VIII.

“A word of vulgar augury, That broke from me, I scarce knew why, Brought on a village tale; Which wrought upon his moody sprite, And sent him arméd forth by night. I borrowed steed and mail, And weapons, from his sleeping band; And, passing from a postern door, We met, and countered hand to hand— He fell on Gifford Moor. For the death-stroke my brand I drew— Oh, then my helmdd head he knew, The palmer’s cowl was gone— Then had three inches of my blade The heavy debt of vengeance paid— My hand the thought of Austin stayed; I left him there alone. O good old man! even from the grave, Thy spirit could thy master save: If I had slain my foeman, ne’er Had Whitby’s Abbess, in her fear, Given to my hand this packet dear, Of power to clear my injured fame, And vindicate De Wilton’s name. Perchance you heard the Abbess tell Of the strange pageantry of Hell, That broke our secret speech— It rose from the infernal shade, Or featly was some juggle played, A tale of peace to teach. Appeal to Heaven I judged was best, When my name came among the rest.