“Let thou and I the battle try, Then stepp'd a gallant squire forth, . Who said, "I would not have it told "That e'er my captain fought on foot Ye be two earls," said Witherington, "I'll do my best, that do I may, While I have strength to stand; While I have pow'r to wield my sword, I'll fight with heart and hand." And throwing straight their bows away, * Bides on the bent, remains on the slope (hillside). Blows, a heavy shower, blows rained, = They closed full fast on ev'ry side, In sooth, it was a grief to see, The cries of men lying in their gore, At last these two stout earls did meet, "Yield thee, Lord Percy," Douglas said; "In faith I will thee bring Where thou shalt high advanced be, "Thy ransom I will freely give, Thou art the most courageous knight That ever I did see." "No, Douglas," quoth Lord Percy then, "Thy proffer I do scorn; I will not yield to any Scot DEATH AND REVENGE. With that there came an arrow keen Out of an English bow, Which struck Earl Douglas to the heart A deep and deadly blow; * Wode, enraged, mad. † Load, blows. Who never spoke more words than these: Then leaving life, Earl Percy took A knight amongst the Scots there was Who straight in wrath did vow revenge Sir Hugh Montgomery was he call'd, And pass'd the English archers all, THE GRIEF. Next day did many widows come, They washed their wounds in briny tears, Their bodies, bathed in purple gore, They bore with them away; They kissed them dead a thousand times, When they were clad in clay. Percy's Reliques. FATHER WILLIAM. "You are old, Father William," the young man cried, "The few locks which are left you are gray; You are hale, Father William, a hearty old man · Now tell me the reason, I pray?" "In the days of my youth," Father William replied, "I remember'd that youth would fly fast, And abused not my health and my vigor at first, That I never might want them at last." “ You are old, Father William," the young man cried, "And pleasures with youth pass away, And yet you lament not the days that are gone; Now tell me the reason, I pray ?" "In the days of my youth," Father William replied, "I remember'd that youth could not last; I thought of the future, whatever I did, That I never might grieve for the past.' "You are old, Father William," the young man cried, "And life must be hastening away: You are cheerful, and love to converse upon death ; Now tell me the reason, I pray ?" "I am cheerful, young man," Father William replied, "Let the cause thy attention engage; In the days of my youth I remember'd my God; Southey. JOHN GILPIN. JOHN PROPOSES A WEDDING HOLIDAY, AND THE FAMILY JOHN GILPIN was a citizen of credit and renown, A train-band* captain eke† was he, of famous London town. John Gilpin's spouse said to her dear, "Though wedded we have been These twice ten tedious years, yet we no holiday have seen. "To-morrow is our wedding day, and we will then repair Unto the Bell at Edmonton, all in a chaise and pair.” The morning came, the chaise was brought, but yet was not allowed To drive up to the door, lest all should say that she was proud. So three doors off the chaise was stayed, where they did all get in; Six precious souls, and all agog, to dash through thick and thin. Smack went the whip, round went the wheels, were never folks so glad; The stones did rattle underneath, as if Cheapside were mad. JOHN GILPIN FOLLOWS ON HORSEBACK. Now see John Gilpin mounted well upon his nimble steed, Full slowly pacing o'er the stones with caution and good heed. * Trainband captain, captain of militia. |