Whence all the fixed delights of house and

home,

Friendships that will not break, and love that

cannot roam.

O, happy Britain! region all too fair
For self-delighting fancy to endure
That silence only should inhabit there,
Wild beasts, or uncouth savages impure!
But, intermingled with the generous seed,

25

30

Grew many a poisonous weed; Thus fares it still with all that takes its birth From human care, or grows upon the breast

of earth.

Hence, and how soon! that war of vengeance

She flung her blameless child,

Sabrina, vowing that the stream should bear That name through every age, her hatred to

declare.

40

So speaks the Chronicle, and tells of Lear
By his ungrateful daughters turned adrift.
Ye lightnings, hear his voice! they cannot

hear,

Nor can the winds restore his simple gift.
But One there is, a Child of nature meek,

45

Who comes her Sire to seek; 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; 52 Of Arthur, who, to upper light restored,

With that terrific sword

Which yet he brandishes for future war,
Shall lift his country's fame above the polar

55

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,

61

While I this flower transplant

Into a garden stored with Poesy;

weeds be,

Where flowers and herbs unite, and haply some

That, wanting not wild grace, are from all

mischief free!

65

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 right

Fields smiled, and temples rose, and towns and

cities grew.

He died, whom Artegal succeeds-his son;

But how unworthy of that sire was he!

75

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.

81

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.
85
Him, in whose wretched heart ambition failed,

Dire poverty assailed;

And, tired with slights his pride no more could

brook,

He towards his native country 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.

90

How changed from him who, born to highest

place,

Had swayed the royal mace,

95

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

100

A messenger he sends;

And from their secret loyalty requires
Shelter and daily bread, -the sum of his

desires.

105

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 wild boar flies in fear; And, scouring toward him o'er the grassy plain,

Behold the hunter train!

III

He bids his little company advance
With seeming unconcern and steady coun-

tenance.

114

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

Confounded and amazed

119

"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,

125

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,

132

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:

135

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: 141 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 de

spite."

145

" 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!

150

Were this same spear, which in my hand I

grasp,

155

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,

159

And joyless sylvan sport, While thou art roving, wretched and forlorn, Thy couch the dewy earth, thy roof the forest