The Norton fixed, at this demand, His eye upon Northumberland, And said; "The Minds of Men will own No loyal rest while England's Crown 45 Remains without an Heir, the bait Of strife and factions desperate; Who, paying deadly hate in kind Through all things else, in this can find A mutual hope, a common mind; 50 And plot, and pant to overwhelm All ancient honour in the realm. --Brave Earls! to whose heroic veins Our noblest blood is given in trust, To you a suffering State complains, 55 And ye must raise her from the dust. With wishes of still bolder scope On you we look, with dearest hope; Even for our Altars--for the prize In Heaven, of life that never dies; 60 For the old and holy Church we mourn, And must in joy to her return. Behold!"--and from his Son whose stand Was on his right, from that guardian hand He took the Banner, and unfurled 65 The precious folds--"behold," said he, "The ransom of a sinful world; Let this your preservation be; The wounds of hands and feet and side, And the sacred Cross on which Jesus died! 70 --This bring I from an ancient hearth, These Records wrought in pledge of love By hands of no ignoble birth, A Maid o'er whom the blessed Dove Vouchsafed in gentleness to brood 75 While she the holy work pursued." "Uplift the Standard!" was the cry From all the listeners that stood round, "Plant it,--by this we live or die." The Norton ceased not for that sound, 80 But said; "The prayer which ye have heard, Much injured Earls! by these preferred, Is offered to the Saints, the sigh Of tens of thousands, secretly." "Uplift it!" cried once more the Band, 85 And then a thoughtful pause ensued: "Uplift it!" said Northumberland-- Whereat, from all the multitude Who saw the Banner reared on high In all its dread emblazonry, 90 [62]A voice of uttermost joy brake out: The transport was rolled down the river of Were, And Durham, the time-honoured Durham, did hear, And the towers of Saint Cuthbert were stirred by the shout![BB]