4379 LSI h A'- /' V ^'i^-^ sSf<> THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES FREDERIC THOMAS BLANCHARD ENDOWMENT FUND HERMIT'S TALE. B V THE AUTHOR OF THE RECESS. PRICE TWO SHILLINGS, HERMITS tale: RECORDED BY HIS OWN HAND, AND FOUND IN HIS CELL. " There oft is found an Avarice in Grief j " And the wan Eye of Sorrow loves to gaze " Upon the fecret Hoard of trcafm'd Woes." Ma so w. LONDON: PRINTED FOR T. CADELL, IN THE STRAND. M.DCC.LXXXVII. RICHARD B R I N S L E Y SHERIDAN, Elq. S 1 R, JlLQXJALLY induced by a jull; admiration of your talents, and a grateful fenfe of the dillinftion your praife has given to thofe you were pleafed to find in n.ie, pennit me to lolicit your furthef indulgence to this little produdtion ; and be affured, its greatell value in niy eyes is, tliat it ferves to convey thofe ac- knowledgments, with which I have the honour to remain, S I R, Your mofl obliged, Obedient humble fcrvant, SOPHIA L E E. 88o:e4:i HERMIT'S TALE. I. FROM prime of youth to hoary age In this lone cell I've dwelt; Here fought, by tracing Nature's page, To foothe the pangs I felt. II. The mofs-wove oaks that near my cave In fullen grandeur ftand, And o'er its broken fummit wave, Were acorns in my hand, JB III. Thofc ( 2 ) III. I'liofc time -fliook tow'rs, which all forfakc, Ere«flj and gay, I've feen; And half of yon tran (lucent lake, A fiow-'r-enameU'd green. IV. When fhall my penitence and pray'rs Obtain the boon I crave? "When fhall my thorny bed of cares Become my peaceful grave? V. Oh worfhipp'd reliques ! holy book f Detain my mental eye ; Nor let it ever backward look To trace fad memory. VI. Or thon ! memorial crofs of God, My whole attention feize! And bow my heart upon the fod, Worn daily by my knees. VII. Alas f ( 3 ) VII. Alas ! not Piety can heal The foul convuls'd with guilt; Nor all her fountains cleanfe the fteel Which human blood has fpilt. VIII. Ah ! let me eafe it then, and fpeak The long, long treafur'd tale; What bitter griefs firft bade me feek The filence of this vale. IX. Near Cheviot Hills I drew the air On Aran's pleafant plain ; My mother was of prefence fair, Her lire an aged fwain. X. To tend the flocks was my employ, Nor ever heav'd my breaft. When my fond mother bleft her boy, At rifmg, and at reft. ■ i B 2 XI. Yet ( 4 ) XL Yet oft with tears and fmiles fhe flrove, And as I bent my knee. She'd cry, " be jufter to thy love, Than mine has be^n to me." XII. Yet little note of this I took, Unfkiird iti worldly harms, And more admir'd my flow'r-bound crock, Than herimeqnaird charms. xni. The lowly cot, and ihephcrd's life. Each night, each morn, fhe prais'd ; And when they fpoke of warlike ftrife, With terror on me gaz'd. xiy. For now the wars of Paleftine Brave Coeur de Lion fought; While all admir'd the zeal divine. And with his deeds were fraught. XV. The ( 5 ) XV. The glorious talk to me was good; And as it fiU'd my ear, I feem'd to cleave the founding flood, Or grafp a fancied fpear. XVI. When, lo! the neighbouring Scots, a band Rough as their native rocks, Rufli'd like a v^hirlv/ind o'er the land. And fwept away our flocks. XVII. By many an art my mother try'd My vengeance to reftrain ; But anger argument defy'd. And ev'n her tears were vain. XVIII. Each fwain I bade renounce his crook ; Each fwain obey'd my voice; The ravagers we foon o'ertook, And left them not a choice. XIX. No ( 6 ) XIX. No park did either party ufe, Impell'd by fierce difdain; One fought as men who'd all to lofe, TJie other to regain. XX. Day faintly purpled o'er the fky When the fell fight began ; But ere our ftubborn foes would fly, The Sun his courfe had ran. XXI. 1 hus we retriev'd our fleecy fl:ore, So late bewail'd as lofl, And feem'd, I ween, to love them more. For all the blows they coft. XXII. Not Richard's felf his warriors led More proudly o'er the deep, Than I for Aran's paftures fped, Surrounded by my flieep. XXriL As ( 7 ) XXIII. As nigh I drew, the clouds did roil A crimfon o'er the night ; The valley flam'd — and my full foul Died in me at the fight, XXIV. Another band of thofe who roam Our hamlet had dejftroy'd : And while we fought to guard our homcj Had made that home a void. XXV. Awhile I wept, and duteous fought My parents dear remains ; At length my heart, with vengeance fraught, An ufelefs grief difdains. XXVI. I rouz'd the fwains who yet deplor'd Each defolated field ; I turn'd my fheep-hook to a fword. My fcrip into a fhicld. XXVII. The ( 8 ) XXVII. The favage Scots I Twore t' annoy With ever-loud alarms, And from a {imple fhepherd-boy. Became renown' d in arms. XXVIII. Between both lands ftrong towVs I rear With captive enfigns bright : One nation gaz'd on them with fear; The other with delight. XXIX. Around I jflation'd many a band, Who dubious ftragglers fought ; And ah! one day, by love's command, A matchlefs beauty brought. XXX. Her mien majeftic feem'd to fpeak Th' unfullied foul within ; No rofc like that on her pure cheek Blooms o'er the face of fm. XXXI. Ohl ( 9 ) XXXI. oh! not in grace the mountain pine With her flight form could vye, The blue that paints the arch divine Was faint to her bright eye. XXXII. Like a rich group of yellow flieaves, In ringlets wild, her hair Play'd on her breaft— fo Autumn leaves Hang on the lily fair. XXXIII. Awe-ftruck, my foul imbib'd a flame As virtuous as flncerej Nor dared I boldly afk the name, I mofl: deflr'd to hear. XXXIV. Unconfcious of her beauty's blaze, She drew away the fliade; With dignity endur'd my gaze, And thus to fpeak eflTay'd. C XXXV. " Al- ( ^0 ) XXXV. « illtliciigK by force I hither bend " The captive of thy fword, «« From brutal hand« I feek a friend^ " Norneed I own a Lord, XXXVL *^ Of Englifli blood thy fervant came,. " Not from a hoftile line,. " Lord Ethel is my Father-'s name, " And Etlielinda mine. XXXVII. ** To Scotland with my Mother fent, " A Grandfire's eyes to clofe, ** Her fum of days like his- are fpent, " With him Ihe finds repofe. XXXVIII. " Ev'n now on filver Severn's fide- " My Father anxioufly « Forgets the day my Mother dy'd, " To look in vain for me.. XXXIX. " By ( II ) XXXIX. ■<« By KnigKthood's holy laws, oh Youth! << I therefore claim your gage, " That you yield him with care, and truth, *^' The darling of his age. XL. *' So may the peace to him you give *' With larg-e increafe return; ■*' So crown'd with conqueft may you li\^e, " And glory crown jour urnl" XLI. <« Be jfifc," I cried, " thou lovely Maid; *' By warlike Richard's throne, '* Ne'er fhall flie vainly afk my aid, *•' Whom truth and honor own, XLII. *' By Knighthood's holy laws I fwcar, " And give th' unqueftion'd gage, •*' To yield thy Sire, with truth, and care, *' The darling of his age. XLIII. '' To XLIII. " To horfe, to hDrfe, each vallal knight, " Prepare your' burnifh'd arms j " Diffufe around a da^zlmg light, " To hide, and guard, thefe charms. XLIV. " A Nymph beyond ev'n Helen fair, '' Bcftows a nobler truft; " A Youth her beauty well might fnare, " Is Man, in love— yet juft." XLV. And foon my warriors o'er the wafte In gay profuiion roll; The Lady in the centre plac'd. Irradiated the whole. XLVI. Still as we journied on, I fought, With love's unconfcious art, T' imprefs myfelf on ev'ry thought, 'Till I had won- her heart. XLVII. And ( 13 ) XLVIL And now my fears would often hint Her Sire might prove unkind, And wifer 'twere our truft to ftint. But duteous was her mind. XLVIII. " Ah doubt not, Edmund," — fhe would fay, " Thy worth muft all engage; " Nor dare I fcorn a father's fway, " Nor dare I grieve his age. XLIX. " His filver'd head, as lilies bow, " Declining now appears ; " Alike his frame doth tremble now, " With tendernefs and years. L. " And fure a fearful joy fhe knows " Who unpermitted loves ; *i|^Whilc doubly hallow'd are the vows " A parent's voice approves." LI. "More ( 14 ) LI. " More fondly draws the heart's dear chain, *' When watching his decay.; ^* Oh ! the fad charmj to know his pain '* In blelTings melts away!" LH. Fill'd with her love, footh'd with her hope^ T he prefent hoiir I blcft ; And gave luxuriant fancy fcope, Who more enrich' d the reft. LIIL When now we reach' d fair Severn's fide, Where 'mid her faireft bow'rs, A mountain fwell'd with verdant pride, Crown'd with Lord Ethel's tow'rs. LIV, As to the height we gaily wound, From apprehenfion free, Surprlz'd we heard the drum's fierce found, Proclaim an enemy. LV. Like ( ^5 } LV. I.ike {Iilning fwarms of bees, in arms The Knights now multiply ; And pleafure's notes, and war's alarms, Our mingling trumpets cry. LVI. When proud I did the Lady fliew, Who bade all difcord ceafe ; More radiant than the vernal bow, Heav'ns own bright pledge of peace, LVII. Her name, in various accents cried, Was borne away within, While the vaft portals opening widc^ Increas'd the joyful din. LVIII. Forth ruOi'd, tumultuous as the wind. Knights who no longer frown'd ; Btft marching with their fpcars declin'dy A mute obedience own'd, UX. A€ ( i6 ) LIX. At once, dividing to each iide, Like waves the train retire ; And as the fwan floats with the tide, Slow came the rev'rend Sire. LX. The gift of health, an aged bloom, His manly cheek confeft; And white his locks, as erft the plume, That quiver'd o'er his creft. LXI. The Maid opprefs'd with tender pain. And, than the hart more fleet. Now graceful fliot along the plain, And panted at his feet. LXII. Have you not fccn the frao;ile rofe. Droop with the gems of morn? So fair the kneeling Virgin fliews, A Parent's tears adorn. LXIII. Have ( 17 ) LXIII. Have you not feen the purple vine With Autumn hoar emboft ? Youth with fuch lovelinefs divine, Glows wrapt in age's froft. LXIV. *' Oh moft bclov'd !" her father cried, And faft his tears would fall, " My youth's delight, my age's pride, " My little earthly all ! LXV. '* Thy fafe return in peace, and health, " Doth all my griefs afluage : *' Thy fafe return doth fpare my wealth, *' And ah ! doth fpare my age." LXVI. He faid, and turning to a Knight, Upon whofe brow fcrcne, Sat grace attemper'd witli delight, While valor marh'd his mien. D LXVII. "See, ( i8 ) LXVII. *' See, Baron," added he, " thy Bride ; " My child, behold the Son, *' Allotted for thy Lord, and guide, " When thy fond father's gonCc LXVIII. ** Ah venerate that hallowM fliicld, *' Upon whofe orb the crofs, *' Declares, in many a well-fought field, " The Saracens vaft lofs. LXIX, " With grateful love accept the hand, " But for whofe aid, forlorn, " And fatherlefs, thou now mJghtfl fland, " Nor I hail thy return." LXX. Mjy foul, as with an ague fhook. At once both froze and burn'd ; When fhe, not deigning ~i6/V;2 a look, All tearful to me turn'd. LXXI. '' Behold, ( 19 ) XXXI. ■" Behold," flie falteriag faid, " the fword *' Which fet thy daughter free; ** Apppove a heart where I'm ador'd " Where I alone would be. LXXII. " Could I from duty have been won^ " His honor to reward, " I fhould have call'd this Knight thy fon, *' And claim'd a like regard. LXXIII. '^^ Oh ! think, tho' fortune freed his will, " With reverence he woo'd; ** Oh ! rife above the thought of ill " Remember gratitude. LXXIV. *' That claim I never will difown ; *' YouV pow'r may bid me weep '" But tears, like falling drops on ftone, ^' The heart's-wound wear more deep." D 2 LXXV. "The ( ^^^ ) LXXV. The Baron's eyes blaz'd thro' the fnovv Of age, with Flecla's fire J And red his haughty bhiflics glow,. While thus he fpeaks his ire» LXXVI. *' And who then art thou, namelefs Youth r From whence deriv'd that flood, *' Which dyes thy cheek with nature's truth, " And vies with Ethel's blood? LXXVII. •'* Where are the honors of thy line? ^^ Unblazon'd on thy arms j " Which thou prcfam'ft to blend with mine, *■ Vain of ignoble charms. LXXVIIL " Knowft thou, the fpoils of many a Knight " Dcfcend to me alone ? '* Knowft thou the lands within thy fight, " This Maid will one day own? LXXIX. " Learn, C 21 ) LXXIX. " Learn, Youth, to afic ibme fit reward, " Which with thy rank agrees; *<- And fame, and wealth, and high regard, " Thy anger fhall appeafe." LXXX. *' Hold, Lord," I cried, " nor meanly boaft, " Degraded anceftry ; *' Thy honors in thyfelf are loft, " While mine begin in me. LXXXL *' But let us prove this vaunted blood, " This elevated line; " And fee if Edmund's humble flood, " Nerve not his arm like thine. LXXXIL " For while firm youth fhall brace his hand, " And love his ardent heart, ■•** The matchlefs Maid he will demand, Who forms its dearefl part. <( LXXXin. " Come ( 22 ) LK XXIII. •^' Come then, ye knights, your well-tried arms " In deadly wrath produce, *' While ours, unwrought for fuch alarms, *' .Gain strength alone from ufe.'* LXXXIV. Aloft I wav'd my fword of pow'r, The fpiral lullre run, And like the Guard of Eden's bow'r, Flam'd to the noon-day fun. LXXXV. "While thus we met, with equal ire^ Before my forrowing eyes, The proud inexorable Sire Bore off the beauteous prize. ■LXXXVL Oh! if ye ever knew to melt In pafTion's tender glow:, I need not paint the pang^ I felt, At this extreme of woe. LXXXVII. Oh! LXXXVIL ©h! ii^ ye ever yet have rag\l, Opprefs'd by favage pow'iv Ye well will guefs the war we wag'd, The fiercenefs o£ that hour. Lxxxvni. The fun unheeded veil'd his head, While many a cafque was riv'n; And that laft darknefs feem'd to fpread, Which mingles earth with heav'n,- LXXXIX. Yet flill in mortal conPii6l join d, No refpitc we allow, 'Till oft, by heaven's wild fires, we find' A friend flain for a foe. XC. Humanity at length o'er pride Prevail'd, and footh'd this heat; We deem'd, 'till day-light fhould decide^ . 'Twere valour to retreat. XCI. But ( 24 ) xcr. But on the morn, at Ethers word, Lord-marcher of the land, Indignant thoufands on us pour'd, Nor could we more withfland, XCII. My Knights, defpoil'd of armor, peace Accepted as a boon; My fword alone they dar'd not feize; How ufelefs when alone 1 XCIII. What then was all my early fame J The wealth by valor giv'n ! What then, alas! even virtue's flame ! Th' united gifts of heav'n ! XCIV. Loft to my heart its only joy, Extinct at once its flights 3 Sad images my days employ, And faddcT ftill my nights. XCV. The ( 25 ) XCV. The bridal feafl approach'd, the vefls To many a fair were fliewn, Full was the Baron's hall of gueRs, Myfelf forbid alone. XCVI. All hope now loft, I wild arofe, And foon within the bound, Wliere piety adores the crofs, My feet unconfcious found. XCVII. Impell'd by deftiny, I pafl When ftriick the vcfper bell,-— A dreary eye around I caft, And own'd it as my knell. XCVIII. When lo! approaching faft, the tread Of warlike fteps I heard^ I turn'd, and as by jiiftice ledj My Rival there appear 'd. U XCIX. With ( ■ 26 ) XCIX. yv« With wonder, blefitng ev'iy flirinc, I drew the well-worn blade, *' One moment yet," I cried, " is mine- " Deferve, or lofc'the Maid." C. Impetuous love each finew ftrung-, As we by turns affail'd; And long the vid'ry doubtful hung, But oh ! my fate prevail'd. CI. At length, between th' ill-jointed mail^ My fword a palTage found, Fafl rufh'd the ftream of life, and pale He dropt upon the ground. CII. While fighs of rage from his proud breaft Impeird the vital flood, A thoufand pangs his eye confeft. Beyond the wafle of blood. cm. " Ignoble ( 27 ) cm. *' lo-noble Lord," I cried, *' fhe's mine, " On holy land you lie — " Call to your aid the pow'r divine, Repent, before you die." (( CIV. " Ah, fay'ft thou?" groan'd he, " ^ofy land! " 'Twas there my fms began; *' For thither, heedlefs of command. In early youth I ran." /^ k V X. "! X '^^AA >>-. i xn« 57