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Where the free man fights for freedom, And the strong man leads the strong.

On the mailèd Norman riders

Charged, in clattering multitude; But the Scots with steady frontage Like a bristling forest stood.

Valiant Keith, the doughty marshal,
With five hundred knights in mail,
Prostrate laid the English archers,
As corn falls before the hail.

Heavenward rose the Scottish slogan,
While the gillies on the hill,

Spreading show of sheets for banners,
Downward rushed with forward will;

Which the fear-struck, far beholding,
Fled like children from a ghost;
And their king, with floating bridle,

Galloped from the dwindling host.

Forth and Bannock drank the red blood

Of ten times ten thousand slain ;

Who escaped, like chaff were drifted Where the west wind sweeps the plain.

Edward's Edward, shorn of kingship, Fled the land and found the sea; From Dunbar a light skiff brought him Where his breathing might be free;

Even as Xerxes, cowed and crestless,
Backward ploughed fair Helle's tide,
Reaping, as the proud man reapeth,
Lowest fall from topmost pride.

Fought and won is Freedom's battle; Scotland's Muse no more shall mourn;

England no more toss her haughty

Crest o'er glorious Bannockburn.

CANTO III.

THE NEW WORLD

127

LUTHER.

I WILL sing of Saxon LUTHER,
Who from lowly peasant-home,

With brave word of truth forth-thundered,
Shook the throne of mighty Rome.

Not for sway of sceptred Pontiffs,
Gilded pomp, and purple pride,

High-poised domes and painted porches,
Christ had lived and Christ had died.

Not the great and not the mighty,
Not the lords of princely hall,
But the mean unvalued people,

Answered to His holy call.

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