And now the Percy name, so long

Our northern pride and boast, Lies bid, alas! beneath a cloud,

Their honours reft and loft.

No chieftain of that noble house

Now leads our youth to arms;
The bordering Scots despoil our fields,
And
lavage

all our farms.

Their halls and castles, once fo fair,

Now moulder in decay ;
Proud strangers now usurp their lands,

And bear their wealth away.

Nor far from hence, where yon full stream

Runs winding down the lea,
Fair Warkworth lifts her lofty tow'rs,

And overlooks the sea.

Those towers, alas! now stand forlorn,

With noisome weeds o'erspread, Where feafted lords and courtly dames,

And where the poor were fed.

Meantime far off, mid Scottish hills,

The PERCY lives unknown :
On strangers' bounty he depends,
And
may

not claim his own.

O might I with these aged eyes

But live to see him here,
Then should my foul depart in bliss!

He said, and dropt a tear.

And is the Percy still so lov’d,

Of all his friends and thee?

Then, bless me, father, said the youth,

For thy guest am He.

Silent he gaz'd, then turn'd aside

To wipe the tears he shed;
Then, lifting up his hands and eyes,

Pour'd blessings on his head :

Welcome, our dear and much-lov'd lord,

Thy country's hope and care : But who may this young lady be

That is so wondrous fair ?

Now, father, listen to my tale,

And thou shalt know the truth ; And let thy fage advice direct

My unexperienc'd youth.

In Scotland I've been nobly bred

Beneath the regent's hand, In feats of arms, and every lore

To fit me for command.

With fond impatience long I burn'd

My native land to see:
At length I won my guardian friend

To yield that boon to me.

Then

up

and down in hunter's garb I wander'd as in chase, Till in the noble Neville's house

I gain'd a hunter's place.

Some time with him I liv'd unknown,

Till I'd the hap so rare To please this young and gentle dame,

That baron's daughter fair.

Now, Percy, said the blushing maid,

The truth I must reveal :

Souls great and generous, like to thine,

Their noble deeds conceal.

It happen'd on a summer's day,

Led by the fragrant breeze,
I wander'd forth to take the air,

Among the green-wood trees :

a

Sudden a band of rugged Scots,

That near in ambush lay;
Moss-troopers from the border-fide,

There seiz'd me for their prey.

My shrieks had all been spent in vain,

But Heaven, that saw my grief, Erought this brave youth within my call,

Who flew to my relief.

With nothing but his hunting spear,

And dagger in his hand,
IIe sprung like lightning on my foes,

And caus'd them soon to stand.