Come, listen to me, you gallants so free,
All you that love mirth for to hear,
And I will tell you of a bold outlaw,
That lived in Nottinghamshire.
As Robin Hood in the forest stood,
All under the greenwood tree,
There he was aware of a brave young man,
As fine as fine might be.
The youngster was clad in scarlet-red,...
George Iii. and a Dying Woman in Windsor Forest
OUTSTRETCHED beneath the leafy shade
Of Windsor forest’s deepest glade,
A dying woman lay;
Three little children round her stood,
And there went up from the greenwood
A woful wail that day.
“O mother!” was the mingled cry,
“O mother, mother! do not die,
And...
A Ballad of the Fleet
I.
AT Flores in the Azores Sir Richard Grenville lay,
And a pinnace, like a fluttered bird, came flying from far away:
“Spanish ships of war at sea! we have sighted fifty-three!”
Then sware Lord Thomas Howard: “’Fore God I am no coward;
But I cannot meet them here, for my ships are out of gear,
And the half my men are...
From “King John,” Act V. Sc. 7.
THIS England never did, nor never shall,
Lie at the proud foot of a conqueror,* * * * *
Come the three corners of the world in arms,
And we shall shock them. Nought shall make us rue,
If England to itself do rest but true.
“o, Came ye ower by the Yoke-burn Ford,
Or down the King’s Road o’ the cleuch? 1
Or saw ye a knight and a lady bright,
Wha ha’e gane the gate they baith shall rue?”
“I saw a knight and a lady bright
Ride up the cleuch at the break of day;
The knight upon a coal-black steed,
And the dame on one of a silver-gray.
“And...
A Chieftain, to the Highlands bound,
Cries, “Boatman, do not tarry!
And I ’ll give thee a silver pound,
To row us o’er the ferry.”
“Now who be ye, would cross Lochgyle,
This dark and stormy water?”
“O, I ’m the chief of Ulva’s isle,
And this Lord Ullin’s daughter.
“And fast before her father’s men
Three days...
From “Marmion,” Canto VI.
NOT far advanced was morning day,
When Marmion did his troops array
To Surrey’s camp to ride;
He had safe-conduct for his band,
Beneath the royal seal and hand,
And Douglas gave a guide:
The ancient Earl, with stately grace,
Would Clara on her palfrey place,
And whispered in an undertone,...
From “The Lady of the Lake,” Canto V.
“I AM by promise tried
To match me with this man of pride:
Twice have I sought Clan-Alpine’s glen
In peace; but when I come again,
I come with banner, brand, and bow,
As leader seek this mortal foe.
For lovelorn swain, in lady’s bower,
Ne’er panted for the appointed hour,...
From “The Lady of the Lake,” Canto VI.
A FOOTSTEP struck her ear,
And Snowdoun’s graceful Knight was near.
She turned the hastier, lest again
The prisoner should renew his strain.
“O welcome, brave Fitz-James!” she said;
“How may an almost orphan maid
Pay the deep debt”—“O, say not so!
To me no gratitude you owe.
...
“oh, wha hae ye brought us hame now, my brave lord,
Strappit naught ower his braid saddle-bow?
Some bauld Border reiver to feast at our board
An’ herry our pantry, I trow.
He ’s buirdly an’ stalwart in lith an’ in limb:
Gin ye were his master in war
The field was a saft eneugh litter for him—
Ye...
