DRAMATIC LYRICS.

In a late edition were collected and redistributed the pieces first published in 1842, 1845 and 1855, respectively, under the titles of "Dramatic Lyrics," "Dramatic Romances," and "Men and Women." It is not worth while to disturb this arrangement.

Part of the Poems were inscribed to my dear friend John Kenyon; I hope the whole may obtain the honour of an association with his memory.

R. B.

DRAMATIC LYRICS.

CAVALIER TUNES.*

I. MARCHING ALONG.

I.

KENTISH Sir Byng stood for his King,
Bidding the crop-headed Parliament swing:
And, pressing a troop unable to stoop

And see the rogues flourish and honest folk droop,
Marched them along, fifty score strong,
Great-hearted gentlemen, singing this song.

II.

God for King Charles! Pym and such carles
To the Devil that prompts 'em their treasonous parles!

* Such Poems as the majority in this volume might also come properly enough, I suppose, under the head of "Dramatic Pieces; being, though often Lyric in expression, always Dramatic in principle, and so many utterances of so many imaginary persons, not mine.-R. B.

Cavaliers, up! Lips from the cup,

Hands from the pasty, nor bite take nor sup

(Chorus) Marching along, fifty-score strong,
Great-hearted gentlemen, singing this song.

III.

Hampden to hell, and his obsequies' knell.

Serve Hazelrig, Fiennes, and young Harry as well!
England, good cheer! Rupert is near!
Kentish and loyalists, keep we not here

(Chorus) Marching along, fifty-score strong,
Great-hearted gentlemen, singing this song?

IV.

Then, God for King Charles! Pym and his snarls
To the Devil that pricks on such pestilent carles !
Hold by the right, you double your might;
So, onward to Nottingham, fresh for the fight,

(Chorus) March we along, fifty-score strong,

Great-hearted gentlemen, singing this song!

II. GIVE A ROUSE.

I.

King Charles, and who 'll do him right now?
King Charles, and who 's ripe for fight now?
Give a rouse here 's, in hell's despite now,
King Charles!

II.

Who gave me the goods that went since?
Who raised me the house that sank once?
Who helped me to gold I spent since?
Who found me in wine you drank once?

(Chorus) King Charles, and who'll do him right now?
King Charles, and who's ripe for fight now!
Give a rouse: here's, in hell's despite now,
King Charles!

III.

To whom used my boy George quaff else,
By the old fool's side that begot him?
For whom did he cheer and laugh else,
While Noll's damned troopers shot him?

(Chorus) King Charles, and who'll do him right now!
King Charles, and who's ripe for fight now?
Give a rouse: here's, in hell's despite now,
King Charles!

III. BOOT AND SADDLE.

I.

Boot, saddle, to horse, and away!
Rescue my castle before the hot day
Brightens to blue from its silvery grey,

(Chorus) Boot, saddle, to horse, and away!