12
A hundred more fed free in stall—
Such was the custom of Branksome-Hall.
Such was the custom of Branksome-Hall.
VI
Why do these steeds stand ready dight?
Why watch these warriors, armed, by night?—
They watch to hear the blood-hound baying;
They watch to hear the war-horn braying;
To see St. George's red cross streaming,
To see the midnight beacon gleaming;
They watch against Southern force and guile,
Lest Scroope, or Howard, or Percy's powers,
Threaten Branksome's lordly towers,
From Warkwork, or Naworth, or merry Carlisle.
Why do these steeds stand ready dight?
Why watch these warriors, armed, by night?—
They watch to hear the blood-hound baying;
They watch to hear the war-horn braying;
To see St. George's red cross streaming,
To see the midnight beacon gleaming;
They watch against Southern force and guile,
Lest Scroope, or Howard, or Percy's powers,
Threaten Branksome's lordly towers,
From Warkwork, or Naworth, or merry Carlisle.
VII
Such is the custom of Branksome-Hall.
Many a valiant knight is here;
But he, the chieftain of them all,
His sword hangs rusting on the wall,
Beside his broken spear.
Such is the custom of Branksome-Hall.
Many a valiant knight is here;
But he, the chieftain of them all,
His sword hangs rusting on the wall,
Beside his broken spear.
