Page:The white doe of Rylstone - or, The fate of the Nortons. A poem (IA whitedoeofrylsto00wordrich).pdf/121

 He did not arm, he walked aloof! For why?—to save his Father’s Land;— Worst Traitor of them all is he, A Traitor dark and cowardly!”

“I am no Traitor,” Francis said, “Though this unhappy freight I bear; It weakens me, my heart hath bled Till it is weak—but you beware, Nor do a suffering Spirit wrong, Whose self-reproaches are too strong!” At this he from the beaten road Retreated towards a brake of thorn, Which like a place of ’vantage shewed; And there stood bravely, though forlorn. In self-defence with a Warrior's brow He stood,—nor weaponless was now; He from a Soldier's hand had snatched A spear,—and with his eyes he watched