Henry Alford

Ballad." The Baron is back from his hawking come"

The Baron is back from his hawking come, At the close of the summer's day: But the spots of red blood danced over his eyes That he might not see the play-- And the heavy deep bells were tolling. The Baron is back to his banquet come, And hath sat him down to dine; But his thoughts they ran on the red red blood That he might not taste the wine-- And the heavy deep bells were tolling. Now where were ye, sister, when I rode by, For ye were not in your bower:-- Oh I was chasing a bright butterfly That flew from flower to flower-- Where the summer rose--buds were blowing. And where were ye, sister, when I rode back, For ye were not in your hall:-- Oh I was watching the large sun set From off the castle wall-- When the yellow wall--flowers were closing. But where were ye, sister, at mid of night, For ye were not laid asleep:-- Oh I looked for love of the pale round moon In the moat so still and deep-- When the loud night--birds were singing. The Baron looked over the castle trees At the turning of the sun; And that Lady wailed and tossed her hands As she would never have done-- For her own true--love she's weeping. The Baron looked over the dim church--yard As the moon was on the wane; And that Lady lay by a new--turned grave, She may rise never again-- With her own true--love she's sleeping. --Now up, thou Baron of Taunton tower, To the holy cloister flee; For thou hast slain the truest pair In all the West countree. And the heavy deep bells are tolling.