Said I the Fox towards the Tweed
Had urged with fear his utmost speed;
And that the hounds approaching nigh
Had bid the cowering ruffian fly;
And that the Goblin Groom had seen
Him leave his haunts of copse-wood green;
Had seen him leave the bank so steep,
And stem the tide so broad and deep;
And that he ready staid below
To give the welcome Tallyho!
XI.
No sooner had the shout been given,
Than to the hilt the spurs were driven:
The lank-lean poney knew full well
The signal for the chace;
And only those who’ve seen may tell
The issue of the race.
But Norham’s castle saw the start,
And knows the Goblin did his part;
At least she knows, if it may be
That Castles are allowed to see,
That first the Goblin saw the find,
And left the boldest far behind.
XII.
Into the river, broad and deep,
Beneath old Norham’s ruined keep,
Where the descent appears most steep,
The gallant pack have dashed:
In likewise dashed the Elf and horse,
Quite heedless of the torrent’s force;
And as they stemmed the river’s course
His tail the poney lashed.
The Goblin Groom now screamed a scream;
For Goblins hate a running stream;
And, if the truth my records say,
The Elfin Poney neighed a neigh.
XIII.
O! ’twas a gallant sight, and brave,
To see them stem the chrystal wave:
But now the tide and stream have bore
The Groom and pack to England’s shore:
The other sportsmen, round about,
With hurried speed, have ta’en their route;
For well they knew th’ attempt were vain
Here the English side of Tweed to gain;
And so they’ve gone a mile below,
Where gurgling Tweed runs on more slow;
And much they marvel, all the way,
How crossed that gallant daring fay.
XIV.
Meanwhile the hounds round Norham’s base
Have ta’en their way with eager pace;
Have hurried on with ready will
To where the Tweed receives the Till:
Through Tillmouth’s wooded banks they fly,
Whilst Echo answers to the cry;[9]
And then they seek the higher lands,
Where Twizel’s lordly castle stands:
High on her wood surrounded mead,
She views at once both Till and Tweed:
Two fairer streams ne’er met, I ween,
In such a grand and lovely scene;
Where braes and banks, and woods combine,
And swiftly gliding waters shine;
Where distant hills and mountains rise,
And fade beneath th’ expansive skies.