The Standard-Bearer
by
I
“How can I tell,” Sir Edmund said,
“Who has the right or the wrong o’ this thing?
Cromwell stands for the people’s cause,
Charles is crowned by the ancient laws;
English meadows are sopping red,
Englishmen striking each other dead,–
Times are black as a raven’s wing.
Out of the ruck and the murk I see
Only one thing!
The King has trusted his banner to me,
And I must fight for the King.”
II
Into the thick of the Edgehill fight
Sir Edmund rode with a shout; and the ring
Of grim-faced, hard-hitting Parliament men
Swallowed him up,–it was one against ten!
He fought for the standard with all his might,
Never again did he come to sight–
Victor, hid by the raven’s wing!
After the battle had passed we found
Only one thing,–
The hand of Sir Edmund gripped around
The banner-staff of his King.
1914.