Page:Poems that every child should know (ed. Burt, 1904).djvu/141

 PART III

Lochinvar.

, young Lochinvar is come out of the west.

Through all the wide Border his steed was the best,

And save his good broadsword he weapons had none:

He rode all unarmed, and he rode all alone.

So faithful in love, and so dauntless in war,

There never was knight like the young Lochinvar.

He stayed not for brake, and he stopped not for stone,

He swam the Eske River where ford there was none;

But ere he alighted at Netherby gate

The bride had consented, the gallant came late:

For a laggard in love, and a dastard in war

Was to wed the fair Ellen of brave Lochinvar.

So boldly he entered the Netherby Hall,

Among bridesmen and kinsmen and brothers and all:

Then spoke the bride's father, his hand on his sword

(For the poor craven bridegroom said never a word),