For ’tis now a holiday.
Suddenly they broke off, and the elder child cried out: “Look! Look, Meg. There be soldiers yonder.”
“Three, four, five of them!” said the little one, counting with keen interest.
“And two of them have left their horses and be coming this way,” said Nan. “See their red ribbons; they be King’s soldiers.”
“Oh, Nan, I’m frightened! They said they would hang the boys and drown the girls!” cried Meg, clinging to her sister.
“That was because the children of Broxash sang
If you offer to plunder, or take our cattle,
Be assured we will bid you battle.’”
said Nan, reassuringly. “We were only singing the May-pole song.”
Nevertheless her eyes grew large with fright as the soldier approached.