Bella Hardy - The Driving of the Deer lyrics

Lord peverel stood on the lordis seat And an angry man was he For he heard the sound of a hunter's horn Slow winding up the lea He look'd to north, he look'd to south East and west looked he “Oh holy cross” the norman cried “Who hunts in my country?” “Belike they think the peverel dead Or far from forest walk Woe worth their hunting, they shall find Abroad is still the hawk” Again he looked where helldon hill Joins with the konying's dale And then once more the bugle blast Came swelling along the gale “Mount, mount and ride” the baron cried “The sound come's o'er the lea These outlaws, who now drive my deer Shall soon our quarry be" All down the slope, along the flat Against the hill they ride Non pull the rein till every steed Stands fast at gautriss side “Hold hard! They're here” the peverel said And upward held his hand While all his many kept behind To wait their lords command And westwards, on the bolt-edge moor Beyond the rocky height Both hounds and hunters, men and horse And deer were all in sight Who are these who break forest law? Who fear not peverel's sword? Up spoke sir payne peverel, and said “Of bowdon he's the lord Sir bruno, hight, a franklin brave One of the saxon swine Who feast each day on fat fed beef And guzzle ale not wine” “Beshrew his horn and beshrew his heart This land he may not ride If he k**s a deer, by the conquerors bow By forest law he'll bide.” “Ride on, sir payne, and tell the churl To cease his hunting cheer And come before his surzerain lord Who waits his presence here” Sir payne rode swiftly across the dale Followed by his gentle's three Nor stayed his horse 'till he had reached The hunters company And then he said “fair sirs, you ride And drive our deer as free As if this land were all your own And not in forestry” Sir franklin cried “I'm not his man And peverel knows full well Though within the bounds of his forest walk It likes me sooth to dwell.” “My manor of bowden I hold in chief For good king harry's might And you can only force me hence If strongest in the fight” Each saxon then upraised his spear Or twanged his good yew bow And the normans who rode out unarmed Couldn't match this threatening show Lord peverel viewed their bows and spears And marked their strong array And so grim he smiled, and softly said “We'll right this wrong someday”