CWM BYCHAN. 281 



tions, degraded, persecuted, trampled on, outcasts and wanderers. 

 I have seen all that I loved on earth fall murdered around me ; yet 

 I trembled not in that fearful hour : I thought but of blood and of 

 vengeance ; but that thought has passed away. I feel that I could 

 undergo pain and bonds and torture, nay, death itself, if love or 

 gratitude required such a sacrifice. Then let me attend you : let 

 me share your weal and woe. It may be that the poor and humble 

 page may have some opportunity of rendering service to his lord 

 and benefactor I" Mortimer could not resist this appeal. He de- 

 termined that Thalwyn should accompany him, and the necessary 

 arrangements were made. 



It was now the evening before their departure. Mortimer re- 

 tired at a late hour to his tent. His mind was intent upon the past, 

 the present, and the future ; he in vain courted the requisite repose; 

 and while restless and ruminating his attention was attracted by 

 the merriment of a party of his soldiers who had warred in the East, 

 and who were now recounting to each other the wonders of Pales- 

 tine, and singing the triumphs of the Cross over the Crescent, in the 



SONG OF THE CRUSADERS. 



Away to the battle field we go, 

 Where glory awaits us and death to the foe ; 

 Our lances gleam o'er the plain as we dash, 

 And our shields in the sunbeams brightly flash. 



Our souls as the chainless winds are free, 

 And our hearts are united in chivalry ; 

 Our coursers are swift as the eagle's flight, 

 And we scorn the boast of the Moslem might. 



Hark ! 'tis the cymbals that ring afar ; 



Hark ! 'tis the pagan trumpet of war. 



On, on, let the infidel quickly feel 



The power and weight of the Christian's steel. 



We meet in the fearful shock, 



The spears shiver ! 



The swords quiver ! 

 They fly as the scattered Bock ! 



The paynim host is lost, 



Their champions quail, 



Their cimctars fail, 

 Before the sword that's cross. 1 



VOL. vim., no. xxiv. 3G 



