" THE AILESBURY DUCK " 315 



And each grew weak with rage and bitterness. 

 Then rushing came the Knight of Dalbiac, 

 And bade them cease, and greatly menaced them 

 For brawling on his peaceful Moated Grange ; 

 And up there dashed the myriad populace 

 To see the battle ; but the champions twain, 

 Hurtled apart, were spared from further strife. 



The Noble Ailesbury secured his Dame, 

 And led her all in triumph to the room 

 Where ladies are ordained to leave their cloaks, 

 Then sang he to her thus a trifle song 



Sweet, come with me ; 



Let no one else enmesh you 

 This eau-de-vie (giving brandy and water} 



Will very much refresh you. 



I care not, I, 



For Riley ; he will miss you ; 

 Perchance he'll sigh, 



But I alone shall kiss you (does so). 



But raging Riley hovered near the door, 

 Aflame for further fighting, till it fell 

 That wiser counsels in the mind prevailed, 

 And he went thence to seek reviving drink. 

 Then Dalbiac 's knight the welcome signal gave, 

 And forth fared Ailesbury, victorious Peer, 

 With her, the tribute to his chivalry, 

 His " Dolly," won by his own stalwart hand ; 

 And in conveyance of prosaic sort 

 They sat, and so were hurried right away, 

 Nor know we what befell them as they went ; 

 But he who tells the tale declares that they 



