Often I grieved, To think the son of Hoel should grow up Till Time, who softens all regrets, had worn XV. THE EXCOMMUNICATION. ON Madoc's docile courser Llaian sits, Leads her loose bridle; from the saddle-bow Of knights, with hawk in hand and hounds in leash, Of glittering bauldricks and of high-plumed crests, VOL. V. What have we here? Quoth Madoc then to one who stood beside 'Tis the great Saxon Prelate, he return'd, Only be sure no good!.. How stands the tide ? For one of Wales to-day. Be ye content He took the Prince's sword: The daughter of the house brought water then, Upon the beautiful Isle. As so they sate, The bells of the Cathedral rung abroad Unusual summons. What is this? exclaim'd Prince Madoc; let us see!.. Forthwith they went, He and his host, their way. They found the rites Begun; the mitred Baldwin, in his hand Holding a taper, at the altar stood. Let him be cursed! . . were the words which first Assail'd their ears, living and dead, in limb And life, in soul and body, be he curst Here and hereafter! Let him feel the curse By night and day, in waking and in sleep! And when that carrion to the Fiends is left Be quench'd in hell! He dash'd upon the floor His taper down, and all the ministring Priests The imprecation. Whom is it ye curse Cried Madoc, with these horrors? They replied, The contumacious Prince of Powys-land, Cyveilioc. What! quoth Madoc, and his eye Grew terrible, . . . Who is he that sets his foot In Gwyneth, and with hellish forms like these Dare outrage here Mathraval's noble Lord? We wage no war with women nor with Priests; But if there be a knight amid your train, Who will stand forth, and speak before my face Dishonour of the Prince of Powys-land, Lo! here stand I, Prince Madoc, who will make That slanderous wretch cry craven in the dust, And eat his lying words! Be temperate! Quoth one of Baldwin's Priests, who, Briton born, Had known Prince Madoc in his father's court; It is our charge, throughout this Christian land, To call upon all Christian men to join The palm of victory or of martyrdom, Or for the natural blindness of his heart, Of our most holy Father, from whose word 'Tis well for thee, Intemperate Prince! said Baldwin, that our blood Pledging his kingly sword. Do thou the like, We do condemn as sinful. Follow thou At that, Scorn tempering wrath, yet anger sharpening scorn, Madoc replied, Barbarians as we are, Lord Prelate, we received the law of Christ Many a long age before your pirate sires Had left their forest dens: nor are we now To learn that law from Norman or from Dane, Suit best your mongrel race! Ye think, perchance, |