BUSH BALLADS AND RHYMES 



Shall we yield to a knave and a turncoat ? 

 Nay, 



I had liever leap from our topmost tower. 

 For a while we can surely await relief : 



Our walls are high and our doors are strong." 

 This Kerr was indeed a canting thief — 



I know not rightly, some private wrong 

 He had done Sir Hugh, but I know this much, 

 Traitor or turncoat, he suffer'd as such. 



Quoth Miles — ''Enough! your will shall be 



done ; 



Relief may arrive by the merest chance. 



But your house ere dusk will be lost and 



won; 



They have got three pieces of ordnance." 



Then I cried, " Lord Guy, with four troops of 



horse, 



Even now is biding at Westbrooke town ; 



If a rider could break through the rebel force. 



He would bring relief ere the sun goes 



down ; 



Through the postern door could I make one 



dart, 



I could baffle them all upon Britomarte." 



266 



