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 |  |
A crimson robe o'er Sol's bright orb was spread,
Which tinged the hills, and every mountain's head,
When near the rural stables, formed of wood,
With horses fleet, the humble vassals stood;
Then the old horn, with long-forgotten sound,
Sent forth its notes to all the woods around;
The woods, as though they each possessed a horn,
Gave softer tones, t' improve the jocund morn.
The ancient Cliffords, with the bow and spear,
In hunting dress of bristled hides appear;
Their vassals send to range the forest o'er,
And find the cavern of the furious boar.
Primo gave mouth, as down the hills they went,
Where the rough monster late had left his scent:
As bees, when swarming, near their queen are found,
So sung around the best, each favourite hound.
The various deep-mouthed notes, distinct and strong,
Flew to the woods, as echo flies along;
The deer, affrighted, climbed the park's high hill,
Ranged for the worst, in silence all stood still.
The boar, enraged, the loosened earth upheaves,
Shows his huge fangs, his den reluctant leaves;
Ten years of rapine had improved his strength—
His tusks and bristles each a foot in length.
Then were the sons of ancient Barden near,
And those of Buckden, who the chase could cheer.
Bolton's strong youths, and those of Hazelwood,
In rustic pride upon the mountains stood;
And on their steeds old Skipton's sons came o'er
The rocky hills, to hunt this mighty boar.
Then were no dandies, delicately laced,
With all the beauty of a Frenchman graced;
But each was such as might have met in war
Foes on the rock, the mountain, or the scar,
And such as for their country had been tried,
With those who for their constitution died;
Such as had fought, but none could make them yield,
When front to front they met on Flodden field,
Where many left their nearest kindred slain,
But ne'er refused to meet their foes again.
Which tinged the hills, and every mountain's head,
When near the rural stables, formed of wood,
With horses fleet, the humble vassals stood;
Then the old horn, with long-forgotten sound,
Sent forth its notes to all the woods around;
The woods, as though they each possessed a horn,
Gave softer tones, t' improve the jocund morn.
The ancient Cliffords, with the bow and spear,
In hunting dress of bristled hides appear;
Their vassals send to range the forest o'er,
And find the cavern of the furious boar.
Primo gave mouth, as down the hills they went,
Where the rough monster late had left his scent:
As bees, when swarming, near their queen are found,
So sung around the best, each favourite hound.
28
Flew to the woods, as echo flies along;
The deer, affrighted, climbed the park's high hill,
Ranged for the worst, in silence all stood still.
The boar, enraged, the loosened earth upheaves,
Shows his huge fangs, his den reluctant leaves;
Ten years of rapine had improved his strength—
His tusks and bristles each a foot in length.
Then were the sons of ancient Barden near,
And those of Buckden, who the chase could cheer.
Bolton's strong youths, and those of Hazelwood,
In rustic pride upon the mountains stood;
And on their steeds old Skipton's sons came o'er
The rocky hills, to hunt this mighty boar.
Then were no dandies, delicately laced,
With all the beauty of a Frenchman graced;
But each was such as might have met in war
Foes on the rock, the mountain, or the scar,
And such as for their country had been tried,
With those who for their constitution died;
Such as had fought, but none could make them yield,
When front to front they met on Flodden field,
Where many left their nearest kindred slain,
But ne'er refused to meet their foes again.
| The poetical works of John Nicholson | |