Arthur Quiller-Couch, comp. The Oxford Book of Victorian Verse. 1922.
The Song of the Western MenRobert Stephen Hawker (18031875)
A
A merry heart and true!
King James’s men shall understand
What Cornish lads can do.
And shall Trelawny die?
Here ’s twenty thousand Cornish men
Will know the reason why!
A merry wight was he:
‘If London Tower were Michael’s Hold,
We’ll set Trelawny free!
The Severn is no stay;
With “One and All” and hand to hand.
And who shall bid us nay?
A pleasant sight to view,
Come forth, come forth, ye cowards all!
Here ’s men as good as you.
Trelawny he may die:
But here ’s twenty thousand Cornish bold
Will know the reason why.’
And shall Trelawny die?
And shall Trelawny die?
Here ’s twenty thousand Cornish men
Will know the reason why!