With Kendal bow, and Gilsland brand, 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:- To see the pursuivant appear. All in Lord Howard's livery dressed, The lion argent decked his breast; And thus his master's will he said. XXIV. "It irks, high Dame, my noble Lords, We claim from thee William of Deloraine, H It was but last St. Cuthbert's even He pricked to Stapleton on Leven, Shall good King Edward's page be bred.". XXV. He ceased-and loud the Boy did cry, And stretched his little arms on high; Implored for aid each well-known face, And strove to seek the Dame's embrace. A moment changed that Ladye's cheer, Gushed to her eye the unbidden tear; She gazed upon the leaders round, And dark and sad each warrior frowned; She locked the struggling sigh to rest; And thus replied in dauntless mood. XXVI. "Say to your Lords of high emprise, Who war on women and on boys, That either William of Deloraine Will cleanse him, by oath, of march-treason stain, Or else he will the combat take 'Gainst Musgrave, for his honour's sake. No knight in Cumberland so good, But William may count with him kin and blood. When English blood swelled Ancram ford; And bare him ably in the flight, Himself had seen him dubbed a knight. For the young heir of Branksome's line, God be his aid, and God be mine; Through me no friend shall meet his doom; Here, while I live, no foe finds room. Take our defiance loud and high; Our slogan is their lyke-wake dirge, XXVII. Proud she looked round, applause to claim- To heaven the Border slogan rung, "St. Mary for the young Buccleuch!" The English war-cry answered wide, And forward bent each southern spear; Each Kendal archer made a stride, And drew the bowstring to his ear; |