Page:History and characteristics of Bishop Auckland.djvu/98

HISTORY OF BISHOP AUCKLAND. 75 Pilkyngton." lie following beautiful ballad was written on the occasion of the attainder of Sir Robert Claxton, of Old Park : — CLAXTON'S LAMENT. Listen, English merchants brave, To Robert Claxton, woeful man ! Who once had lands and livings fair, . Most like an English gentleman. But the flower is shed, and the spring is fled. And he wanders alone at the close of the day ; And the sleety hail, in the moonshine pale, Glistens at eve, on his locks of grey. To Wetherby the Earls are gone ; A message came, so fair and free — Now swear thee, on the holy rood, I charge thee, Claxton, ride with me. The Earle he is my gracious Lord — The Queen she is my liegeous Queue ; To stand upon the worser side No Claxton yet was ever seen. While thus in doubtful guise I stand, Another message came so free, Eesolve thee Claxton ! out of hand. If thou wilt ought for the love of me. We only stand to guard our own — Our lives are set in jepardie ; And if thou wilt not ride with us. Yet shall thy lands forfaulted be. " Now, foul befall the venom'd tongues " That slander'd two such noble peers ; " And brought such woe and misery " On silver hairs, and failing years. " To Wetherby I needs must ride, " No better chance since I may see ; My eldest son is full of pride ; " My second goes for love of me. " Now, bide at home my eldest son ; " Thou art the heir of all my land." " If I stay at home for land or fee, " May I be branded in forehead and hand." " The Percies are rising in the north ; " The Nevilles are gathering in the west ; '^ And Claxton's heir may bide at home, " And hide him in the cushat's nest? " Now rest at home, my youngest son, " Thy limbs are lithe, thy age is green ; " Nay, father, we'll to Wetherby, " And never more at home be seen. " We'll keep our bond to our noble Lord, — " We'll tine our faith to the Southern Queen ; ^' And when all is lost, we'll cross the seas, " And bid farewell to boVr and green. " Our tow'rs may stand, till down they fall, " That's all the help they'll get from me ; " False Southrons will be lords of all, " But well ne'er hear it o'er the sea." Digitized by Google