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 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 | The poetical works of John Nicholson |  |
'Twas this great Clifford from Earl Surrey heard,
Then marched to meet them, nor their numbers feared.
The trumpets sound, the cheerful hautboys play,
As o'er the mountains Clifford leads the way;
The tale goes round in mirth, while others sing,
And when they halt, their bed's the purple ling;
And there they slept, though not on softest down,
Yet more at peace than he that wore the crown.
Six days they marched o'er mountains, rivers, rills,
Ere they met Percy on old Branston Hills.
Percy and Howard much rejoiced to see
Clifford lead up his horse and infantry;
Dacres and Stanley welcomed every knight.
Whose loyal men had come so far to fight.
Then Surrey gave to Percy, and the lords,
And those they led, these energetic words:
“Howard and Dacres, Percy, Clifford, Scroop,
In you is placed your country's firmest hope;
Let Yorkshire knights their ancient valour show,
And Durham's sons stand firm, though these be few!
Sons of old Cumbria, your brave valour show,
And, Westmoreland, lay many a Scotsman low!
Clifford! all Craven youths I leave to thee—
Fight like your fathers, yours is victory!”
The eagles from Helvellyn's craggy height,
Spread their broad wings, and hastened to the fight;
And from the rocks which overhung Lowdore
(Where in all forms the bursting cat'racts roar),
Croaked the dark ravens, as they flew away,
To feast at Flodden, on that bloody day.
Then marched to meet them, nor their numbers feared.
The trumpets sound, the cheerful hautboys play,
As o'er the mountains Clifford leads the way;
45
And when they halt, their bed's the purple ling;
And there they slept, though not on softest down,
Yet more at peace than he that wore the crown.
Six days they marched o'er mountains, rivers, rills,
Ere they met Percy on old Branston Hills.
Percy and Howard much rejoiced to see
Clifford lead up his horse and infantry;
Dacres and Stanley welcomed every knight.
Whose loyal men had come so far to fight.
Then Surrey gave to Percy, and the lords,
And those they led, these energetic words:
“Howard and Dacres, Percy, Clifford, Scroop,
In you is placed your country's firmest hope;
Let Yorkshire knights their ancient valour show,
And Durham's sons stand firm, though these be few!
Sons of old Cumbria, your brave valour show,
And, Westmoreland, lay many a Scotsman low!
Clifford! all Craven youths I leave to thee—
Fight like your fathers, yours is victory!”
The eagles from Helvellyn's craggy height,
Spread their broad wings, and hastened to the fight;
And from the rocks which overhung Lowdore
(Where in all forms the bursting cat'racts roar),
Croaked the dark ravens, as they flew away,
To feast at Flodden, on that bloody day.
| The poetical works of John Nicholson | |