Sir Henry Taylor (1800–1886)

Thorbiorga sings:
BY Wellesbourne and Charlcote ford,

At break of day, I saw a sword.

Wessex warriors, rank by rank,

Rose on Avon’s hither bank;

Mercia’s men in fair array

Look’d at them from Marraway;

Close and closer ranged they soon,

And the battle join’d at noon.

By Wellesbourne and Charlcote Lea

I heard a sound as of the sea:

Thirty thousand rushing men,

Twenty thousand met by ten;

Rang the shield and brake the shaft,

Tosty yell’d, Harcather laugh’d;

Thoro’ Avon’s waters red

Chased by ten the twenty fled.

By Charlcote ford and Wellesbourne

I saw the moon’s pale face forlorn.

River flow’d and rushes sigh’d,

Wounded warriors groan’d and died;

Ella took his early rest,

The raven stood on his white breast;

Hoarsely in the dead man’s ear

Raven whisper’d, ‘Friend, good cheer!

Ere the winter pinch the crow

He that slew thee shall lie low.’

Heida sings:
Love ye wisely, love ye well;

Challenge then the gates of Hell!

Love and Truth can ride it out,

Come bridal song or battle shout.