| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895. 1895. |
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| Brawn of England’s Lay |
| | | John Hunter-Duvar (b. 1830) |
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| THE VILLEINS clustered round the bowl | |
| At merrie Yule to make good cheer, | |
| And drank with froth on beard and jowl: | |
| “Was-hael to the Thane! | |
| May never Breton taste our beer, | 5 |
| Nor Dane.” | |
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| Till the red cock on the chimney crew, | |
| And each man cried with a mighty yawn | |
| As the tapster one more flagon drew: | |
| “To the Saxon land was-hael! | 10 |
| May we never want for mast-fed brawn | |
| Nor ale!” | |
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| The thane took up the stirrup-cup | |
| And blew off the reaming head, | |
| And at one draught he swigged it up | 15 |
| And smacked his lips and said: | |
| “Was-hael to coulter and sword! | |
| Was-hael to hearth and hall! | |
| To Saxon land and Saxon lord | |
| And thrall.” | 20 |
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