THE NORMAN HORSE SHOE. Air....The War song of the men of Glamorgan. I. RED glows the forge in Striguil's bounds, And hammers din, and anvil sounds, Barb many a steed for battle's broil. That e'er shall dint a sable wound On fair Glamorgan's velvet ground! II. From Chepstow's towers, ere dawn of morn, Was heard afar the bugle horn; And forth, in banded pomp and pride, Stout Clare and fiery Neville ride. They swore their banners broad should gleam, In crimson light, on Rymny's stream; III. And sooth they swore, the sun arose, A Norman horseman's curdling blood! IV. Old Chepstow's brides may curse the toil The Welch tradition bears, that a Bard, on his death-bed, demanded his harp, and played the air to which these verses are adapted; requesting, that it might be performed at his funeral. THE DYING BARD. Air....Daffydz Gangwen. I. DINAS II. In spring and in autumn thy glories of shade, Unhonoured shall flourish, unhonoured shall fade; For soon shall be lifeless the eye and the tongue, That viewed them with rapture, with rapture that sung. III. Thy sons, Dinas Emlinn, may march in their pride, And chase the proud Saxon from Prestatyn's side; But where is the harp shall give life to their name? And where is the bard shall give heroes their fame? |