When, on the white sea-strand, With twenty horsemen. "Then launched they to the blast; My soul ascended! There from the flowing bowl Deep drinks the warrior's soul, Skoal! to the Northland! skoal!"* Thus the tale ended. HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW. * A customary salutation in Scandinavia, when drinking a health. Barclay of Ury. UP the streets of Aberdeen, By the kirk and college-green, Close behind him, close beside, Flouted him the drunken churl, Prompt to please her master; And the begging carlin, late Yet with calm and stately mien Came a troop with broadswords swinging, Bits and bridles sharply ringing, Loose, and free, and froward: Quoth the foremost, "Ride him down! Push him! prick him! Through the town Drive the Quaker coward!" But from out the thickening crowd Cried a sudden voice and loud: "Barclay! Ho! a Barclay!" And the old man at his side Saw a comrade, battle-tried, Scarred and sunburned darkly; Even though He slay me.” Pledges of thy love and faith, Proved on many a field of death, Marvelled much that henchman bold, "Woe's the day," he sadly said, "Ury's honest lord reviled! "Speak the word, and, master mine, As we charged on Tilly's line, And his Walloon lancers, Smiting through their midst, we'll teach Civil look and decent speech To these boyish prancers!" "Marvel not, mine ancient friendLike beginning, like the end,” Quoth the Laird of Ury; "Is the sinful servant more "Give me joy that in His name While for them He suffereth long, "Happier I, with loss of all— Hunted, outlawed, held in thrall, With few friends to greet me— Than when reeve and squire were seen Riding out from Aberdeen With bared heads to meet me ; "When each good wife, o'er and o'er, Blessed me as I passed her door; And the snooded daughter, Through her casement glancing down, Smiled on him who bore renown From red fields of slaughter. “Hard to feel the stranger's scoff, Warm, and fresh, and living. 'Through this dark and stormy night Faith beholds a feeble light Up the blackness streaking; Knowing God's own time is best, In a patient hope I rest For the full day-breaking!" |