Edwy and Edilda, a tale, in five parts By the Rev. Thomas Sedgwick Whalley, author of "A poem on Mont Blanc," &c. &c. &c. Embellished with six fine engravings, from original designs, by a young lady |
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| I. | PART I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
 | Edwy and Edilda, a tale, in five parts |  |
I. PART I.
When
Egbert England's sceptre sway'd,
For pow'r and arms renown'd,
Brave Galvan liv'd; whose deeds of youth
By peaceful age were crown'd.
For pow'r and arms renown'd,
Brave Galvan liv'd; whose deeds of youth
By peaceful age were crown'd.
Full many a year his feet had trod
The roughest paths of war;
And in his master's cause he earn'd
Full many an honour'd scar:
The roughest paths of war;
And in his master's cause he earn'd
Full many an honour'd scar:
But deeds of hardiment at length
Give place to silver hairs;
And feeble age, unlocking strength,
His future service spares.
Give place to silver hairs;
And feeble age, unlocking strength,
His future service spares.
Deep in the bosom of a vale,
By Severn's rolling flood,
The hoary Warrior's native tow'rs
With ample honours stood.
By Severn's rolling flood,
The hoary Warrior's native tow'rs
With ample honours stood.
2
Thither from camps and courts retir'd,
The aged Baron spent
His days, in long-forgotten peace,
And long-unknown content!
The aged Baron spent
His days, in long-forgotten peace,
And long-unknown content!
His hospitable hall was still
With largest bounty crown'd;
And many a health, and many a tale,
His festive board went round.
With largest bounty crown'd;
And many a health, and many a tale,
His festive board went round.
But still the healths to England's weal
Most copiously flow'd;
And lengthen'd tales, of former wars,
The patriot Warrior show'd.
Most copiously flow'd;
And lengthen'd tales, of former wars,
The patriot Warrior show'd.
And as the fame of Egbert's arms,
And tale of Britain's good,
Dwelt on the generous Galvan's tongue,
And warm'd his aged blood;
And tale of Britain's good,
Dwelt on the generous Galvan's tongue,
And warm'd his aged blood;
Unwonted flushes o'er his face
Would animating break;
And in his eyes unwonted fires
The ardent heart would speak.
Would animating break;
And in his eyes unwonted fires
The ardent heart would speak.
Nor did his cheek unuseful glow,
Nor tongue descant in vain;
Since list'ning youth his ardour caught,
And fired at his strain.
Nor tongue descant in vain;
Since list'ning youth his ardour caught,
And fired at his strain.
Thus Galvan liv'd, by grey hairs laid
Upon the lap of ease,
Honour and love, on every side,
Augmenting still his peace.
Upon the lap of ease,
Honour and love, on every side,
Augmenting still his peace.
3
Nor these alone conspir'd to gild
The evening of his days;
Nor did his heart alone dilate
With foreign love, and praise;
The evening of his days;
Nor did his heart alone dilate
With foreign love, and praise;
A nearer, dearer, home-bred joy,
That heart more nearly charms;
And in a darling Daughter's form,
His breast more genial warms.
That heart more nearly charms;
And in a darling Daughter's form,
His breast more genial warms.
Of many children, she alone
To bless his years remain'd;
Who, from her mother long deceas'd,
Edilda had been nam'd.
To bless his years remain'd;
Who, from her mother long deceas'd,
Edilda had been nam'd.
Upon her cheek the virgin rose
Had spent its softest bloom;
And from her coral lips did shed
Its exquisite perfume.
Had spent its softest bloom;
And from her coral lips did shed
Its exquisite perfume.
Her hair in graceful ringlets flow'd,
Than silk more glossy far;
And either beaming eye outshone
The radiant morning star.
Than silk more glossy far;
And either beaming eye outshone
The radiant morning star.
Yet fires through their fringes still
As soft, as piercing went;
And every sparkling glance appear'd
With sweetest languors blent.
As soft, as piercing went;
And every sparkling glance appear'd
With sweetest languors blent.
Her shape, her hair, her voice, her mien,
What eloquence can tell?
What pen describe the countless charms
That round her lov'd to dwell?
What eloquence can tell?
What pen describe the countless charms
That round her lov'd to dwell?
4
But not to outward charms alone
Her merits were confin'd;
More weak were language to express
The beauties of her mind!
Her merits were confin'd;
More weak were language to express
The beauties of her mind!
Within her soul each generous thought,
Each noble transport glow'd;
And beaming from her speaking eye,
To all confess'd they stood.
Each noble transport glow'd;
And beaming from her speaking eye,
To all confess'd they stood.
Yet still the softness of her sex
Most strikingly prevail'd;
And from that softness, she was first
The sweet Edilda hail'd!
Most strikingly prevail'd;
And from that softness, she was first
The sweet Edilda hail'd!
Ah dangerous sweetness! which no force,
No wisdom could withstand:
Ah dangerous softness! that with love
Would still go hand in hand.
No wisdom could withstand:
Ah dangerous softness! that with love
Would still go hand in hand.
For who that own'd a noble heart,
Or could by charms be won,
But soon confess'd Edilda's pow'r,
And bow'd before her throne?
Or could by charms be won,
But soon confess'd Edilda's pow'r,
And bow'd before her throne?
Not Galvan's worth, nor Galvan's sway,
Alone had fill'd his hall;
Far more the sweet Edilda's charms,
To glad obeisance, call.
Alone had fill'd his hall;
Far more the sweet Edilda's charms,
To glad obeisance, call.
And while the daughter's beauties bloom'd
So lovely to the sight,
What wonder if the father's tale
Afforded strange delight!
So lovely to the sight,
What wonder if the father's tale
Afforded strange delight!
5
What wonder? where the purple blood
In noontide currents flow'd,
And where desire of generous deeds
In every bosom glow'd.
In noontide currents flow'd,
And where desire of generous deeds
In every bosom glow'd.
For every youth that list'ning sat
At Galvan's plenteous board,
The goodly heir of noble blood,
With lofty thoughts was stor'd.
At Galvan's plenteous board,
The goodly heir of noble blood,
With lofty thoughts was stor'd.
With lofty thoughts they all were stor'd;
But one of all around,
Without a claim to noble blood,
Was unassuming found:
But one of all around,
Without a claim to noble blood,
Was unassuming found:
Edwy the graceful youth was call'd;
The ancient Hilda's son
By Ongar; who his mortal course
Long since in war had run.
The ancient Hilda's son
By Ongar; who his mortal course
Long since in war had run.
An humble dwelling Hilda own'd;
And but a scanty flock;
Which Edwy us'd to watch all day,
From off a neighb'ring rock:
And but a scanty flock;
Which Edwy us'd to watch all day,
From off a neighb'ring rock:
There resting, with his pipe and book,
Beneath a spreading tree,
Full many a ditty he would play;
And oft would poring be
Beneath a spreading tree,
Full many a ditty he would play;
And oft would poring be
Upon full many a copious tale
Of war and warriors dread;
While winged hours unminded flew
Above his youthful head:
Of war and warriors dread;
While winged hours unminded flew
Above his youthful head:
6
A learned friar lov'd him well,
For native wit and worth;
And to that learned friar, I ween,
His knowledge ow'd its birth.
For native wit and worth;
And to that learned friar, I ween,
His knowledge ow'd its birth.
From him, or other wight, 't is plain
His learning he must catch;
Since Hilda's fortunes, but for this,
Had plac'd it past his reach.
His learning he must catch;
Since Hilda's fortunes, but for this,
Had plac'd it past his reach.
But that though now beyond our ken,
Yet this is handed down;
That youthful Edwy, in those days,
A scholar rare was known.
Yet this is handed down;
That youthful Edwy, in those days,
A scholar rare was known.
A noted minstrel too he was;
And when his pipe did sound,
The neighb'ring villages, to hear,
Would quickly gather round:
And when his pipe did sound,
The neighb'ring villages, to hear,
Would quickly gather round:
The villagers would gather round,
Till many a village fair,
Allur'd by Edwy's pipe or face,
Made Edwy all her care!
Till many a village fair,
Allur'd by Edwy's pipe or face,
Made Edwy all her care!
Yet, though compos'd of softest mould
His nature seem'd to be;
And open'd at the tender touch
Of sensibility;
His nature seem'd to be;
And open'd at the tender touch
Of sensibility;
To love's soft pains his gentle heart
Averse did still appear;
Averse, or cold, to all the charms
Of ev'ry village fair!
Averse did still appear;
Averse, or cold, to all the charms
Of ev'ry village fair!
7
For something in his manners mild
Above his peers was seen;
And in his soul a diff'rence yet
Far greater was, I ween.
Above his peers was seen;
And in his soul a diff'rence yet
Far greater was, I ween.
It happen'd on a summer's morn,
While on his fav'rite rock,
Beneath the beeches bow'ring shade
He sat, and watch'd his flock;
While on his fav'rite rock,
Beneath the beeches bow'ring shade
He sat, and watch'd his flock;
That Galvan, sever'd from his train
In hunting, careless stray'd
Where Edwy on his mellow pipe
Melodiously play'd.
In hunting, careless stray'd
Where Edwy on his mellow pipe
Melodiously play'd.
Charm'd with the sweet unwonted sounds,
That sudden caught his ear,
With cautious steps behind the rock,
He stole, unseen, to hear.
That sudden caught his ear,
With cautious steps behind the rock,
He stole, unseen, to hear.
And while, with many a cadence clear,
The youth pursu'd his strain;
And many a wild note, soft and full,
Resounded through the plain;
The youth pursu'd his strain;
And many a wild note, soft and full,
Resounded through the plain;
Behold, a fierce and famish'd wolf
Rush'd from a thicket by,
And on the hoary warrior's throat
Flew, with a dreadful cry!
Rush'd from a thicket by,
And on the hoary warrior's throat
Flew, with a dreadful cry!
Unarm'd, unwarn'd against his foe,
And weak through feeble age;
All hopeless with the rav'nous wolf
Could Galvan battle wage?
And weak through feeble age;
All hopeless with the rav'nous wolf
Could Galvan battle wage?
8
Young Edwy, startled at the din,
Th'unequal contest view'd;
Not long his gen'rous gallant soul
Deliberating stood.
Th'unequal contest view'd;
Not long his gen'rous gallant soul
Deliberating stood.
Beardless, defenceless as he was,
Unknown to deeds of war;
He quickly shew'd what native worth
And bravery could dare.
Unknown to deeds of war;
He quickly shew'd what native worth
And bravery could dare.
From struggling Galvan's panting breast,
Besmear'd with foam and gore,
The beast he forc'd; and with a crash
His jaws asunder tore.
Besmear'd with foam and gore,
The beast he forc'd; and with a crash
His jaws asunder tore.
Beneath th'astonish'd hero's feet
The wolf expiring lay,
Which threaten'd, but a moment past,
To rend his life away.
The wolf expiring lay,
Which threaten'd, but a moment past,
To rend his life away.
Before his eyes, with graceful air,
The blooming Edwy stood;
Who kindly cheer'd his harass'd soul,
And kindly staunch'd his blood.
The blooming Edwy stood;
Who kindly cheer'd his harass'd soul,
And kindly staunch'd his blood.
Yet, little ween'd he for whose sake
Such danger he had brav'd;
But little ween'd how great a life
His daring hand had sav'd.
Such danger he had brav'd;
But little ween'd how great a life
His daring hand had sav'd.
For though the ancient Noble's fame
Had often reach'd his ear;
Yet too obscure his station was,
Before him to appear:
Had often reach'd his ear;
Yet too obscure his station was,
Before him to appear:
9
For Edwy's gentle musing mind
Retirement lov'd full well;
And rarely with his compeers round
His steps were seen to dwell:
Retirement lov'd full well;
And rarely with his compeers round
His steps were seen to dwell:
Nor if perchance the Noble's horns
Awak'd the neighb'ring wood,
Would he, to view the splendid train,
With them his steps obtrude.
Awak'd the neighb'ring wood,
Would he, to view the splendid train,
With them his steps obtrude.
Yet not from sullenness, or pride,
Sprung his sequester'd life;
And less his temper sweet would find
Occasion bad for strife.
Sprung his sequester'd life;
And less his temper sweet would find
Occasion bad for strife.
But form'd in melancholy's mould,
Beneath the green-wood shade,
Unheard, unseen, he joy'd to be
In meditation laid:
Beneath the green-wood shade,
Unheard, unseen, he joy'd to be
In meditation laid:
Yet counsel kind, and ready help,
To ev'ry neighbour swain,
Who still so ready was as he,
To lend, upon the plain?
To ev'ry neighbour swain,
Who still so ready was as he,
To lend, upon the plain?
And much his lore they all admir'd,
And much his goodness lov'd;
And knew and priz'd that courage which
For Galvan he had prov'd.
And much his goodness lov'd;
And knew and priz'd that courage which
For Galvan he had prov'd.
Him to his humble dwelling oft
He kindly press'd to wend;
And offer'd his supporting arm,
His footsteps to attend.
He kindly press'd to wend;
And offer'd his supporting arm,
His footsteps to attend.
10
And oft he fear'd the rav'ning wolf
Had made a deadly wound;
And oft his linen he would rend,
And wrap his throat around.
Had made a deadly wound;
And oft his linen he would rend,
And wrap his throat around.
“Who, and what art thou?” Galvan cried;
“Relate thy birth and name,
“Whose valour foremost ought to stand
“Upon the list of fame.
“Relate thy birth and name,
“Whose valour foremost ought to stand
“Upon the list of fame.
“Whoever, and whate'er, thou art,
“An heart thou hast full brave;
“And a stout arm, which thou hast stretch'd
“Right well, my life to save.
“An heart thou hast full brave;
“And a stout arm, which thou hast stretch'd
“Right well, my life to save.
“Nor think a life of little worth
“Hath been preserv'd by thee:
“Nor think that Galvan for the boon
“Ungrateful e'er will be.”
“Hath been preserv'd by thee:
“Nor think that Galvan for the boon
“Ungrateful e'er will be.”
At Galvan's name a rosy blush
Suffus'd young Edwy's cheek;
And downcast eyes, and lifted hands,
Surprise and rev'rence speak.
Suffus'd young Edwy's cheek;
And downcast eyes, and lifted hands,
Surprise and rev'rence speak.
With modest air he answers mild:
“Old Hilda's son I am,
“Thy vassal, virtuous, though poor,
“And Edwy is my name.”
“Old Hilda's son I am,
“Thy vassal, virtuous, though poor,
“And Edwy is my name.”
“That thou art virtuous, gen'rous, brave,”
The Noble quick reply'd,
“Hath in thy conduct, gallant youth,
“This day been amply try'd.
The Noble quick reply'd,
“Hath in thy conduct, gallant youth,
“This day been amply try'd.
11
“Nor vassal thou, nor shepherd swain,
“A future hour shall see;
“My lov'd companion, and my friend,
“Henceforward ever be:
“A future hour shall see;
“My lov'd companion, and my friend,
“Henceforward ever be:
“And sure a firmer, worthier friend,
“No man can ever have;
“Since all unarm'd, thy life was risk'd,
“A stranger's life to save.”
“No man can ever have;
“Since all unarm'd, thy life was risk'd,
“A stranger's life to save.”
“Detested were the abject hand!”
(The shepherd warmly cry'd,)
“That to relieve such deep distress
“Its prowess had not try'd;
(The shepherd warmly cry'd,)
“That to relieve such deep distress
“Its prowess had not try'd;
“And ever blessed be the day,
“When in such lucky strife,
“This weak, and far unworthy arm,
“Sav'd noble Galvan's life!”
“When in such lucky strife,
“This weak, and far unworthy arm,
“Sav'd noble Galvan's life!”
But now the ancient warrior's train
Appearing, gather'd round,
With great amazement at the plight
In which their lord was found.
Appearing, gather'd round,
With great amazement at the plight
In which their lord was found.
And much their eyes young Edwy scann'd,
And much they gaz'd to see
Galvan to such a lowly swain
Bewray such courtesy:
And much they gaz'd to see
Galvan to such a lowly swain
Bewray such courtesy:
For good as noble Galvan was,
And gen'rous as his mind;
Yet something unto lofty pride
His temper was inclin'd.
And gen'rous as his mind;
Yet something unto lofty pride
His temper was inclin'd.
12
Now loud he vaunts of Edwy's deeds;
And on his grateful tongue,
Unnumber'd praises of the youth,
Unnumber'd blessings hung!
And on his grateful tongue,
Unnumber'd praises of the youth,
Unnumber'd blessings hung!
And as he clos'd his copious tale,
“Behold the man,” he cry'd,
“Who still most honour'd shall appear,
“Most lov'd, at Galvan's side!
“Behold the man,” he cry'd,
“Who still most honour'd shall appear,
“Most lov'd, at Galvan's side!
“And as you value Galvan's love,
“Or rev'rence Galvan's power;
“As you your wishes best would prove,
“To bless his waning hour;
“Or rev'rence Galvan's power;
“As you your wishes best would prove,
“To bless his waning hour;
“Let gallant Edwy, like himself,
“Your love, your service share;
“And for his pleasure and content,
“Nor pains, nor duty spare:
“Your love, your service share;
“And for his pleasure and content,
“Nor pains, nor duty spare:
“Nor aged Hilda shall lament
“The absence of her son;
“Since many an added flock and herd
“Her fertile fields shall own:
“The absence of her son;
“Since many an added flock and herd
“Her fertile fields shall own:
“Those fields and flocks be Galvan's gift;
“And oft her aged breast
“Shall joy to see her darling child
“By pow'r and wealth caress'd.”
“And oft her aged breast
“Shall joy to see her darling child
“By pow'r and wealth caress'd.”
Right onward now to Galvan's hall
The num'rous train did ride;
And Edwy honour'd most of all,
Rode fast by Galvan's side:
The num'rous train did ride;
And Edwy honour'd most of all,
Rode fast by Galvan's side:
13
By Galvan's side he gently rode;
And as the courser fair,
With trappings gay, and carriage proud,
Seem'd as he trod the air;
And as the courser fair,
With trappings gay, and carriage proud,
Seem'd as he trod the air;
The blooming youth, though all amaz'd
At such unwonted state,
And though in homely garb attir'd,
Yet firm and graceful sat:
At such unwonted state,
And though in homely garb attir'd,
Yet firm and graceful sat:
And such his fair demeanour was,
And such his comely mien,
That all esteem'd his garb alone
Unworthy such a scene.
And such his comely mien,
That all esteem'd his garb alone
Unworthy such a scene.
At Galvan's palace straight arriv'd,
Full many a knight and peer,
Expectant of the lord's return,
They found assembled there.
Full many a knight and peer,
Expectant of the lord's return,
They found assembled there.
To each in turn the Baron now
Presents the stranger swain;
And while his merits rare he told,
Applause burst forth amain:
Presents the stranger swain;
And while his merits rare he told,
Applause burst forth amain:
Applause burst forth, and echo'd round
The high and spacious hall;
While (or to please their noble host,
Or warm'd at honour's call)
The high and spacious hall;
While (or to please their noble host,
Or warm'd at honour's call)
The courteous nobles gather'd round,
And ardent to their breast,
With semblance fair of truth and love,
The blushing Edwy press'd.
And ardent to their breast,
With semblance fair of truth and love,
The blushing Edwy press'd.
14
And much they prais'd his gallant heart,
And much his easy air;
And wonder'd how a stock so base
Produc'd a fruit so fair!
And much his easy air;
And wonder'd how a stock so base
Produc'd a fruit so fair!
Not weeting that a garment coarse,
A noble mind may hide;
Nor in the cot, that virtue oft
Delighteth to abide!
A noble mind may hide;
Nor in the cot, that virtue oft
Delighteth to abide!
Though rough as from its native bed,
The precious diamond's blaze,
'Midst high-wrought rubies' glowing fires,
Yet darts superior rays:
The precious diamond's blaze,
'Midst high-wrought rubies' glowing fires,
Yet darts superior rays:
So Edwy 'midst the courtly sons
Of wealth and lofty birth
Appears; and so eclipses all,
By native charms and worth:
Of wealth and lofty birth
Appears; and so eclipses all,
By native charms and worth:
Eclipses all that round him stand,
When, lo! a brighter star,
Outshining every object else,
Doth suddenly appear:
When, lo! a brighter star,
Outshining every object else,
Doth suddenly appear:
For who that view'd the countless charms
In sweet Edilda's face,
Or who that view'd her lovely form,
Adorn'd with nameless grace,
In sweet Edilda's face,
Or who that view'd her lovely form,
Adorn'd with nameless grace,
But to that form and to that face,
Immediate homage paid;
And found attention wholly bent
Upon the peerless maid?
Immediate homage paid;
And found attention wholly bent
Upon the peerless maid?
15
A flowing robe of azure dye,
With silver fringes grac'd,
A ruby girdle fasten'd round
Her finely-taper'd waist;
With silver fringes grac'd,
A ruby girdle fasten'd round
Her finely-taper'd waist;
Thence floating largely on the ground
In many a graceful wave,
Unto her port, if so could be,
More majesty it gave:
In many a graceful wave,
Unto her port, if so could be,
More majesty it gave:
From one bar'd shoulder, falling loose,
Of alabaster hue,
A portion of her lovely neck
It offer'd to the view:
Of alabaster hue,
A portion of her lovely neck
It offer'd to the view:
And yet, as envious of the boon,
The silver fringe arose,
Concealing half the kinder robe
Had promis'd to disclose.
The silver fringe arose,
Concealing half the kinder robe
Had promis'd to disclose.
O'er her soft hands meand'ring veins
Of brightest azure stray'd;
And with the pure surrounding white,
A pleasing contrast made:
Of brightest azure stray'd;
And with the pure surrounding white,
A pleasing contrast made:
And where her gently-swelling arm,
So polish'd, firm, and fair,
Into the elbow moulded was
With symmetry most rare,
So polish'd, firm, and fair,
Into the elbow moulded was
With symmetry most rare,
A ruby button, careless fix'd
Within a silver loop,
The sky-blue robe, in foldings fair,
Most seemly gather'd up.
Within a silver loop,
The sky-blue robe, in foldings fair,
Most seemly gather'd up.
16
Beneath the upper looser robe,
A snowy vest was seen;
Yet whiter, softer, purer far,
The form it hid, I ween.
A snowy vest was seen;
Yet whiter, softer, purer far,
The form it hid, I ween.
An azure buskin silver lac'd,
Her slender ankle clad;
In sandals like her dainty feet
Did delicately tread.
Her slender ankle clad;
In sandals like her dainty feet
Did delicately tread.
Her auburn tresses deftly hung,
Part on her ivory neck,
And part in full waves flowing down
Her azure garment deck:
Part on her ivory neck,
And part in full waves flowing down
Her azure garment deck:
In gather'd knots a part appear'd,
By strings of pearl confin'd,
And many a soft and shining lock
Fair wreaths of lilies bind.
By strings of pearl confin'd,
And many a soft and shining lock
Fair wreaths of lilies bind.
Her lips like opening rose-buds glow'd,
And in her speaking eye
A piercing brightness mix'd its rays
With sensibility.
And in her speaking eye
A piercing brightness mix'd its rays
With sensibility.
Upon her brow high dignity,
Enthron'd with meekness fair,
Most graceful sat; and truth and sense
Were sweetly blended there.
Enthron'd with meekness fair,
Most graceful sat; and truth and sense
Were sweetly blended there.
Yet something on her forehead fair,
Of dread, one might espy;
And glist'ning tears did trembling stand,
In either anxious eye.
Of dread, one might espy;
And glist'ning tears did trembling stand,
In either anxious eye.
17
So do the shadows lovely hang
On some fair mountain's brow:
So do the sapphire's soften'd rays
Through clearest crystal show.
On some fair mountain's brow:
So do the sapphire's soften'd rays
Through clearest crystal show.
At her approach in every eye
Pleas'd admiration hung;
And murmurs soft of joy and love
Flow'd copious from each tongue.
Pleas'd admiration hung;
And murmurs soft of joy and love
Flow'd copious from each tongue.
Through the divided ranks the while,
The sweet Edilda went
With trembling haste, and to her Sire
The duteous knee she bent.
The sweet Edilda went
With trembling haste, and to her Sire
The duteous knee she bent.
And while the duteous knee she bent,
His hand she fondly press'd,
And with a thousand kisses sweet
His aged lips caress'd.
His hand she fondly press'd,
And with a thousand kisses sweet
His aged lips caress'd.
So round some ancient cedar doth
The fragrant jasmine twine;
So clasps and decks some time-worn oak,
The perfum'd eglantine.
The fragrant jasmine twine;
So clasps and decks some time-worn oak,
The perfum'd eglantine.
A something of that morning's chance
In rumours she had heard,
And therefore with disorder'd mien,
To learn the truth, appear'd.
In rumours she had heard,
And therefore with disorder'd mien,
To learn the truth, appear'd.
But when upon her father's breast
The bloody marks she spy'd,
Her pulse decay'd, and on her cheek
Her wonted roses dy'd.
The bloody marks she spy'd,
Her pulse decay'd, and on her cheek
Her wonted roses dy'd.
18
But soon to ease her lab'ring heart,
The pearly sorrows flow;
And soon her tongue its speech regains,
To mitigate her woe:
The pearly sorrows flow;
And soon her tongue its speech regains,
To mitigate her woe:
“Oh! by what cruel chance,” she cry'd,
“Do these sad marks appear;
“What deadly villany hath left
“These bloody traces here?
“Do these sad marks appear;
“What deadly villany hath left
“These bloody traces here?
“Quick to your dear Edilda's pray'r,
“The dreaded truth reveal:
“Nor hope, that from a love like her's
“The worst you can conceal.”
“The dreaded truth reveal:
“Nor hope, that from a love like her's
“The worst you can conceal.”
Charm'd with her tender plaints and tears,
The Hero to his breast,
With added love, and added joy,
His beauteous Daughter press'd.
The Hero to his breast,
With added love, and added joy,
His beauteous Daughter press'd.
And much her troubled heart he sooths,
And much her sorrow cheers;
And often from her melting eye
He kiss'd the falling tears.
And much her sorrow cheers;
And often from her melting eye
He kiss'd the falling tears.
“O! let my sweet Edilda's soul
“Be comforted,” he cry'd,
“And let those dear, those lovely eyes,
“My darling child, be dry'd!
“Be comforted,” he cry'd,
“And let those dear, those lovely eyes,
“My darling child, be dry'd!
“Nor dread these marks of brutal rage
“That on my breast I bear!
“Than all my numerous scars in war,
“More lov'd, more honour'd far!
“That on my breast I bear!
“Than all my numerous scars in war,
“More lov'd, more honour'd far!
19
“Since these alone to Galvan's soul
“Made known the genuine birth
“Of every generous sentiment
“That e'er adorn'd the earth:
“Made known the genuine birth
“Of every generous sentiment
“That e'er adorn'd the earth:
“Made courage, known in tender youth,
“Beyond what veterans dare;
“And with that courage, virtue, sense,
“And modesty, most rare!
“Beyond what veterans dare;
“And with that courage, virtue, sense,
“And modesty, most rare!
“These high endowments turn and view
“In lowly Edwy's face;
“And let Edilda judge if now
“Her Father flatter'd has:
“In lowly Edwy's face;
“And let Edilda judge if now
“Her Father flatter'd has:
“Ev'n let my sweet Edilda judge;
“The while from me assur'd,
“That Edwy's graceful form is by
“His merits rare obscur'd!
“The while from me assur'd,
“That Edwy's graceful form is by
“His merits rare obscur'd!
“But for those virtues which these lips
“So warmly, justly, praise,
“Thy Father ere this hour had touch'd
“The limit of his days.”
“So warmly, justly, praise,
“Thy Father ere this hour had touch'd
“The limit of his days.”
Scarce had the words escap'd his lips,
Or ever she did see
The blooming shepherd at her feet
Upon his bended knee.
Or ever she did see
The blooming shepherd at her feet
Upon his bended knee.
His light-brown locks, in numerous curls,
Upon his shoulders hung;
And round his neck his wonted scrip
And pipe were lightly slung.
Upon his shoulders hung;
And round his neck his wonted scrip
And pipe were lightly slung.
20
A deepen'd colour warm'd his cheek,
And made his forehead fair,
And brilliant eyes, with brighter beams
And finer hue, appear.
And made his forehead fair,
And brilliant eyes, with brighter beams
And finer hue, appear.
Expression sweet, with spirit high,
Were temper'd in his face;
And through that glass the generous soul
Most clearly one might trace.
Were temper'd in his face;
And through that glass the generous soul
Most clearly one might trace.
His form alike with elegance
And manly firmness bless'd,
Array'd in youth's seducing bloom,
A thousand charms express'd.
And manly firmness bless'd,
Array'd in youth's seducing bloom,
A thousand charms express'd.
Nor could the homely russet coat
Conceal his noble air;
Which rather, from the contrast wide,
More striking did appear.
Conceal his noble air;
Which rather, from the contrast wide,
More striking did appear.
A moment's pause Edilda made,
The while her lovely eyes
Dwelt on the kneeling Shepherd's form,
With pleasure and surprise.
The while her lovely eyes
Dwelt on the kneeling Shepherd's form,
With pleasure and surprise.
Upon the Shepherd's form she gaz'd,
Till o'er her blooming cheek
A sweet confusion made the blood
In stronger currents break;
Till o'er her blooming cheek
A sweet confusion made the blood
In stronger currents break;
There spreading from her spotless breast
Where rising blushes glow,
As when the rosy morning breaks
Upon a hill of snow.
Where rising blushes glow,
As when the rosy morning breaks
Upon a hill of snow.
21
Her lily hand most graciously
She proffers for a kiss;
Which Edwy gently, trembling, touch'd,
As worthless of the bliss.
She proffers for a kiss;
Which Edwy gently, trembling, touch'd,
As worthless of the bliss.
And while that soft and lovely hand
His red lip presses sweet,
He weens, transported, that the world
Is worthless such a treat!
His red lip presses sweet,
He weens, transported, that the world
Is worthless such a treat!
“Believe, thou gallant Youth,” she cry'd,
“That while Edilda lives,
“She must remember by whose hand
“Her noble Sire survives;
“That while Edilda lives,
“She must remember by whose hand
“Her noble Sire survives;
“And while remembrance of a boon,
“So precious, I possess,
“Believe, brave Youth, my grateful heart
“Shall thee unceasing bless.”
“So precious, I possess,
“Believe, brave Youth, my grateful heart
“Shall thee unceasing bless.”
“O lady! gracious, good, and fair,”
Th'enraptur'd Shepherd cry'd,
“To win a blessing from thy lips,
“Edwy had willing dy'd;
Th'enraptur'd Shepherd cry'd,
“To win a blessing from thy lips,
“Edwy had willing dy'd;
“Too happy! that his feeble arm
“Could noble Galvan save;
“And happier still, of him and thee,
“To live and die the slave!”
“Could noble Galvan save;
“And happier still, of him and thee,
“To live and die the slave!”
And from that day the gallant Youth
In Galvan's grateful breast,
Above each valued friend around,
The dearest place possess'd.
In Galvan's grateful breast,
Above each valued friend around,
The dearest place possess'd.
22
To highest trust, to fairest state,
Was Edwy now preferr'd;
And quickly in the Noble's court,
With vantage great appear'd:
Was Edwy now preferr'd;
And quickly in the Noble's court,
With vantage great appear'd:
For quickly to his docile mind
Each liberal art was known,
And polish'd manners quickly were
Peculiarly his own.
Each liberal art was known,
And polish'd manners quickly were
Peculiarly his own.
Yet could not favour in his breast
Beget o'erweening pride;
Still humble, modest, gentle, good,
'Midst Fortune's highest tide.
Beget o'erweening pride;
Still humble, modest, gentle, good,
'Midst Fortune's highest tide.
END OF THE FIRST PART.
| Edwy and Edilda, a tale, in five parts | |