Bells and Pomegranates, First Series/Marching Along

by Robert Browning

Dramatic Lyrics.

CAVALIER TUNES,

I.—MARCHING ALONG.

I.
KENTISH Sir Byng stood for his King,
Bidding the crop-headed Parliament swing:
And, pressing a troop unable to stoop
And see the rogues flourish and honest folk droop,
Marched them along, fifty-score strong,
Great-hearted gentlemen, singing this song.

II.
God for King Charles! Pym and such carles
To the Devil that prompts 'em their treasonous parles!
Cavaliers, up! Lips from the cup,
Hands from the pasty, nor bite take nor sup
Till you're (Chorus) marching along, fifty-score strong,
Great-hearted gentlemen, singing this song.

III.
Hampden to hell, and his obsequies' knell
Serve Rudyard, and Fiennes, and young Harry as well
England, good cheer! Rupert is near!
Kentish and loyalists, keep we not here
(Cho). Marching along, fifty-score strong,
(Cho.) Great-hearted gentlemen, singing this song?

IV.
Then, God for King Charles! Pym and his snarls
To the Devil that pricks on such pestilent carles!
Hold by the right, you double your might;
So onward to Nottingham, fresh for the fight,
(Cho). March we along, fifty-score strong,
   Great-hearted gentlemen, singing this song!