The Poetical Works of Thomas Chatterton :: :: University of Virginia Library

Sprite of Fitz-hardynge
speaks.
From royal parents did I have retaining,
The red-haired Dane confessed to be my sire;
The Dane who, often through this kingdom draining,
Would mark his way therethrough with blood and fire.
As stoppèd rivers always rise more higher,
And ramm'd stones by opposures stronger be,
So they, when vanquishèd, did prove more dire,
And for one countryman did threescore sle.
From them, of Denmark's royal blood, came I,
Well might I boast of my gentility.

[Sprite of Fitz-Hardynge]

XXIX.

The pipes may sound and bubble forth my name,
And tellen what on Redcliffe-side I did;
Trinity College should not grudge my fame,
The fairest place in Bristol y-buildèd.
The royal blood that through my veinès slid
Did tinge my heart with many a noble thought;
Like to my mind the minster y-rearèd
With noble carvèd workmanship was wrought;
High at the daïs, like a king on's throne,
Did I take place, and was myself alone.

239

[Sprite of Fitz-Hardynge]

XXX.

But thou, the builder of this pleasant place,
Where all the saints in sweet adjunction stand,
A very heaven for its beauteous grace,
The glory and the wonder of the land,
That shews the builder's mind and former's hand
To be the best that on the earth remains,
At once for wonder and delight command,
Shewing how much he of the god retains:
Canynge, the great, the charitable, and good,
Noble as kings, if not of kingly blood.