The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-03-15
For the National Era
TOF Inc NallOhaI Era.
Is THERE DANGER NIGH?
A PROTESTANT BALLAD OF THE DAYS OF
THE SPANISH ARMADA.
BY HENRY WILLIAM HERBERT,

BY HENRY WILLIAM HERBERT.
No. /.
Warder, stand and tell us why,
From the More 10 Portland Bill,
From the Lizard to Can,ire,
Bazes every seaward hill,
Every cape is red with fire;
Why the beacons fercely burning
Toss the lurid light so high.
Midnight into midday turning.
Crimsoning the summer sky,
Is there danger nigh7
Warder, stand and tell us why,
In the minster-turrets swinging,
In the watch-lowers gidJy height,
Such peal the bells are ringing
Back and forward all the night?
Why so fast the Fai-caps rally.
To the cry of" Bills and Bows!'
Why, through causeway, court and alley,
Thick the crowd and thicker flows
Is there danger nigh!
Warder, stand and tell u. why.
All TO Tempebar from Shene,
All from Chertsey 10 Whitehall
To the Tower from Fridge green,
From ST Adams to the Mall.
Come the courers gathering in.
Go the squadrons cashing out,
Cannons roll with such a din,
Trainbands march with such n shout?
Is there danger nigh!
Warder, stand and tell US why
Such a terror fills the night
Why so pale the women's faces,
Why such hurryings and fright
In the old familiar places;
Why the brows darkly Blended
Of each husband. son, and sire
Why old eaSques so siernly mended,
Old swords ground, by the midnight FIRE!
Is there danger nigh
Warder, stand and tell us why
Anciep' cites, market towns
Ca ale gate and cottage doors,
Fields and forests, ISLES and downs,
Lonely ells aud misty moors,
SOuihron. midland. northern shres,
Pour their thousands forth in arms
Mobiles. gentles, burghers, 'squires
Mastering fast to the loud alarms9
is there danger nigh.
warder, stand and tell us why
March the ycomen, stoutly slriding,
In their jenkins blue and red,
With that stately woman riding,
All ia armor, at their head,
England's king, whaieer betide her,
With her lions on the wind,
Aud her English peers beside her,
English archery behind9
Is there danger nigh9
Englishmen, hold fast the spear
From the shores of Cadiz Bay,
From Arcasson's stormy blight,
From the pillows of Biscay,
From Corunna's castled height,
From the wild Cantabrian mountains,
From Alhambras Moorish bowers,
From the Guadalquivir's fountains,
From San Ildefonzos towers,
There is danger near!
Englishmen, hold fast the spear
From the crucifix and cope,
From the gibbet and the sack,
From the minions of the Pope,
From The fagot and the rack,
From Loyola's bigot zeal,
From the old Castilian bands,
From the princely Parma's steel,
From Don Philips ruthless hands,
There is danger near.
Englishmen, hold fast the spear
England's southron counties meaning,
Ger the calm and narrow sea,
Spanish ships swift steering,
Ten times ten and ifty-three;
Great Sidonia points them forward,
Thirty thousands in his train,
Mighty galleons 10 the va-ward,
Rich with spoils of the Spanish main.
There is danger near!
Engishmen, hold fast the spsar--
Fierce Martinez de Recaldo.
With Diego de Tomnar,
And the Italian prince, Ubaldo,
And the Condo OF Alvar,
With Toledo's hearts of steel
And Farnese's muskeieers.
Meath the castles of Castillo.