Note 169 — THE WHITE DOE OF RYLSTONE;

... had snatched A spear,—and with his eyes he watched Their motions, turning round and round:— His weaker hand the Banner held; And straight by savage zeal impelled Forth rushed a Pikeman, as if he, Not without harsh indignity, Would seize the same:—instinctively— To smite the Offender—with his lance Did Francis from the brake advance; But, from behind, a treacherous wound Unfeeling, brought him to the ground, A mortal stroke:—oh, grief to tell! Thus, thus, the noble Francis fell: There did he lie of breath forsaken; The Banner from his grasp was taken, And borne exultingly away; And the Body was left on the ground where it lay. 1815. But not before the warm life-blood Had tinged with searching overflow, More deeply tinged the embroidered show Of His whose side was pierced upon the Rood! 1837.