Craven Blossoms or, Poems chiefly connected with the district of Craven. By Robert Storey |
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| XVIII. |
| XIX. |
| XX. |
| XXI. |
| XXII. |
| XXIII. |
| XXIV. |
| XXV. |
| XXVI. |
| XXVII. | XXVII. |
| XXVIII. |
| XXIX. |
| XXXV. |
| XXXVI. |
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 | Craven Blossoms |  |
XXVII.
Margaret had nerved her to suppressEach sign of terror and distress.
The peril past, revulsion came
With such a faintness through her frame,
As left her little power, 'tis said,
To spurn the Outlaw's proffered aid.
Thus on the rock, in thunder-shower,
Will lean the heath-bell's drooping flower,
Which, had the day been fair and dry,
On its own stalk had blossomed high.
“Heroic Maiden! thou hast here,
Believe me, not a cause of fear.
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In safety shalt thou join thy train,
When we must part,—and I once more
Return to swell the boisterous roar
Of revel here;—in savage glee
To lose or stun all thoughts of thee;
And, issuing thence, in ruthless deed
To find my solace and my meed!”
“Yet why—O why should this be so?”
The Lady cried; and Pendle's snow
Gained ne'er such blush from morning's smile
As tinged her cheek and brow the while!
“Thy speech, thy manners bear no trace
To say thou com'st of vulgar race;
Still less art thou whom men would take
For one that skulks in cave and brake,
Cheering his crew to deeds abhorred,
Unworthy of a brave man's sword;
Then why not spurn the base career,
And rise—aye rise; for any sphere—
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Were glorious—to thy present state!”
| Craven Blossoms | |