For him, whose soul can feel and understand
The solemn import! Yonder they embark,
Youth, beauty, valour, virtue, reverend age;
Some led by love of noble enterprise,
Others, who, desperate of their country's weal,
Fly from the impending yoke; all warm alike
With confidence and high heroic hope,
And all in one fraternal bond conjoin'd
By reverence to their Chief, the best beloved
That ever yet on hopeful enterprize

Led gallant army forth. He, even now
Lord of himself, by faith in God and love
To man subdues the feeling of this hour,
The bitterest of his being.

At this time,

Pale, and with feverish eye, the King came up,
And led him somewhat from the throng apart,
Saying, I sent at day-break to release
Rodri from prison, meaning that with thee
He should depart in peace; but he was gone,
This very night he had escaped! . . Perchance,
As I do hope, . . it was thy doing, Madoc?
Is he aboard the fleet?

I would he were !

Madoc replied; with what a lighten❜d heart

Then should I sail away!

Ririd is there

Alone... alas! that this was done so late!

Reproach me not! half sullenly the King, Answering, exclaim'd; Madoc, reproach me not! Thou know'st how hardly I attain'd the throne; And is it strange that I should guard with fear

The precious prize?.. Now,.. when I would have taken Thy counsel, . . be the evil on his head!

Blame me not now, my brother, lest sometimes

I call again to mind thy parting words

In sorrow!

God be with thee! Madoc cried;

And if at times the harshness of a heart,

Too prone to wrath, have wrong'd thee, let these tears Efface all faults, I leave thee, O my brother,

With all a brother's feelings!

So he said,

And grasp'd, with trembling tenderness, his hand,
Then calm'd himself, and moved toward the boat.
Emma, though tears would have their way and sighs
Would swell, suppressing still all words of woe,
Follow'd Goervyl to the extremest shore.

But then as on the plank the maid set foot,
Did Emma, staying her by the hand, pluck out
The crucifix, which next her heart she wore
In reverence to its relic, and she cried,

Yet ere we part change with me, dear Goervyl, . .
Dear sister, loved too well, or lost too soon!..
I shall betake me often to my prayers,
Never in them, Goervyl, of thy name
Unmindful; . . thou too wilt remember me
Still in thine orisons; . . but God forefend
That ever misery should make thee find
This Cross thy only comforter!

She said,

And kiss'd the holy pledge, as each to each Transferr❜d the mutual gift. Nor could the Maid Answer for agony, to that farewell;

She held Queen Emma to her breast, and close
She clasp'd her with a strong convulsive sob,
Silently. Madoc too in silence went,
But prest a kiss on Emma's lips, and left
His tears upon her cheek. With dizzy eyes
Gazing she stood, nor saw the boat push off, . .
The dashing of the oars awaken'd her;

She wipes her tears away, to view once more
Those dear familiar faces ; . . they are dim
In the distance; never shall her waking eye
Behold them, till the hour of happiness,
When death hath made her pure for perfect bliss!

Two hearts alone of all that company, Of all the thousands who beheld the scene, Partook unmingled joy. Dumb with delight, Young Hoel views the ships and feels the boat Rock on the heaving waves; and Llaian felt Comfort,.. though sad, yet comfort, .. that for her No eye was left to weep, nor heart to mourn.

Hark! 'tis the mariners with voice attuned Timing their toil! and now with gentle gales, Slow from the holy haven they depart.

XVIII.

RODRI.

Now hath the evening settled; the broad Moon
Rolls through the rifted clouds. With gentle gales
Slowly they glide along, when they behold
A boat with press of sail and stress of oar
Speed forward to the fleet; and now, arrived
Beside the Chieftain's vessel, one enquires
If Madoc be aboard? the answer given,
Swift he ascended up the lofty side.
With joyful wonder did the Ocean Lord
Again behold Llewelyn; but he gazed
Doubtfully on his comrade's countenance, . .
A meagre man, severe of brow, his eye

Stern. Thou dost view me, Madoc, he exclaim'd,
As 't were a stranger's face. I marvel not!

The long afflictions of my prison house

Have changed me.

Rodri! cried the Prince, and fell
Upon his neck;.. last night, subdued at length
By my solicitations, did the King

Send to deliver thee, that thou shouldst share
My happy enterprize; . . and thou art come,
Even to my wish!

Nay, Madoc, nay, not so!
He answered, with a stern and bitter smile ;

This gallant boy hath given me liberty,
And I will pay him with his father's throne,
Aye, by my father's soul!.. Last night we fled
The house of bondage, and in the sea-caves
By day we lurk'd securely. Here I come,
Only to see thee once before I die,

And say farewell, . . dear brother!

Would to God

This purpose could be changed! the Sea Lord cried;
But thou art roused by wrongs, and who shall tame
That lion heart?.. This only, if your lot

Fall favourable, will I beseech of ye,
That to his Queen the fair Plantagenet,
All honourable humanity ye show,
For her own virtue, and in gratitude,
As she hath pleaded for you, and hath urged
Her husband on your part, till it hath turn'd
His wrath upon herself. Oh! deal ye by her
As by your dearest sister in distress,

For even so dear is she to Madoc's heart:
And now I know she from Aberfraw's tower
Watcheth these specks upon the moonlight sea.
And weeps for my departure, and for me

Sends up her prayers to Heaven, nor thinks that now

I must make mine to man in her behalf!

Quoth Rodri, Rest assured for her. I swear,
By our dead mother, so to deal with her
As thou thyself wouldst dictate, as herself
Shall wish.

The tears fell fast from Madoc's
O Britain! O my country! he exclaim'd,

eyes: