Falcon and culver, on each tower, Stood prompt their deadly hail to shower; And flashing armour frequent broke From eddying whirls of sable smoke, Where, upon tower and turret head, XXI. Armed he rode, all save the head, His white beard o'er his breast-plate spread; Unbroke by age, erect his seat, He ruled his eager courser's gait; Forced him, with chasten'd fire, to prance, And, high curvetting, slow advance: * Ancient pieces of artillery. In sign of truce, his better hand His squire, attending in the rear, Lord Howard and Lord Dacre stout Sped to the front of their array, To hear what this old knight should say. XXII. "Ye English warden lords, of you Demands the Ladye of Buccleuch, Why, 'gainst the truce of Border-tide, In hostile guise ye dare to ride, With Kendal bow, and Gilsland brand, And all yon mercenary band, Upon the bounds of fair Scotland? My Ladye reads you swith return; St Mary! but we'll light a brand, Shall warm your hearths in Cumberland." XXIII. A wrathful man was Dacre's lord, But calmer Howard took the word : "May't please thy dame, Sir Seneschal, Each chief around leaned on his spear, To see the pursuivant appear. All in Lord Howard's livery dressed, He led a boy of blooming hue- XXIV. "It irks, high Dame, my noble Lords, 'Gainst ladye fair to draw their swords; He pricked to Stapleton on Leven, And slew his brother by dint of glaive. These restless riders may not tame, * An asylum for outlaws. + Border treason. Either receive within thy towers Two hundred of my master's powers, And this fair boy, to London led, * Shall good King Edward's page be bred." XXV. He ceased-and loud the boy did cry, And dark and sad each warrior frowned; Note of assault. |