BY WILLIAM WORDSWORTH.
Ere the brothers though the gateway
Issued forth with old and young,
To the Horn Sir Eustace pointed,
Which for ages there had hung.
Horn it was which none could sound,
No one upon living ground,
Save He who came as rightful Heir
To Egremont's Domains and Castle fair.
Heirs from times of earliest record
Had the House of Lucie borne,
Who of right had held the lordship
Claimed by proof upon the horn:
Each at the appointed hour
Tried the horn--it owned his power;
He was acknowledged; and the blast
Which good Sir Eustace sounded was the last.
With his lance Sir Eustace pointed,
And to Hubert thus said he:
"What I speak this horn shall witness
For thy better memory.
Hear, then, and neglect me not!
At this time, and on this spot,
The words are uttered from my heart,
As my last earnest prayer ere we depart.
"On good service we are going,
Life to risk by sea and land,
In which course if Christ our Saviour
Do my sinful soul demand,
Hither come thou back straightway,
Hubert, if alive that day;
Return, and sound the horn, that we
May have a living house still left in thee!"
"Fear not," quickly answered Hubert:
"As I am thy father's son,
What thou askest, noble brother,
With God's favour, shall be done.
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