One of the "Poems of the Imagination."--ED.
High in the breathless Hall the Minstrel sate, And Emont's murmur mingled with the Song.-- The words of ancient time I thus translate, A festal strain that hath been silent long:--
"From town to town, from tower to tower, 5 The red rose is a gladsome flower. Her thirty years of winter past, The red rose is revived at last; She lifts her head for endless spring, For everlasting blossoming:[A] 10 Both roses flourish, red and white: In love and sisterly delight The two that were at strife are blended, And all old troubles[1] now are ended.-- Joy! joy to both! but most to her 15 Who is the flower of Lancaster! Behold her how She smiles to-day On this great throng, this bright array! Fair greeting doth she send to all From every corner of the hall; 20 But chiefly from above the board Where sits in state our rightful Lord, A Clifford to his own restored!
"They came with banner, spear, and shield; And it was proved in Bosworth-field. 25 Not long the Avenger was withstood-- Earth helped him with the cry of blood:[B] St George was for us, and the might Of blessed Angels crowned the right. Loud voice the Land has[2] uttered forth, 30 We loudest in the faithful north: Our fields rejoice, our mountains ring, Our streams proclaim a welcoming; Our strong-abodes and castles see The glory of their loyalty.[3] 35
"How glad is Skipton at this hour-- Though lonely, a deserted Tower;[4] Knight, squire, and yeoman, page and groom:[5] We have them at the feast of Brough'm. How glad Pendragon--though the sleep 40 Of years be on her!--She shall reap A taste of this great pleasure, viewing As in a dream her own renewing. Rejoiced is Brough, right glad I deem Beside her little humble stream; 45 And she that keepeth watch and ward Her statelier Eden's course to guard; They both are happy at this hour, Though each is but a lonely Tower:-- But here is perfect joy and pride 50 For one fair House by Emont's side, This day, distinguished without peer To see her Master and to cheer-- Him, and his Lady-mother dear!
"Oh! it was a time forlorn 55 When the fatherless was born-- Give her wings that she may fly, Or she sees her infant die! Swords that are with slaughter wild Hunt the Mother and the Child. 60 Who will take them from the light? --Yonder is a man in sight-- Yonder is a house--but where? No, they must not enter there. To the caves, and to the brooks, 65 To the clouds of heaven she looks; She is speechless, but her eyes Pray in ghostly agonies. Blissful Mary, Mother mild, Maid and Mother undefiled, 70 Save a Mother and her Child!