BRISTOW TRAGEDY THOMAS CHATTERTON The feathered songster chanticleer Had wound his bugle-horn, And told the early villager The coming of the morn: King Edward saw the ruddy streaks Of light eclipse the gray, And heard the raven's croaking throat, Proclaim the fated day. 'Thou 'rt right,' quoth he, 'for by the God That sits enthroned on high! Charles Bawdin, and his fellows twain, To-day shall surely die.' Then with a jug of nappy ale His knights did on him wait; 'Go tell the traitor, that to-day He leaves this mortal state.' Sir Canterlone then bended low, With heart brimful of woe; He journeyed to the castle-gate, And to Sir Charles did go. But when he came, his children twain, And eke his loving wife, With briny tears did wet the floor, For good Sir Charles's life. 'O good Sir Charles,' said Canterlone, 'Bad tidings I do bring.' 'Speak boldly, man,' said brave Sir Charles, 'What says the traitor-king?' 'I grieve to tell: before yon sun Does from the welkin fly, He hath upon his honour sworn, That thou shalt surely die.' 'We all must die,' said brave Sir Charles; 'Of that I'm not afraid; What boots to live a little space? Thank Jesus, I'm prepared. 'But tell thy king, for mine he's not, I'd sooner die to-day, Than live his slave, as many are, Though I should live for aye.' Then Canterlone he did go out, To tell the mayor straight To get all things in readiness For good Sir Charles's fate. Then Mr. Canynge sought the king, And fell down on his knee; 'I'm come,' quoth he, 'unto your grace, To move your clemency.' 'Then,' quoth the king, 'your tale speak out, You have been much our friend: Whatever your request may be, We will to it attend.' 'My noble liege, all my request Is for a noble knight, Who, though mayhap he has done wrong, He thought it still was right. 'He has a spouse and children twain; All ruined are for aye, If that you are resolved to let Charles Bawdin die to-day.' 'Speak not of such a traitor vile,' The king in fury said; 'Before the evening-star doth shine, Bawdin shall lose his head: 'Justice does loudly for him call, And he shall have his meed: Speak, Mr. Canynge, what thing else At present do you need?' 'My noble liege,' good Canynge said, 'Leave justice to our God, And lay the iron rule aside; Be thine the olive rod. 'Was God to search our hearts and reins, The best were sinners great; Christ's vicar only knows no sin, In all this mortal state. 'Let mercy rule thine infant reign, 'Twill fix thy crown full sure; From race to race thy family All sovereigns shall endure. 'But if with blood and slaughter thou Begin thy infant reign, Thy crown upon thy children's brows Will never long remain.' 'Canynge, away! this traitor vile Has scorned my power and me; How canst thou, then, for such a man Entreat my clemency?' 'My noble liege, the truly brave Will valorous actions prize: Respect a brave and noble mind, Although in enemies.' 'Canynge, away! By God in heaven That did me being give, I will not taste a bit of bread Whilst this Sir Charles doth live! 'By Mary, and all saints in heaven, This sun shall be his last!' Then Canynge dropped a briny tear, And from the presence passed. With heart brimful of gnawing grief, He to Sir Charles did go, And sat him down upon a stool, And tears began to flow. 'We all must die,' said brave Sir Charles; 'What boots it how or when? Death is the sure, the certain fate, Of all we mortal men. 'Say why, my friend, thy honest soul Runs over at thine eye; Is it for my most welcome doom That thou dost child-like cry?' Saith godly Canynge: 'I do weep, That thou so soon must die, And leave thy sons and helpless wife; 'Tis this that wets mine eye.' 'Then dry the tears that out thine eye From godly fountains spring; Death I despise, and all the power Of Edward, traitor-king. 'When through the tyrant's welcome means