THE HERMIT of WARK WORTH. A Northumberland BALLA D. DARK FIT THE FIRST. ARK was the night, and wild the ftorm. And loud the fea was heard to dafh Mufing on man's weak hapless state, With hofpitable hafte he rofe, All fad beneath a neighbouring tree Who beat her breast, and with her tears And while fome sheltering bower he fought O! truft in heaven the Hermit said, Doubt not but I fhall find thy friend, Then climbing up his rocky flairs, Among the the thickets long he winds O tell me father, tell me true, If f you A gentle maid, I lately left Beneath fome neighbouring tree. But either I have loft the place, And much I fear this fatal ftream Praise heaven, my fon, the Hermit faid; The lady's fafe and well: And foon he join'd the wandering youth, And brought him to his cell. Then well was feen, thefe gentle friends The youth he prefs'd her to his heart; Ah! feldom had their hoft, I ween, The youth was tall with manly bloom, The youth was clad in foreft green, Sit down, my children, fays the Sage; Partake, he faid, my fimple ftore, Thanks, father, for thy bounteous fare; Then freely ate, and made good chear, And talk'd their cares away. Now fay, my children, (for perchance What ftrange adventure brought you here First tell me, father, faid the youth, (Nor blame mine eager tongue) What town is here? What lands are these? And to what lord belong? Alas! my fon, the Hermit faid, Why do I live to say, The rightful lord of thefe domains Ten winters now have fhed their fnows Since valiant HOTSPUR (fo the North Against Fourth HENRY BOLINGBROKE Led his northern powers, up And ftoutly fighting loft his life Near proud Salopia's towers. One fon he left, a lovely boy, In Scotland safe he plac'd the child And now the PERCY name, fo long No chieftain of that noble houfe Their halls and caftles, once fo fair, Proud ftrangers now ufurp their lands, Nor far from hence where yon full ftream Fair WARKWORTH lifts her lofty towers, And overlooks the sea. Thofe towers, alas! now ftand forlorn, Meantime far off mid Scottish hills, O might I with thefe aged eyes, Then fhould my foul depart in bliss!— And is the PERCY ftill fo lov'd, Silent he gaz'd, then turn'd aside To wipe the tears he shed; Then lifting up his hands and eyes, Welcome, our dear and much lov'd lord, H |