The Major's Leap

I. The Ambush at Wilderhope The iron gates of Wilderhope are broken by the steel, The Roundhead troopers in the yard their cruel intent reveal; "Yield up the King's dispatch!" they cry, "Yield up the secret word!" But Smallman answers with a flash and draws his loyal sword. He leaps into the saddle-tree, he strikes the charging line, "Through Apedale!" he cries aloud, "The packet must be mine!" II. The Chase to the Scarp The rebel horsemen follow fast, their carbines crack and flare, The heavy lead is whistling past through cold Shropshire air. Up, up the wooded banks they tear, where limestone ridges rise, With Wilderhope behind them lost beneath the twilight skies. He spurs his faithful charger on, though blood runs down its side, The Edge is near, the drop is sheer, and nowhere left to hide.   III. The Leap of the Major "Surrender, thief!" the Captain roars, "The brink is at your heel!" But Thomas looks upon the chasm and trusts his spurs of steel. A prayer unto the King he breathes, a hand upon the mane, And headlong into empty air they launch across the plain. The branches crash, the timbers crack, the boughs of apple tear— The charger dies to save its lord within the rocky lair. IV. The Desperate Journey With shattered ribs and bleeding flank, and skin by briars torn, The Major crawls from out the wreck into the frosty morn. The packet pressed against his breast, he walks the twelve long miles, To lay the word before the King despite the rebels' wiles. And still the Edge remembers well the day the Major flew, When loyalty was bought with blood, and iron blades were true.