Poems Chiefly Written in Retirement, By John Thelwall; With Memoirs of the Life of the Author. Second Edition |
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| 2. | BOOK THE SECOND. |
 | Poems |  |
184
BOOK THE SECOND.
MEANTIME, Northumbria's heralds, in the hall
Not unregarded wait. The fame, soon spread,
Of pomps and royal presents round them draw
The courtly tribe—not hopeless to partake.
Not unregarded wait. The fame, soon spread,
Of pomps and royal presents round them draw
The courtly tribe—not hopeless to partake.
Nor lack they disposition to the cause,
Or enmity to Edwin. Ill they brook
His influence, or his virtues: for the youth
(Whom now protracted sojourn, in the realm
And friendly court of Anglia, had reveal'd
In native colours) wins from every heart
(All but the minion throng) cordial esteem,
And reverence, and such love as waits on worth
Unvaunting. The brave chiefs his martial port
Wond'ring admire; and, in his ardent eye,
Read his adventurous spirit, active, bold,
Unweariable; and oft the sager ones divine,
In tone prophetic, as, amid the train
Illustrious of associate youth, he bears
The wolf's rough spoils, triumphant, or shorn crest
Of furious boar, slain in the sylvan war,
That not unheard, in verse, or treasur'd tale
Of hoar Tradition, his aspiring name
Shall to the shades descend. Nor less the fair
His graceful form approve, his manners bland,
With courteous air endearing. Form'd to please,
Nor less to please aspiring, well he knew
To sooth the female ear, or win the heart—
And what he won to merit: champion still,
Guardian and friend, not spoiler, was he found
Of virgin innocence. But most he charm'd
By manly probity: a heart that scorn'd
Guile or disguise—that to its friend was friend
Without reserve; and where he found a foe
Was open, not revengeful: bold, not fierce.
The love that waited on such worth but ill
Brook the insidious crew; and less they brook
That to his generous counsels Redówald's ear
Was ever open: for he counsell'd not
Such themes as courtiers use—as rapine, spoils,
Oppressions, acts of power that overleap
All bounds of law, and justify themselves
On pleas of state necessity. All these
His soul abhorr'd: So Albert's timely lore,
And his own wrongs had taught. Instead of these,
Justice, and Truth, and Mercy were his theme,
And sacred Freedom—at whose awful name
His great heart heav'd, and, with erected brow
And eye that beam'd devotion, from his tongue
Burst strains of eloquence, which whoso' heard
Felt more than mortal fervour warm the breast.
Or enmity to Edwin. Ill they brook
His influence, or his virtues: for the youth
(Whom now protracted sojourn, in the realm
And friendly court of Anglia, had reveal'd
In native colours) wins from every heart
(All but the minion throng) cordial esteem,
And reverence, and such love as waits on worth
Unvaunting. The brave chiefs his martial port
Wond'ring admire; and, in his ardent eye,
Read his adventurous spirit, active, bold,
Unweariable; and oft the sager ones divine,
In tone prophetic, as, amid the train
Illustrious of associate youth, he bears
The wolf's rough spoils, triumphant, or shorn crest
Of furious boar, slain in the sylvan war,
That not unheard, in verse, or treasur'd tale
Of hoar Tradition, his aspiring name
185
His graceful form approve, his manners bland,
With courteous air endearing. Form'd to please,
Nor less to please aspiring, well he knew
To sooth the female ear, or win the heart—
And what he won to merit: champion still,
Guardian and friend, not spoiler, was he found
Of virgin innocence. But most he charm'd
By manly probity: a heart that scorn'd
Guile or disguise—that to its friend was friend
Without reserve; and where he found a foe
Was open, not revengeful: bold, not fierce.
The love that waited on such worth but ill
Brook the insidious crew; and less they brook
That to his generous counsels Redówald's ear
Was ever open: for he counsell'd not
Such themes as courtiers use—as rapine, spoils,
Oppressions, acts of power that overleap
All bounds of law, and justify themselves
On pleas of state necessity. All these
His soul abhorr'd: So Albert's timely lore,
And his own wrongs had taught. Instead of these,
Justice, and Truth, and Mercy were his theme,
And sacred Freedom—at whose awful name
His great heart heav'd, and, with erected brow
And eye that beam'd devotion, from his tongue
Burst strains of eloquence, which whoso' heard
Felt more than mortal fervour warm the breast.
As yet the minion throng had bent beneath
His happier influence, and their courtly arts
Plied unavailing; tho not unsuborn'd
By the usurping pair, nor unintent,
With close cabal, or specious plea, to aid
Their impious purpose; when, three several times,
The restless tyrants (trembling at the bruit
Of Edwin's fame) had heretofore assail'd
Thé Uffingian chieftain. He three sev'ral times
Rejects their proffers, shuddering with disdain
That paus'd not, nor thé expecting council call'd
To vent their hollow casuistries. But now
Deeper their plots are laid; their agents chos'n
With subt'lest policy; and, big with hope,
Moves on the imperious embassy, empow'r'd,
Against the scale of right, to counterpoise
Int'rest and fear, seduction and the sword.
His happier influence, and their courtly arts
186
By the usurping pair, nor unintent,
With close cabal, or specious plea, to aid
Their impious purpose; when, three several times,
The restless tyrants (trembling at the bruit
Of Edwin's fame) had heretofore assail'd
Thé Uffingian chieftain. He three sev'ral times
Rejects their proffers, shuddering with disdain
That paus'd not, nor thé expecting council call'd
To vent their hollow casuistries. But now
Deeper their plots are laid; their agents chos'n
With subt'lest policy; and, big with hope,
Moves on the imperious embassy, empow'r'd,
Against the scale of right, to counterpoise
Int'rest and fear, seduction and the sword.
Nor this their only trust: for bloody rites
And magic incantations, ere they quit
Northumbria's court, give hopes of prosperous aid,
Counsel, or force miraculous, from powers
Supernal—or so deem'd by erring men.
Nor yet unmeaning from the reeking fane
Issu'd the demon oracles: for, pois'd
In midway air, upon their steps attend,
Unmark'd, a goblin rout, the assiduous train
Of Moloch, by the Saxon nations nam'd
Woden (fierce homicide!) in classic times
Mars, or the mountain god (thence Harees) long
Worshipp'd on Thracian heights—his dwelling deem'd:
Baäl or Bell, with oriental tribes,
His name the while; beneath whose idol fane,
In Babylon, the fiery furnace flam'd,
Fearful to captive Israël! With these
(Misdeem'd of later years a fabled form
Of allegoric fancy) Discord soars—
Alecto erst, or of the furies chief
That guard Valhalla, or the gloomy throne
Of Dys—as Scald, or classic bard adorns
The varying tale, by Superstition taught,
Discolouring holy truths obscurely known:
For she from highest Heav'n (a cherub once
In titlé and essence—ere her present name
Was heard, except in Chaos) headlong fell,
With all that rebel rout; her glory soil'd,
And form celestial: first of all the host
(Meribah, thence, and Meribaäl call'd,
And Eber, by th' indignant files of Heav'n)
To urge presumptuous war, and fan the rage
Of Satan, when, ambition-fir'd, he sought
To quell the omnipotent; and therefore fell—
He, and his rebel peers; and this withal—
Punish'd, not penitent: for still she broods
Strife and contention;—waging distant war
On God most high, aye present in his works.
And magic incantations, ere they quit
Northumbria's court, give hopes of prosperous aid,
Counsel, or force miraculous, from powers
Supernal—or so deem'd by erring men.
Nor yet unmeaning from the reeking fane
Issu'd the demon oracles: for, pois'd
In midway air, upon their steps attend,
Unmark'd, a goblin rout, the assiduous train
Of Moloch, by the Saxon nations nam'd
Woden (fierce homicide!) in classic times
Mars, or the mountain god (thence Harees) long
Worshipp'd on Thracian heights—his dwelling deem'd:
Baäl or Bell, with oriental tribes,
His name the while; beneath whose idol fane,
187
Fearful to captive Israël! With these
(Misdeem'd of later years a fabled form
Of allegoric fancy) Discord soars—
Alecto erst, or of the furies chief
That guard Valhalla, or the gloomy throne
Of Dys—as Scald, or classic bard adorns
The varying tale, by Superstition taught,
Discolouring holy truths obscurely known:
For she from highest Heav'n (a cherub once
In titlé and essence—ere her present name
Was heard, except in Chaos) headlong fell,
With all that rebel rout; her glory soil'd,
And form celestial: first of all the host
(Meribah, thence, and Meribaäl call'd,
And Eber, by th' indignant files of Heav'n)
To urge presumptuous war, and fan the rage
Of Satan, when, ambition-fir'd, he sought
To quell the omnipotent; and therefore fell—
He, and his rebel peers; and this withal—
Punish'd, not penitent: for still she broods
Strife and contention;—waging distant war
On God most high, aye present in his works.
So soars the dread Valkyrie!—as her chief,
Hideous of purpose; nor in alter'd shape
Less fearful, when, thro' lurid air she floats,
A giant form. Round her colossal brow
(Once with ambrosial locks, of orient hue,
Twin'd graceful) now a venomous brood enwrithe
With vip'rous hiss; and from her shoulders broad,
Where erst the snowy plumage dropp'd with gold
Beam'd radiant, wide the seared pinions spread,
Bat-form'd, a huge expanse! and over hill,
Champain, or grove, or dale, where'er she wends
On impious errand, shed a noxious shadow.
Fierce are her looks, and sullen—ghastly fierce!
Dark scouls her lowering brow; and, underneath,
The restless eye-balls, that, dilated, gleam
Two fiery meteors, ever rolling, seek
Food for their wrath, while on each feature hangs
Black tempest, rage deform'd, and rending storm
Tumultuous. Such she seems (hideous and wild!)
As when, in midnight blasts, the warring clouds
Burst flaming, and the else untemper'd dark
Bewrays the mingled uproar; seas, and skies,
And riven rock, and mast of founder'd bark,
And steeple' and tow'r split smouldering: woful scene!
To her heart-cheering! which, when she beholds,
She shakes the scorpion scourge, and, from her side,
Snatches, in act to sound, the pendant horn
Earth-shaking, that appals living and dead:
The same which erst, ere man yet was, on high
War and defiance breath'd, from angel hosts
Apostate; and, first time, with alien sounds,
Rude clamouring, tore Heav'n's concave; vocal ne'er,
Till that disastrous hour, but with the strains,
Holy and sweet, of love, and gratulous joy.
Hideous of purpose; nor in alter'd shape
Less fearful, when, thro' lurid air she floats,
A giant form. Round her colossal brow
(Once with ambrosial locks, of orient hue,
Twin'd graceful) now a venomous brood enwrithe
With vip'rous hiss; and from her shoulders broad,
188
Beam'd radiant, wide the seared pinions spread,
Bat-form'd, a huge expanse! and over hill,
Champain, or grove, or dale, where'er she wends
On impious errand, shed a noxious shadow.
Fierce are her looks, and sullen—ghastly fierce!
Dark scouls her lowering brow; and, underneath,
The restless eye-balls, that, dilated, gleam
Two fiery meteors, ever rolling, seek
Food for their wrath, while on each feature hangs
Black tempest, rage deform'd, and rending storm
Tumultuous. Such she seems (hideous and wild!)
As when, in midnight blasts, the warring clouds
Burst flaming, and the else untemper'd dark
Bewrays the mingled uproar; seas, and skies,
And riven rock, and mast of founder'd bark,
And steeple' and tow'r split smouldering: woful scene!
To her heart-cheering! which, when she beholds,
She shakes the scorpion scourge, and, from her side,
Snatches, in act to sound, the pendant horn
Earth-shaking, that appals living and dead:
The same which erst, ere man yet was, on high
War and defiance breath'd, from angel hosts
Apostate; and, first time, with alien sounds,
Rude clamouring, tore Heav'n's concave; vocal ne'er,
Till that disastrous hour, but with the strains,
Holy and sweet, of love, and gratulous joy.
Like wrath to breed in Albion, now the fiend
Spreads her obnoxious pinion: in her rear,
A throng of ministering fiends, that imp her flight,
And do her fatal biddings; stirring up,
Each in his sphere not idle, venomous thoughts—
Panics, and rage, and wrongs; obdurate pride
And jaundic'd jealousies; suspicions dire,
And fears, and hates, the populous brood of Hell.
Spreads her obnoxious pinion: in her rear,
A throng of ministering fiends, that imp her flight,
189
Each in his sphere not idle, venomous thoughts—
Panics, and rage, and wrongs; obdurate pride
And jaundic'd jealousies; suspicions dire,
And fears, and hates, the populous brood of Hell.
By these (the gods of Acca) watch'd and warn'd,
Proceeds the imperious embassy, on which
Thy fate Northumbria hangs, and Albion's hope
Of laws and holy truths, that from the bonds
Of tyrant Superstition may redeem,
And savage wrongs. So fear the demon gods
Of Scandinavia—Hertha and her race—
(So deem'd: herself of elder Ymer born:
Born out of Chaos!) but more truly known
As Belial's hideous train; obscene with rage
Of brutal cruelty and brutal joys;
Yet worshipp'd oft on many a torr sublime;
In many a Karn; and oft, in runic verse,
With fond alliteration, hymn'd and prais'd.
Thee, Frea! thee they praise, embrothel'd queen
Of wanton dalliance! and thy warrior spouse,
Asgardian Woden, in his Hall of Shields,
Horrid with blood; and cloud compelling Thor
(Fruit of your loves connubial) and the rest
Who, with septemviral sway, with magic rites,
And impious festivals, alternate shar'd
Diurnal homage; chronicled as yet
In mystic calendars; profaning thus
The shrine of holy Science with the weeds
Of Pagan Superstition, false and foul!
Proceeds the imperious embassy, on which
Thy fate Northumbria hangs, and Albion's hope
Of laws and holy truths, that from the bonds
Of tyrant Superstition may redeem,
And savage wrongs. So fear the demon gods
Of Scandinavia—Hertha and her race—
(So deem'd: herself of elder Ymer born:
Born out of Chaos!) but more truly known
As Belial's hideous train; obscene with rage
Of brutal cruelty and brutal joys;
Yet worshipp'd oft on many a torr sublime;
In many a Karn; and oft, in runic verse,
With fond alliteration, hymn'd and prais'd.
Thee, Frea! thee they praise, embrothel'd queen
Of wanton dalliance! and thy warrior spouse,
Asgardian Woden, in his Hall of Shields,
Horrid with blood; and cloud compelling Thor
(Fruit of your loves connubial) and the rest
Who, with septemviral sway, with magic rites,
And impious festivals, alternate shar'd
Diurnal homage; chronicled as yet
In mystic calendars; profaning thus
The shrine of holy Science with the weeds
Of Pagan Superstition, false and foul!
190
All these and more (Elvæ, and antic Sprites—
Patrons of months and seasons) fear their doom—
Fear for their shrines and altars, runic spells,
And homicidal worship. Therefore, sent
To aid the tyrant's plea, th' infernal throng
Fly sedulous; and feel a common cause.
Patrons of months and seasons) fear their doom—
Fear for their shrines and altars, runic spells,
And homicidal worship. Therefore, sent
To aid the tyrant's plea, th' infernal throng
Fly sedulous; and feel a common cause.
A common cause, not less, the minion train
Who throng the court of Redowald confess—
Nor less malign. And now, by these inspir'd,
They tower with bolder frontlet: hence no more
Obsequious flatterers, to a masters will
Who bow with silent awe. The palace rings
With strains unwonted; and the royal name,
Clamorous, they brand with censure—who, unwarn'd,
“An alien youth protects—perhaps for crimes
“Banish'd his native land; unheard rejects
“The claims, perchance, of justice; turning, hence,
“Proffer'd alliance into deadly feuds
“And enmities; the while East Anglia's realm,
“Menac'd with dangerous league, must in new wars
“Plunge, unconsulted—her existence stake,
“As yet unstable, from the recent strife,
“Wag'd with Icenian foes: and this, forsooth,
“Not for East Anglia's glory; not to gain
“Extent of wish'd dominion, and her chiefs
“Enrich with foreign spoil; or further chace,
“Into their savage wilds, the Cambrian tribes
“Detested: not to rest on firmer base
“East Anglia's freedom, and her rights protect,
“Inviolate, from spoil of alien force:—
“No—not for this, nor these, must Anglian blood
“Flow in the direful conflict, and our strength,
“Exhausted, perish in renewed strife,
“Ere from the old reviv'd. But grant it right,
“Thus, for a vagrant chief (for causes known
“Best to himself) from every other court
“Expell'd indignant; for a chief, erewhile,
“Among their untam'd mountains, taught and train'd
“By our inveterate foes, and doom'd, perhaps,
“In league with Cambrian legions, once again
“To shake the Saxon power; till all in vain
“Our Uffas, and our Hengists, Erkenwins,
“Cerdics and Idas, chiefs of deathless fame—
“The progeny of Woden, demigods!
“In the illustrious conflict shall have bled!—
“Grant that it could, in such a cause, be right
“(For one of dubious fame—a stranger chief!)
“To plunge in civil feud, and Saxon swords
“Bury in Saxon bosoms, were't not well
“To hear, at least, the embassy?—to weigh
“The cause in council? that East Anglian blood
“Not unappreciate by East Anglia's chiefs
“May flow devoted; and our fate depend
“On other surety than an alien's will.”
Who throng the court of Redowald confess—
Nor less malign. And now, by these inspir'd,
They tower with bolder frontlet: hence no more
Obsequious flatterers, to a masters will
Who bow with silent awe. The palace rings
With strains unwonted; and the royal name,
Clamorous, they brand with censure—who, unwarn'd,
“An alien youth protects—perhaps for crimes
“Banish'd his native land; unheard rejects
“The claims, perchance, of justice; turning, hence,
“Proffer'd alliance into deadly feuds
“And enmities; the while East Anglia's realm,
“Menac'd with dangerous league, must in new wars
“Plunge, unconsulted—her existence stake,
“As yet unstable, from the recent strife,
“Wag'd with Icenian foes: and this, forsooth,
“Not for East Anglia's glory; not to gain
“Extent of wish'd dominion, and her chiefs
“Enrich with foreign spoil; or further chace,
“Into their savage wilds, the Cambrian tribes
“Detested: not to rest on firmer base
“East Anglia's freedom, and her rights protect,
“Inviolate, from spoil of alien force:—
191
“Flow in the direful conflict, and our strength,
“Exhausted, perish in renewed strife,
“Ere from the old reviv'd. But grant it right,
“Thus, for a vagrant chief (for causes known
“Best to himself) from every other court
“Expell'd indignant; for a chief, erewhile,
“Among their untam'd mountains, taught and train'd
“By our inveterate foes, and doom'd, perhaps,
“In league with Cambrian legions, once again
“To shake the Saxon power; till all in vain
“Our Uffas, and our Hengists, Erkenwins,
“Cerdics and Idas, chiefs of deathless fame—
“The progeny of Woden, demigods!
“In the illustrious conflict shall have bled!—
“Grant that it could, in such a cause, be right
“(For one of dubious fame—a stranger chief!)
“To plunge in civil feud, and Saxon swords
“Bury in Saxon bosoms, were't not well
“To hear, at least, the embassy?—to weigh
“The cause in council? that East Anglian blood
“Not unappreciate by East Anglia's chiefs
“May flow devoted; and our fate depend
“On other surety than an alien's will.”
Thus, in the Court, they clamour, glossing o'er
Their impious purpose with the specious shew
Of patriotic care, and pious zeal,
And tender love of justice: nor less loud
Amid the popular throng; whom for their ends
(Tho erst despis'd and trampled) they exalt,
And woo with artful blandishments—their ears
Filling with fearful words—strife-stirring sounds
And cabalistic jargon; such as aye
Traitors in pow'r, state jugglers, trumpet forth,
When in the popular mind they seek to raise
Ideal terrors, phantoms of alarm,
And baseless apprehensions. By such arts
Sway they the unstable mind of Redöwald,
Else self-determin'd and persuade to hear
The embassy in council; there to weigh
War or alliance, the propounded terms
For Ælla's Son protected or betray'd.
Their impious purpose with the specious shew
Of patriotic care, and pious zeal,
And tender love of justice: nor less loud
Amid the popular throng; whom for their ends
(Tho erst despis'd and trampled) they exalt,
192
Filling with fearful words—strife-stirring sounds
And cabalistic jargon; such as aye
Traitors in pow'r, state jugglers, trumpet forth,
When in the popular mind they seek to raise
Ideal terrors, phantoms of alarm,
And baseless apprehensions. By such arts
Sway they the unstable mind of Redöwald,
Else self-determin'd and persuade to hear
The embassy in council; there to weigh
War or alliance, the propounded terms
For Ælla's Son protected or betray'd.
'Mid these cabals not idle are the twain,
Or of their charge unheedful. Thro' the night,
While, with the social chiefs, wassail and meed
They quaff, in gay carousals, Hermanric
Probes every heart: as pride or interest sways,
Mirth, or the genial rite, or thirst of fame,
Or enmity and deep corroding hate
Against the race of Cambria, he enflames
Their several passions: here the costly gift
Timely presents; some martial trophy there;
And there the spacious bowl. Less sordid, these
Are won by shews of friendship—cordial words,
The statesman's cheapest bribes. Some well-tim'd praise
Quaint tales or jests convivial some allure—
A jocund band; while to another group
Of martial deeds he vaunts, “of Bangor's fight,
“Where Adelfrid o'er slaughter'd thousands strode,
“Humbling the Cambrian crest; while, cowering, fled
“Brochmael, thy prince, O, Powys! to their fate
“Leaving the tonsur'd crew; twelve hundred priests,
“Crosier'd and cowl'd; who, with their impious rites
“And chaunted incantations, hope to fray
“The sons of Woden. To the insulted god,
“An acceptable offering, these our king
“Bravely devotes; then, on the buckler'd host,
“Springs, like the brindled wolf, who, having flesh'd
“His warrior tusks with blood, and thinn'd the fold,
“Next on the herdsmen turns, that round him throng,
“Intent with missile weapons to repel
“The bold invader: these, with conquering rage,
“Fiercely he tears; their sylvan war defies,
“And chaces to their huts; well pleas'd to find
“Inglorious safety. So the hero rag'd:
“So to their woods and mountains chac'd the tribes
“Of Cambria's boastful warriors. Dee's broad waves
“Ran purple to the sea; proud Bangor flam'd;
“And Legan-Cester, trembling to its base,
“Confess'd the Saxon pow'r. Nor scap'd the chiefs;
“But, by the outstretch'd sax mow'd down, or crush'd
“Beneath the pond'rous mace, groaning they fell,
“In conflict and in flight, a royal carnage!
Or of their charge unheedful. Thro' the night,
While, with the social chiefs, wassail and meed
They quaff, in gay carousals, Hermanric
Probes every heart: as pride or interest sways,
Mirth, or the genial rite, or thirst of fame,
Or enmity and deep corroding hate
Against the race of Cambria, he enflames
Their several passions: here the costly gift
Timely presents; some martial trophy there;
And there the spacious bowl. Less sordid, these
Are won by shews of friendship—cordial words,
The statesman's cheapest bribes. Some well-tim'd praise
Quaint tales or jests convivial some allure—
A jocund band; while to another group
Of martial deeds he vaunts, “of Bangor's fight,
“Where Adelfrid o'er slaughter'd thousands strode,
“Humbling the Cambrian crest; while, cowering, fled
193
“Leaving the tonsur'd crew; twelve hundred priests,
“Crosier'd and cowl'd; who, with their impious rites
“And chaunted incantations, hope to fray
“The sons of Woden. To the insulted god,
“An acceptable offering, these our king
“Bravely devotes; then, on the buckler'd host,
“Springs, like the brindled wolf, who, having flesh'd
“His warrior tusks with blood, and thinn'd the fold,
“Next on the herdsmen turns, that round him throng,
“Intent with missile weapons to repel
“The bold invader: these, with conquering rage,
“Fiercely he tears; their sylvan war defies,
“And chaces to their huts; well pleas'd to find
“Inglorious safety. So the hero rag'd:
“So to their woods and mountains chac'd the tribes
“Of Cambria's boastful warriors. Dee's broad waves
“Ran purple to the sea; proud Bangor flam'd;
“And Legan-Cester, trembling to its base,
“Confess'd the Saxon pow'r. Nor scap'd the chiefs;
“But, by the outstretch'd sax mow'd down, or crush'd
“Beneath the pond'rous mace, groaning they fell,
“In conflict and in flight, a royal carnage!
“First bled Gwendellau, fierce Caradoc next,
“Madoc and Modred, strong Derwyddon, Ludd,
“Merion and Mathraval; Rhiwallon next,
“Renown'd for brutal rage; and Howel's son,
“Proud Cunvan: swift Ardiffrid then we slew,
“O'erta'en in flight; and, making fruitless stand,
“Cadwallader, and Rhun, and Ruthfedel;
“And stern Cadoffin, tall Usgathrog, Mawr,
“Enion and Cadiffor—Arglooddi all,
“Fam'd in their clans, and Bards, whose epic songs
“Inflame the martial ardour. Cadvan's self—
“(Your Edwin's patron!) who, with all his hosts,
“Flush'd with predicted conquest, from the north
“Came foaming (like the torrents from their heights,
“Swoln by autumnal rains—an upland sea!)
“Stood all aghast; and, doubting Merlin's faith,
“For his own Snowdon trembled and retir'd.”
“Madoc and Modred, strong Derwyddon, Ludd,
“Merion and Mathraval; Rhiwallon next,
“Renown'd for brutal rage; and Howel's son,
“Proud Cunvan: swift Ardiffrid then we slew,
“O'erta'en in flight; and, making fruitless stand,
“Cadwallader, and Rhun, and Ruthfedel;
194
“Enion and Cadiffor—Arglooddi all,
“Fam'd in their clans, and Bards, whose epic songs
“Inflame the martial ardour. Cadvan's self—
“(Your Edwin's patron!) who, with all his hosts,
“Flush'd with predicted conquest, from the north
“Came foaming (like the torrents from their heights,
“Swoln by autumnal rains—an upland sea!)
“Stood all aghast; and, doubting Merlin's faith,
“For his own Snowdon trembled and retir'd.”
Thus Hermanric. Fierce Ossa hears with joy
The boastful tale: but most his soul exults
In Bangor's massacre—her slaughter'd monks
And conflagrated monast'ry—“where all
“Their arts,” he cries, “their spells, and endless rolls
“Of Nechromantic jargon, a vast pile
“Of impious mummery, in the flames expire.
“Grim Woden smil'd, and Thor, with furious joy,
“Convuls'd the air; while Coifi, from the herd
“Of trembling captives, snatch'd the victim chiefs,
“And on our altars slew. So perish all
“The race of Cambria—and their vagrant friends!”
The boastful tale: but most his soul exults
In Bangor's massacre—her slaughter'd monks
And conflagrated monast'ry—“where all
“Their arts,” he cries, “their spells, and endless rolls
“Of Nechromantic jargon, a vast pile
“Of impious mummery, in the flames expire.
“Grim Woden smil'd, and Thor, with furious joy,
“Convuls'd the air; while Coifi, from the herd
“Of trembling captives, snatch'd the victim chiefs,
“And on our altars slew. So perish all
“The race of Cambria—and their vagrant friends!”
Redden his eyes at this: his eyes that glare,
Inquisitive, around: and, where he marks
A kindred disposition, there he turns,
Insidious—pledges deep the wassail bowl,
And grasps the hand in amity; the while,
With low'ring brow, and darkly mutter'd words,
He seeds the smouldering sire. To such, he drops
Close-whisper'd hints of “Traitors!—Cambrian spies!”
Or tells some tale “of canker-worms destroy'd,
“Or vipers crush'd!”—Nor lacks the ambiguous theme
Comment of glancing eye, or gnashing teeth,
Or hand that grasps the poignard, half expos'd.
Inquisitive, around: and, where he marks
A kindred disposition, there he turns,
Insidious—pledges deep the wassail bowl,
And grasps the hand in amity; the while,
With low'ring brow, and darkly mutter'd words,
He seeds the smouldering sire. To such, he drops
Close-whisper'd hints of “Traitors!—Cambrian spies!”
195
“Or vipers crush'd!”—Nor lacks the ambiguous theme
Comment of glancing eye, or gnashing teeth,
Or hand that grasps the poignard, half expos'd.
Thus waines the night. But, when the ruddy day
Resumes his empire, thro' the crowded streets
They bend their course; and to the public gaze,
Display their purpos'd presents: chiefly those
(Banners and arms and trophies) from the foe
Ta'en in the Cestrian fight. With these they hope,
Not idly, in the popular mind, to rouse
The sullen passions—scorn, and deadly hate
Of alien tribes, and national pride that steels
The obdurate heart, presumptuous, and confounds
Reason and right; moulding the infatuate herd
(Their own worst foes!) to the pernicious views
Of crafty politicians: whence the woes
That thin the human race—oppressions, wars,
Famine, and fire, and pestilence; whate'er
The Good with horror view, the Great with pride.
Resumes his empire, thro' the crowded streets
They bend their course; and to the public gaze,
Display their purpos'd presents: chiefly those
(Banners and arms and trophies) from the foe
Ta'en in the Cestrian fight. With these they hope,
Not idly, in the popular mind, to rouse
The sullen passions—scorn, and deadly hate
Of alien tribes, and national pride that steels
The obdurate heart, presumptuous, and confounds
Reason and right; moulding the infatuate herd
(Their own worst foes!) to the pernicious views
Of crafty politicians: whence the woes
That thin the human race—oppressions, wars,
Famine, and fire, and pestilence; whate'er
The Good with horror view, the Great with pride.
Meantime, not heedless, with the gaping throng
Mingle the ministéring furies; their foul forms
Vailing in human mould, and shifting oft,
As spirits wont, and their malignant views
Best prompt them. Now, in lowliest weeds, they mix
Among the lowest, and, with sordid speech,
Quaint idiom, and obscener mirth, disguise
Insidious malice; now, in martial strain,
Boast their exploits, and shew the mimic scar,
Feign'd from Icenian shafts. Anon, they seem
Sages, or Priests, that of impending ills
Bode, reas'ning, or, from divination, feign
Woes darkly shadow'd. Still, in every form,
Their own bad passions into every breast
They breathe, infectious—pride, and causeless hate,
Contention, scorn, and envy, and the drought
Of wildering rage, that thirsts for guiltless blood.
Mingle the ministéring furies; their foul forms
Vailing in human mould, and shifting oft,
As spirits wont, and their malignant views
Best prompt them. Now, in lowliest weeds, they mix
Among the lowest, and, with sordid speech,
Quaint idiom, and obscener mirth, disguise
Insidious malice; now, in martial strain,
Boast their exploits, and shew the mimic scar,
Feign'd from Icenian shafts. Anon, they seem
196
Bode, reas'ning, or, from divination, feign
Woes darkly shadow'd. Still, in every form,
Their own bad passions into every breast
They breathe, infectious—pride, and causeless hate,
Contention, scorn, and envy, and the drought
Of wildering rage, that thirsts for guiltless blood.
Such passions, by the passing pomp inspir'd,
(For so he deems) the crafty Hermanric
Beholds self-gratulous: nor does he lack
To watch the spreading fire, and, timely, heap
Fuel of words accordant; vaunting oft
“Northumbria's glory, and the martial fame
“Of Adelfrid, from East to West wide borne
“On wings of Triumph!—Caledonians, Picts,
“And martial Scots pent in their Grampion hills;
“The Saxon name spread to the northern isles;
“And Cambro-Britons o'er their barren heights
“Chac'd timorous, on the sea's extremest verge
“To pant for short-liv'd safety.” So he boasts
(Bruiting a tyrant's worth!) and interweaves
Words oft of soothing praise, and dearest love
Borne to East Anglia's tribe: and much he talks
“Of wish'd alliance; of confederate force,
“And Cambria's remnant crush'd beneath the weight
“Of Anglia and Northumbria join'd in arms.”
(For so he deems) the crafty Hermanric
Beholds self-gratulous: nor does he lack
To watch the spreading fire, and, timely, heap
Fuel of words accordant; vaunting oft
“Northumbria's glory, and the martial fame
“Of Adelfrid, from East to West wide borne
“On wings of Triumph!—Caledonians, Picts,
“And martial Scots pent in their Grampion hills;
“The Saxon name spread to the northern isles;
“And Cambro-Britons o'er their barren heights
“Chac'd timorous, on the sea's extremest verge
“To pant for short-liv'd safety.” So he boasts
(Bruiting a tyrant's worth!) and interweaves
Words oft of soothing praise, and dearest love
Borne to East Anglia's tribe: and much he talks
“Of wish'd alliance; of confederate force,
“And Cambria's remnant crush'd beneath the weight
“Of Anglia and Northumbria join'd in arms.”
Mantles each cheek at this. The demon stirs
In each inflated breast; nor stirs unurg'd;
For swift the infernal crew the closing words,
Exulting, catch; and, with reverberate shout,
Rend heav'n's high arch, denouncing “Cambria's fall
“By Anglia and Northumbria!” The fierce throng
Kindle with martial rage. All join the peal,
And swift, from man to man, contagious wrath
Spreads, direful: as, from group to group, expands
The electric fire, when to the crystal jar,
Or sphere excited, the hermetic hand
Applies the tried conductor, and relieves
The imprison'd element, whose subtile flames
Dart thro' the languid nerves, the fibres brace,
And with encreas'd pulsation urge the heart.
In each inflated breast; nor stirs unurg'd;
For swift the infernal crew the closing words,
Exulting, catch; and, with reverberate shout,
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“By Anglia and Northumbria!” The fierce throng
Kindle with martial rage. All join the peal,
And swift, from man to man, contagious wrath
Spreads, direful: as, from group to group, expands
The electric fire, when to the crystal jar,
Or sphere excited, the hermetic hand
Applies the tried conductor, and relieves
The imprison'd element, whose subtile flames
Dart thro' the languid nerves, the fibres brace,
And with encreas'd pulsation urge the heart.
So these, excited by mysterious fires,
Glow with unwonted fury. Loud the name
Of Adelfrid they clamour—“Adelfrid!
“Avenging Scythe of Woden! Cambria's Scourge!
“Hope of the Cimbrian race!” Meantime to arms,
Urg'd by the demon crew, with breathless haste,
All fly delirious. Thro' the crowded streets
Helmet and hauberk gleam, and burnish'd sax,
Spear, and the ponderous mace. The clanging shields
Bray hideous; and the city teems with war.
Glow with unwonted fury. Loud the name
Of Adelfrid they clamour—“Adelfrid!
“Avenging Scythe of Woden! Cambria's Scourge!
“Hope of the Cimbrian race!” Meantime to arms,
Urg'd by the demon crew, with breathless haste,
All fly delirious. Thro' the crowded streets
Helmet and hauberk gleam, and burnish'd sax,
Spear, and the ponderous mace. The clanging shields
Bray hideous; and the city teems with war.
Then swells the heart, vainglorious. Each beholds,
In fierce imagination, thy proud towers,
Diganway, fall; while, o'er the perilous heights
Of cloud-girt Snowdon, expectation pours
The martial deluge; and the hapless race
(Hated for wrongs and sufferings!) seems extinct.
In fierce imagination, thy proud towers,
Diganway, fall; while, o'er the perilous heights
Of cloud-girt Snowdon, expectation pours
The martial deluge; and the hapless race
(Hated for wrongs and sufferings!) seems extinct.
Meantime, in different groups, the demon throng
Essay their boldest arts; and, for their ends,
Assume the port and gesture (well devis'd)
Of minion courtiers—a seditious crew,
When to their ends directed, the dread storm
Of popular rage may swell! Now here, now there,
Clamourous they fly, inflaming more the fierce,
Urging the bold, and with insidious speech,
Guiding the whirlwind passions. But o'er all,
Gifted in specious malice, and the rage
Of festering hate, the seeming Beornulph shines:
Beornulph, for unrein'd insolence and pride
Conspicuous ever: turbulent of tongue,
And school'd in subtile sophistry, he knew
Each popular art against the popular cause,
Skilful, to turn; to deck the altar up
Of bloody immolation in such guise
Of luring pomp that the poor hecatomb
Bleat for the sacrifice; and while they deem
Themselves the God, not victims, on the knife
Rush self-destroying. Such appropriate form
Assumes The Master Fiend, who, heretofore,
Aloof, suspended on inveterate wing,
Beheld the tumult thickening—best to guide
The Ministering Mischief, or the frenzy urge
When to full crisis raging. This perceiv'd,
She her infernal in such semblant form
Subtly invelopes, with infuriate force
Of hell-instructed eloquence, to goad
Delirium on to madness; and the wrath,
Kindled by wiles demoniac against
The race of Cambria, on the head divert
Of Edwin—erst so favour'd: popular love
(Ah, boon precarious!) to the deadly gall
Of hatred turning. Thus disguis'd, her head,
While fierce the tumult rages, o'er the crowd
Lifts the dire fiend. The spell-bound crowd attend.
Essay their boldest arts; and, for their ends,
Assume the port and gesture (well devis'd)
198
When to their ends directed, the dread storm
Of popular rage may swell! Now here, now there,
Clamourous they fly, inflaming more the fierce,
Urging the bold, and with insidious speech,
Guiding the whirlwind passions. But o'er all,
Gifted in specious malice, and the rage
Of festering hate, the seeming Beornulph shines:
Beornulph, for unrein'd insolence and pride
Conspicuous ever: turbulent of tongue,
And school'd in subtile sophistry, he knew
Each popular art against the popular cause,
Skilful, to turn; to deck the altar up
Of bloody immolation in such guise
Of luring pomp that the poor hecatomb
Bleat for the sacrifice; and while they deem
Themselves the God, not victims, on the knife
Rush self-destroying. Such appropriate form
Assumes The Master Fiend, who, heretofore,
Aloof, suspended on inveterate wing,
Beheld the tumult thickening—best to guide
The Ministering Mischief, or the frenzy urge
When to full crisis raging. This perceiv'd,
She her infernal in such semblant form
Subtly invelopes, with infuriate force
Of hell-instructed eloquence, to goad
Delirium on to madness; and the wrath,
Kindled by wiles demoniac against
The race of Cambria, on the head divert
Of Edwin—erst so favour'd: popular love
(Ah, boon precarious!) to the deadly gall
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While fierce the tumult rages, o'er the crowd
Lifts the dire fiend. The spell-bound crowd attend.
“And what prevents—ye warriors! what prevents
“The wish'd alliance?—What forbids the Sons
“Of Elb, united, to their fame to rush,
“And Cambria's instant fall? What but this blight—
“This outlaw'd Edwin? who, in Cambria's court
“Uprear'd and nurtur'd, to the Cambrian race
“Inclines with partial favour: in his heart
“Almost a Briton! adverse to our Gods,
“And from our altars alien! He it is
“That with his foreign counsels fills the ear
“Of credulous Red'wald, urging causeless hate
“Against Northumbria's king, brave Adelfrid!
“Whom, as it seems, the popular voice preferr'd,
“For martial virtues, and deep rooted hate
“Of Cambria's tribe, to fill a double throne;
“And, haply, for collective strength, to blend,
“Against the common foe, Deïria's sons
“With those of fam'd Bernicia. He, it seems,
“Owns not the national will; but would oppose,
“And, with hereditary claims, dissolve
“The happy compact. Hence, from court to court,
“Suppliant, he flies, with well-invented tales
“Of wrongs and woes, storming the womanish heart
“Of Pity; hoping thus the Saxon league
“To split in hostile factions; and, by force
“Of alien swords, with lurking treasons leagu'd,
“To gain his ends ambitious. Thus may we—
“Shield clash'd with shield, and sax with sax embroil'd,
“Thin our victorious ranks. Meantime the foe,
“Fear-chill'd no more, burst from their icy chains;
“And, from Mervinian heights, shall Cadvan pour
“The wasting deluge o'er our fertile vales
“Exulting; and, too late, our civil rage
“Quench in promiscuous ruin: better far
“Timely extinguish'd: better, e're the spark
“Spreads into flame, in its own smoke, confound
“The latent mischief. Hence Northumbria's, peers
“Pronounce him traitor. Hence each Saxon realm,
“(East Anglia's court excepted) timely wise,
“Spurns him pernicious. Even Erin's chiefs,
“That range the swampy forest, and the hordes
“Of Scandinavian rovers, who the sea
“From Mang's rude Isle infest, their aid refuse.
“But we, my friends! we on this forlorn hope
“Headlong must rush, and these our scythe-like blades
“(Whence our heroic name) must turn to mow
“Not Woden's foes, but Woden's kindred ranks:
“An impious harvest. Doff then the stern helm:
“Pile up your arms: Hauberk, and axe, and spear,
“In idle state, hang in your chieftains' halls,
“And let the warrior sax rust in the scabbard:
“So Edwin wills—or clang your brazen shields
“For him, and not for Adelfrid. The front
“Of perilous war turn not against the tribes
“Of fugitive Cambria; but against the Chief
“(Favour'd of Woden) who the Cambrian tribes
“Pens in contracting bounds;—and would destroy,
“But for intestine treasons!” Thus declaims
The latent fiend, well acting, and appears,
In phrase, as voice and gesture, Beornulph's self:
Clamourous and false: the demagogue of power!
Then, plunging in the crowd, to thinner air
Resolves the borrow'd form; and over head
Floats, a dark cloud, wide low'ring: such as oft
O'er Skiddow's top (divine of coming storms—
Lightning, or hail, or fall of feathery frost
Cold-piercing, or the deluging rain that swells
Autumnal torrents) at the close of eve,
With darkening swoop, stoops threat'ning: fearful sight
To the way-wearied traveller, whose eye,
Haggard and cheerless, scans the houseless waste.
“The wish'd alliance?—What forbids the Sons
“Of Elb, united, to their fame to rush,
“And Cambria's instant fall? What but this blight—
“This outlaw'd Edwin? who, in Cambria's court
“Uprear'd and nurtur'd, to the Cambrian race
“Inclines with partial favour: in his heart
“Almost a Briton! adverse to our Gods,
“And from our altars alien! He it is
“That with his foreign counsels fills the ear
“Of credulous Red'wald, urging causeless hate
“Against Northumbria's king, brave Adelfrid!
“Whom, as it seems, the popular voice preferr'd,
“For martial virtues, and deep rooted hate
“Of Cambria's tribe, to fill a double throne;
“And, haply, for collective strength, to blend,
“Against the common foe, Deïria's sons
“With those of fam'd Bernicia. He, it seems,
“Owns not the national will; but would oppose,
“And, with hereditary claims, dissolve
“The happy compact. Hence, from court to court,
“Suppliant, he flies, with well-invented tales
“Of wrongs and woes, storming the womanish heart
“Of Pity; hoping thus the Saxon league
“To split in hostile factions; and, by force
“Of alien swords, with lurking treasons leagu'd,
“To gain his ends ambitious. Thus may we—
“Shield clash'd with shield, and sax with sax embroil'd,
200
“Fear-chill'd no more, burst from their icy chains;
“And, from Mervinian heights, shall Cadvan pour
“The wasting deluge o'er our fertile vales
“Exulting; and, too late, our civil rage
“Quench in promiscuous ruin: better far
“Timely extinguish'd: better, e're the spark
“Spreads into flame, in its own smoke, confound
“The latent mischief. Hence Northumbria's, peers
“Pronounce him traitor. Hence each Saxon realm,
“(East Anglia's court excepted) timely wise,
“Spurns him pernicious. Even Erin's chiefs,
“That range the swampy forest, and the hordes
“Of Scandinavian rovers, who the sea
“From Mang's rude Isle infest, their aid refuse.
“But we, my friends! we on this forlorn hope
“Headlong must rush, and these our scythe-like blades
“(Whence our heroic name) must turn to mow
“Not Woden's foes, but Woden's kindred ranks:
“An impious harvest. Doff then the stern helm:
“Pile up your arms: Hauberk, and axe, and spear,
“In idle state, hang in your chieftains' halls,
“And let the warrior sax rust in the scabbard:
“So Edwin wills—or clang your brazen shields
“For him, and not for Adelfrid. The front
“Of perilous war turn not against the tribes
“Of fugitive Cambria; but against the Chief
“(Favour'd of Woden) who the Cambrian tribes
“Pens in contracting bounds;—and would destroy,
“But for intestine treasons!” Thus declaims
The latent fiend, well acting, and appears,
201
Clamourous and false: the demagogue of power!
Then, plunging in the crowd, to thinner air
Resolves the borrow'd form; and over head
Floats, a dark cloud, wide low'ring: such as oft
O'er Skiddow's top (divine of coming storms—
Lightning, or hail, or fall of feathery frost
Cold-piercing, or the deluging rain that swells
Autumnal torrents) at the close of eve,
With darkening swoop, stoops threat'ning: fearful sight
To the way-wearied traveller, whose eye,
Haggard and cheerless, scans the houseless waste.
Meanwhile her trump sonorous, with loud blast,
The fiend inspires; wide-spread, her harpy wings
Flap joyous; and with more than mortal force
She swells the boisterous din. The crowd confess
The hovering demon. Wide, and wider spreads
The torrent rage, with shout, and deaf'ning clash
Of brazen shields, that uproar shakes the earth.
Then onward, by the maddening pest impell'd,
Foaming they pour, and with their clamourous rage
Circle the royal palace: like the sea,
That breaks its banks, and, round some frontier tow'r,
Beacon, or spire, roars with tumultuous rage:
Wave rolls on wave, and, flood impelling flood,
Onward resistless spreads: fierce breaks the foam
(A briny shower) dash'd from the batter'd base,
Till from its height, the threaten'd pile stoops tottering.
The fiend inspires; wide-spread, her harpy wings
Flap joyous; and with more than mortal force
She swells the boisterous din. The crowd confess
The hovering demon. Wide, and wider spreads
The torrent rage, with shout, and deaf'ning clash
Of brazen shields, that uproar shakes the earth.
Then onward, by the maddening pest impell'd,
Foaming they pour, and with their clamourous rage
Circle the royal palace: like the sea,
That breaks its banks, and, round some frontier tow'r,
Beacon, or spire, roars with tumultuous rage:
Wave rolls on wave, and, flood impelling flood,
Onward resistless spreads: fierce breaks the foam
(A briny shower) dash'd from the batter'd base,
Till from its height, the threaten'd pile stoops tottering.
So they, impatient for the Cambrian war,
Foam mad'ning: while for Adelfrid they shout,
Till with percussion of the beaten air
The palace trembles. Red'wald hears astound:
Nor ill divining the insidious cause,
Ponders with painful doubt; and with his breast
Holds fearful council. So a swarm of wasps,
By hunger urg'd, around the industrious hive
Throng martial, and, with brandish'd sting prepar'd,
Breathe thro' their tiny horns the threatening blast
Impetuous; while within the regal bee
Fears for the foodful store, and, ere she calls
Forth from their waxen cells and frugal toils
The warlike train, debates, with quick consult,
How wiseliest to repel impending woe.
Foam mad'ning: while for Adelfrid they shout,
Till with percussion of the beaten air
202
Nor ill divining the insidious cause,
Ponders with painful doubt; and with his breast
Holds fearful council. So a swarm of wasps,
By hunger urg'd, around the industrious hive
Throng martial, and, with brandish'd sting prepar'd,
Breathe thro' their tiny horns the threatening blast
Impetuous; while within the regal bee
Fears for the foodful store, and, ere she calls
Forth from their waxen cells and frugal toils
The warlike train, debates, with quick consult,
How wiseliest to repel impending woe.
| Poems | |