The bees go forth upon an April morn,
Secure the sunshine will not end in showers; But when was Woman true?
With smile of playful anger, she exclaim'd,
False Bard and slanderous song! Were such thy thoughts
Of woman, when thy youthful lays were heard In Heilyn's hall?.. But at that name his heart Leapt, and his cheek with sudden flush was fired; In Heilyn's hall, quoth he, I learn'd the song. There was a Maid, who dwelt among the hills Of Arvon, and to one of humbler birth
Had pledged her troth; .. nor rashly, nor beguiled,.. They had been playmates in their infancy, And she in all his thoughts had borne a part, And all his joys. The Moon and all the Stars Witness'd their mutual vows; and for her sake The song was framed; for in the face of day She broke them... But her name? Goervyl ask'd; Quoth he, The poet loved her still too well, To couple it with shame.
Of womankind! she cried; our virtues bloom, Like violets, in shade and solitude,
While evil eyes hunt all our failings out, For evil tongues to bruit abroad in jest, And song of obloquy!..I knew a Maid, And she too dwelt in Arvon, and she too Loved one of lowly birth, who ill repaid Her spotless faith; for he to ill reports, And tales of falsehood cunningly devised,
Lent a light ear, and to his rival left
The loathing Maid. The wedding-day arrived, The harpers and the gleemen, far and near, Came to the wedding-feast; the wedding-guests Were come, the altar drest, the bridemaids met, The father, and the bridegroom, and the priest Wait for the bride. But she the while did off Her bridal robes, and clipt her golden locks, And put on boy's attire, through wood and wild To seek her own true love; and over sea, Forsaking all for him, she followed him,.. Nor hoping nor deserving fate so fair;
And at his side she stood, and heard him wrong Her faith with slanderous tales; and his dull eye, As it had learnt his heart's forgetfulness,
Knows not the trembling one, who even now Yearns to forgive him all!
The blue-eyed Maid, who fell upon his breast.
HARK! from the towers of Aztlan how the shouts Of clamorous joy re-ring! the rocks and hills Take up the joyful sound, and o'er the lake Roll their slow echoes... Thou art beautiful, Queen of the Valley! thou art beautiful! Thy walls, like silver, sparkle to the sun; Melodious wave thy groves, thy garden-sweets Enrich the pleasant air, upon the lake Lie the long shadows of thy towers, and high In heaven thy temple-pyramids arise, Upon whose summit now, far visible
Against the clear blue sky, the Cross of Christ Proclaims unto the nations round the news Of thy redemption. Thou art beautiful, Aztlan! O City of the Cymbric Prince! Long mayest thou flourish in thy beauty, long Prosper beneath the righteous conqueror, Who conquers to redeem! Long years of And happiness await thy Lord and thee, Queen of the Valley!
Hither joyfully
repossess the land
Of their forefathers. Joyfully the youth Come shouting, with acclaim of grateful praise, Their great Deliverer's name; the old, in talk
Of other days, which mingled with their joy Memory of many a hard calamity,
And thoughts of time and change, and human life How changeful and how brief. Prince Madoc met Erillyab at the gate... Sister and Queen, Said he, here let us hold united reign, O'er our united people; by one faith, One interest bound, and closer to be link'd By laws and language and domestic ties, Till both become one race, for ever more Indissolubly knit.
O friend, she cried,
The last of all my family am I;
Yet sure, though last, the happiest, and by Heaven Favoured abundantly above them all.
Dear Friend, and brother dear! enough for me Beneath the shadow of thy shield to dwell, And see my people, by thy fostering care, Made worthy of their fortune. Graciously Hath the Beloved One appointed all, Educing good from ill, himself being good. Then to the royal palace of the Kings Of Aztlan, Madoc led Erillyab,
There where her sires had held their ruder reign,
To pass the happy remnant of her years,
Honour'd and loved by all.
Provided for defence, disposing all
As though a ready enemy approach'd. But from Patamba yet no army moved: Four Heralds only, by the King dispatch'd,
Drew nigh the town. The Hoamen, as they came,
Knew the green mantle of their privilege,
The symbols which they bore, an arrow-point Depress'd, a shield, a net, which, from the arm Suspended, held their food. They through the gate Pass with permitted entrance, and demand To see the Ocean Prince. The Conqueror Received them, and the elder thus began: Thus to the White King, King Yuhidthiton His bidding sends; such greeting as from foe Foe may receive, where individual hate Is none, but honour and assured esteem, And what were friendship did the Gods permit, The King of Aztlan sends. Oh dream not thou That Aztlan is subdued; nor in the pride Of conquest tempt thy fortune! Unprepared For battle, at an hour of festival,
Her children were surprised; and thou canst tell How perilously they maintain'd the long And doubtful strife. From yonder temple-mount Look round the plain, and count her towns, and mark Her countless villages, whose habitants
All are in arms against thee! Thinkest thou
To root them from the land? Or wouldst thou live, Harass'd by night and day with endless war, War at thy gates; and to thy children leave That curse for their inheritance?.. The land Is all before thee: Go in peace, and chuse Thy dwelling-place, North, South, or East, or West; Or mount again thy houses of the sea
And search the waters. Whatsoe'er thy wants Demand, will Aztlan willingly supply,
Prepared with friendly succour, to assist
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