Memoirs of the Life of Sir Walter Scott Volume V Part 26

15

In the third part you soon shall find, That fortune was to him most kind, And after many dangers past, He came to Durham at the last.

PART III

1

He went by chance, as I heard say, To that same house that very day In which his G.o.dfather did dwell; But mind what luck to him befell--

2

This child did crave a service there, On which came out his G.o.dfather, {p.300} And seeing him a pretty youth, He took him for his Page in truth.

3

Then in this place he pleased so well, That 'bove the rest he bore the bell; This child so well the Lord did please, He raised him higher by degrees.

4

He made him Butler sure indeed, And then his Steward with all speed, Which made the other servants spite, And envy him both day and night.

5

He was never false unto his trust, But proved ever true and just; And to the Lord did hourly pray To guide him still both night and day.

6

In this place, plainly it appears, He lived the s.p.a.ce of seven years; His parents then he thought upon, And of his promise to return.

7

Then humbly of his Lord did crave, That he his free consent might have To go and see his parents dear, He had not seen this many a year.

8

Then having leave, away he went, Not dreaming of the false intent That was contrived against him then By wicked, false, deceitful men.

9

They had in his portmanteau put This n.o.ble Lord's fine golden cup; That when the Lord at dinner was, The cup was missed as come to pa.s.s.

10

"Where can it be?" this Lord did say, "We had it here but yesterday."

{p.301} The Butler then replied with speed, "If you will hear the truth indeed.

11

"Your darling Steward which is gone, With feathered nest away is flown; I'll warrant you he has that, and more That doth belong unto your store."

12

"No," says this Lord, "that cannot be, For I have tried his honesty;"

"Then," said the Cook, "my Lord, I die Upon a tree full ten feet high."

13

Then hearing what these men did say, He sent a messenger that day, To take him with a hue and cry, And bring him back immediately.

14

They searched his portmanteau with speed, In which they found the cup indeed; Then was he struck with sad surprise, He could not well believe his eyes.

15

The a.s.sizes then were drawing nigh, And he was tried and doomed to die; And his injured innocence Could nothing say in his defense.

16

But going to the Gallows tree, On which he thought to hanged be He clapped his hands upon his breast, And thus in tears these words exprest:--

17

"Blind Fortune will be Fortune still, I see, let man do what he will; For though this day I needs must die, I am not guilty--no, not I."

18

This n.o.ble Lord was in amaze, He stood and did with wonder gaze; {p.302} Then he spoke out with words so mild,-- "What mean you by that saying, Child?"

19

"Will that your Lordship," then said he, "Grant one day's full reprieve for me, A dismal story I'll relate, Concerning of my wretched fate."

20

"Speak up, my Child," this Lord did say, "I say you shall not die this day-- And if I find you innocent, I'll crown your days with sweet content."

21

He told him all his dangers past, He had gone through from first to last, He fetched the chain and cabinet, Likewise the paper that was writ.

22

When that this n.o.ble Lord did see, He ran to him most eagerly, And in his arms did him embrace, Repeating of those words in haste.--

23

"My Child, my Child, how blessed am I Thou art innocent, and shalt not die; For I'm indeed thy G.o.dfather, And thou wast born in fair Yorkshire.