The poetical works of John Nicholson ... Carefully edited from the original editions, with additional notes and a sketch of his life and writings. By W. G. Hird |
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ELWOOD AND ELVINA. |
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 | The poetical works of John Nicholson |  |
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ELWOOD AND ELVINA.
PART I.
When York and Lancaster, enraged,
Contended for the crown,
And brothers furiously engaged
To cut their kindred down;
Contended for the crown,
And brothers furiously engaged
To cut their kindred down;
The flags with roses white and red,
Waved wildly on the gale,
And many a noble warrior laid
Deep wounded, cold, and pale.
Waved wildly on the gale,
And many a noble warrior laid
Deep wounded, cold, and pale.
Then devastation, fierce and dread,
Ran frantic in the field,
And rage uplifted ev'ry arm,
As all refused to yield.
Ran frantic in the field,
And rage uplifted ev'ry arm,
As all refused to yield.
Then did young Elwood first appear,
A valiant noble knight,
With cuirass, helmet, shield, and spear,
Well armed for the fight.
A valiant noble knight,
With cuirass, helmet, shield, and spear,
Well armed for the fight.
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Upon his sable foaming steed
He gallantly could ride,
And with his sword, at swiftest speed,
The leaden ball divide.
He gallantly could ride,
And with his sword, at swiftest speed,
The leaden ball divide.
The fierce black troop of Craven horse,
Was Elwood's to command,
And they were dauntless youths as took
The sword or spear in hand.
Was Elwood's to command,
And they were dauntless youths as took
The sword or spear in hand.
Each warrior, in a coat of mail,
Like mighty Hector stood,
The lion couchant on each helm,
With feet deep dyed in blood.
Like mighty Hector stood,
The lion couchant on each helm,
With feet deep dyed in blood.
Upon their shields the eagle spread
Its wings extended far,
And underneath its talons laid
The implements of war.
Its wings extended far,
And underneath its talons laid
The implements of war.
Caparisoned in links of wire,
The sable chargers pranced;
Their nostrils smoked, their eyes were fire,
As they impatient danced
The sable chargers pranced;
Their nostrils smoked, their eyes were fire,
As they impatient danced
To the shrill trumpet's piercing sound;
And from the silvered rein,
Tossed in the air the foam around,
While prancing o'er the plain.
And from the silvered rein,
Tossed in the air the foam around,
While prancing o'er the plain.
114
Firm as their native rocks the line,—
The terror of their foes;
And on their breastplates bright did shine,
In polished steel, the rose.
The terror of their foes;
And on their breastplates bright did shine,
In polished steel, the rose.
Such was the troop young Elwood led,
From his old castle strong,
Where the fair partner of his bed
Was praised in ev'ry song.
From his old castle strong,
Where the fair partner of his bed
Was praised in ev'ry song.
Sprung from an ancient line was she,
Young, handsome, chaste, and fair;
The richest glow of modesty
In all her blushes were.
Young, handsome, chaste, and fair;
The richest glow of modesty
In all her blushes were.
Whene'er he led his warriors o'er
The hills, to watch the foe,
She numbered ev'ry lengthened hour,
And thought the moments slow.
The hills, to watch the foe,
She numbered ev'ry lengthened hour,
And thought the moments slow.
Upon the tow'r she often stood,
His horse's hoofs to hear;
And often thought the field of blood,
With all its terrors, near;
His horse's hoofs to hear;
And often thought the field of blood,
With all its terrors, near;
Or thought she heard the trumpet shrill
Re-echo down the streams,
Or saw their armour on the hill
Reflect the lurid beams.
Re-echo down the streams,
Or saw their armour on the hill
Reflect the lurid beams.
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Each foot she heard approach the hall,
Struck terror to her breast;
She thought the news of Elwood's fall
Was in the sounds expressed.
Struck terror to her breast;
She thought the news of Elwood's fall
Was in the sounds expressed.
Thus she, in tears, with many a sigh,
Upon the tow'r would wait,
And when she heard her warrior nigh,
Run swiftly to the gate.
Upon the tow'r would wait,
And when she heard her warrior nigh,
Run swiftly to the gate.
Glad beat her heart when she beheld,
By torches burning bright,
The shining eagle on his shield
Reflect the varying light.
By torches burning bright,
The shining eagle on his shield
Reflect the varying light.
She crossed her breast, her hands she raised,
Too happy then to mourn;
With joyful heart the Virgin praised,
For Elwood's safe return.
Too happy then to mourn;
With joyful heart the Virgin praised,
For Elwood's safe return.
Young Reginald, a noble knight,
Rode on his charger there;
And on a steed of purest white,
Sat Agatha the fair.
Rode on his charger there;
And on a steed of purest white,
Sat Agatha the fair.
Great Reginald's loved sister she,
From famed Romilli sprung;
And oft in rural minstrelsy
Was this chaste beauty sung.
From famed Romilli sprung;
And oft in rural minstrelsy
Was this chaste beauty sung.
116
Behind, in brilliant armour dressed,
The noble troop advanced,
The moonbeams glittered on each crest,
And on their armour danced.
The noble troop advanced,
The moonbeams glittered on each crest,
And on their armour danced.
Elvina's friends, a lovely train,
Stood waiting for the brave;
Welcomed their kindred back again,
Nor found one left a slave.
Stood waiting for the brave;
Welcomed their kindred back again,
Nor found one left a slave.
In some wild ancient warlike air,
The instruments combined;
The sounds re-echoing all around,
In imitation joined.
The instruments combined;
The sounds re-echoing all around,
In imitation joined.
The warriors from their horses sprung,
To join the evening's sport,
Their heavy, clanging armour rung
Around the spacious court.
To join the evening's sport,
Their heavy, clanging armour rung
Around the spacious court.
The neighing steeds pranced loftily,
To martial music sweet,
And sparks of fire like lightning flew,
Beneath the chargers' feet.
To martial music sweet,
And sparks of fire like lightning flew,
Beneath the chargers' feet.
And soon the feast the heroes graced,
Renowned in deed and word:
No foreign dainties then were placed
Upon a warrior's board.
Renowned in deed and word:
No foreign dainties then were placed
Upon a warrior's board.
117
Around the room the arms were hung,
Of ancient warriors bold:
The native bards their battles sung,
And all their actions told.
Of ancient warriors bold:
The native bards their battles sung,
And all their actions told.
There was the armour Percy bore,
On the contested field;
His sword hung there, all rusted o'er,
And there his mighty shield.
On the contested field;
His sword hung there, all rusted o'er,
And there his mighty shield.
There helms and breastplates, black with age,
Where many a shaft had broke,
And there an ancient coat of mail,
Deep marked with many a stroke.
Where many a shaft had broke,
And there an ancient coat of mail,
Deep marked with many a stroke.
Old banners, which the Scottish chiefs
Had in the battles borne,
By sword, by battle-axe, and spears,
Were into tatters torn.
Had in the battles borne,
By sword, by battle-axe, and spears,
Were into tatters torn.
No wainscot then adorned the hall,
Nor various coloured paint,
But on the cornice, rudely carved,
The head of many a saint.
Nor various coloured paint,
But on the cornice, rudely carved,
The head of many a saint.
Crosses and holy reliques rare,
Above the arms did shine,
Which ancient knights had brought with care
From distant Palestine.
Above the arms did shine,
Which ancient knights had brought with care
From distant Palestine.
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The table was of marble white,
No fine-wrought cloth was there;
And sappling cans, all polished bright,
Contained the sparkling beer.
No fine-wrought cloth was there;
And sappling cans, all polished bright,
Contained the sparkling beer.
Next came the wine and festive joys,
As Elwood led the dance,
And thoughtless of his piercing eyes,
To Agatha did glance.
As Elwood led the dance,
And thoughtless of his piercing eyes,
To Agatha did glance.
Elvina saw,—and deeply felt
Passions unknown before;
And from that night her peace, her joy,
And nuptial bliss were o'er.
Passions unknown before;
And from that night her peace, her joy,
And nuptial bliss were o'er.
The dancing ceased, the song began,
As bards swept o'er the lyre;
And nectar from each sappling can,
Did ev'ry breast inspire.
As bards swept o'er the lyre;
And nectar from each sappling can,
Did ev'ry breast inspire.
Soft sounded first the sweetest chords,
And love was in the song:
The music, suited to the words,
Ran smooth and soft along.
And love was in the song:
The music, suited to the words,
Ran smooth and soft along.
As when upon the Æolian strings
The summer zephyrs play,
And sylvan echoes, on their wings,
The cadence bear away.
The summer zephyrs play,
And sylvan echoes, on their wings,
The cadence bear away.
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But when to bolder music turned,
Then glowed the martial fire;
And every breast with valour burned,
As glory swept the lyre!
Then glowed the martial fire;
And every breast with valour burned,
As glory swept the lyre!
They sung their noble fathers' words,
Spoke with their dying breath;
The warriors vowed, and drew their swords,
They would avenge their death.
Spoke with their dying breath;
The warriors vowed, and drew their swords,
They would avenge their death.
The bards beheld their frantic rage,
The song half finish'd stopp'd;
The swords uplifted to engage,
Were in an instant dropp'd.
The song half finish'd stopp'd;
The swords uplifted to engage,
Were in an instant dropp'd.
Such pow'r had ancient bards to raise
The passions in the breast,
Or with the magic of their lays,
To soothe them into rest.
The passions in the breast,
Or with the magic of their lays,
To soothe them into rest.
PART II.
But when appeared the rosy morn,
It showed their haughty foes;
They knew them by their horses grey,
And by the crimson rose.
It showed their haughty foes;
They knew them by their horses grey,
And by the crimson rose.
120
“To horse!—to horse!” brave Elwood cried,
His warriors heard the words;
“To horse!” the neighbouring woods replied,
As they buckled on their swords.
His warriors heard the words;
“To horse!” the neighbouring woods replied,
As they buckled on their swords.
The ladies wept, and wild despair
Marked with a deadly white,
The face of ev'ry beauteous fair,
That loved a noble knight.
Marked with a deadly white,
The face of ev'ry beauteous fair,
That loved a noble knight.
But, nor despair, nor sighs, nor tears,
Could make the warriors stay;
The trumpet sounds—the foe appears,—
And glory leads the way!
Could make the warriors stay;
The trumpet sounds—the foe appears,—
And glory leads the way!
Then Elwood, with his little band,
Undaunted, brave, and bold,
Met in the battle, hand to hand,
His numbers three times told.
Undaunted, brave, and bold,
Met in the battle, hand to hand,
His numbers three times told.
In the first charge, like brazen walls,
The hostile warriors stood:
Though swords are broke, no warrior falls,
Nor stains the earth with blood.
The hostile warriors stood:
Though swords are broke, no warrior falls,
Nor stains the earth with blood.
But when again the warriors met,
So furious was the fray,—
The field of death with gore was wet,
Where foes and kindred lay!
So furious was the fray,—
The field of death with gore was wet,
Where foes and kindred lay!
121
The plumes from Elwood's helmet fell,
With one gigantic stroke;
But at his foe he aimed so well,
His sable helmet broke.
With one gigantic stroke;
But at his foe he aimed so well,
His sable helmet broke.
Lifeless he fell—the Yorkists saw
The blood stream through his crest;
Then death succeeded ev'ry blow,
And vict'ry fired each breast!
The blood stream through his crest;
Then death succeeded ev'ry blow,
And vict'ry fired each breast!
Nor less enraged the adverse side,
For, as the earth they pressed,
They gave a death-blow ere they died
Through many a charger's breast.
For, as the earth they pressed,
They gave a death-blow ere they died
Through many a charger's breast.
Though thrice surrounded by their foes,
Yet thrice they cut their way,
And thrice they charged o'er the place,
Where horse and rider lay.
Yet thrice they cut their way,
And thrice they charged o'er the place,
Where horse and rider lay.
The red rose dropped—away they fled!—
No sons of York pursued;
For when they saw such numbers dead,
Their fury was subdued.
No sons of York pursued;
For when they saw such numbers dead,
Their fury was subdued.
Dreadful to hear the piercing cries
Of youth who firm had stood,
Death making dim their sparkling eyes,
And drinking fast their blood!
Of youth who firm had stood,
Death making dim their sparkling eyes,
And drinking fast their blood!
122
Each, when the helmets were removed,
Beheld relations near,
And old acquaintance whom they loved,
Or brother wounded there.
Beheld relations near,
And old acquaintance whom they loved,
Or brother wounded there.
Brave Reginald gave this command,
When ev'ry foe had fled:
“The wounded to my castle bear,
“And lay in earth the dead.”
When ev'ry foe had fled:
“The wounded to my castle bear,
“And lay in earth the dead.”
Her absent lord Elvina mourned;
Her breast was filled with fear;
Her love to deepest torture turned,—
Suspense and wild despair.
Her breast was filled with fear;
Her love to deepest torture turned,—
Suspense and wild despair.
She thought she saw Agatha smile,
And then she heard her sigh;
Then thought her gallant warrior false,
Yet had no reason why.
And then she heard her sigh;
Then thought her gallant warrior false,
Yet had no reason why.
She called for food, but could not taste,
Nor had she pow'r to drink;
But often to the rock-edged flood
She wandered wild to think.
Nor had she pow'r to drink;
But often to the rock-edged flood
She wandered wild to think.
Her shadow in the deep below,
Presented to her sight
Features deep marked with grief and woe,
And changed to deadly white.
Presented to her sight
Features deep marked with grief and woe,
And changed to deadly white.
123
But night approached,—a night of storms,—
Elvina's bosom beat;
Love conjured up a thousand forms,
And showed the lovers met.
Elvina's bosom beat;
Love conjured up a thousand forms,
And showed the lovers met.
She thought she heard her Elwood say,—
“Oh! were Elvina cold,
“Agatha should appear more gay,
“In brilliant gems and gold!”
“Oh! were Elvina cold,
“Agatha should appear more gay,
“In brilliant gems and gold!”
Her cloak she took, and wrapped it round
A breast surcharged with pain,
Regardless of the thunder's sound,
The lightnings, wind, and rain.
A breast surcharged with pain,
Regardless of the thunder's sound,
The lightnings, wind, and rain.
The boughs upon the lofty oaks
Creaked with the tempest blast;
And white with foam the rapid burn,
O'er which Elvina passed.
Creaked with the tempest blast;
And white with foam the rapid burn,
O'er which Elvina passed.
Ashamed to tell her grief and pain,—
The anguish which she felt;
But firm resolved the tow'rs to gain,
Where her fair rival dwelt.
The anguish which she felt;
But firm resolved the tow'rs to gain,
Where her fair rival dwelt.
She hasted on the slipp'ry way,
Her warrior lord to meet,
Resolving at the gates to stay
To hear the charger's feet.
Her warrior lord to meet,
Resolving at the gates to stay
To hear the charger's feet.
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And if she saw him turn aside
At the suspected gate,
Death from her dagger's point should leap,
And on her rival wait.
At the suspected gate,
Death from her dagger's point should leap,
And on her rival wait.
The thunder deep, still louder grew,
Within a darker cloud,
The storm across the zenith threw,
As though 'twas Nature's shroud.
Within a darker cloud,
The storm across the zenith threw,
As though 'twas Nature's shroud.
And for a torch amid the gloom,
To make the scene more dread,
The lightnings burst in ev'ry form
Around Elvina's head.
To make the scene more dread,
The lightnings burst in ev'ry form
Around Elvina's head.
The tempest was too fierce to last,
And soon the winds were still;
But the red lightning often flashed
High o'er the eastern hill;
And soon the winds were still;
But the red lightning often flashed
High o'er the eastern hill;
Which showed the castle's tow'rs in view,
And the ancient abbey near,
The statues, tombs, and sable yew,—
The residence of fear.
And the ancient abbey near,
The statues, tombs, and sable yew,—
The residence of fear.
But not a fear Elvina felt,
Even in the darkest shade,
For from the tyrant, Jealousy,
All softer passions fled,
Even in the darkest shade,
For from the tyrant, Jealousy,
All softer passions fled,
125
When first she trod the Roman way,
She met a solemn train,
And pale upon the litters lay
The corses of the slain.
She met a solemn train,
And pale upon the litters lay
The corses of the slain.
A small dim torch a mourner bore,
To light them to the grave,
And faint the light it just shed o'er
The features of the brave.
To light them to the grave,
And faint the light it just shed o'er
The features of the brave.
Elvina stood, and trembling shook,
From her eyes gushed forth the tear,
As she to the last warrior spoke,
And asked—“Is Elwood here?”
From her eyes gushed forth the tear,
As she to the last warrior spoke,
And asked—“Is Elwood here?”
He turn'd around with looks of ire,
And not a word expressed,
Nor told her if the bloody bier
Her noble Elwood pressed.
And not a word expressed,
Nor told her if the bloody bier
Her noble Elwood pressed.
The rattling of the chargers' feet,
Advancing, next she hears;
Hope, joy, and grief together meet,
Contending for her tears.
Advancing, next she hears;
Hope, joy, and grief together meet,
Contending for her tears.
Weeping, the castle's gate she gained,
With yew-trees shaded round;
But there she stood not long concealed,
Ere she heard the trumpet's sound.
With yew-trees shaded round;
But there she stood not long concealed,
Ere she heard the trumpet's sound.
126
As down the deep and rocky vale
The piercing echoes fly,
She hears they are the joyful sounds
Of Elwood's victory.
The piercing echoes fly,
She hears they are the joyful sounds
Of Elwood's victory.
The ladies from the castle came,
And Agatha was there;
But, innocent, she felt no shame,
Nor thought Elvina near.
And Agatha was there;
But, innocent, she felt no shame,
Nor thought Elvina near.
The warriors were with trophies hung,
And many a silver shield
Against the brazen scabbards rung,
Brought from the gory field.
And many a silver shield
Against the brazen scabbards rung,
Brought from the gory field.
A day of sports it should have been;
But when their foes they met,
To war was changed the sportive scene,—
The field with gore was wet.
But when their foes they met,
To war was changed the sportive scene,—
The field with gore was wet.
Brave Reginald received a wound,
And, in the rear, asleep,
They bear him, weak—his warriors round,
Walk slowly on, and weep.
And, in the rear, asleep,
They bear him, weak—his warriors round,
Walk slowly on, and weep.
When Agatha young Elwood saw,
“Where's Reginald?” she cried,
“Doth he lie bleeding on the field?—
“Oh!—tell me how he died!”
“Where's Reginald?” she cried,
“Doth he lie bleeding on the field?—
“Oh!—tell me how he died!”
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“Your brother lives—all may be well:”
He spoke it with a sigh;
And, swooning, to the earth she fell,
As they bore her brother by.
He spoke it with a sigh;
And, swooning, to the earth she fell,
As they bore her brother by.
Though victory crowned the hard-fought day,
Yet dear that victory cost;
For, in the well-contested fight,
They many a warrior lost.
Yet dear that victory cost;
For, in the well-contested fight,
They many a warrior lost.
But Reginald revives again,—
His hand to Elwood gives;
And each reviving heart is glad
That the wounded warrior lives.
His hand to Elwood gives;
And each reviving heart is glad
That the wounded warrior lives.
Spontaneous bursts the loud huzza!
The castle walls resound;
Though Reginald could scarcely join,
He waved his helmet round.
The castle walls resound;
Though Reginald could scarcely join,
He waved his helmet round.
“Farewell!” he then to Elwood said,
“I know you cannot stay,
“You must inform Elvina fair,
“Of this eventful day.”
“I know you cannot stay,
“You must inform Elvina fair,
“Of this eventful day.”
Then Elwood, turning from his friend,
Wished him a peaceful night,
And soon was hid in the dark shade,
Far from the torches' light.
Wished him a peaceful night,
And soon was hid in the dark shade,
Far from the torches' light.
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Elvina takes a nearer way,
Ashamed of jealous care,
She hopes to gain the castle tow'r,
Before her lord be there.
Ashamed of jealous care,
She hopes to gain the castle tow'r,
Before her lord be there.
But as she walked the dubious way,
Along the rocky height,
A misty cloud enwraps her round,
And makes a two-fold night.
Along the rocky height,
A misty cloud enwraps her round,
And makes a two-fold night.
A light appears—at which she aims,
But fatal was its glow;
From the high precipice she drops,
Among the rocks below!
But fatal was its glow;
From the high precipice she drops,
Among the rocks below!
No weeping virgins round her stood,
No faithful husband near,—
No hand to stop the streaming blood,
Nor priest to hear her pray'r.
No faithful husband near,—
No hand to stop the streaming blood,
Nor priest to hear her pray'r.
Until the peasant passing by,
Who bore the fatal light,
Beholds her in the cliff below
By her jewels glitt'ring bright.
Who bore the fatal light,
Beholds her in the cliff below
By her jewels glitt'ring bright.
For help he heard her faintly cry,
In plaintive tones of woe,
But scarce could hear her feeble voice,
For the rapid brook below.
In plaintive tones of woe,
But scarce could hear her feeble voice,
For the rapid brook below.
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Then down the rocks he swiftly passed,
To give his utmost aid;
He found her wounds were streaming fast,
While fervently she prayed.
To give his utmost aid;
He found her wounds were streaming fast,
While fervently she prayed.
Then he unto the castle hastes,
The fatal news to bear;
But words could never yet express
The grief and anguish there.
The fatal news to bear;
But words could never yet express
The grief and anguish there.
They mourn the lady good and fair,
The best of womankind,—
One single fault alone she had,
And that a jealous mind.
The best of womankind,—
One single fault alone she had,
And that a jealous mind.
Oh! what a piteous sight it was,
When Elwood saw her dead!
Distraction seized his noble mind,
And hope and reason fled.
When Elwood saw her dead!
Distraction seized his noble mind,
And hope and reason fled.
They laid her in the ancient tomb;
The priests were filled with fear,
Lest she had shortened much her days,
They scarce would read a pray'r.
The priests were filled with fear,
Lest she had shortened much her days,
They scarce would read a pray'r.
Brave Elwood there no more could stay,
But took his sword and shield;
And with his warriors rode away,
To seek th' embattled field.
But took his sword and shield;
And with his warriors rode away,
To seek th' embattled field.
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He in the dreadful conflict fought,
On Hexham's bloody plain;
And when for him his warriors sought,
They found him 'mongst the slain.
On Hexham's bloody plain;
And when for him his warriors sought,
They found him 'mongst the slain.
| The poetical works of John Nicholson | |