And Sir Lancelot mounted, and called his men-- While the corn stood green on Midsummer-day-- And he gazed on Lord Clifford again and again; And Sir Lancelot rode with him over the plain; And at length with strong effort his silence gave way. "I am old," Sir Lancelot said; "and I know-- When the corn stands green on Midsummer-day-- There will wars arise, and I shall be low, Who ever was ready to arm and go!"-- For he loved the war tramp and the martial array. "If ever a Knight might revisit this earth-- While the corn stands green on Midsummer-day"-- Said the Clifford--"When troubles and wars have birth, Thou never shalt fail from Threlkeld's hearth!" From that hearth where the widows were spinning away. And so, along Souther Fell-side they press'd-- While the corn stood green on Midsummer-day,-- And then they parted--to east and to west-- And Sir Lancelot came and was laid to his rest. Said the widows there spinning the eve away. And the Shepherd had power in unwritten lore: The corn stands green on Midsummer-day: And although the Knight's coffin his banner hangs o'er, Sir Lancelot yet can tread this floor; Said the widows there spinning the eve away.-- Thus gossip'd the widows in Threlkeld Hall, While the corn stood green on Midsummer-day: When the sound of a footstep was heard to fall, And an arm'd shadow pass'd over the wall-- Of a Knight with his plume and in martial array. With a growl the fierce dogs slunk behind the huge chair, While the corn stood green on that Midsummer-day; And the widows stopt spinning; and each was aware Of a tread to the porch, and Sir Lancelot there-- And a stir as of horsemen all riding away. They turned their dim eyes to the lattice to gaze-- While the corn stood green on Midsummer-day-- But before their old limbs they could feebly raise, The horsemen and horses were far on the ways-- From the Hall, where the widows were spinning away. And far along Souter Fell-side they strode, While the corn stood green on that Midsummer-day. And the brave old Knight on his charger rode, As he wont to ride from his old abode, With his sword by his side and in martial array. Like a chief he galloped before and behind-- While the corn stood green on Midsummer-day-- To the marshalled ranks he waved, and signed; And his banner streamed out on the evening wind, As they rode along Souter Fell-side away. And to many an eye was revealed the sight, While the corn stood green that Midsummer-day; As Sir Lancelot Threlkeld the ancient Knight With all his horsemen went over the height: O'er the steep mountain summit went riding away.