Page:The white doe of Rylstone - or, The fate of the Nortons. A poem (IA whitedoeofrylsto00wordrich).pdf/63

 I had—but these are by my side These eight, and this is a day of pride! The time is ripe—with festive din Lo! how the People are flocking in,— Like hungry Fowl to the Feeder’s hand When snow lies heavy upon the land.”

He spake bare truth; for far and near From every side came noisy swarms Of Peasants in their homely gear; And, mixed with these, to Brancepeth came Grave Gentry of estate and name, And Captains known for worth in arms; And prayed the Earls in self-defence To rise, and prove their innocence.– “Rise, noble Earls, put forth your might For holy Church, and the People's right!”

The Norton fixed, at this demand, His eye upon Northumberland,