3275
He did not come in the dawning. He did not come at noon;
3276
And out of the tawny sunset, before the rise of the moon,
-“BB”-
3277
When the road was a gypsy’s ribbon, looping the purple moor,
3278
A redcoat troop came marching, marching, marching
3279
King George’s men came marching, up to the old inn-door.
3280
They said no word to the landlord.
3281
They drank his ale instead.
3282
They gagged his daughter and and bound her to the foot of her narrow bed…
3283
Two of them knelt at her casement, with muskets at their side!
3284
There was death at every window;
3285
And hell at one dark window;
3286
For Bess could see, through her casement, the road that he would ride.
3287
They had tied her up to attention, with many a sniggering jest.
-“BB”-
3288
They had bound a musket beside her, with the muzzle beneath her breast!
3289
“Now, keep good watch!” and they kissed her. She heard the doomed man say—
3290
Look for me by moonlight;
3291
Watch for me by moonlight;
3292
I’ll come to thee by moonlight, though hell should bar the way!
3293
She twisted her hands behind her; but all the knots held good!
3294
She writhed her hands till her fingers were wet with sweat or blood!