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Chapter XVII.<br />

THE BATTLE OF MARSTON MOOR, 1644.<br />

Wouldst hear the tale ? On Marston Heath,<br />

Met, front to front, the ranks ofdeath;<br />

Flourished the trumpets fierce, andhow,<br />

Fired was each eye,and flush'd each brow;<br />

On either side loud clamours ring,<br />

God and the cause! " " God and the King! "<br />

Scott.<br />

HE world-famous writer whose lines we have<br />

above quoted continues<br />

Right English all they rushed to blows,<br />

With naught to win, and all to lose.<br />

But it must be apparent to all who know the<br />

history of the Civil War of the 17th century that<br />

too great a principle was being fought out in that memorable<br />

and protracted struggle for it to be justly said that<br />

there was " naught to win." For the supremacy of the<br />

Royalists meant the winning for the throne absolute<br />

power, that of the Parliamentarians meant winning for<br />

the peoplea liberty whose roots are yet deep in English<br />

hearts.<br />

Of the many desperatecontests of the Civil War which<br />

occurred in the Northern Counties, the Battle of Marston<br />

Moor may claim to be the most severein the slaughter of<br />

its participants and the ultimate effect of the victory.<br />

8

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