The poetical works of John Nicholson ... Carefully edited from the original editions, with additional notes and a sketch of his life and writings. By W. G. Hird |
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 | The poetical works of John Nicholson |  |
The sons of Craven now are happier far,—
No Scottish warriors wage the cruel war,
As when the sons of Gargrave sallied forth
To meet the fierce invaders from the north;
When on the shields the battle-axes rung,
Spears broke, helms cleft, and many a bow was strung!
Death through Northumbria's fields had marked their way,
And mothers wept where lifeless husbands lay;
Friends, kindred, lovers, on the earth expired,
Their dwellings plundered, and their churches fired;
The holy crucifix away was borne,
And from the shrines the sacred relics torn;
The sacramental wine they rudely quaffed,
Smiled o'er the flames, and at destruction laughed!
No Scottish warriors wage the cruel war,
4
To meet the fierce invaders from the north;
When on the shields the battle-axes rung,
Spears broke, helms cleft, and many a bow was strung!
Death through Northumbria's fields had marked their way,
And mothers wept where lifeless husbands lay;
Friends, kindred, lovers, on the earth expired,
Their dwellings plundered, and their churches fired;
The holy crucifix away was borne,
And from the shrines the sacred relics torn;
The sacramental wine they rudely quaffed,
Smiled o'er the flames, and at destruction laughed!
| The poetical works of John Nicholson | |