Around on all the hills afar Had died the sounds foreboding war. Only a dull and sullen roar Reached up the valley from Lodore. Through all the arches of the sky The Northern Lights streamed broad and high. Wide o'er the realm their shields of light Flung reddening tumults on the night. Then dalesmen hoar and matrons old Look'd out in fear from farm and fold: Look'd out o'er Derwent, mere and isle, On Skiddaw's mounds, Blencathra's pile. They saw the vast ensanguined scroll Across the stars the streamers roll: The Derwent stain'd with crimson dyes: And portents wandering through the skies. And prophet-like the bodings came-- "The good Earl dies the death of fame; For him the Prince that came in vain, A King, to enjoy his own again."-- The sightless crone cried from her bed-- "'Tis blood that makes this midnight red. I dreamed the young Earl heavenward rode; His armour flashed, his standard glow'd." The fearful maiden trembling spoke-- "The good Earl blessed me, and I woke. The white and red cockade he wore; He bade adieu for evermore."-- Far show'd huge Walla's craggy wall The 'Lady's Kerchief' white and small, Dropt when, pursued like doe from brake, She scaled its rampart from the lake. "I served my Lady when a bride: I was her page:"--A stripling cried. "I served her well on bended knee, And many a smile she bent on me."-- --"Upon this breast, but twenty years Are pass'd"--a matron spoke with tears-- "I nursed her; and in all her ways, She was my constant theme of praise."-- Like flaming swords, that round them threw Their radiance on the star-lit blue, Flash'd and re-flash'd with dazzling ray The splendours of that fiery fray. --"When spies and foes watch'd Dilston Hall, To seize him ere the trumpet-call"-- A yeoman spake that loved him well-- "I brought him mid our huts to dwell. "We shelter'd him in farm and bield, Till all was ready for the field, Till all the northern bands around Were arm'd, and for the battle bound. "Then came he forth, and if he stay'd A few short hours, and still delay'd, 'Twas for those priceless treasures near, My lady and her children dear. "I heard reproaches at his side! --'Or take this jewelled fan'--she cried, With high-born scornful look and word-- And I will bear the warrior's sword!' "He called, 'To horse!'--his dapple grey He welcomed forth, and rode away. The white and red unstained he wore: His heart was stainless evermore!"-- And thus the night was filled with moan. And was the good Earl slain and gone? For him the Prince that came in vain, A King, to enjoy his own again. From Derwent's Island-Castle gate, In robe and coronet of state, A phantom on the vapours borne, Passed in the shadows of the morn.