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He who loves his life, his weal—had better
Seek for mercy, even among the tatars!"
Thus said many—thus repeated many-—
"Better by the sword to die, far better
Than of thirst—we'll quench our thirst in bondage,
Track my steps who think so"—thus cried Weston,[1]
"Track my steps who die of thirst !" Uprising
With a bull's own prowess, see Wratislaw
Seize on Weston, and in fiercest language
Shouting—"Traitor! coward! christians' scandal!
Wilt thou rush upon-thy soul's damnation?
Virtue only seeks relief from heaven,
Not from bondage 'neath the savage tatars;
Run not, brethren! run not to perdition—
Ye have passed the worst—the fiercest sunshine—
God has help'd us thro' the heat of noon-tide—
God has mercy for his faithful servants—
Shame! O shame! such words should e'er find utterance!
But if ye will bear the name of heroes,
- ↑ It is very remarkable that an English name should occur in this ancient and spiritied ballad.
