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 |  |
Hundreds of names with care great Clifford kept
Of those who centuries in the dust have slept,
Who fought at Flodden, by their chieftain led,
Nor sheathed their swords till every foe had fled.
Marton sent forth bold Arnold in his mail,
Four noble Tennants fought from Longstrodale;
Hawkswick and Flasby, and old Hellifield,
Sent Listers, who were never known to yield.
Arncliffe and Sutton of the triumph shared,
For these had sons who dangers never feared;
Old Giggleswick, beneath her craggy scar,
Had fifty sons, who bravely fought in war.
Stackhouse and Preston, with the bow and bill,
Fought, with the Brayshaws, on old Flodden hill;
The Summerscales, from Settle, cut their way
Through files of Scots on that eventful day;
And Keighley's warriors, led by Smith and Hall,
Unparted fought, and made the Northerns fall.
When these brave youths with Clifford marched away
O'er misty mountains, till the closing day,
They slept near fires of rushes, turf, and peat,
One side quite cold, the other scorched with heat;
Helmets their kettles, and a spear their fork,
To turn the chop, the steak, or roasting pork:
And who would scorn to have the supper there,
With triumph, health, an appetite, and beer?
Of those who centuries in the dust have slept,
Who fought at Flodden, by their chieftain led,
Nor sheathed their swords till every foe had fled.
Marton sent forth bold Arnold in his mail,
Four noble Tennants fought from Longstrodale;
Hawkswick and Flasby, and old Hellifield,
Sent Listers, who were never known to yield.
Arncliffe and Sutton of the triumph shared,
For these had sons who dangers never feared;
Old Giggleswick, beneath her craggy scar,
Had fifty sons, who bravely fought in war.
Stackhouse and Preston, with the bow and bill,
Fought, with the Brayshaws, on old Flodden hill;
The Summerscales, from Settle, cut their way
Through files of Scots on that eventful day;
49
Unparted fought, and made the Northerns fall.
When these brave youths with Clifford marched away
O'er misty mountains, till the closing day,
They slept near fires of rushes, turf, and peat,
One side quite cold, the other scorched with heat;
Helmets their kettles, and a spear their fork,
To turn the chop, the steak, or roasting pork:
And who would scorn to have the supper there,
With triumph, health, an appetite, and beer?
| The poetical works of John Nicholson | |