I
Boot, saddle, to horse, and away!
Rescue my castle before the hot day
Brightens to blue from its silvery gray,
CHO.--Boot, saddle, to horse, and away!
II
Ride past the suburbs, asleep as you'd say;
Many's the friend there, will listen and pray
"God's luck to gallants that strike up the lay--
CHO.--Boot, saddle, to horse, and away!"
III
Forty miles off, like a roebuck at bay,
Flouts castle Brancepeth the Roundheads' array: 10
Who laughs, "Good fellows ere this, by my fay,
CHO.--Boot, saddle, to horse, and away!"
IV
Who? My wife Gertrude; that, honest and gay,
Laughs when you talk of surrendering, "Nay!
I've better counsellors; what counsel they?
CHO.-- Boot, saddle, to horse, and away!"