The Poetical Works of Thomas Chatterton with an essay on the Rowley poems by the Rev. Walter W. Skeat and a memoir by Edward Bell |
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 | The Poetical Works of Thomas Chatterton |  |
XXIII.
Byrton's spritespeaks.
In tilts and tournies was my dear delight,
For man and Goddès warfare had renome,
At every tilting-yard my name was hight,
I bear the bell away where'er I come.
Of Redcliff church the building new I done,
And did full many holy place endow,
Of Mary's house made the foundatïon,
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Then closed mine eyes, on earth to ope no mo,
Whilst six-month's mind upon my grave was do.
[Sprite of Byrton]
XXIV.
Full glad am I my church was pullèd down,Since this brave structure now doth greet mine eye.
This building rare, most polished of the town,
Like to the donor's soul, shall never die.
But if, percase, Time, of his dire envỳ,
Shall beat it to rude walls and blocks of stone,
The wandering traveller that passes by
Will see its ruined ancient splendour shewn
In the craz'd arches and the carvelling,
And pillars their green heads to heav'n rearing.
| The Poetical Works of Thomas Chatterton | |