Song at the Feast of
Brougham Castle

80

UPON THE RESTORATION OF LORD CLIFFORD THE SHEPHERD

TO THE ESTATES AND HONOURS OF HIS ANCESTORS.

HIGH in the breathless hall the minstrel sate,
And Emont's murmur mingled with the song,—
The words of ancient time I thus translate,
A festal strain that hath been silent long.

"From town to town, from tower to tower,
The red rose is a gladsome flower:
Her thirty years of winter past,

The red rose is revived at last;

She lifts her head for endless spring,

For everlasting blossoming:

Both roses flourish, red and white:

In love and sisterly delight

The two that were at strife are blended,

And all old troubles now are ended.-
Joy! joy to both! but most to her
Who is the flower of Lancaster!
Behold her how she smiles to-day

On this great throng, this bright array !