 | Rhapsodies |  |
145
BALLAD IMITATED.
Of young and old I've heard it told
How men are false of heart;
That nought can move their souls to love,
And act the faithful part:
'Tis said, they will their lust fulfil,
Nor heed a maiden's woe;
Alack a day! I can't say nay,
For many will do so.
Yet spite of this I'll show what bliss
Is stor'd for such a one;
Whose constant mind of womankind
Adores but one alone.
How men are false of heart;
That nought can move their souls to love,
And act the faithful part:
'Tis said, they will their lust fulfil,
Nor heed a maiden's woe;
Alack a day! I can't say nay,
For many will do so.
Yet spite of this I'll show what bliss
Is stor'd for such a one;
Whose constant mind of womankind
Adores but one alone.
146
'Tis said, as wind they are unkind,
That blights the lily fair;
That ev'ry oath, and plighted troth,
Is but a wily snare;
That ev'ry smile is but a guile
To lure the luckless maid:
That thus they cheat with foul deceit,
And make of love a trade:
But now, in sooth, I tell ye truth,
Some men with love will moan;
And though they find the maid unkind,
They'll love but her alone.
That blights the lily fair;
That ev'ry oath, and plighted troth,
Is but a wily snare;
That ev'ry smile is but a guile
To lure the luckless maid:
That thus they cheat with foul deceit,
And make of love a trade:
But now, in sooth, I tell ye truth,
Some men with love will moan;
And though they find the maid unkind,
They'll love but her alone.
And since 'tis so, I fain would show
That men are much defam'd;
My tale shall prove that they may love,
And make ye sore asham'd.
A castle stood in bonny wood,
With turrets fair to see,
With halls well dight, where many a knight
Would feast right jovially.
With chambers fair and hangings rare,
And gold a mickle store,
With lands and kine:—were they but thine,
Thou would'st not ask for more.
That men are much defam'd;
My tale shall prove that they may love,
And make ye sore asham'd.
A castle stood in bonny wood,
With turrets fair to see,
With halls well dight, where many a knight
Would feast right jovially.
With chambers fair and hangings rare,
And gold a mickle store,
With lands and kine:—were they but thine,
Thou would'st not ask for more.
147
But say not this,—Gold is not bliss;
For wealth alone can't move
The mind to know what joys will flow
From pure and constant love.
This castle fair, and turrets rare,
And eke this land and gold,
These halls and towers, these woods and bowers,
Were thine Earl Erkenwold.
But then, pardie, the lord was free;
His breast had never known,
That love refin'd for womankind
Was happiness alone.
For wealth alone can't move
The mind to know what joys will flow
From pure and constant love.
This castle fair, and turrets rare,
And eke this land and gold,
These halls and towers, these woods and bowers,
Were thine Earl Erkenwold.
But then, pardie, the lord was free;
His breast had never known,
That love refin'd for womankind
Was happiness alone.
The Earl was young, of gentle tongue,
With visage bright to view;
In wisdom old, in battle bold,
To honour ever true.
As ye shall learn, if ye but turn
The listening ear to me;
Ye won't deny, nor give the lie,
But praise my minstrelsy.
For when the dart assail'd his heart,
I'll show at least that one
To all was blind of womankind,
Save her he lov'd alone.
With visage bright to view;
In wisdom old, in battle bold,
To honour ever true.
As ye shall learn, if ye but turn
The listening ear to me;
Ye won't deny, nor give the lie,
But praise my minstrelsy.
For when the dart assail'd his heart,
I'll show at least that one
To all was blind of womankind,
Save her he lov'd alone.
148
At early dawn with hound and horn
Earl Erkenwold would hie;
In chasing deer he had no peer,
He lov'd the jocund cry.
O'er hill and dale, through wood and vale,
The dogs would lightly bound;
By dale and hill, and gurgling rill,
Was heard the bugle's sound.
For then as free as thought was he,
Or chaff by tempest blown;
No maiden kind 'mongst womankind
Had claim'd him for her own.
Earl Erkenwold would hie;
In chasing deer he had no peer,
He lov'd the jocund cry.
O'er hill and dale, through wood and vale,
The dogs would lightly bound;
By dale and hill, and gurgling rill,
Was heard the bugle's sound.
For then as free as thought was he,
Or chaff by tempest blown;
No maiden kind 'mongst womankind
Had claim'd him for her own.
Thus ever gay roll'd months away,
Life's picture seem'd most fair;
Yet what was this but worldly bliss,
No heavenly Love was there.
But now, pardie, ye soon shall see
How love transform'd the scene;
How lands and gold Earl Erkenwold
Disdain'd for beauty's queen;
How ruling fate transform'd his state,
And hurl'd him from his throne;
Since, in his mind, of womankind
He lov'd but one alone.
Life's picture seem'd most fair;
Yet what was this but worldly bliss,
No heavenly Love was there.
But now, pardie, ye soon shall see
How love transform'd the scene;
How lands and gold Earl Erkenwold
Disdain'd for beauty's queen;
How ruling fate transform'd his state,
And hurl'd him from his throne;
Since, in his mind, of womankind
He lov'd but one alone.
149
Then hounds and horn were left forlorn,
And javelins hung for show;
One dart alone he call'd his own—
'Twas shot from Cupid's bow:
The well-strung yew the blind boy drew,
It touch'd the arrow's steel,
And as it sped, he laughing said,
“I'll see if thou can'st feel.”
A surer aim, I dare proclaim,
Love's shaft had never known;
It taught his mind, of womankind
To love but one alone.
And javelins hung for show;
One dart alone he call'd his own—
'Twas shot from Cupid's bow:
The well-strung yew the blind boy drew,
It touch'd the arrow's steel,
And as it sped, he laughing said,
“I'll see if thou can'st feel.”
A surer aim, I dare proclaim,
Love's shaft had never known;
It taught his mind, of womankind
To love but one alone.
And now in sooth this was the truth.
To court the Earl was gone,
With bowmen stout a goodly rout,
And pages many a one;
With horsemen too, in jerkins blue,
With cloaks so bonny red,
With hosen green, with spurs so keen,
And caps upon each head:
In such array these vassals gay
Obey'd their chieftain's call;
This goodly rout of men so stout
March'd fourscore from the hall.
To court the Earl was gone,
With bowmen stout a goodly rout,
And pages many a one;
With horsemen too, in jerkins blue,
With cloaks so bonny red,
With hosen green, with spurs so keen,
And caps upon each head:
In such array these vassals gay
Obey'd their chieftain's call;
This goodly rout of men so stout
March'd fourscore from the hall.
150
They march'd with glee, for minstrelsy
Made jocund all around;
'Twas sweet to hear the music clear,
As each his bugle wound:
But to behold Earl Erkenwold,
Was still a finer sight;
For costly gear he had no feer,
In bonny robes bedight.
Though sounds so sweet the senses greet,
And robes please many a one;
Yet to the mind, dear womankind
Should claim our love alone.
Made jocund all around;
'Twas sweet to hear the music clear,
As each his bugle wound:
But to behold Earl Erkenwold,
Was still a finer sight;
For costly gear he had no feer,
In bonny robes bedight.
Though sounds so sweet the senses greet,
And robes please many a one;
Yet to the mind, dear womankind
Should claim our love alone.
So in this guise he did surprise
The citizens in town:
They said, pardie, some Earl we see
Of title and renown.
In such array each damsel gay
Desir'd a Knight so fine,
And each did cry with dol'rous sigh,
“I would the youth were mine!”
But then his soul disdain'd control,
No bondage would it own;
Because his mind, of womankind
Ador'd not one alone.
The citizens in town:
They said, pardie, some Earl we see
Of title and renown.
In such array each damsel gay
Desir'd a Knight so fine,
And each did cry with dol'rous sigh,
“I would the youth were mine!”
But then his soul disdain'd control,
No bondage would it own;
Because his mind, of womankind
Ador'd not one alone.
151
The hose and vest wherein he dress'd
Were velvet of bright hue,
Embroider'd o'er with gold before
Upon the glossy blue:
His cloak behind wav'd with the wind,
Of color purely white;
His bonnet fair a plumage rare
Adorn'd, to please the sight:
And thus so gay he pass'd his way,
As if he were alone;
For then his mind of womankind
Had not beheld the one.
Were velvet of bright hue,
Embroider'd o'er with gold before
Upon the glossy blue:
His cloak behind wav'd with the wind,
Of color purely white;
His bonnet fair a plumage rare
Adorn'd, to please the sight:
And thus so gay he pass'd his way,
As if he were alone;
For then his mind of womankind
Had not beheld the one.
At palace gate this Earl's estate
His squire anon made known:
Then down dropp'd he on bended knee
Before his sovereign's throne;
And thus he said: “Great Monarch dread,
“I hither bent my way,
“That I might prove my faith and love,
“And my true homage pay:
“For I command a mighty band
“Of vassals at your nod;
“The lands and gold of Erkenwold
“Are mine, so pleaseth God.
His squire anon made known:
Then down dropp'd he on bended knee
Before his sovereign's throne;
And thus he said: “Great Monarch dread,
“I hither bent my way,
“That I might prove my faith and love,
“And my true homage pay:
“For I command a mighty band
“Of vassals at your nod;
“The lands and gold of Erkenwold
“Are mine, so pleaseth God.
152
“The gold and land, by fate's command,
“Are now awarded me;
“For in the grave my sire so brave
“Now slumbers peacefully:
“So to the court, where lords resort
“At this time every year,
“In duty bound I bend to ground,
“Impell'd by love and fear:
“So may I find my liege as kind
“As he was wont to be.”
“Arise,” then said the sovereign dread,
“Thou 'rt welcome unto me.”
“Are now awarded me;
“For in the grave my sire so brave
“Now slumbers peacefully:
“So to the court, where lords resort
“At this time every year,
“In duty bound I bend to ground,
“Impell'd by love and fear:
“So may I find my liege as kind
“As he was wont to be.”
“Arise,” then said the sovereign dread,
“Thou 'rt welcome unto me.”
Then spake the king, “Go, page, and bring
“My goblet of pure gold,
“My largest cup, and fill it up,
“I'll pledge Earl Erkenwold;
“Since freely he hath prov'd to me
“His loyalty and truth,
“I hereby swear my fost'ring care
“Shall henceforth guard his youth:
“Nay more I vow, for I'll allow
“And grant his first desires,
“Or bad or good, by Holyrood,
“I'll do as he requires.
“My goblet of pure gold,
“My largest cup, and fill it up,
“I'll pledge Earl Erkenwold;
“Since freely he hath prov'd to me
“His loyalty and truth,
“I hereby swear my fost'ring care
“Shall henceforth guard his youth:
“Nay more I vow, for I'll allow
“And grant his first desires,
“Or bad or good, by Holyrood,
“I'll do as he requires.
153
“I grant him this, for nought amiss
“Will he demand of me:
“To keep this vow I pledge him now
“In Rhenish wine so free.”
Then every lord with one accord
To praise the Earl began;
The knights, his truth; the maids, his youth;
He was a happy man.
But midst the fair, one damsel there
Unseen the Earl admir'd;
Her actions prov'd she gazing lov'd;
But he was not inspir'd:
“Will he demand of me:
“To keep this vow I pledge him now
“In Rhenish wine so free.”
Then every lord with one accord
To praise the Earl began;
The knights, his truth; the maids, his youth;
He was a happy man.
But midst the fair, one damsel there
Unseen the Earl admir'd;
Her actions prov'd she gazing lov'd;
But he was not inspir'd:
For wisdom's rein could well restrain
The ardor of her breast;
She needs would prove his constant love,
Ere she her own confess'd.
To hide each grace she left her place,
Ere yet the Earl had seen
That form divine, and every line
Which stamp'd her beauty's queen;
She threw aside her robes and pride,
And clad in humble guise,
With deep intent, next morning went
With sad and downcast eyes.
The ardor of her breast;
She needs would prove his constant love,
Ere she her own confess'd.
To hide each grace she left her place,
Ere yet the Earl had seen
That form divine, and every line
Which stamp'd her beauty's queen;
She threw aside her robes and pride,
And clad in humble guise,
With deep intent, next morning went
With sad and downcast eyes.
154
And then 'twas told Earl Erkenwold
How one his face would see?
“'Tis well,” he cried, “for 'tis my pride
“To deal forth charity.”
But when the maid, in grief array'd,
Before his person stood,
A pleasing pain thrill'd every vein,
While faster flow'd his blood:
For then indeed his heart 'gan bleed,
He claim'd love for his own:
His captive mind of womankind
Ador'd but her alone.
How one his face would see?
“'Tis well,” he cried, “for 'tis my pride
“To deal forth charity.”
But when the maid, in grief array'd,
Before his person stood,
A pleasing pain thrill'd every vein,
While faster flow'd his blood:
For then indeed his heart 'gan bleed,
He claim'd love for his own:
His captive mind of womankind
Ador'd but her alone.
Her artful tale might well prevail;
He sooth'd her feigned grief,
He calm'd her fears, he dried her tears,
And gave her straight relief.
With prayers a score she left his door,
But left it not in truth;
Her form and face, each lovely grace,
Were still before the youth:
By day, by night, they charm'd his sight,
While oft he made this moan:
“My captive mind of womankind
“Adores but one alone.
He sooth'd her feigned grief,
He calm'd her fears, he dried her tears,
And gave her straight relief.
With prayers a score she left his door,
But left it not in truth;
Her form and face, each lovely grace,
Were still before the youth:
By day, by night, they charm'd his sight,
While oft he made this moan:
“My captive mind of womankind
“Adores but one alone.
155
“Yet how can I with poverty
“Debase my noble state?
“Ah! now I find the proudest mind
“Must yield to sovereign fate.
“Nor can I prove so base in love,
“As by my power to stain
“That spotless breast, where peace doth rest,
“And plant the thorn of pain:
“Such vile desire shall ne'er inspire
“My soul that's form'd to own,
“That in my mind of womankind
“I love but her alone.”
“Debase my noble state?
“Ah! now I find the proudest mind
“Must yield to sovereign fate.
“Nor can I prove so base in love,
“As by my power to stain
“That spotless breast, where peace doth rest,
“And plant the thorn of pain:
“Such vile desire shall ne'er inspire
“My soul that's form'd to own,
“That in my mind of womankind
“I love but her alone.”
The Earl thus said, while still he read
Love's page by night and day;
His smiles were flown, his peace o'erthrown,
For Hope obscur'd her ray.
He warr'd in vain against the pain,
Love still the victor prov'd;
He still caress'd, and still confess'd
The flame for her he lov'd.
At length quoth he: “The maid I'll see,
“For whom I pining moan;
“Since now I find, of womankind
“I live for her alone.”
Love's page by night and day;
His smiles were flown, his peace o'erthrown,
For Hope obscur'd her ray.
He warr'd in vain against the pain,
Love still the victor prov'd;
He still caress'd, and still confess'd
The flame for her he lov'd.
At length quoth he: “The maid I'll see,
“For whom I pining moan;
“Since now I find, of womankind
“I live for her alone.”
156
All state forgot, he sought the cot
Where dwelt the lovely maid;
He found her there, more heavenly fair,
Though peasant-like array'd.
He spurn'd deceit, and at her feet
His love-sick mind confess'd.
“Oh! Jane,” he cried, “do not deride,
“But make my passion bless'd;
“And I will prove more firm in love
“Than man e'er yet was known;
“For in my mind, of womankind
“I love but you alone.”
Where dwelt the lovely maid;
He found her there, more heavenly fair,
Though peasant-like array'd.
He spurn'd deceit, and at her feet
His love-sick mind confess'd.
“Oh! Jane,” he cried, “do not deride,
“But make my passion bless'd;
“And I will prove more firm in love
“Than man e'er yet was known;
“For in my mind, of womankind
“I love but you alone.”
‘Ah! say not this, it is amiss;
‘An earl should never be
‘By love o'erthrown, and passion own
‘For such a girl as me.
‘An earl's resort should be the court,
‘Where maids of high renown
‘Will seek with pride to be his bride,
‘And all his wishes crown:
‘But I, of late, knock'd at your gate,
‘A lone and sad orphan;
‘I sought of thee kind charity,
‘For I'm a poor woman.’
‘An earl should never be
‘By love o'erthrown, and passion own
‘For such a girl as me.
‘An earl's resort should be the court,
‘Where maids of high renown
‘Will seek with pride to be his bride,
‘And all his wishes crown:
‘But I, of late, knock'd at your gate,
‘A lone and sad orphan;
‘I sought of thee kind charity,
‘For I'm a poor woman.’
157
“I'd fain believe thou wouldst not grieve
“So true a heart as mine;
“What I did hear was modest fear,
“Which makes thee more divine.
“Oh, lovely Jane! it is but vain
“To strive with Cupid's will;
“For, as we find, the boy is blind,
“Nor heeds whom he doth kill.
“The counsel's true that came from you,
“But prudence now is flown;
“For in my mind, of womankind
“I love but you alone.”
“So true a heart as mine;
“What I did hear was modest fear,
“Which makes thee more divine.
“Oh, lovely Jane! it is but vain
“To strive with Cupid's will;
“For, as we find, the boy is blind,
“Nor heeds whom he doth kill.
“The counsel's true that came from you,
“But prudence now is flown;
“For in my mind, of womankind
“I love but you alone.”
‘Yet think, I pray, what men will say,
‘To see so great an earl
‘Swear truth to me, of mean degree,
‘The daughter of a churl:
‘My very name is slurr'd by shame;
‘My father was a chief
‘Of robbers dire, and did expire
‘On gallows as a thief.
‘Since it be so, I pray thee go,
‘For I had rather than
‘Bring shame on you, still live and do
‘Just as a poor woman.’
‘To see so great an earl
‘Swear truth to me, of mean degree,
‘The daughter of a churl:
‘My very name is slurr'd by shame;
‘My father was a chief
‘Of robbers dire, and did expire
‘On gallows as a thief.
‘Since it be so, I pray thee go,
‘For I had rather than
‘Bring shame on you, still live and do
‘Just as a poor woman.’
158
“What matters this, our mortal bliss
“Is but a passing shade;
“If all were led by what men said,
“How ev'ry joy would fade:
“I grieve, 'tis true, your sire should do
“A crime, which thus did draw
“Upon his head the sentence dread,
“And punishment of law:
“But since in thee no guilt I see,
“His sin is all his own;
“So to my mind, of womankind
“I love but you alone.”
“Is but a passing shade;
“If all were led by what men said,
“How ev'ry joy would fade:
“I grieve, 'tis true, your sire should do
“A crime, which thus did draw
“Upon his head the sentence dread,
“And punishment of law:
“But since in thee no guilt I see,
“His sin is all his own;
“So to my mind, of womankind
“I love but you alone.”
‘Since this won't do, I tell you true,
‘I ne'er your wife will prove;
‘'Twere sin to feign, so to be plain,
‘You cannot gain my love;
‘For to my sight, a fiend of night
‘Would far more welcome be;
‘Since in my soul doth hate control,
‘So think no more of me.
‘'Tis strange, I own, that I alone
‘Should shun so great a man;
‘Yet rather I would live and die
‘A sad and poor woman.’
‘I ne'er your wife will prove;
‘'Twere sin to feign, so to be plain,
‘You cannot gain my love;
‘For to my sight, a fiend of night
‘Would far more welcome be;
‘Since in my soul doth hate control,
‘So think no more of me.
‘'Tis strange, I own, that I alone
‘Should shun so great a man;
‘Yet rather I would live and die
‘A sad and poor woman.’
159
“Oh, cruel case! thou shalt erase
“The words which thou didst say;
“I'll be thy slave, till in the grave
“My griefs shall fade away:
“My constant heart shall play a part
“So tender and so true,
“That thou wilt feel, and soon reveal,
“For him who pines for you,
“The pitying sigh; while from thine eye
“Will tears flow many a one;
“For in my mind, of womankind
“I love but you alone.”
“The words which thou didst say;
“I'll be thy slave, till in the grave
“My griefs shall fade away:
“My constant heart shall play a part
“So tender and so true,
“That thou wilt feel, and soon reveal,
“For him who pines for you,
“The pitying sigh; while from thine eye
“Will tears flow many a one;
“For in my mind, of womankind
“I love but you alone.”
‘Why do I hear thee persevere,
‘And thine undoing seek?
‘Thy constancy perplexeth me,
‘For still I needs must speak:
‘I must impart, that my poor heart
‘Hath sworn eternal truth;
‘And ne'er will be from bondage free,
‘So much I love the youth;
‘Though he hath fled, and since is wed,
‘And prov'd his guileful plan;
‘Yet I must still my love fulfil,
‘And live a lone woman.’
‘And thine undoing seek?
‘Thy constancy perplexeth me,
‘For still I needs must speak:
‘I must impart, that my poor heart
‘Hath sworn eternal truth;
‘And ne'er will be from bondage free,
‘So much I love the youth;
‘Though he hath fled, and since is wed,
‘And prov'd his guileful plan;
‘Yet I must still my love fulfil,
‘And live a lone woman.’
160
“Since you allow his marriage vow,
“His hatred he has shown;
“Why should not you his plan pursue,
“And make his act your own?
“He laughs to scorn your fate forlorn,
“And lives for others' charms.
“Then let me bless, with tenderness,
“And lull your heart's alarms;
“Then you shall see, that constancy
“Will soothe your woes anon;
“For in my mind, of womankind
“I love but you alone.”
“His hatred he has shown;
“Why should not you his plan pursue,
“And make his act your own?
“He laughs to scorn your fate forlorn,
“And lives for others' charms.
“Then let me bless, with tenderness,
“And lull your heart's alarms;
“Then you shall see, that constancy
“Will soothe your woes anon;
“For in my mind, of womankind
“I love but you alone.”
‘Oh! if indeed I were to heed
‘The counsel thou didst give,
‘I then should shun the daily sun,
‘And wish no more to live.
‘By God's command, the angel's hand
‘My guilt would soon correct;
‘The vow I made must be obey'd,
‘None dare the Lord neglect.
“In convent I must live and die,
‘Let me do all I can;
‘For thus I said, when my love fled
‘His wretched lone woman.’
‘The counsel thou didst give,
‘I then should shun the daily sun,
‘And wish no more to live.
‘By God's command, the angel's hand
‘My guilt would soon correct;
‘The vow I made must be obey'd,
‘None dare the Lord neglect.
“In convent I must live and die,
‘Let me do all I can;
‘For thus I said, when my love fled
‘His wretched lone woman.’
161
“Oh! yet there's hope, for to the Pope
“Of gold a store I'll take;
“He will undo the vow which you
“In passion thus did make;
“Then, free from oath, thy plighted troth
“May bliss impart to me;
“And then, I trust, my passion must
“Claim tenderness from thee:
“Then say not no, but let me go
“Unto the pontiff's throne;
“For, in my mind, of womankind
“I love but you alone.”
“Of gold a store I'll take;
“He will undo the vow which you
“In passion thus did make;
“Then, free from oath, thy plighted troth
“May bliss impart to me;
“And then, I trust, my passion must
“Claim tenderness from thee:
“Then say not no, but let me go
“Unto the pontiff's throne;
“For, in my mind, of womankind
“I love but you alone.”
‘Dire bitterness! must I confess,
‘To change thy constant heart,
‘That to his arms I gave these charms,
‘And play'd the wanton's part;
‘That he full oft his dalliance soft
‘Repeated o'er and o'er,
‘When I by night desir'd his sight,
‘And sought his chamber door:
‘So learn from hence no innocence
‘Within this breast you'll find;
‘Not all your pain can cleanse the stain—
‘I'm worst of womankind.’
‘To change thy constant heart,
‘That to his arms I gave these charms,
‘And play'd the wanton's part;
‘That he full oft his dalliance soft
‘Repeated o'er and o'er,
‘When I by night desir'd his sight,
‘And sought his chamber door:
‘So learn from hence no innocence
‘Within this breast you'll find;
‘Not all your pain can cleanse the stain—
‘I'm worst of womankind.’
162
“'Twas fleshly lust that urg'd you first
“To swerve from virtue's rule;
“A heart, I'm sure, may still be pure,
“Though once it play'd the fool:
“Now, by the Lord! no taunting word
“Shall rouse the past distress;
“In spight of all, nought can enthrall
“The love which I profess:
“No rooted vice could thus entice
“A soul like mine to own,
“That, in my mind, of womankind
“I still love you alone.”
“To swerve from virtue's rule;
“A heart, I'm sure, may still be pure,
“Though once it play'd the fool:
“Now, by the Lord! no taunting word
“Shall rouse the past distress;
“In spight of all, nought can enthrall
“The love which I profess:
“No rooted vice could thus entice
“A soul like mine to own,
“That, in my mind, of womankind
“I still love you alone.”
‘Since it is so, farewell to woe!
‘Thus true love I have known;
‘Attend, great earl, I am no churl,
‘No tainted stock I own;
‘I never knew a love untrue,
‘Nor swore to God an oath;
‘This guiltless heart to play the part
‘Of wanton would be loath:
‘So prosper love, as I shall prove
‘As tender as I can;
‘For I avow I love thee now,
‘And am no vile woman.’
‘Thus true love I have known;
‘Attend, great earl, I am no churl,
‘No tainted stock I own;
‘I never knew a love untrue,
‘Nor swore to God an oath;
‘This guiltless heart to play the part
‘Of wanton would be loath:
‘So prosper love, as I shall prove
‘As tender as I can;
‘For I avow I love thee now,
‘And am no vile woman.’
163
“What words are those, that did disclose
“Such tidings to mine ear?
“And may I trust thy speech was just,
“And claim thee for my dear?
“Oh! speak, unveil the wond'rous tale,
“That mads with joy my brain;
“Dispel from me this mystery,
“And vouch the truth again;
“So shall I prove, that heavenly love
“From truth has never flown;
“For, in my mind, of womankind
“I love but you alone.”
“Such tidings to mine ear?
“And may I trust thy speech was just,
“And claim thee for my dear?
“Oh! speak, unveil the wond'rous tale,
“That mads with joy my brain;
“Dispel from me this mystery,
“And vouch the truth again;
“So shall I prove, that heavenly love
“From truth has never flown;
“For, in my mind, of womankind
“I love but you alone.”
‘This is the case:—that men are base
‘I heard when I was young;
‘Of this aware, I took good care
‘To shun the flatt'rer's tongue;
‘But when to court thou didst resort,
‘By love I was betray'd;
‘So in disguise, before your eyes
‘Thus artfully I play'd,
‘To see if you in love were true,
‘Or like another man;
‘So you've beguil'd your monarch's child,
‘And not a base woman.’
‘I heard when I was young;
‘Of this aware, I took good care
‘To shun the flatt'rer's tongue;
‘But when to court thou didst resort,
‘By love I was betray'd;
‘So in disguise, before your eyes
‘Thus artfully I play'd,
‘To see if you in love were true,
‘Or like another man;
‘So you've beguil'd your monarch's child,
‘And not a base woman.’
164
“It is but vain that we complain,
“For true love still will bless;
“Yet, mine heart dear! my bosom's fear
“To you I must confess;
“For should your sire, in wrathful ire,
“Our hearts' warm love deny,
“Oh! then shall we for ever be
“Condemn'd to pine and die;
“For God above, who sanctions love,
“And reigns on chrystal throne,
“He knows this mind, of womankind
“Exists for you alone.”
“For true love still will bless;
“Yet, mine heart dear! my bosom's fear
“To you I must confess;
“For should your sire, in wrathful ire,
“Our hearts' warm love deny,
“Oh! then shall we for ever be
“Condemn'd to pine and die;
“For God above, who sanctions love,
“And reigns on chrystal throne,
“He knows this mind, of womankind
“Exists for you alone.”
‘Dispel thy dread—my sire hath said,
‘That I in this was free,
‘So I but prov'd the man I lov'd
‘In all was worthy me.’
So on his child the monarch smil'd,
When he the tidings knew;
And call'd him son, who thus had won
By love so tried and true.
By this we see, such constancy
May dwell among mankind,
As erst display'd the Nut Brown Maid
Most true of womankind.
‘That I in this was free,
‘So I but prov'd the man I lov'd
‘In all was worthy me.’
So on his child the monarch smil'd,
When he the tidings knew;
And call'd him son, who thus had won
By love so tried and true.
By this we see, such constancy
May dwell among mankind,
As erst display'd the Nut Brown Maid
Most true of womankind.
| Rhapsodies | |