The Poetical Works of William Julius Mickle including several original pieces, with a new life of the author. By the Rev. John Sim |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
[“Upbraid me not, nor thankless fly] |
|
|
|
|
| I. |
| II. |
|
 | The Poetical Works of William Julius Mickle |  |
[“Upbraid me not, nor thankless fly]
“Upbraid me not, nor thankless fly“The grace I would bestow;”
(Sir Cadwal sat in window high,
King Edward stood below.)
“But friendly to thyself receive
“The bounties I intend;—
“A knight among my knights to live,
“And be my table friend.”
“Yestreen, at midnight's solemn hour,
“When deep the darkness lay,
“I rose my orisons to pour
“Before the opening day:
“When horrid yells my ears astound,
“And screams of dismal cry,
“Echo'd from every hill far round,
“Howl on the winds and die.
127
“With yellow glimm'ring light,
“The scatter'd flames on every side
“Strike horror on the sight.
“Ah! what a scene the sun survey'd,
“When o'er yon lake he rose!
“Our villages in ashes laid,
“And prone in dust our brows;
“Our manly brows, form'd to command,
“Low bend beneath thy rage:
“Insult me not—from thy dire hand
“No off'ring can assuage!”
“Unbar, proud Cadwal,” Edward cried,
“Unbar thy gates of steel—” [OMITTED]
Black rose the smoke with dust inflate,
And red sparks darted through;
With brain benumb'd, and faltering gait
King Edward slow withdrew.
The gilded roofs and towers of stone
Now instant all around,
With sudden crash and dreadful groan
Rush thund'ring to the ground.
Sir Cadwal's harp his hand obey'd,
He felt a prophet's fire;
And 'mid the flames all undismay'd,
He struck the sacred lyre. [OMITTED]
| The Poetical Works of William Julius Mickle | |