Her Father did with joy behold,— A Banner, fashioned to fulfil Embroidered (such her Sire's command) And float in rueful company! 350 355 365 It was the time when England's Queen 360 Twelve years had reigned, a Sovereign dread; Nor yet the restless crown had been Disturbed upon her virgin head; But now the inly-working North Was ripe to send its thousands forth, A potent vassalage, to fight In Percy's and in Neville's right, Two Earls fast leagued in discontent, Who gave their wishes open vent; And boldly urged a general plea, The rites of ancient piety 370 And sunshine to a dangerous strife; It came; and Francis Norton said, 380 Bethink you of your own good name: Tumultuous noises filled the hall; That name-pronounced with a dying fall— 385 390 395 401 He glanced a look of holy pride, 405 66 Thou, Richard, bear'st thy father's name, Keep thou this ensign till the day When I of thee require the same: Thus, with his sons, when forth he came 410 415 All horsed and harnessed with him to ride,— A voice to which the hills replied! But Francis, in the vacant hall, 420 425 And earth's green grass beneath his feet; 430 Nor did he fail ere long to hear A sound of military cheer, Faint-but it reached that sheltered spot; He heard, and it disturbed him not. There stood he, leaning on a lance Which he had grasped unknowingly, Had blindly grasped in that strong trance, 435 That dimness of heart-agony; There stood he, cleansed from the despair 440 The past he calmly hath reviewed: But where will be the fortitude Of this brave man, when he shall see That Form beneath the spreading tree, 445 view He saw her where in open 450 The act were justified to-day." This to himself-and to the Maid, Whom now he had approached, he said— "Gone are they,-they have their desire; 455 And I with thee one hour will stay, She heard, but looked not up, nor spake; And sorrow moved him to partake Her silence; then his thoughts turned round, And fervent words a passage found. "Gone are they, bravely, though misled; With a dear Father at their head! The Sons obey a natural lord; 460 The Father had given solemn word 465 Still stronger bends him to his course. In deep and awful channel runs 470 475 And those bright Twins were side by side; 480 485 And one, the pensive Marmaduke, 66 Then be we, each and all, forgiven! Thou, chiefly thou, my Sister dear, 490 495 Whose pangs are registered in heaven The stifled sigh, the hidden tear, And smiles, that dared to take their place, Meek filial smiles, upon thy face, 500 As that unhallowed Banner grew 505 510 Be at their side, come weal or woe: On kind occasions I may wait, See, hear, obstruct, or mitigate. Bare breast I take and an empty hand.". 515 Therewith he threw away the lance, Which he had grasped in that strong trance; Spurned it, like something that would stand Between him and the pure intent Of love on which his soul was bent. "For thee, for thee, is left the sense Of trial past without offence 520 1 See the Old Ballad,-"The Rising of the North." |