12
With loud acclaim the listening crowd
Applaud the master’s song,
And deeds of war and arms became
The theme of every tongue.
Now high heroic acts they tell,
Their perils past recall;
When, lo! a damsel, young and fair,
Stepp’d forward through the hall.
She Bertram courteously address’d;
And kneeling on her knee,—
Sir knight, the lady of thy love
Hath sent this gift to thee.
Then forth she drew a glitt’ring helm,
Well plated many a fold,
The easque was wrought of temper’d steel,
The crest of burnish’d gold.
Sir knight, thy lady sends thee this,
And yields to be thy bride,
When thou hast prov’d this maiden gift
Where sharpest blows are tried.
Young Bertram took the shining helme,
And thriee he kiss’d the same;
Trust me, I’ll prove this precious easque
With deeds of noblest fame.
Lord Perey and his barons bold
Then fix upon a day,
To secour 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 Perey standard bore.
Tweed’s limpid eurrent soon they pass.
And range the borders round;
Down the green slopes of Tiviotdale
Their bugle-horns resound.
As when the liou in his den
Hath heard the hunter’s cries,
And rushes forth to meet his foes,
So did the Douglas rise.
Attendant on the ehief's eommand,
A thousand warriors wait;
And now the fatal hour drew on
Of eruel, keen debate.
