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A book of Bristol sonnets

By H. D. Rawnsley

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ELEANOR DE MONTFORT
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


4

ELEANOR DE MONTFORT

IN BRISTOL CASTLE.

Fair Eleanor! how like to some fair thought
From its sweet purpose rudely snatched away,
With full wings entering the wished-for bay,
And there by churlish pirates spied and caught!
Though to captivity and silence brought,
And marred by noises, yet there comes a day
When, grown more perfect in its long delay,
From very chains a freer end is wrought!
For thou to thine espousèd Prince didst steer,
Thy quick sighs sped the lover-hearted sails,
Thy grey eyes gladder for the grey of Wales,
When rude men caught and rowed thee captive here!
But, grown to lovelier grace by Avon's side,
The doors did homage as they hailed thee— “Bride!”
 

Eleanor de Montfort, betrothed to Llewellyn, last Prince of Wales; taken prisoner when on her passage to Wales in 1275; imprisoned in Bristol Castle. Edward I. liberatod her, and attendod her wedding.