Courageous TALBOT had with SURREY met; And after many blows, began to fret, That one so young in arms should thus unmoved Resist his strength, so oft in war approved. And now the Earl beholds his father’s fall, Whose death like horrid darkness frighted all; Some give themselves as captives, others fly; But this young lion casts his generous eye On MOWBRAY’S lion, painted on his shield, And with that king of beasts repines to yield. “The field,” saith he, “in which the lion stands, Is blood, and blood I offer to the hands Of daring foes; but never shall my flight Dye black my lion, which, as yet, is white.” His enemies, like cunning huntsmen, strive In binding snares to take their prey alive, While he desires to expose his naked breast, And thinks the sword that deepest strikes is best. Young HOWARD single with an army fights; When, moved with pity, two renowned knights, Strong Clarendon, and valiant Conyers, try To rescue him--in which attempt they die. Now SURREY, fainting, scarce his sword can hold; Which made a common soldier grow so bold, To lay rude hands upon that noble flower, Which he disdaining--anger gives him power-- Erects his weapon with a nimble round, And sends the peasant’s arm to kiss the ground. This done, to TALBOT he presents his blade, And saith, “It is not hope of life hath made This my submission; but my strength is spent, And some perhaps of villain blood will vent [Illustration] My weary soul; this favour I demand, That I may die by your victorious hand.” “Nay, God forbid that any of my name,” Quoth TALBOT, “should put out so bright a flame As burns in thee, brave youth! where thou hast err’d It was thy father’s fault, since he preferr’d A tyrant’s crown before the juster side.” The Earl, still mindful of his birth, replied, “I wonder, TALBOT, that thy noble heart Insults on ruins of the vanquish’d part: We had the right; if now to _you_ it flow, The fortune of your swords hath made it so. I never will my luckless choice repent, Nor can it stain mine honour or descent; Set England’s royal wreath upon a stake, There will I fight, and not the place forsake. And if the will of God hath so disposed That RICHMOND’S brow be with the crown inclosed, I shall to him, or his, give doubtless signs, That duty in my thoughts--not faction--shines.” And the sincerity of his professions is fully attested by his subsequent conduct, both in the camp and the cabinet. He became Lord Treasurer of the Household, attended the Princess Margaret to Scotland on her marriage with James the Fourth--the most chivalrous prince of his age,--and, with his wife and daughter, was present at all the magnificent scenes, fêtes, banquets, and tournaments, which attended that ill-starred alliance.