And he, recovering sense, upon her breast
Leans smilingly, and sinks into a perfect rest.

There too we read of Spenser's fairy themes,
And those that Milton loved in youthful years;
The sage enchanter Merlin's subtle schemes;
The feats of Arthur and his knightly peers;
Of Arthur, who, to upper light restored,
With that terrific sword

Which yet he wields in subterranean war,
Shall lift his country's fame above the polar star!

What wonder, then, if in such ample field
Of old tradition, one particular flower
Doth seemingly in vain its fragrance yield,
And bloom unnoticed even to this late hour?
Now, gentle Muses, your assistance grant,
While I this flower transplant

Into a garden stored with Poesy;

Where flowers and herbs unite, and haply some weeds be, That, wanting not wild grace, are from all mischief free!

A KING more worthy of respect and love Than wise Gorbonian ruled not in his day; And grateful Britain prospered far above

All neighbouring countries through his righteous sway; He poured rewards and honours on the good;

The Oppressor he withstood;

And while he served the gods with reverence due Fields smiled, and temples rose, and towns and cities grew.

But how unworthy of such sire was he!
A hopeful reign, auspiciously begun,
Was darkened soon by foul iniquity.

From crime to crime he mounted, till at length
The nobles leagued their strength

With a vexed people, and the tyrant chased;
And, on the vacant throne, his worthier Brother placed.

From realm to realm the humbled Exile went,

Suppliant for aid his kingdom to regain;

In many a court, and many a warrior's tent,
He urged his persevering suit in vain.

Him, in whose wretched heart ambition failed,

Dire poverty assailed;

And, tired with slights which he no more could brook, Towards his native soil he cast a longing look.

Fair blew the wished-for wind

-

the voyage sped;

He landed; and, by many dangers scared, "Poorly provided, poorly followèd,"

To Calaterium's forest he repaired.

How changed from him who, born to highest place, Had swayed the royal mace,

Flattered and feared, despised yet deified,

In Troynovant, his seat by silver Thames's side!

From that wild region where the crownless king
Lay in concealment with his scanty train,
Supporting life by water from the spring,
And such chance food as outlaws can obtain,
Unto the few whom he esteems his friends
A messenger he sends;

And from their secret loyalty requires

Shelter and daily bread, the amount of his desires.

While he the issue waits, at early morn
Wandering by stealth abroad, he chanced to hear
A startling outcry made by hound and horn,
From which the tusky boar hath fled in fear;
And, scouring toward him o'er the grassy plain,
Behold the hunter train!

He bids his little company advance

With seeming unconcern and steady countenance.

The royal Elidure, who leads the chase,
Hath checked his foaming courser Can it be!
Methinks that I should recognise that face,
Though much disguised by long adversity!
He gazed rejoicing, and again he gazed,
Confounded and amazed

"It is the king, my brother!" and, by sound

Of his own voice confirmed, he leaps upon the ground.

Long, strict, and tender was the embrace he gave,
Feebly returned by daunted Artegal;
Whose natural affection doubts enslave,
And apprehensions dark and criminal.
Loth to restrain the moving interview,
The attendant lords withdrew;

And, while they stood upon the plain apart,

Thus Elidure, by words, relieved his struggling heart.

"By heavenly Powers conducted, we have met;

O Brother! to my knowledge lost so long, But neither lost to love, nor to regret,

Nor to my wishes lost;

forgive the wrong,

(Such it may seem) if I thy crown have borne,

Thy royal mantle worn:

I was their natural guardian; and 'tis just

That now I should restore what hath been held in trust."

A while the astonished Artegal stood mute,
Then thus exclaimed -"To me, of titles shorn,
And stripped of power! - me, feeble, destitute,

To me a kingdom!

spare the bitter scorn!

If justice ruled the breast of foreign kings,

Then, on the wide-spread wings

Of war, had I returned to claim my right;
This will I here avow, not dreading thy despite."

"I do not blame thee," Elidure replied;
"But, if my looks did with my words agree,
I should at once be trusted, not defied,

And thou from all disquietude be free.
May the unsullied Goddess of the chase,
Who to this blessed place

At this blest moment led me, if I speak

With insincere intent, on me her vengeance wreak!

"Were this same spear, which in my hand I grasp,
The British sceptre, here would I to thee
The symbol yield; and would undo this clasp,
If it confined the robe of sovereignty.

Odious to me the pomp of regal court,

And joyless sylvan sport,

While thou art roving, wretched and forlorn,
Thy couch the dewy earth, thy roof the forest thorn!"

Then Artegal thus spake "I only sought,

Within this realm a place of safe retreat;
Beware of rousing an ambitious thought;
Beware of kindling hopes, for me unmeet!
Thou art reputed wise, but in my mind
Art pitiably blind;

Full soon this generous purpose thou mayst rue,

When that which has been done no wishes can undo.

"Who, when a crown is fixed upon his head,
Would balance claim with claim, and right with right?
But thou - I know not how inspired, how led
Wouldst change the course of things in all men's sight!
And this for one who cannot imitate

Thy virtue, who may hate:

For, if, by such strange sacrifice restored,

He reign, thou still must be his king, and sovereign lord.

"Lifted in magnanimity above

Aught that my feeble nature could perform,
Or even conceive; surpassing me in love
Far as in power the eagle doth the worm;
I, Brother! only should be king in name,
And govern to my shame;

A shadow in a hated land, while all

Of glad or willing service to thy share would fall."

66

"Believe it not," said Elidure; respect

Awaits on virtuous life, and ever most
Attends on goodness with dominion decked,
Which stands the universal empire's boast;
This can thy own experience testify:
Nor shall thy foes deny

That, in the gracious opening of thy reign,
Our Father's spirit seemed in thee to breathe again.

"And what if o'er that bright unbosoming
Clouds of disgrace and envious fortune past!
Have we not seen the glories of the spring
By veil of noontide darkness overcast?
The frith that glittered like a warrior's shield,
The sky, the gay green field,

Are vanished; gladness ceases in the groves,

And trepidation strikes the blackened mountain coves.