Mounts the wild blast that sweeps amain, And shrieks along the battle-plain : Now, from the mountain's misty throne, Sees, in the thanedom once his own, His place, his power, his memory die: His tears of rage impel the rill; All mourn the minstrel's harp unstrung, Their name unknown, their praise unsung. III. Scarcely the hot assault was staid, The terms of truce were scarcely made, When they could spy, from Branksome's towers, The advancing march of martial powers; Thick clouds of dust afar appeared, And trampling steeds were faintly heard; Bright spears, above the columns dun, Glanced momentary to the sun; And feudal banners fair displayed The bands that moved to Branksome's aid. IV. Vails not to tell each hardy clan, From the fair Middle Marches came; The Bloody Heart blazed in the van, Vails not to tell what steeds did spurn, And Swinton laid the lance in rest, That tamed of yore the sparkling crest Of Clarence's Plantagenet. Nor list I say what hundreds more, And Tweed's fair borders, to the war, Beneath the crest of Old Dunbar, And Hepburn's mingled banners come, Down the steep mountain glittering far, And shouting still," a Home! a Home!" V. Now squire and knight, from Branksome sent, On many a courteous message went; To every chief and lord they paid Meet thanks for prompt and powerful aid; And how the Ladye prayed them dear To taste of Branksome cheer. Nor, while they bade to feast each Scot, Were England's noble Lords forgot; K Himself, the hoary Seneschal, Rode forth, in seemly terms to call But angry Dacre rather chose In his pavilion to repose. 1 VI. Now, noble Dame, perchance you ask, How these two hostile armies met? Deeming it were no easy task To keep the truce which here was set; Where martial spirits, all on fire, Breathed only blood and mortal ire.— By mutual inroads, mutual blows, By habit, and by nation, foes, 8 They met on Teviot's strand : They met, and sate them mingled down, As brothers meet in foreign land: Were interchanged in greeting dear; Visors were raised, and faces shewn, And many a friend, to friend made known, Partook of social cheer. Some drove the jolly bowl about; With dice and draughts some chased the day; And some, with many a merry shout, In riot, revelry, and rout, Pursued the foot-ball play. VII. Yet, be it known, had bugles blown, Or sign of war been seen, |