A Mirror of Faith Lays and Legends of the Church in England. By the Rev. J. M. Neale |
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| IX. | IX.
S. Eadburga's Choice.
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| XXVIII. |
| XXX. |
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| XXXIX. |
| XL. |
 | A Mirror of Faith |  |
IX. S. Eadburga's Choice.
A.D. 924.
31
King Edward rose from matins,
And Eadburga smil'd
As through the royal chamber
He led his fair-hair'd child;
The chamber, where the treasures
Of ancient monarchs lay;
The people's willing tribute,
The foeman's ravished prey.
And Eadburga smil'd
As through the royal chamber
He led his fair-hair'd child;
The chamber, where the treasures
Of ancient monarchs lay;
The people's willing tribute,
The foeman's ravished prey.
And there was many a casket,
Right glorious to behold;
And there was many a goblet
Carved out in solid gold;
And many a gaud of silver,
And many a princely vest,
And many an Eastern jewel
That maiden loveth best.
Right glorious to behold;
And there was many a goblet
Carved out in solid gold;
And many a gaud of silver,
And many a princely vest,
And many an Eastern jewel
That maiden loveth best.
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But passing these, a chalice
The little princess eyed,
And, writ in golden letters,
A parchment by its side;
And out spake good King Edward,
‘Now God be blessed for this!
My daughter, thou, like Mary,
Hast made the choice of bliss!’
The little princess eyed,
And, writ in golden letters,
A parchment by its side;
And out spake good King Edward,
‘Now God be blessed for this!
My daughter, thou, like Mary,
Hast made the choice of bliss!’
They fought for merry England,
The Saxon and the Dane,
Beneath the royal banners
Of Edmund and of Sweyn:
But war can ne'er affright her,
But foes can ne'er assail;
For fair-hair'd Eadburga
Hath ta'en the holy veil!
The Saxon and the Dane,
Beneath the royal banners
Of Edmund and of Sweyn:
But war can ne'er affright her,
But foes can ne'er assail;
For fair-hair'd Eadburga
Hath ta'en the holy veil!
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