Samor, Lord of the Bright City. An heroic poem ... Second edition

Preface

. Thf4 Historians* of the Empire near the period of time, at which this Poem commences, make mention of a Constantine, who assumed the purple of the western empire, gained possession of Gaul and Spain, but was defeated and slain at the battle of Aries. He had a son named Constans, who became a monk, and was put to death at Vienne. About the same time a Constantine appears in the relations of the old British Chronicles and Romances. He was brother of the king of Armorica, and became himself King, or rather * Gibbon, Chap. 31. VI

PREFACE.

. an elected sovereign of the petty Kings of Bri tain,* who continued their succession under the Roman dominion. He was called Vendi gard f and Waredur, the Defender and Deli verer. He had three sons, Constans, who be came a hermit, and was murthered, either (for the traditions vary) by the Picts, by Vortigern, or by the Saxons ; Emrys, called by the Latin writers Aurelius Ambrosias ; and Uther Pen dragon, the father of Arthur. These two Con stanlines are here identified, and Vortigern sup posed to have been named King of Britain, as the person of greatest authority and conduct in the wreck of the British army, defeated at Aries. Many, however, of the chiefs in the Island advancing the hereditary right, before formally settled on the sons of Constantine, Vortigern, mistrusting the Britons, and prest by invasions of the Caledonians, introduced the Saxons to check the barbarians and strengthen his own sovereignty. * Whitaker, Hist, of Manchester, t Lewis, Hist, of Britain.

PREFACE.

. VII The Hero of the Poem is an historical character, as far as such legends can be called History. He appears in most of the Chronicles, as Edol, or Eldol, but the fullest account of his exploits is in Dugdale's Baro nage under his title of Earl of Gloucester. William Harrison, however, in the Description of Britain prefixed to Holinshed, calls him Eldulph de Samor. But all concur in ascribing to him the acts which make the chief subject of the fifth and last Books of this Poem. Most of our present names of places being purely Saxon, and the old British having little of harmony or association to recommend them, I have frequently, on the authority of Camden and others, translated them. Thus the Saxon Gloucester, called by the Britons, Caer Gloew, is the Bright City. The Dobuni, the inhabi tants of the Vales, are called by that name. Some few sanctioned by old usage of Poetry and Romance I retain, as Kent, Thanet, Corn wall. London is Troynovant, as the City of the Trinobantes.

PREFACE.

. Some passages in the Poem will be easily traced to their acknowledged sources, the Poets of Greece and Italy ; one however, in the third book, relating to the Northern mythology, has been remarkably anticipated in a modern Poem. The honourable Author may be assured that the coincidence is unintentional, as that part of this Poem was the earliest written, and previous to the appearance of his production. SAMOR.

Book I

Land of -my birth, oh Britain ! and my love, Whose air I breathe, whose earth I tread, whose tongue My song would speak, its strong and solemn tones Most proud, if I abase not. Beauteous Isle, And plenteous ! what though in thy atmosphere 5 Float not the taintless luxury of light, The dazzling azure of the Southern skies ; Around thee the rich orb of thy renown Spreads stainless and unsullied by a cloudy Though thy lulls blush not with the purple vine, 10 And softer climes excel thee in the hue £ [

BOOK I.

2 SAMOR, LORD OF And fragrance of thy summer fruits and flowers, Nor flow thy rivers over golden beds ; Thou in the Soul of man, thy better wealth, Art richest : nature's noblest produce thou, The immortal Mind in perfect height and strength, Bear'st with a prodigal opulence ; this thy right, Thy privdege of climate and of sod, 15 Would I assert : nor, save thy fame, invoke, Or Nymph, or Muse, that oft 'twas dream'd of old By fads of waters under haunted shades, 20 Her extacy of inspiration pour'd O'er Poet's soul, and flooded ad his powers , With liquid glory : so may thy renown Burn in my heart, and give to thought and word The aspiring and the radiant hue of fire. 25 Forth from the gates of Troynovant hath past King Vortigern ; the Princes of the Isle Around him ; on the wads, for then (though now Scorn bounds her mighty wilderness of streets, And in magnificence of multitude 80 Spread, and idimitable grandeur,) walls With jealous circuit and embattled range

BOOK I.

] THE BRIGHT CITY. 3 Girt Britain's narrow Capital ; where swarm'd Eager her wondering citizens to see © © The Monarch. Him the Saxon Hengist met, 35 And Horsa, with their bands in triumph led, As from a recent victory ; their blue eyes Sparkled, and proud they shook their saffron hair ; And in the bicker of their spears, the toss Of ponderous mallets, the quick flash of swords, 40 Th' emblazon'd White Horse on their banners waved, Was triumph. Thus King Vortigern began : " Welcome, Deliverers ! of our kingdom's foes, Welcome, thrice-honour'd Conquerors ! never more Shad painted Caledonian o'er our realm 45 The chariots of his rapine wheel, so fud The desolation, havoc so complete Hath smote and blasted in Erie Hengist's path. The mouldering ruins of our Roman wall, Leagued with the terror of the Saxon name, 50 Shad be defence more mighty, than when soared Its battlements unbroken, and above The imperial Eagle shook its wings of gold.

Oh, tod'd with victory, burthen'd with renown, SAMOB, LOBD OF [bOOK I. 4 For ye our baths float cool and clear, our air Is redolent with garland wreathes, and rich Within our royal citadel is crown'd *.*•• For ye the banquet ; welcome once again, Mighty to save, and potent to defend ! " — A faint acclaim, a feeble suden din Ensued, with less of gladness than fierce grief, And wrath ill stifled. Seeming all unmoved, Elate the Monarch onward led the way ; Slow fodow'd Saxon Hengist's martial train, Clashing their armour loud, as they would daunt All Britain with the clamour : march'd behind The island Nobles, save some restless hands Were busy with their sheathed swords, they mov'd Sdent, and cold, and gloomy, as a range 60 65 Of mountain pines, when cloudy lowers the storm. 7u Upon the azure bosom of the Thames Reclining, with its ponderous mass of shade, Arose the royal Citadel, the work Of the great Caesar. Danger he and dread Of Rome and Pompey ; yet 'gainst savage foes Vantage of trench and tower and massy wall

BOOK I.

] 5 THE BRIGHT CITY*. Scorn'd not, so swift, so perilous, so fierce Cassivelan his painted charioteers Whirl'd to the frantic onset, standing forth Portent of freedom mid a world enslav'd. SO They pass'd the portal arch; the sumptuons hall Flung back its gates ; around the banquet board Rang'd Prince and Chieftain, where luxurious art Shower'd prodigal her dainties, poisons sweet, And baleful splendour. Fierce the Saxon gaz'd On goblet, and huge charger carved with gold, Contemptuous wonder. But the Monarch's brow 'Gan lighten, as with greedy joy he quaffd 85 Obhvious bliss ; thus ever gudty soul Woos frenzy, and, voluptuous from despair, Forgets itself to pleasure. High aloof, Each in his azure robe, the band of Bards Mingled the wanton luxuries of sound ; Gentle melodious languor, melting fad, With faint effeminate flattery the soul Guding of manhood.

Silent veil'd his.harp White-hair'd Aneurin, and indignant tears Stood in the old man's eye, for wrathful shame 90 [book I. 6 SAMOR, LORD OF To hear his godlike and heaven-breathing art Pampering loose revels with officious chime. 100 Then rose the glorious madness ; forth he sprung, With one rude stroke along the clashing chords Won silence deep as of a summer eve After a noontide storm ; his sdver locks Wav'd proud, the kindling frenzy of his eye 1 05 Flash'd triumph, as the song of Chariots rose. The song that o'er the van of battle shower'd Pale horror, when that scourg'd Icenian Queen Through the square legions drove her car ; were heard Her brazen wheels to madden, the keen scythes 110 Gride through their iron harvest ; then rush'd route, Wail'd havoc ; seem-d Bonduca fiercer urg'd The trampling steeds ; behind her silence sank Along the dreary path of her revenge.

Ceas'd the bold strain, then deep the Saxon drain'd The ruddy cup, and savage joy uncouth 116 Lit his blue gleaming eyes : nor sate unmov'd The Briton Chiefs ; fierce thoughts began to rise Of ancient wars, and high ancestral fame. Sudden came floating through the hall an air So strangely sweet, the o'erwrought sense scarce felt Its rich excess of pleasure ; softer sounds Melt never on the enchanted midnight cool, By haunted spring, where elfin dancers trace Green circlets on the moonlight dews ; nor lud 125 Becalmed mariner from rocks, where basks At summer noon the Sea-maid ; he his oar Breathless suspends, and motionless his bark Sleeps on the sleeping waters. Now the notes So gently died away, the sdence seem'd 130 Melodious ; merry now and light and blithe They danced on air : anon came tripping forth In frolic grace a maiden troop, their locks Flower-wreath'd, their snowy robes from clasped zone Fed careless drooping, quick their glittering feet 135 Glanc'd o'er the pavement.

Then the pomp of sound Swed'd up, and mounted ; as the stately swan, Her milk-white neck embower'd in arching spray, Queens it along the waters, entered in The lofty hall a shape so fair, it lud'd 140 The music into silence, yet itself Pour'd out, prolonging the soft extacy, [book I. SAMOR, LORD OF The trembling and the touching of sweet sound. Her grace of motion and of look, the smooth And swimming majesty of step and tread, The symmetry of form and feature, set The soul afloat, even like dedcious airs Of flute or harp : as though she trod from earth, And round her wore an emanating cloud Of harmony, the Lady mov'd. Too proud For less than absolute command, too soft For aught but gentle amorous thought : her hair Cluster'd, as from an orb of gold cast out A dazzling and o'erpowering radiance, save Here and there on her snowy neck repos'd In a sooth'd brilliance some thin wandering tress.

The azure flashing of her eye was fring'd With virgin meekness, and her tread, that seem'd Earth to disdain, as softly fell on it 145 150 155 As the light dew-shower on a tuft of flowers. The soul within seem'd feasting on high thoughts, That to the outward form and feature gave © 160 A loveliness of scorn, scorn that to feel Was bliss, was sweet indulgence. Fast sank bank Those her fair harbingers, their modest eyes, Downcast, and drooping low their slender necks 1 65 In graceful reverence ; she, by wond'ring gaze Unmov'd, and stifled murmurs of applause, Nor yet unconscious, slowly won her way To where the King, amid the festal pomp, Sate loftiest ; as she rais'd a fair-chas'd cup, 170 Something of sweet confusion overspread Her features ; something tremulous broke in On her half-failing accents as she said, " Health to the King!" — the sparkling wine laugh 'd up, As eager 'twere to touch so fair a lip. 175 A moment, and the apparition bright Had parted ; as before the sound of harps Was wantoning about the festive hall.

As one just waking from a blissful dream Nor moves, nor breathes, lest breath or motion break 180 The beauteous tissue of fine form woven o'er His fancy, sate King Vortigern. " Whence came, And whither went she ? of what race and stem Sprang this bright wonder of our earth, that leaves The rapture of her presence in our hall, [book I- 10 SAMOR, LORD OF Though parted thence too swiftly ? " — " King (repded Erie Hengist) — in our ancient Saxon faith, Id bodes the joyless feast, where maiden's dps Pledge not the wassad goblet." — " By my soul," Cried Vortigern, " a gadant faith ! and I 190 Omen so sweet discredit not ; the health Those smooth lips wish'd me, wed those lips might give, A fragrance and a sparkling have they left Even on the wine they touch'd." He said, and prest The goblet to his own.

" A father's ear, 195 King Vortigern, must love the flattering tongue That descants lavish on his daughter's praise." " Thy daughter ? Saxon!" — " Mine, though vaunt not I Her beauty, many a German Erie and King Hath vow'd at his life's peril to proclaim 200 Her far-surpassing comeliness." — None heard The secret converse that ensued. Lo, rose King Vortigern, and from his brow transferr'd A coronet of radiant Eastern gems To the white hair of Hengist, and drank off 205 A brimming cup, and cried, " To Kent's high King, A health, a health to Vortigem's fair bride, The golden-hair'd Rowena." — Seiz'd at once Each Saxon the exulting strain, and struck The wine-drain'd goblet down, " Health, King of Kent! " As mid the fabled Libyan bridal stood 211 Perseus, in stern tranquillity of wrath, Half stood, half floated on his ancle plumes Out-swelling, while the bright face on his shield Look il into stone the raging fray ; so rose, 215 But with no magic arms, wearing alone Th' appalling and control of his firm look, The solemn indignation of his brow, The Briton Samor ; at his rising, awe Went abroad, and the riotous hall was mute ; 220 But like unruffled summer waters flow'd His speech, and courtly reverence smooth d its tone, " Sovereign of Britain's Sovereigns ! of our crowns The highest ! in our realm of many thrones Enthron'd the loftiest ! mighty as thou art, 225 Thou dost outstep thy amplitude of sway ; Thine is our isle to govern not to give ; A free and sacred property hast thou In our allegiance ; for a master's right SAMOB, LOBD OF [

BOOK I.

12 Over our hves, our princedoms, and our souls, 230 King Vortigern. as well mayst thou presume To a dominion o'er our winds, to set Thy stamp and impress on our light from heaven. This Britain cannot rest beneath the shade Of Saxon empire, this our Christian sod 235 The harvest of obedience wdl not bear To Heathen sway ; and hear me, Vortigern, The golden image that thou settest up, Like the pride-drunken Babylonian king, Though dulcimer and psaltery soothe us down 240 To the soft humour of submission tame, We wid not worship." — From the hall he past, Thus saying. Him the Island's brave and proud Follow'd, the high and fame-enamour'd souls, Never to Britain wanting, though in hours 245 Loosest of revels soft, and wanton ease. But Vortigern, more largely pouring in The vine's delicious poison, sate, and cried, " Whom the flax binds not, must the iron gyve, Whom sceptres daunt not, must the sword control."

Evening fed gentle, and the brilliant sun 25 260 265 270 Was going down into the waveless Thames, As bearing light and warmth to her cold Nymphs Within their crystal chambers, when the King Left the hall of banquet. Lofty and alone, Even as the Pidar great Alcides set, The limit of the world and his renown, On Calpe, round whose shaft the daylight wreathed Its last empurpUng, on the battlements Stood Samor in the amethystine light, And " Go to darkness, thou majestic orb ! To-morrow shad the nations bask again In thy full glory." — Thus he said, and turn'd To where the King went rapid past. — " And thou, Thou to thy setting hastest, never more Thou thy benighted splendour to renew ; Late at thy noon of pride, now sunk, declin'd For ever from thy fair meridian go, Into thy cloudy rest ! " — The solemn tone Of Ids deep voice seized on the King, as frosts Arrest the rapid flowing stream. — " What means The Sovereign of the Vales, even in my halls, And on my castle battlements, to cast [book I. 14 samor, lord of Bold scorn on Britain's King ?

Ingrate and blind, When I the valiant Saxon have brought in 275 To check the Caledonian, through your isle Marching by wild light of your burning towns ; Ye, wedded to your sorrow and your shame, Mock at the safety my free love provides." " Air, provident ! ah, sage ! ah, generous King ! 280 That sets the emaciate wolf to dog the flock ; The hawk to guard the dovecote." — " Wise-lipp'd chief, I thank thee for thy phrase : doves are ye, doves That fly with piteous and most dedcate speed Before the Scottish kites, that swoop your nests, 285 And flesh their greedy talons in your young." — " Monarch ! the eaglet, were it smoothly nurst In the dove's downy nest, at its first flight Would shrink down dazzled from the morning sun ; But with strong plumes refresh'd, anon 'twould claim Its old aspiring bu-thright, and unblench'd 291 Bathe in the bickering of the noontide car.

Oh, we have slumber'd on soft luxury's lap To her loose tabret; but, misjudging King ! Britain is like her soil ; above the turf 305 310 315 Lies velvet smooth, hard iron lurks beneath. I know the northern Pagans waste our land, And the tame mission to the Roman sent I know, ' The fierce Barbarian to the sea Drives us, the sea to the Barbarian back Mercdess' : so ran the plaintive legend. True ! But soldiers would it cast us back ; despair Hath its own valour ; war makes warriors. King ! Calamities are on us, evil days O'er our isle darken, but the noble wear Disaster, as an Angel wears his wings, To elevate and glorify. Nor us Shroudeth alone the enveloping gloom, the frame And fabric of our world is breaking up. Rome's dome of empire, that o'ervaulted earth With its capacious shadow, rent and split, Disorders the smooth course of human things, Leaving confusion lord of this wide ball, Whde to and fro the Nations' sway perplex 'd. Like a tempestuous sea.

Oh, mid such wreck, Our Britain in lone safety to uphold, On every side 'gainst gathering foes present SAMOR, LORD OF BOOK r A rampire of hard steel, or firmer far, The bulwark of a haughty spirit pour'd From the thron'd Sovereign through her sons, were pride, Were honour, might arrest Heaven's plumed hosts 321 And in their sphere-born music win renown. So He whose sceptre glitters in thy grasp, / He the Deliverer, the Defender nam'd, So Constantine had done, had the high Soul's bane, 325 Ambition, never maddened him to wear The purple, madly worn, yet nobly lost On the sad plain by Aries." — " I knew, I knew 'T would come to this, that Constantine would end The high-wrought orat'ry. This too I know, 330 And this I ted thee, Samor ! nor yet add x Rebel ! thy secret commerce with his sons, To undermine my stately throne ; the right, So babble ye in your licentious phrase, Conferr'd by our assembled British Kings .835 On Constantine for ever and his heirs." — " 4t\las ! how better were it to know nought, Than, like Kings, darkly.

Constantine's brave sons And Samor oft have met, have met to wad 355 360 The hazard of their native land, to swear 340 Before the altar of the eternal God, Never, amid these rude and perilous times, To blow the trump of civil strife, to prop With their allegiance Britain's throne, though fill'd By one they deem usurping. Vortigern ! 315 I am upon the string that jars thy soul, And it must vibrate to its highest pitch. Oh what a royal madness, that might budd Upon the strong rock of a people's love, Yet chooseth the loose quicksand of distrust, And overlays the palace of his pride With a rude Saxon buttress, whose stern weight Must crush it. Thou dost fear thy subjects arm'd, Fear, lest the old valiance in their hearts inure, And therefore fight'st their wars with foreign steel ; And is this he, the noble and the wise, The Vortigern, that Britain on the plain Of Aries, that fatal plain, had'd Captain, King ?

Arise, be King, be Captain, be thyself! And we will stand around thy throne, and mock The ruinous fashion of the times." — " Away ! c [book I. 18 SAMOR, LORD OF My royal word is to the Saxon given." " Oh, Vortigern ! this knee hath never bow'd, Save to the King of Kings, thus low on earth I sue thee, cast the Saxon off." — At once The swift contagious grandeur set on fire The Monarch — " I am thine, am Britain's ad: Now by my throne, thus, thus I have not felt, Since first this circling gold eat in my brow, So free, so upright, and so kingly, chains 1 Fall from me, mists are curling off my soul." 365 370 Like two bold Venturers, sdently they stand, Launching amid the sun-light their rich bark O'er glassy waters to the summer airs : Their solemn pondering hath the lofty look Of vaunting, over each high brow flames out A noble rivalry of hope and pride. 3/5 The sound of wheels, lo, sliding came and smooth A car, wherein, like some fair idol led Through the mute tumult of adoring streets, Bright-hair'd Rowena pass'd the portal arch. 380 Have ye a sense, ye gales, a conscious joy In beauty, that with such an artful touch 390 395 400 405 And light ye float about her garment folds, Displaying what is exquisite display 'd, And thinly scattering the light veil where'er Its shadowing may enhance the grace, and swell With sweet officiousness the clustering hair © Where fairest tufts its richness, and let fad Where drooping most becomes ; that thus ye love To lose yourselves about her, and expire Upon her shape, or snow-white robes ?

She stood, Her ivory arm in a soft curve stretch'd out, As only in the obedience of her steeds Rejoicing ; they their necks arch'd proud and high, And by her deUcate and flower-soft hands Sway'd, as enamour'd of her mastery mov'd, Lovingly on their bright-chard bits repos'd, Or in gay sport upon each other fawn'd. But as the Monarch she beheld, she caught The slack rein up, and with unconscious check Delay'd the willing coursers, and her head, Upon her snowy shoulder half declin'd In languor of enjoyment, rising wore Rosy confusion, and disorder fair [

BOOK I. SAMOR, LORD OF

Transiently on her pride of motion broke. Or chance, or meaning wander'd to his face Her eye, with half command, entreating half; Haughty to all the world, but mdd to him, Th' all admir'd admiring, and th' ad awing awed — 410 She look'd on him, and trembled as she look'd. Alone she came, alone she went not on.

Book II

Noon is ablaze in Heaven, but gloom, the gloom Of the brown forest's massy vault of shade, Is o'er the Kings of Britain ; the broad oaks, As in protection of that conclave proud, Like some old temple's dome, with mingling shade Meet overhead, around their rugged trunks Shew Uke fantastic pdlars closely set By Druids in mysterious circle, wont Here, when the earth abroad was bright and clear With moonshine, to instafl their midnight rites By blue nor earthly kindled fires, whde Bards Pour'd more than music from their charmed harps. Each on his mossy seat, in arms that cast A glimmer which is hardly light, they sit [

BOOK II.

22 SAMOR, LORD OF Colossal, stern, and still ; on every brow Indignant sorrow and sad vengeance lowers. Them had the Pagan peasant deem'd his Gods, In cloudy wrath down stooping from the heavens To blast the mighty of mankind, and wreak On some old empire ruin and revenge. 15 20 And first majestical, yet mdd, arose A lofty shape, nor less than monarch seem'd, Whose royal look from souls bold, brave, and free, Not stooping slavery claim'd, but upright awe And noble homage ; yet uncrown'd he wore Dominion, him with stately reverence heard That armed Senate. " Princes of the land, 25 Lords of the old hereditary thrones Of Britain, we, the sons of Constantine, Emrys and Uther, come not here to charge Inconstant counsel on your wisdom, nought Arraigning, that the sceptre to our line Solemnly given, in those disastrous days, When for the Empire of the Occident, For Gaul o'er-master'd, and submitted Spain, Warr'd Constantine, and warring nobly fed, 80 3.5 Ye placed in elder hand, our right foregone For the more precious public weal : oh, Chiefs, 'Twas well and wisely done ; a stripling's arm May rear the kingly standard in its pomp 40 To play with Zephyrs under cloudless skies, But when the rude storm shakes its ponderous folds 'Twere hard for less than the consummate man Aloft to bear it, yet unstooping.

Well Stemm'd your new standard bearer Vortigern 45 The o'ershadowing tempest, nor abas'd his front Your crown's old glories ; tid, alas ! dire change ! Dread fall ! the sceptre that ye fondly hoped, Would blossom, like the Hebrew Hierarch's rod, With the almond bloom of mercy and of love, SO Liker the Egyptian magic-worker's wand Became a serpent, withering all your peace With its infection : then your virtues wrought Your sorrows, from your valour grew your shame. Your border* were o'erleap'd, your towns on fire, 55 And the land groan'd beneath fierce Rapine's wheels. Ye cried unto your King for arms, he sage In cold and jealous wisdom fear'd to arm, [BOOK If. 24 SAMOR, LORD OF Whose arms might brave himself, and cast control On the fierce wanderings of his royal wid. Saxons must fight our wars, our hard-wrung gold Buy us ignoble safety, till the slaves 60 Swell'd into Lords, and realms must pamper Our hirelings into Princes ; Kent, fair Kent, The frontlet of our isle, where yet are seen 65 The graves great Cassar peopled with his dead, When on his rear the Briton conqueror hung, Where first the Banner of the Cross was wav'd Sinks to a Heathen province.

Warriors ! Kings ! This must not be among baptized men, 70 This cannot be 'mong Britons. Therefore here, Here in your presence dare we call again, Your throne our throne, and challenge in your love A Sovereign's title, by our youth we fell From that great height, but Vortigern hath faU'n 75 By his own guilt, we therefore rise again In majesty renew'd ; he falls, no more To soar into the sacred royal seat." Thereat with concord loud, and stern acclaim, Gave answer that proud Senate, and denounc'd 90 05 100 Judgment irrevocable. But with mien Somewhat appall'd, as one in high debate And solemn council unassay'd, arose Prince Uther : ere he spake his clanging mail Smote with fierce stroke, as audience to enchain, Himself the battle sound enkindling, high His haughty brow and crested helm upflung, Thus rude his fiery eloquence pour'd forth.

" Warriors of Britain ! me nor pomp of words Beseems, nor strife of smooth and dquid phrase, In the debate of swords, the fray of steeds No combatant unskdl'd. I will not boast That I have brook'd with Emrys' patient pride A sceptre's loss : a boy, I wept to hear My father's crown was on a stranger's brow. But when my arm gan grasp a sword, those tears, Those soft unseemly waters, turn'd to hues Of burning indignation ; every crown Shew'd, every kingly title to my ear Sounded a scorn and shame. Even at his height And plenitude of power I yearned to rise Against th' enthron'd Usurper — now, oh Kings .' [

BOOK II.

26 SAMOR, LORD OF Thus charter'd, thus commission'd, thus array 'd, With what a noble phrenzy wdl we rush, Trampling the wreck of Saxon and of King ; Our path shad be as rapid and as bright As summer meteor, more pernicious, that 105 Waning into the dud unkincding air, We burning, desolating as we pass. On, Britons, on, a tyrant fids your throne, Nor fitter monument may tyrant find Than his throne's ruins ; let the flat earth close O'er both at once ; the stranger Saxon lords Within our isle, the seas that bore him here In his storm-braving navy, bear him back Weltering and tossing in their drowning surge." 110 115 Low'ring he stood, still in fierce act of speech, Yet speechless. Sudden, then, in dread uproar Rose shout of war, with thundering clash of arms Mingled, then hurrying spears and nodding helms 1 20 With glittering tumult in the pale gloom flash'd ; War, war each voice, each stricken shield denounc'd. Amid the multitudinous din arose Solemnly the Bright City's Lord, down sunk Instant ad tumult, broke abruptly off 125 Fierce voice and clash of arms : so mute and deep Settled the sdence, the low sound was heard Of distant waterfall, the acorn drop From the green arch above.

Still and abash'd Sate the fierce conclave, whde with mild reproof 130 Winning all hearts, the gracious Chieftain spake. " Brave sight for earth and heaven ! it doth not fail A nation's cry for freedom and for faith, Nor faint, nor deaden in the mist and gloom Of this low earth, it takes the morning's wings, J 35 Passeth the crystal skies, and beats heaven's gate ; There glideth through the gladdening Angel choirs, That fan it onward with their favouring plumes, To the eternal sapphire throne, and him That sits thereon, Ineffable. Oh Kings, 140 Our councd thus appealing may not wear Seeming of earthly passion, lust of sway, Or phrenetic vengeance : we must rise in wrath, But wear it as a mourner's robe of grief, Not as a garb of joy : must boldly strike, 145 But like the Roman, with reverted face, SAMOR, LORD OF [