Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-10-27


booty from the
Douglas must needs ride with them. So they
into the castle courtyard and into the hall, where
they heaped up plates of mail and silver buckles,
strong bows and jeweled drks. furred mantles and
girdles of silk
Lady Barbara came forth from her bower to greet
the Percy; and her madens followed crying aloud
at the rich array gttering in the torchlight.
eyes for fair women. Nor she him as she clasped
her fathers neck weeping for JOY that he safe
from the battle.
Then soon the Percy babe set UP the tresles and
Douglas, laid heavy hand on his shoulder and drew
him forward. Yet still he lifted not his eyes for
shame.
Lass" cried the Percy, this is my bitter foe he
that breaks into my parks and steals my deer, that
robs my lands and Stays my folk; here is he, alive
and bound, like common robber-ay, and shall
hang on the gallows tree when | say the word"
But the young man shook off the hand from his
shoulder and cried in anger, Devil take thee old
mani Have | then no cattle stolen or kinSmen
slain! And as for death-faugh! the hussy may be
fouted yeti
Ho, ho!' roared the Percy, well art thou the
son Of the old Douglas the iron hearted and iron
handed Wine, knaves wine! that | may drink to
the health of my foe!
The Lady Barbara poured and gave the cup to
her father; but all the while she looked at the Doug
las bare headed blood stained straitly bound, still
holding though he knew it not the hit of his broken
sword. And he stared upon the rushes and spoke
word
Then when the Percy had drunk he babe fill the
cup again and cut the bonds of the Douglas and
the fair lady herself bore the wine and offered it,
saving sweetly, e" Drink and refresh thyself, lord
But the red came his face, like the tide up
Solway, and he dashed the cup to earth that the
wine stained the lady's fair embroidered gown.
When it IS filled with the Percys blood, then will
/ drink" quoth he.
The lady put her hands to her face and said under
her breath Are ye churlish?
Yet would he not look up heed her
The Percy laughed long and loud; and, sitting
down at the head of the board, quoth, Ha sir,
t1I,o1y | rhNI
Barbara to hang. l swear it, by St. Peter"
"Nay!" cried the lady and knelt at her fathers
knee
Peace, peace!" said he to the maid, It's good
lest" Then he turned him to the knight again
will We heal the old feud thus? Well say what We
have to say!'
Thereupon the Douglas laughed until the rafters
rang and the lady hid her face for shame. WED
your daughter, Percy" said he. Bring the
scullery maid a Gipsys brat if We will. Belize
will wed her. for the taste o the gallows is bitter
but your wench-the shorter shrift, the better!"
OFF with him." shouted the Percy, to the
dungeon! Tomorrow he shall pay!
Then henchmen to do their lords bidding;
but the damsel stopped them until she had spoken.
Sir knight" quoth she, Il would have you know
that rather would be buried cross roads with the
thorn stake through my breast than wed you! Now
behold whether | speak truth"
He looked and her standing behind her
fathers chair. In her anger she had torn the
wimple from her throat, and her golden hair shone
though her eyes were cold upon him winter frost
him seemed no mortal woman could be so fair, so
sweet, so brave. He stared upon her that
hath lost his wit.
Then was set before the Percy mighty venson
pasty, and he turned him to the trenchers; but