A book of English poetry; ed. by T. Shorter

:roma~ 07 CBAIU.O'l'D, .uD llteetLL.&lrSOU'&. 3'J 3

Ere yet the purple morning hour

lllumed the eaatet•n aky,

The cla.ab of &t1IlB rang merrily

With the stirring battle-cry.

A. C&t&l shower of piercing aucf

From the Norm&n croee-bowa tlew 1

And many a vali&nt Kentiahman

On the etormy onset slew I

But awift to cloaer fi!{ht they roeh'd,

And brisker warm d tbtl strife;

A.n4 de&dlier the contention grew,

Fiercer the thirst Cor life I

BeneAth the bold adventu.rous duke

'l"'uee fiery eteeda were alaio 1-

Hia falchion waved the r'•

Upon tll.at gory pl&ia

Oo spurr'd the Sauna to the oha.rge.-

'While axe &Ild glaive ewept Car;

And br&Tely smote they to the hilt,

Like liooe bred to war I

Full to the centre of their line

The Nonnane felt the ahock;

Yet stood they firm and etodfaetly,

.A.a etanda the giant rock.

Like lightning through the elementa

A t.rencllant arrow 1l.ub'ct,

And into Ha.rold'e royrJ br&l.a

Tll.rough helm-a11d temple daall'd f

He Mnk : yet to the death hie voiot

w u heard in hoa.r&e OOIDDI.ftlld i

And fien:elr graep'd, hie reeking blade

Gle&m'd m hie red right hand I

Then joyous ehoate of 'rictory

Far ahook ~he circling air ;

And helms were dotJ'd, and LAnnen Wllvt>d,

And k:oe'eB. were benrled tbt>re I

With-Liv~ long liTe the Cotlqu&ror ,_....

Did tboul&ll.d voices ring :

God •ve Uluatriou• William,

Our great, our glorious lclng I