so fierce
His heart it did pierce,
From back and from breast blood did flow.
Swift wizz'd on the air,
The bright steel did thro' the churl go;
The blow struck so fierce
His heart it did pierce,
From back and from breast blood did flow.
77
Thus freed was the Knight
By his trusty Wight,
They quickly from Carlisle did flee,
They crossed the land,
Nor made any stand
Until they gain'd Norfolk's countree.
By his trusty Wight,
They quickly from Carlisle did flee,
They crossed the land,
Nor made any stand
Until they gain'd Norfolk's countree.
There they did abide
Hard by Loddon's side,
These brave men, and true hearted Squire;
There free from annoy
They lived in joy,
Sir Edgar he there did expire.
Hard by Loddon's side,
These brave men, and true hearted Squire;
There free from annoy
They lived in joy,
Sir Edgar he there did expire.
78
God grant by the Rood
A Knight of the Flood
In every Outlaw we find;
May man never rue
A friend that's less true
Than the Page and his fellaws kind!
A Knight of the Flood
In every Outlaw we find;
May man never rue
A friend that's less true
Than the Page and his fellaws kind!
| Ballads in Imitation of the Antient | |