In sign of truce, his better hand 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; And, if but one poor straw you burn, St Mary! but we'll light a brand, Shall warm your hearths in Cumberland.". "May't please thy Dame, Sir Seneschal, To seek the castle's outward wall, Both why we came, and when we go.”— To the wall's outward circle came; Each chief around leaned on his spear, To see the pursuivant appear. All in Lord Howard's livery dressed, The lion argent decked his breast; 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, These restless riders may not tame, * An asylum for outlaws. + Plundered. + Border treason, Either receive within thy towers Or straight they sound their warrison," And storm and spoil thy garrison; 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 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; Then, deep within her sobbing breast She locked the struggling sigh to rest; * Note of assault. Unaltered and collected stood, And thus replied, in dauntless mood: XXVI. "Say to your Lords of high emprize, 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; |