So thus did both these nobles die, He had a bow bent in his hand, Against Sir Hugh Montgomery This fight did last from break of day For when they rung the evening-bell With stout Earl Percy there was slain Sir Robert Ratcliff, and Sir John, And with Sir George and stout Sir James, For Witherington my heart is woe And with Earl Douglas there was slain Sir Hugh Mountgomery, Sir Charles Murray, that from the field One foot would never flee. Sir Charles Murray of Ratcliff, too,— Sir David Lamb, so well esteemed, And the Lord Maxwell in like case Of fifteen hundred Englishmen, Next day did many widows come, They washed their wounds in brinish tears, Their bodies, bathed in purple blood, The news was brought to Edinburgh, "O heavy news," King James did say; "Scotland can witness be I have not any captain more Like tidings to King Henry came Within as short a space, That Percy of Northumberland "Now God be with him," said our King, "Since 'twill no better be; I trust I have within my realm "Yet shall not Scots or Scotland say But I will vengeance take; I'll be revengèd on them all For brave Earl Percy's sake." This vow full well the King performed In one day fifty knights were slain And of the rest, of small account, Thus endeth the hunting of Chevy-Chase, God save the king, and bless this land, With plenty, joy and peace; And grant, henceforth, that foul debate 'Twixt noblemen may cease. THE ATTACK ON THE CASTLE' By SIR WALTER SCOTT MOMENT of peril is often also a moment of open-hearted kindness and affection. We are thrown off our guard by the general agitation of our feelings, and betray the intensity of those which, at more tranquil periods, our prudence at least conceals, if it cannot altogether suppress them. In finding herself once more by the side of Ivanhoe, Rebecca was astonished at the keen sensation of pleasure which she experienced, even at a time when all around them both was danger, if not despair. As she felt his pulse, and inquired after his health, there was a softness in her touch and in her accents, implying a kinder interest than she would herself have been pleased to have voluntarily expressed. Her voice faltered and her hand trembled, and it was only the cold question of Ivanhoe, "Is it you, gentle maiden?" which recalled her to herself, and reminded her the sensations which she felt were not and could not be mutual. A sigh escaped, but it was scarce audible; and the questions which she asked the knight concerning his state of health were put in the tone of calm friendship. Ivanhoe answered her hastily that he was, in point of health, as well, and better, than he could have expected. "Thanks," he said, "dear Rebecca, to thy helpful skill." 1. The Attack on the Castle is from Scott's novel of Ivanhoe. "He calls me dear Rebecca," said the maiden to herself, "but it is in the cold and careless tone which ill suits the word. His war-horse, his hunting hound, are dearer to him than the despised Jewess!" "My mind, gentle maiden," continued Ivanhoe, "is more disturbed by anxiety than my body with pain. From the speeches of these men who were my warders just now, I learn that I am a prisoner, and, if I judge aright of the loud hoarse voice which even now despatched them hence on some military duty, I am in the castle of Front-de-Bœuf. If so, how will this end, or how can I protect Rowena and my father?" "He names not the Jew or Jewess," said Rebecca, internally; "yet what is our portion in him, and how justly am I punished by Heaven for letting my thoughts dwell upon him!" She hastened after this brief self-accusation to give Ivanhoe what information she could; but it amounted only to this, that the Templar Bois-Guilbert and the Baron Frontde-Bœuf were commanders within the castle; that it was beleaguered from without, but by whom she knew not. The noise within the castle, occasioned by the defensive preparations, which had been considerable for some time, now increased into tenfold bustle and clamor. The heavy yet hasty step of the men-atarms traversed the battlements, or resounded on the narrow and winding passages and stairs which led to the various bartizans2 and points of defense. The voices of the knights were heard, animating their followers, or directing means of defense, while their 2. A bartizan is a sort of small overhanging balcony, built for defense or for lookout. |