Wrapt in their sorrow and their fear XVII. All that expression base was gone, As erst the demon fled from Saul.2 More noble glance he cast around, More free-drawn breath inspired the sound, And gave the talent, with him born, Such was the youth whom Rokeby's Maid, 1 [MS.-"Came blindfold to the Castle-hall, As if to bear her funeral pall."] 2 ["But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him. And it came to "And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me. pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: So Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him." -1 SAMUEL, chap. xvi. 14, 17, 23.] Here to renew the strains she loved, XVIII. SONG. THE HARP. I was a wild and wayward boy, My childhood scorn'd each childish toy: I woo'd my solitary joy, My youth, with bold Ambition's mood, What should my soaring views make good? Love came with all his frantic fire, What could presumptuous hope inspire? 1 [MS.-"Love came, with all his ardent fire, His frantic dream, his wild desire."] At manhood's touch the bubble burst, And manhood's pride the vision curst, And all that had my folly nursed Love's sway to own; Yet spared the spell that lull'd me first, My Harp alone! Wo came with war, and want with wo; Each outrage of the rebel foe :-1 My fields laid waste, my cot laid low? Ambition's dreams I've seen depart, Yet rests one solace to my heart,— Then over mountain, moor, and hill, Thy strings mine elegy shall thrill, 1 [MS" And doom'd at once to undergo, Each varied outrage of the foe."] XIX. "A pleasing lay!" Matilda said; To seek his guard-room in the porch. Then paused amid the martial sound, And look'd with well-feign'd fear around ;-1 And, with your honour'd leave, would fain Then, as assured by sign and look, And Harpool stopp'd, and turn'd to hear 1 XX. SONG. THE CAVALIER. While the dawn on the mountain was misty and gray, My true love has mounted his steed and away, 1 [MS." And looking timidly around."] Over hill, over valley, o'er dale, and o'er down ; Heaven shield the brave Gallant that fights for the Crown! He has doff'd the silk doublet the breast-plate to bear, He has placed the steel-cap o'er his long flowing hair, From his belt to his stirrup his broadsword hangs down, Heaven shield the brave Gallant that fights for the Crown! For the rights of fair England that broadsword he draws, Her King is his leader, her Church is his cause; His watchword is honour, his pay is renown,— GOD strike with the Gallant that strikes for the Crown! They may boast of their Fairfax, their Waller, and all The roundheaded rebels of Westminster Hall; But tell these bold traitors of London's proud town, That the spears of the North have encircled the Crown.1 1 [MS. "of proud London town, That the North has brave nobles to fight for the Crown."] |