The form was clad in robes of purest white, That swept with solemn dignity the ground; Contrasting with the blackest gloom of night, Which reign'd in awful majesty around.
The silver beard did reverence demand,[8] And told her that a holy bard was there, Whose shrivell'd fingers grasp'd a flaming brand, Which threw a lustre on the waving hair.
His eye possess'd the brilliant fire of youth, United with the wisdom of the sage; And speaking, with the simple voice of truth, He blended the solemnity of age.
"Arise! thou loveliest of misfortune's train, And cease these weak, desponding tears to shed; The soft effusions of thy grief restrain, Which serve but to disturb the peaceful dead.
The youth you mourn, far from these scenes of woe, To worlds of never-ending joy is flown; Where his blest bosom with delight shall glow, And his fair temples wear a princely crown.
Ah then, presumptuous! question not the skies, Nor more with vain laments his loss deplore; Attend to this, and cease your fruitless sighs, You soon shall meet where you can part no more."[9]
Awe-struck, his sacred wisdom she confest, Which pour'd sweet consolation on her mind; She cross'd her blood-stain'd hands upon her breast, And bow'd her humble, grateful head, resign'd.
[Footnote 1: Alluding to the armour of the Romani.]
[Footnote 2: The Britons fought in low chariots, which they could leave and re-ascend at pleasure.]
[Footnote 3: The shield being their only armour, when held out to protect a wounded or dying friend, left them defenceless.]
[Footnote 4: The groves were consecrated to the celebration of religious mysteries.]
[Footnote 6: The Druids are said to have preached the doctrine of transmigration, in order to inspire their warriors with the greater contempt of death.]
[Footnote 7: The practice of staining themselves with blue was common among the Britons.]
[Footnote 8: The people, excepting the priests, shaved off all the hair from their faces, but what grew on the upper lip.]
[Footnote 9: This equivocal manner of speech may be supposed natural enough in one of this order of priests, who, it is said, held a more refined idea of a future state than they preached to the people.]
Alas! no more that joyous morn appears That led the tranquil hours of spotless fame; For I have steep'd a father's couch in tears,