They gained the Beacon-hill, and the town beneath them lay,

The rebel army round the walls gathered in dense array. The grand old castle still from her battlements did fling The Royal Standard proudly, for God and for the King.

And the river by the castle still murmuring did run,
For ever, ever murmuring and glittering in the sun,
Unheeding of the tumult, of the strife and tears within,
Of those who still fought bravely, but were starving for
the King.

All around, and on the foe, Rupert's eagle glance did fall; Then he turned him to his troopers, five hundred men

in all;

And then his voice rose loud and clear above the shouts and din

Rose clear and high his battle-cry, 'For God and for the King!'

They are seen upon the hill-top all dark against the sky, They are sweeping down the hill-side to death or victory; They have burst upon the rebels, and Newark heard the hymn

(None ever sounded sweeter), 'For God and for the King!'

They are round him all those Roundheads, they surround his little band,

They are fighting against hundreds, they are fighting hand to hand;

And ever in the thickest fight, where shot like hail poured

in,

Rose loud and high that dauntless cry, 'For God and for

the King!'

The garrison have sallied out, the foe fall back a space, For Rupert presses onward: neither give nor ask for

grace;

And ever in the hottest fight, above the battle din,

His battle word is clearly heard-'For God and for the King!'

They have won the bridge, those troopers! They will keep it to the death,

And the foes are drinking hard in the crimsoned stream beneath;

And down the grey hill-side Rupert's Foot is marching

in,

And echo high the battle-cry, 'For God and for the

King!'

They have sheathed their bloody blades at his word, those troopers wild,

For he swore he'd shoot the first that harmed a woman or a child;

And the foe have begged for quarter, they are ready to

give in,

And leave Newark and her standard to God and to the King.

As he entered the old gates one cry of triumph rose,
To bless and welcome him who had saved them from

their foes;

The women kiss his charger, and the little children sing,

'Prince Rupert's brought us bread to eat from God and

from the King.'

And that brave young cavalier, ready to do and dare! She will find him near the bridge-she is gone to seek him there,

Close beside old Newark's walls, but he never heard them

ring,

With merry children shouting, 'For God and for the

King!'

CHAPTER VIII.

HIS great success at Newark so changed the aspect of the King's affairs, the

Queen, (who could not be prevailed upon to remain at Oxford, her Majesty's health being very poor at this time) meditated coming to Chester, to be within the charge of his Highness, but after, more inclining to the west, she is now gone to Exeter. The Prince returned to Shrewsbury, leaving Sir Richard Byron governor of Newark, and proceeded to the very heart of Wales, strengthening the loyal and affrighting the wavering. The enemy shrinking back from Newark as though they had been scorched, has been of great relief to all the royalists of those parts.

The Lady Derby hath been besieged many

weeks in her house of Lathom in Lancashire, and hath implored help of his Highness. The Earl of Derby hath also wrote from Chester, earnestly soliciting relief for her that is so dear to him, her danger being now so great and imminent. The Prince going from Wales to Oxford (being there summoned by his Majesty) with all speed returned to Salop, in eager desire to assist the noble lady, whose courage and skill has been beyond praise.

On the 18th of May his Highness was at Nantwich, two days after at Chester, whence he took good part of the garrison, leaving Colonel Legge (honest Will) as governor thereof. On his way north he beat the enemy in a skirmish at Knutsford, defeated them again at the pass of Stockport under Colonel Duckenfield, and won the town, whereupon Colonel Rigby (a bitter enemy to the House of Stanley, who was left by Sir Thomas Fairfax to carry on the siege of Lathom House), hearing the Prince had entered Lancashire, and fearing a visit from him, thought proper to raise the