"Play, play, nevertheless," said the young landlady, handing Robin at
the same time a measure of fine ale; then stooping as if to untie the
knot that fastened the gittern, she whispered in his ear. "And there was
one who, with a few others, left the party, rode on, and took no
refreshment. I knew him well; but if the youth be a friend of yours,
depend upon't he's kindly thought of, for the leader put a broad-piece
into my hand as he passed, and told me to see that the Cavalier was
properly attended to."
"Took they the London road?" inquired Robin.
"Ay; though 'tis hard to say how long such as they continue on any
path."
"What are you doing, Maud?" inquired the rough landlord, who had just
returned, and was lounging against the door-post.
"There! I have broken the string that went round his neck," she said
aloud, without heeding the question. "I must get you another."
When she returned with a flaming red riband, that glared in cruel
mockery at the shabby gittern, she contrived to add, "I have a brother
in the Ironsides, and he said he thought they were bound for Hampton
Court; but it might have been only his fancy."
It was a quaint but pretty sight under that green Kentish cherry-tree,
and upon the bank of that beautiful river, to see the weather-cock Robin
in his motley dress, the long peacock's feather ever and anon lifted
from his hat by the fresh breeze that came from the water, while he sung
with sweet and animated voice a song that suited well the tastes and
feelings of his hearers.
"Oh, the sailor's home is the boundless sea,
The sea, the sea, the sea!
He loves it best when waves are high,
And a fierce nor'-wester shakes the sky.
Oh, the sea, the sea, the sea--
Oh, the sailor's home is the home for me!
"Away we go, o'er our own blue sea,
The sea, the sea, the sea!
We are ocean lords, for the winds obey,
And the raging billows own our sway.
Oh, the sea, the sea, the sea!--
Let my home be the sailor's home--the sea!
"A proud man well may our captain be,
The sea, the sea, the sea!
But our noble ship a bride shall be
To five hundred men as good as he.
Oh, the sea, the sea, the sea--
'Tis a fitting mate for the brave and free!
"Give the land to slaves, but give us the sea--
The sea, the sea, the sea!
Our hopes, our joys, our bed, and our grave,
Are above or below the salt-sea wave.
Oh, the sea, the sea, the sea--
Hurrah for the sailor's home--the sea!"