THE STANDARD-BEARER

“How can I tell,” Sir Edmund said,

“Who has the right or the wrong o’ this thing?

Cromwell stands for the people's cause,

Charles is crowned by the ancient laws;

English meadows are sopping red,

Englishmen striking each other dead,—

Times are black as a raven's wing.

Out of the ruck and the murk I see

Only one thing!

The King has trusted his banner to me,

And I must fight for the King.”

Into the thick of the Edgehill fight

Sir Edmund rode with a shout; and the ring

Of grim-faced, hard-hitting Parliament men

Swallowed him up,— it was one against ten!

He fought for the standard with all his might,

Never again did he come to sight —

Victor, hid by the raven's wing!

After the battle had passed we found

Only one thing,—

The hand of Sir Edmund gripped around

The banner-staff of his King.