A RAID.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume I, Issue 11, 16 March 1867, Page 4

A RAID.

To horse, to horse, my merry men ! and never draw the rein Until the white foam gleams amid each horse’s tossing mane ; It is the tender gloaming when wo mount beside the door. The stars will shine across the hills ere our long ride he o’er, And morning sunshine welcome us, as wearily we win The castle walls, and slowly drive the English cattle in ! To horse, to horse, my men, I say ! and strike the rowels deep. The way lies o’er the heather, and the fells are cold end steep ; Look heedfully to belt and band or ever forth ye fare. And breathe a Paternoster if ye reckoujaught of prayer. Ho ! Janet, bring the stirrup-cup and pour the nut-brown ale ; And keep a stout heart, lassie, —only lily leaves arc pale. The men of stout Northumberland must soundly sleep to-night, To dream, perchance, of other raids or bloody Border fight; The Warden of the Marches must hold carouse at home, While stealthily we sweep along as rolls the Solway foam. Foul fall the man who stirs to-night upon the Border side! To say us nay. or bar our way, as through the Dales we ride 1 And should the foemanmeetus,thenthe English dogs will learn Our swords are true, as stark they lie unshriven mid the fern ; And maidens weep in Otterburu, at many an ingle nook, For lovers who will walk with them no more beside the brook ; And many an English mess-trooper will sadly rue the day, And curse our horses’ hoof-marks and his oxen far away. And homeward in the morning weshall ride with lightsome word, And goad the weary cattle on with point of iar.ee and sword, Then tend our horses as the men who ride the moors should do, And greet our wives and children with a careless kiss or two, . And fill a can, .and drain it down, and pray, what e’er betide, ' : Heaven spare us another day—another raid to ride!