ROMANCE OF BRITOMARTE 



AS RELATED BY SERGEANT LEIGH ON THE NIGHT HE 

 GOT HIS CAPTAINCY AT THE RESTORATION 



I'll tell you a story : but pass the "jack," 



And let us make merry to-night, my men. 

 Aye, those were the days when my beard was 

 black — 

 I like to remember them now and then — 

 Then Miles was living, and Cuthbert there 



On his lip was never a sign of down. 

 But I carry about some braided hair 



That has not yet changed from the glossy 

 brown 

 That it show'd the day when I broke the 



heart 

 Of the bravest of destriers, " Britomarte." 



Sir Hugh was slain (may his soul find grace) 

 In the fray that was neither lost nor won 



At Edgehill — then to St Hubert's-chase 

 Lord Goring despatch'd a garrison — 



But men and horses were ill to spare, 

 And ere long the soldiers were shifted 

 fast. 



As for me, I never was quarter'd there 



Till Marston Moor had been lost ; at last, 



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