He rose, and straight as by divine command, They who had waited for that sign to trace Their work's foundation, gave with careful hand To the high Altar its determined place; Mindful of Him who in the Orient born There lived, and on the cross his life resigned, So taught their creed; nor failed the eastern sky, 'Mid these more awful feelings, to infuse The sweet and natural hopes that shall not die, For us hath such prelusive vigil ceased; That obvious emblem giving to the eye grave. XXIX. THE FORCE OF PRAYER*; OR, THE FOUNDING OF BOLTON PRIORY. A TRADITION. "What is good for a bootless bene?” "What is good for a bootless bene?” The Falconer to the Lady said; 66 And she made answer ENDLESS SORROW!" She knew it by the Falconer's words, Young Romilly through Barden woods Is ranging high and low; And holds a Greyhound in a leash, To let slip upon buck or doe. * See the White Doe of Rylstone, ante. The Pair have reached that fearful chasm, For lordly Wharf is there pent in With rocks on either side. This Striding-place is called THE STRID, A thousand years hath it borne that name, And hither is young Romilly come, And what may now forbid That he, perhaps for the hundredth time, Shall bound across THE STRID? He sprang in glee, for what cared he That the River was strong, and the rocks were steep? But the Greyhound in the leash hung back, And checked him in his leap. The Boy is in the arms of Wharf, And strangled by a merciless force; For never more was young Romilly seen Now there is stillness in the Vale, If for a Lover the Lady wept, From death, and from the passion of death; She weeps not for the wedding-day He was a Tree that stood alone, Long, long in darkness did she sit, The stately Priory was reared; And the Lady prayed in heaviness But slowly did her succour come, Oh! there is never sorrow of heart XXX. A FACT, AND AN IMAGINATION; OR, CANUTE AND ALFRED, ON THE SEA-SHORE. THE Danish Conqueror, on his royal chair, Is to its motion less than wanton air. - Then Canute, rising from the invaded Throne, Deserves the name (this truth the billows preach) Drew, from the influx of the Main, For some whose rugged northern mouths would strain At oriental flattery; And Canute (truth more worthy to be known) From that time forth did for his brows disown The ostentatious symbol of a Crown ; Esteeming earthly royalty Contemptible and vain. |