Lord Percy and his baron's bold

Then fix upon a day,
To scour the marches, late oppress'd

And Scottish wrongs repay.

The knights assembled on the hills

A thousand horse and more ;
Brave Widdrington, tho' sunk in years,

The Percy-ftandard bore,

Tweed's limpid current foon they pass,
And
range

the borders round ; Down the green Nopes of Tiviotdale

Their bugle horns resound.

As when a lion in his den

Hath heard the hunters' cries, And rushes forth to meet his foes,

So did the DOUGLAS rise.

Attendant on their chief's command

A thousand warriors wait ; And now the fatal hour drew on

Of cruel keen debate.

A chosen troop of Scottish youths

Advance before the rest ;
Lord Percy mark'd their gallant mein,

And thus his friend address’d.

Now, Bertram, prove thy Lady's helme,
Attack

yon forward band ; Dead or alive I'll rescue thee,

Or perish by their hand.

Young Bertram, bow'd with glad allent,

And spur'd his eager steed, And calling on his Lady's name,

Rush'd forth with whidwind (peed.

As when a grove of Sapling oake

The livid lightning rende;
So fiercely 'mid the opposing ranks

Sir Bertram's sword descends.

This way and that he drives the feel,

And keenly pierces thro' ;
And many a tall and comely knight

With furious force he flew.

Now clofing fast on every side

They hem Sir Bertram round: But dauntless he repele their rage,

And deals forth many a wound.

The vigour of his fingle arm

Had well-nigh won the fields When ponderous fell a Scottith axe,

And clove his lifted shield.

Another blow his temples took,

And reft his helme in twain ;
That beauteous helme his lady's gif !

His blood bedewed the plain.

Lord Percy faw his champion fall

Amid the unequal fight;
And now, iny noble friends, he said,

Let's fave this gallant knight.

1

Theo rushing in, with Atretch'd out shielt

He o'er the warrior hung ;
As some fierce eagle spreads her wing

To guard her callow young.

Three times they frove to seize their prey,

Three times they quick retire : What force could tand his furious strokes,

Or meet his martial fire ?

Now gathering round on every part

The battle rag'd amain :
And many a lady wept her lord

That hour untimely lain.

Percy and DOUGLAS, great in

arms, There all their courage fhow'd ; And all the field was ftrew'd with dead,

And all with crimson flow'd.

At length the glory of the day

The Scots reluctant yield,
And, after wonderous valour shown,

They Nowly quit the field.

All pale extended on their shields

And weltering in his gore, Lord Percy's knights their bleeding friend

To Wark's fair caftle bore.

Well haft thou earn'd my daughter's love ;

Her father kindly sed ;
And she herself shall dress thy wounds,

And tend thee in thy bed.

6. How he the Percy name reviv'd,

" And how his noble line “ Still foremost in their country's cause

“ With godlike ardour shine.”

With loud acclaims the listening crowd

Applaud the masters' song,
And deeds of arms and war became

The theme of every tongue.

Now high heroic acts they tell,

Their perils past recall :
When, lo! a damsel young and fair

Step'd forward thro' the hall.

She Bertram courteously address'd;

A.nd kneeling on her knee ; Sir knight, the lady of thy love

Hath sent this gift to thee.

Then forth the drew a glittering helme

Well-plated many a fold, The casque was wrought of tempered steel,

The crest of burnish'd gold.

Sir knight, thy lady sends thee this,

And yields to be thy bride,
When thou halt prov'd this maiden gift

Where sharpeft blows are try'd.

Young Bertram took the shining helme

And thrice he kiss'd the fame :
Trust me, I'll prove this precious casque

With deeds of noblest fame.

Lord Percy and his baron's bold

Then fox upon a day;
To fcour the marches, late oppress'd

And Scottish wrongs repay.

The knights assembled on the hills

A thousand horse and more ; Brave Widdrington, tho' sunk in years,

The Percy-standard bore,

Tweed's limpid current foon they pass,
And
range

the borders round; Down the green Nopes of Tiviotdale

Their bugle horns resound.

As when a lion in his den,

Hath heard the hunters' cries, And rushes forth to meet his foes,

So did the DOUGLAS rife.

Attendant on their chief's command

A thousand warriors wait ; And now the fatal hour drew on

Of cruel keen debate.

A chosen troop of Scottish youths

Advance before the rest; Lord Percy mark'd their gallant mein,

And thus his friend address’d.

Now, Bertram, prove thy Lady's helme, Attack

yon

forward band ; Dead or alive I'll rescue thee,

Or perish by their hand.