K-J THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES /^,,^___, /fer'^a^-^^*-^^ THE ALTIIORP PICTURE GALLERY AND OTHER rOETICAL SKETCHES. TllK ALTHORP PICTURE GALLERY AND OTHER POETICAL SKETCHES. BY A LADY. EDINBURGH : WILLIAM BLACKWOOD & SONS; A. BROWN Ss CO. ABKRDEEN; LONGMAN, RRES, & CO. LONDON. 18:3(5. ABERDEEN : rRl.VTED AT THE HERALD OFFICE, BY O. CORNWALL. TO LADY PEEL, tlhts Uule Volume IS INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR. 8S5348 CONTENTS Page THE ALTHORP PICTURE GALLERY,- ,^ 15 TO MY COUNTRY, —- — ~ ~ -^-^„-,-~ 81 CANTO I. OF THE OCEAN'S OWN,~ — ^ .--™„-^~^~ 87 THE APPENDIX AND NOTES TO THE ALTHORP PIC- TURE GALLERY, — . , ~-~. 141 THE NOTES TO CANTO I. OF THE OCEAN'S OWN, ~~~ 157 THE ALTHORP PICTURE GALLERY. ADVERTISEMENT. "The Altliorp Picture Gallery" was suggested by a perusal of " Althorpe,"* by Mrs. Jameson. Those parts of Mrs. Jameson's descriptions which relate to persons or scenes alluded to in this Poem are inserted as an Appendix at tiie end of the \'olutne. This is done in justice to that Lady and the Author. The few remarks made by the .\uthor are placed as Notes at the end of the Appendix. Abkrdke.v, Jan. ]l)3(). In tliis vdliimo, the more modoni spelling without ihc E is inefcrred. THE ALTHORP PICTURE GALLERY " Tlie licings of the mind are not of clay ; Essentially immortal, they create And multiply in us a brighter ray And more beloved existence : that which Fate Prohibits to dull life, in this our state Of mortal bondage, by these spirits supplied. First exiles, tlicn replaecs what we hate ; Watering the heart whose early flowers have died, And with a fresher growth replenishing the void." Childe [Iarold. THE ALTHORP PICTURE GALLERY. What tlironging eyes are glancing from these walls ! What beauteous lips seem breathing all around ! What clustering hair the raptured sight inthrals ! What voices speak, although there is no sound ! What mind, triumjjhant, sits on high-born brows ! How proud the air of fiery spirits here ! What mantling cheeks !— as if fond lovers' vows Stole in soft whispers o'er each lady's ear. What tones, as from the dead, are gently murmuring near ! 2 THE ALTHORP PlCTURp: GALLERY. II. What forms of Manhood's pride, of Beauty's grace ! What Sidneys, Russells, Spencers, Digbys, blaze ! How proudly conscious looks each pictured face Of the rapt homage in our silent gaze ! What splendid relics from Oblivion caught ! These eyes around have language all their own — ■ Sweet lips seem answering our inmost thought — Proud ones are curved without one jarring tone : Stay with these monitors awhile — we are alone ! III. See ! here is one of Beauty's fairest flowers ! Whom slumbers bind amid the brilliant throng. Awake ! awake ! appalling stillness lowers — A cold, an unseen hand hath passed along These lifeless lids from whence Love's rays once flew; Hath turned from these pure cheeks the stream of red ; Enchained the wan lips with mute grace : Death's hue Shrouds the pale brow ! — We pause — admire — yet dread — Mysterious Loveliness, arouse thee from the Dead ! TIIK AI.THORP PICTURE GALLERY. O IV. Thy Kenel en's here who h)ved with passion wild ; Venitia! dost not rise and turn to him ? Beneath those downcast lids once glances smiled, That filled his soul with love no time could dim — Love, fraught with fervour, 'wilderingheart and brain ! Doth he forget ? Thus coldly can he note Thy moveless brow, nor rush to break the chain That fetters all on which he loved to dote ? Hovv fair ! though Death's cold mists o'er thee so dimly float ! Come here, ve slaves ia the world's flood of strife ! Come here, Ambition's own, with burning heart ! Come here, young beauties springing forth to life ! Come here, ye insect-tribe from Folly's mart ! Gaze on this lifeless form ; gaze there, and there ; Gaze on the stars of bygone golden days ; Gaze on these forms of chivalry — declare. Are they not glorious ones ? Can sounding praise Shout forth for them too fervid, too enraptured lays ? A 2 4 THE ALTHORP PICTURE GALLERY. VI. Think ! — They have passed — as all of earth must pass — The mist-clad steeps that lead to Death's abyss ! Time's portals wide have closed on them ! Alas ! Renown ; and Beauty, Power, have waned to this ! — A Shade ! — an Echo ! Transient as the foam On ocean's wave ! — iVre these the pets of Fame ? Of myriads born beneath Heaven's starry dome, Or great, or mean, how few e'er leave a name Which history's teeming page shall love or blush to claim ! VII. And mark that shape of sparkling queenlike grace ;^ Drink the bright glances of her full dark eye ; Feed on the spirit breathing from her face ; Then look upon this sweet one, blooming nigh — How like the mother was that daughter fair, In wit and beauty, petulance and pride ! Ah ! sure Love sleeps amid her clustering hair, Yet could not save her from Misfortune's tide ; In Poverty's cold hut perforce both did abide. THE ALTHORP PICTURE GALLERT. O VIII. Yet they were born in palaced chambers proud ; The resral of the land had bowed to them ; They shone the worshipped stars in com-tly crowd ; High nobles were their slaves — proud was theirstem — And minstrel-harps their charms had loudly sung ; Enrobed and diademed in halls they stood ; The son of kings, Romance's gauntlet flung. For one; and warrior- swords drank rebel blood For both, when their throne sank in Reformation's flood ! IX. Now turn to Sacharissa in her youth,'^ Sweet blooming emblem of life-giving May : Her brow is glad with Hope's own glow. In sooth. Bright was the promise of her early day ! See — there she stands, the happy, graceful bride Of her own Sunderland ! How softened now Youth's buoyant glee — the young heart's bounding pride ! A chastened calm is slumbering on her brow. And her pure thoughts love's fairest wedded ]o\b avow I () THE ALTHORP PICTURE GALLERY. X. Oh woe ! how changed, how faded, and how cold ! Yet lovely still, again she meets the eve ! — The lover of her youth beneath the mould ! — The husband of her heart — oh, could he die ? Doth he not !?aze on her, as nobly bri^-ht. What time her sorrowing heart felt woman's pride ; And her own warrior-love sprang from her sight. Arrayed for the great cause in which he died ? 'Tis but his shade ; — Glory and he sleep side bv side ! XI. Turn here !— could not the bearing of this brow,-^ Could not its power, that sits enthroned on thought. Awe the stern tyrant Death ? his keen scythe bow. When injiis toils, young Sydney, thou wert caught ? Oh, no ! alike the coward and the brave To the chill stony glare of reckless Fate, So that he hourly fill a yawning grave ; And bold adventure led thee to his gate : Perchance thou would'st have turned when it was all too late. THE ALTHORP PICTURE GALLERY. / XII. But who are these that crowd on every side ? What soft hewitching forms of fair and brown ? Ah ! better some had in the cradle died. Than earn tlie glory of their base renown ! Louise I .') young Innocence seems smiling there, Pillowed 'mid blushes raised by its own sweets. On thy soft rounded cheek so brightly fair ! Alas ! to think how soon each beauty fleets. When Vice inflames the brow, and Pride the fancy lieats ! XIII. Woman ! did not Dame nature make thee mild, A twining flower around the forest tree ! When thou wert born, thy nurse, pure Virtue, smiled. And her full breasts poured nourishment for thee ; Gently she fed thee at those founts of love ; While nature shaped thy form so fragile fair. That the bright rays she stole from fires above Might ne'er be quenched beneath its earthly lair ; But, sparkling through the dross, their origin declare ! 8 THE ALTHORP PICTURE GALLERY. XIV. And thus pure thoughts and hopes rise to thy cheek, In varying eddies of the rose's dye, With tones, how eloquent ! to hearts that speak Conjointly with the tearful downcast eye : Say, who would crush the heings that thus cling With sweet, bold helplessness (as infants must) To man's stern breast } and, satiated, fling Fond ones away ? and trample in the dust The pallid brow that beamed erewhile with love's own trust } XV. Yet some survive the wrenching of the soul. Some few retrace the path where Virtue shines ; With wan, worn cheek, clad in repentant stole. They weep in silence o'er the heart's rent shrines ! Yet more, alas ! when flung to earth, despoiled Of virtue's store, their innocence aye fled. Ne'er rise from the pollution which hath soiled The pride and glory of the drooping head. And, all unsexed, grow fiends — by evil passions led ! THE ALTHORP PICTURE GALLERY. g XVI. Art thou a woman ? — Ay ! the glorious face, O'erwhelming in its beauty, proves thy sex ; ^ But vainly here we seek one softened grace — This Circe-glance the startled thoughts perplex ; It fascinates, but with demoniac power — We shuddering turn from the half-angel fiend ; Yet she, in youth, shone peerless in her bower; Was pure as the bright orb she proudly seemed. And smiled a Cynthia chaste 'mid stars that fairest beamed. XVII. Imperious Castlemaine doth queen it well — 7 She quells in loveliness, as lightning's flash ; But from those sleepy lids there drops a spell, Alluring Middleton ! would bid us dash Into the quicksands of the heart's decoy. Heedless and blind ; e'en though the urcliin, Love, Should deem the heart when gained a worthless toy, And, laughing, flee to his fair home above, In his light mother's car, drawn by each soft-eyed dove. 10 THE ALTHORP PICTURE GALLKRY. XVIII. Surely the spirit, speaking from this eye,8 Tlie fair, rich waves of billowy silken hair Which woo the snows of maiden purity, Tliat proudly swell with conscious virtue's air ; Say thou vvert pure as beauteous ; and a fire Plays o'er thy brow, quenched in the gracefulness Of high-souled dignity ! Oh ! who could tire And turn from thee, fair Hamilton ? We press The lyre in homage to thy blaze of lovliness ! XIX. Frail Gwynn! say, where hath fled each joyous glance,^ And where have flown thy mirthful, dimpled smiles ? And where wit's sparkle, that should gaily dance O'er brow and lip ? Where all the prankful wiles Erst gained the heart of England's merry king ? The eyes and locks are here, of which we've heard ; But, sure, these lips around could never fling The light glad jest, the free and humorous word — Or wert thou, like thv sex, in each extreme absurd ? TIIK ALTHORP PICTURK GALLKRY. 1 I XX. Here Denham shines in native loveliness ;'** It did not save her from the poisoned bowl ! To view such sweetness, ah ! who e'er could guess Convulsed should be this brow, maddened the soul That speaks so gently through these heavenly orbs ? Yet thou fled'st timely from this scene of strife ! What though thy grace our yearning thought absorbs, We cannot wail the briefness of thy life ; Thy pangs were short ; — more years had seen fresh sor- rows rife. XXI. Amidst these paler flowers, forth to the sight. Magnificent in her dark beauty rare, The lovely Falmouth shines ! " 'Neath brows of night Dart meteor-rays, that seem to cleave the air ! Yet fall with deep intensity our eyes — Startled and sad, we turn a lingering look To the stern emblem, shadowed forth, that lies Upon her lap ; — a voice none e'er mistook Thrills to the musing mind a truth we scarcely brook ! 12 THE ALTHORP PICTURE GALLERY. XXII. Wouldst thou have boundless wealth ? look there — 'twas her's ;^- Fame — power ? gaze on — ay, they too were her own I And beauty ? Wit, such as the heart's pulse stirs, A costly gem of purest water shone In thee proud form that queens it bravely there — 'Tis Marlborough's dame ! — now mark the lip of scorn ; The head flung back with pride's repulsive air ; What fierce defiance in that glance is borne ! How much of woman's grace the haughty one is shorn ! XXIII. Yet she had friends; — a Queen once called her " dear"; And we must feel for the proud fiery one, When first the knowledge smote upon her ear — Struck to her heart — that bright Romance's sun Was quenched by cunning of a menial's mind, And dimmed the light of youth's enchanted morn ! — How strong the bond that could her fierce soul bind ! How keen the pang within her bosom born ! We guess : — strong minds most deeply feel their sor- row's scorn. THE ALTHORP PICTURE GALLERY. 13 XXIV. High souls more fully feel convulsion's throe When fervid love is backward on them flung ; Though seeming calm around their brows they throw. Within, the germ writhes forth from anguish sprung : Ah ! coldly creeps the slowly-gnawing worm Its blighting progress to the full heart's core ; 'Midst slumbering flames, that there all hidden burn, It laps the torrent of the life-fed gore. Which in its warm, rich flow of love may gush no more ! XXV. Her Queen ! — Thou oft art praised — we heed it not ; Thou fled'st thy Parent in his hour of woe ; How soon thy firmest friends were all forgot ! How hard the heart that stayed not the sharp blow Which sent an old man sorrowing to the grave. Whose sword for thee had reddened many a shore ! That thy still heart ne'er boomed to passion's wave Wins not our love ; thy soul was iced all o'er. Cold and benumbed, nor could soft fervencies outpour ! 14 TMK ALTHOUP PICTURii GALLERY. XXVI. Hark ! the mob shout ! the thunder cities hear Comes rolling with the force of rushing water; A Warrior-form in triumph draweth near, His sword still reeking from its sanguine slaughter. Nobles await him, and a Queen stands there. The circle's sun, on whom each eye doth bend; What proud submission mingles in his air ! His stern lips touch the hand would claim him friend ; Low greetings and swift praise around in murmurs blend. XXVII. And wealth is showered on him, and titles too ; The idol of the day awhile he shines ; Its star, so long as Fashion's whim shall woo Him 'neath her halo — and with her combine Both fear and wonder and self-interest mean ; But soon men tire of souls their own above ; The cloud on Marlbro's page have we not seen ? Not seen the " Conqueror of the Conqueror" ''' prove The fickle breath of an ungrateful nation's love .-' THE ALTHORP PICTURfc; GALLERY. 15 XXVIII. Huzzaed, the boast of millions, he had passed, Upborne by Britain's stoutest hearts, along A proud metropolis ! and thick and fast Came cheers and shouts from the exulting throng : The saviour of far nations — of the land Whose myriads, thus outpouring, send a voice In one deep swell ; and with an eager hand Hold forth the laurel-crown to Victory's Choice — The Soldier-Duke, whose tread bids England's shores rejoice ! XXIX. But now we need no lyre to tell the tale. The ebbing quick of popular applause ! How grateful echoes from the saved soon fail ; How this our land would gladly strain the laws To wrong and thwart him ! Thou, who oft hast led Its conquering hosts — who anxious nights had pass'd. And weary days, exiled for them— thy head Throbbing with thought intense ; — and this, at last, Is thy reward — scoffs from each craven at thee cast ! 16 THK ALTMORP PICTURE GALLERY. XXX. They who still lounged in Sloth's gross haunts at home, Encouched by comfort — or pale luxury's slaves ; A jaunt of pleasure, where Thames' waters roam, Their greatest effort — floating o'er its waves ; Or in rich coach ! whilst thy short troubled sleep Beneath Heaven's arch, encircled by thy foes, Was oft disturbed by signal sounds — low — deep — From watchful sentinel, and each hour rose Heavy with doubt how such next measured time might close ! XXXI. But minds like thine are far above the fang With which pale Envy wounds the breast ; though deep And strong, perchance the short-enduring pang That sprang with thy cool blood's unwonted leap, When rose the whisper that Truth's mirror stains. And soiled thy hard-earned wreath by vulgar hands; And thy stunned heart confessed that Pain of Pains, Wrong from the Served! — yet nought thy soul de- mands ; In its own pure intent and strength and power it stands J T>IE ALTHORP PICTURE GALLKRT. 17 XXXII. To Present we are wandering from the Past; We turn again to years, long gone — the dead — The glorious Dead ! whence brilliant shades are cast Unto the soul's still depths; and oft have fed Its musings lone, and caused the pulse to throb Quick, quick and full — the deepening brow to flush; — Or paled our cheek, as rose the swoln heart's sob, With flashing fervours — such as, rising, rush, When tones from the soul's lyre with wakened Memory gush. XXXIII. What eyes, fair Jennings ! seem enchained to thee! '"* What hearts as leaping from each fervid glance ! — Ah I they are here portrayed, who bent the knee, And sunned their souls in Love's delirious trance, 'Neath the warm radiance of thy glowing brow ! — Those love-embedded lips could'st thou but ope. Would not the forms, but pictured shadows now. Spring from their frames with life-engendering hope. Whilst laughingly with thine their mirth once more would cope ? 18 THE ALTHORP PICTURK G\LLERY. XXXIV. Woman ! why thus coquet with living hearts, Which feed on glances from deceiving eyes ? — With their full throbs each pulse of passion starts, And raptured bounds in wildering fantasies ; But when the goal of vanity is won. How changed her air '.—she coyly turns to chide ; Nor heeds from bosoms pierced what torrents run - In frenzied sorrow's dark and boiling tide ; But for fresh lovers spreads new meshes far and wide. XXXV. Oh ! o-lve me one, whose glance comes from the soul. Who never feigns a passion still unknown ; — Whose soft full orbs ne'er take a measured roll — Whose voice assumes not affectation's tone ; — Modest, yet warm, and frank, though dignified — Who hath a smile for all— but one for me, Whence the whole heart to sunny eyes shall glide. With the rapt light of love's own purity That brightens the sweet blush of her truth's constancy ! XHK ALTHOKP I'KTURK GALLKKY. lU XXXVI. I want no images with lieartless stare, Affected modesty, lips primly set; — Whose studied actions do, in truth, declare One ruling thought their memories ne'er forget ; — The cloven foot they thus with craft would hide ! — Once off their guard, oh ! what a stream is flung Of scandal, falsehood, envy, hate, and pride, From the late lisping, gently mincing tongue ! — Furies to earth enraged, alarmed we deem have sprung. XXXVII. This Empress form — how splendid! Whilst we stand Admiring, in bewilderment of thought ; ^•' O'er dazzled eyes we pass slow-moving hand — Is it a glorious dream by Fancy wrought ? Still, still it glows ! Hortense ! — Oh, lovely one ! This full- wrung homage comes not from the heart. Thy beauty shone o'er Europe, as the sun In climes of which its essence forms a part ; But, ah ! at sight of thee mark young Love's backward start ! B 2 20 THE ALTHORP riC'TURE GALLERY. XXXVIII. Here — note the satire, jewelled one ! on thee ; — Tt lurks, Diana, '*^ in this name of thine : Yet well to such might proud France bow the knee. Thy native beauties far these gems outshine. Graceful as frail ! What were a Monarch's throne ? What were his might, and all his boasted power, Had he e'er sighed, in vain, to call his own The lovely fragrance of this master-flower? — Alas ! its sweets how crushed, when placed within his bower ! XXXIX. We turn, o'erpowered with beauty — gladly turn From the luxuriance of the rounded form ; From that resplendence which pure minds e'er spurn — And feel refreshed, as when cool breath of morn Plays o'er the cheek flushed from the heated room, Where midnight glories and bright follies shine, In rich confusion and unnatural bloom; — While Art, and all her witcheries combine To draw Youth, Beauty, Grace, within her fumy line ! THE ALTHOUP PICTURE GALLERY. 21 XL. We turn, as from the tulip's gaudy swell, Whose flaunting colours catch the wandering eye. To the sweet gracefulness of the harebell, Whose modest head waves, gently drooping, nigh. Yes ! thus we turn to thee, most beauteous Jane !''' Whose placid gaze calms troubled thoughts to rest. On thy meek innocence there dwells no stain — Thou'rt pure as when thy baby form was pressed In new-born loveliness to the maternal breast. XLI. Say, had'st thou lived, would'st thou have ever been The star of brightness mildly shining now ? Would hallowed sweetness thus be ever seen, Tempering the wisdom on thy thoughtful brow ? Oh, yes ! — for thou wert woman — and thy heart Clung to thy Dudley ! — He was all thine own ! Then what could tempt thee ever to depart From the smooth path where virtue's planet shone .'' — Thy husband and thy God swayed thy young heart alone ! 22 THE ALTHORP I'ICTUUE GALLERV. XIJI. O [ ye, who doom the youthful maiden's hand To the harsh bond where love can never be. Pause ere ye act ! Pause — tremble as ye stand — Reflect — dare ye thus wed to certain misery The helpless being ye would make a wife ? — (Still pure and innocent as nestling young) — No guiding star shall glad her weary life — No master-chord within her soul be strung — Bethink ye, where her young affections may be flung ! XLiir. " Duty ! Religion ! " — ye will proudly say — " Shall save her from the cloud of foul disgrace :" — " tempt us not! " — thus we are taught to pray — Warm hearts, when loved, on love their trust will place ; And the poor tremblers vainly seek to fly From the soft orbs, whose fervid looks inthral With fascination of the serpent's eye : — Virtue and pride — how faint is then their call ! Lo ! in the outspread arms, they, weeping, shuddering, fall ! THE ALTHORP PICTURK GALLERY, 23 XLIV. But have they firmness to withstand the test — The fiery ordeal, burning to the soul ? — How pass their days ? — Enduring life, at best ; — Listless they muse upon the death-like toll That chimes within, where sweet thoughts wont to dwell ; Moaning of griefs — life's hinging-spring e'er crushed; Of troubled waters in the bosom's well — Of mental energies o'ergrown with rust — And thus long days they pine, and envy them who're dust ! XLV. • Woman ! thou art the same in every land — A flower that blooms to gladden weary life : Thy height of mental worth who may demand. In varying name of Mother, Daughter, Wife ? And who may know how soon Corruption's stain Shall gather o'er the pureness of the mind. And send foul vapours to the heated brain. To mar each virtue in the soul inshrined — The wreck thus left the sport of every changeful wind ? '24 THE ALTHORP PICTURE GALLERY. XL VI. Some crush the buds that cluster round their feet, With looks of iron and contemptuous air ; Some gently pluck them, in their fragrance sweet. And place them near their hearts with proudest care ; And shelter them, with vigilance of love, From nipping frosts, or sun's too ardent light ; Which guards them well from threatening clouds above — And thus they 'scape earth's snares — its woe, its blight, Honoured by Love they live — receive and give delight ! XLVII. But some there are — out on them, and foul shame I — Who spread their wiles, alas I but to pollute ; Whose breasts ne'er burned with pure affection's flame — Who live intwined by self-love's choking root : Such bear a lovely flower, with boastful air, So long as novelty can bring a charm : When droopingly it fades, they rudely tear It from its rest, with scorn's repulsive arm, Nov can its weeping dew their ruffian souls disarm. THE AI.THORP PICTUKK GALLKRY, 2^ XLVIII. Alas ! what grief, then, loads its gentle head ! False smiles, false words, the frail bright one had gained ; Whose soul, absorbed on youth's fond dreams, had fed Till nought beside, in life, of worth remained ; — Thus thrown in madness on the heart's deep wells, What hope is there ? What better destiny ? Then in some lonely spot, where quiet dwells : From shame, from sorrow, from reproach to flee — Some hovel home — and weep — and die repentingly. XLIX. Far in the Sun's own eastern golden land. What glowing forms, beneath its fervid skies. Start — ripening to the touch of Beauty's hand ! What radiance in the down-cast floating eyes ! What polished shades play o'er the coal-black hair. Braided with pride above the sun-wooed brow ! How gracefully the veil, with modest care. Defines the hidden charms that swell below — The wealth of loveliness to which their stern lords bow I 26 THE ALTHORP PICTURE GALLERY. L. And can Love's truth ne'er in such bosoms rest ? Oh, doubt it not ! — the pensive air, oft seen. Proves the blind god no stranger to the breast Of India's naaid — though thus subdued her mien ; — How indolently soft ! Each winning art, Amidst her perfumed bovvers and cushioned state. Would seek to hide the void within the heart. From searching glance of the proud turbaned mate ; — Her mind too gently meek for fierce or sullen hate ! LI. Unlike the full flash of Italia's maid, Would blast with scorn the man she cannot love ; Although her tongue shall ne'er the wretch upbraid, The scathing glances deadlier poison prove. But, ah ! the soul concentred in her eye. Softens the lustre of its brilliant light ; — When at her feet is poured the loved one's sigh, How quick her bosom's swell of proud delight. And high — in the deep calmness of a southern night ! THE ALTHORP PICTURE GALLERY. 27 LII. Romantic Spain ! — thy daughters e'er suhlime With holy fervour's passion, which they feed 'Mid the luxuriance of their lovely clime, With thoughts heroic : Could we crush the weed On superstition's waste I O ! who can see Spain's dark-haired maid, her soul within her eye. High daring in her brow's rapt revery. The sweet small mouth, where the heart's swell doth lie On the twin-buds, where pillowed Love rests smilingly. LI 1 1. Ay, who can see, nor have the wish to burst The cankering chains cowled Bigotry doth bind ? — Alas ! by Ignorance how oft are nursed The energies of many a noble mind ! O ! lovely ones ! how oft the vesper hymn We've heard from lips that angels e'en might love ; Seen heavenly eyes, with holy mist-dews dim — Th' impassioned breast heave for its home above — Pine for its saving ark — like Noah's wandering dove * 28 THK ALTHOUP riOTl'UE GALLERY. LIV. France ! can tby gay brunettes' light sparkling grace The practised glances and the studied air — The witchery fluttering round the tutored face — Say, can wild Passion find fit fuel there ? In all the climes, whei'e woman's power is known. None rule creation's lords with firmer sway ; Whilst the glad laugh of Gallia's mirthful tone Dispels the gloom of dreary life's sad day : — The Boy-god, cunningly, 'midst trifles wins his way ! LV. Britain ! thy gentle dames we love in sooth — What chiselled forms of perfect grace we see ! What blooming innocence ! — what trusting youth, From which bronzed vice abashed might blushing flee I What winning mildness and retiring grace ! Attractive modesty so gently hung With magic softness o'er the downcast face ! What meek persuasion dropping from the tongue Of each fair Albion maid for whom our Ivre is struns:! THEALTHORP PICTHRE GALLERY. 29 LVI. And on the brow what depth of fervid thought ! What intellect reclines — what sweetness there, Amid the fragileness by Nature wrought. That shades the dark blue eye and fair long hair ! We mark the outward frame, and deem too weak Its gentle bearing for the soul's deep glow ; But note the varying hue mount to the cheek ! (It stains the forehead with a richer glow Of the life's spring) — the lights the mild orbs throw ! LVI I. Ah ! they can love most deeply, fondly, true. Who keep the fire e'er smothered in the breast ; Tho' it, perforce, may fling its radiance through The soul's reflectors, from its hidden rest : — By the half sigh, the rising bosom's swell, Th' averted eye, uncalled flush to the cheek. The soft-eyed Boy doth mark his triumph well, In characters more sure than tongue can speak ; — Ye lovers ! then's the hour the heart and hand to seek ! 30 THE ALTHORP FICTUHK GALLERY, LVIII. Ay! Britain boasts the Mother and the Wife — The homefelt happiness of wedded hearts — The altar, whence, amid the storms of life, The soul can claim the beam that ne'er departs. How brightly burns the mellowed light around ! It flickers not, when comes the storm and shower, Its upward flame is steadier, brighter found — In the drear coldness of misfortune's hour. Domestic love is proved in beauty and in power. LIX. Who's this ? We start and turn a lingering gaze ; — What doth he here } He is not one of these ; '"^ To each hard lineament how slowly strays Our glance — that wondering the intruder sees Among the peerless of the land ! We spy No high-toned feeling in this homely front ; 'Tis daring — coarse — yet bold and bright the eye, Oft acted o'er the tongue's deceit, feigned blunt And free ! and thus he scaled the Throne in danger's brunt ! THK ALTHORP PICTURE GALLKRY. 31 LX. Now ! here with dogged power /ils shadow glooms On all the splendid fearless forms around ; Not of their line — but spirit oft illumes A meaner clay than is 'mong nobles found. How low the origin ! How low the means ! Cromwell ! by which thou winged thy reckless flight To Grandeur's blaze — how wildering the beams. That dazzling urged thy spirit's traitorous might, And drugged thy reeling senses to Rebellion's heidit ! LXI. Vanished in air, they left thy stern soul low. And faint, and vapourish from its fevered dream ; Yet was thy heart, which planned its treachery slow. Determined still — unchecked by Toil's swoln stream ! Though there the weed of dark suspicion o-rew. And doubts and fears — a spectral train — arose. Wearing thy very life ! Ye, who'd imbrue Bold hands in monarch-blood, and think to pose The haunted breast's remorse— think of his evening's close ! 32 THK ALTHORP PICTURE GALLERY. LXII. Think of the end of him, whose deeds profane The High Anointed braved, then thrust aside ! And all beneath the mask of care and pain For his land's wrongs ! — Breasting opinion's tide. For self he wrought : — Ye mob of cheering fools ! 'Tis self that urgeth on, and madly blends Disturbed and master spirits in new schools — Weak minds, though scorned, their instrument — their ends. If lost, a name is won, and that doth make amends! LXIII. What more they gain 'tis not for us to say. But we would sigh " Beware" — ye ruffian-band Would wrench the ivy twigs (that greenly stray) From off old Fanes, which still so proudly stand On our loved shores ! Such wreaths ye useless deem Mere ornaments upon Time's gray- worn wall ; But, stripping it, ye quench the glorious sheen Of ages gone : — think ! — can ye hold in thrall Each stone ? — When shaken thus, may not the structure fall ? TlIK ALTUOKl* PICTURE CALLERV. 33 LXIV. Fall — and bring with it all of great or good, Revered or loved ; upon the verdant shore The ruins strew ! Men's passions are a flood. Which, once set free, such raging torrents pour As bear all things afar, in one full sweep : — When Custom's chain is burst, and vulgar minds Broke loose from it, what shall just boundary keep - 'Twixt Right and Crime ? for Wisdom ever finds Long usage bends to rule what Power though armed ne'er binds ! I,XV. And now, proud Tudor ! now we turn to thee.'^ Doth not thy boist'rous spirit roughly pine To add fresh victims to the mockery (Thou lover-murderer !) laid at Wedlock's shrine ? Doth it not long in courtly guise to woo The galaxy of sparkling eyes around ; — To quench their light in colder, ghastlier hue, When holv rites the sacred chains had bound ; And thy sad Brides I had stood the worshipped and the crowned ! c 34 THE ALTHOUP PICTURE GALLEKV. LXVI. Thou Judas to the sex ! — Thy kiss betrayed ! Thou epicure, 'mong Beauty's loveliest ranks ! Destroying all to whom thy thoughts e'er strayed, Who thus became thy chosen-doomed ! Small thanks Hast thou from those exalted to thy name ! — Engrossing selfishness was thine — which saith, " Be all mine whom my soul's caprice would claim, " And what my fancy seeks, let no faint breath, " Nor smile of others please !"' — And so thy love was — Death ! I.XVII. Thy love ! — No, no ! — we do recall the word ! Love ! Thou knew'st not the meaning of such term ; Love's faintest echo thy cold heart ne'er stirred ! 'Twas not Love's flame which made thy bosom burn, But Self! — 'Twas self, intense and harrowing— (A feeling that subdues man unto brute, And foulest vapours o'er the mind can fling. To quell each finer impulse) — and, thus mute. Thy conscience slept — nor held with passion fierce dis- pute. THE ALTHOKP PICTURE GALLERY. 35 LXVIII. Mtin ! — could'st thou but the loathsome hydra crush That twines in scaly folds around the heart ! — But nobly firm erase the fevered blush Of the foul slimy trail's corroding part Round sensual pleasure's deep polluted spot ! Proudly erect, how would each glance proclaim Thy origin divine was not forgot ; Nor thus all quenched the pure, celestial flame, That glorified the soul, when from its source it came. LXIX. Think ! — the ne'er-sleeping and full open Eye Ever looks on from Majesty above ; And notes each deed for dark Futurity, With calm unwinking gaze of sternest love ; Think of the solemn train of thought within — Shadowed revealings of the Spirit's birth. Ere soiled, o'erwhelmed by the dust-cloud of sin, Her free, glad pinions fluttering fell to earth. To mourn the fearful fall 'raid ruined Virtue's dearth ! 36 THE ALTHORP PICTURE GALLERY. LXX. Think ! — the brain whirls with the full strife uf thought — The sickening bosom heaves, quick — gaspingly — And clammy stupors, by dread visions wrought, Steal o'er the shuddering frame, cold — freezingly : — O how can we avoid the coming woe ? How flee the thunderbolt — our Maker's ban ? — Stay ! trembler, stay ! thy soul on Mercv throw — Weep forth thy prayer — He'W save, who only can ! Nor doubt — for all the life-blood of our Saviour ran ! LXXI. But rouse we from our so deep re very Upon the glorious ones that once have been. Whose life-like portraitures around we see ; Cast now our gaze on Nature's loveliest scene — There she reclines, encouched 'mid vernal dyes. On the wide fostering lap of russet earth ; Sweet flowerets shade her glad life-giving eyes. Whose glances feed young bud-drops from their birth, Whence dewy rills are poured for them of bubbling mirth. THE ALTHORP PICTURE GALLERY. 37 LXXII. Ye Woods ! Ye Glades ! — Ay, ye are stilly now ! ' Nought moveth there, save drowsy Nature's breath. Which sends mysterious whispers thro' each bough. Mournful — as from the shadowy land of death. 'Tis sighing o'er the slow, sun-pillowing stream ; Doth gently raise the leaves fallen in their blight ; It stirs the fairy cups that softly gleam Through the tall grass, whose undulations light, Of emerald waves, swell o'er the flowering tufts so bright ! LXXIII. Thou high, all-glorious, and wide-searching Orb ! Say, was thy beaming eye thus ever fixed On the still scenes that now our thoughts absorb ? Wood, glen, and streams, impurpled o'er are mixed As one soft charm, thus spreading to the blaze Of thy hot glance — through golden mists as dim And breathless, there on noiseless pinion strays A dreaminess. — Afar, pale vapours skim. Which floating shade o'er all like mists from Lethe's brim. 38 THE ALTHORP PICTURE GALLERY. I,XXIV. Have ye no tongues, each proudly-spreading Oak ! -"* Can ye not tell of revelries of old ? Of the gay Masque the silence deep that broke, Of gentle Wood-Nymphs and of Hunters hold ; Of the light-falling steps of Fairy feet ;— Of high-born Youths and Maids that trod the ground ; Of laugh and gibe shrill echo would repeat ; — Of the blue violet's upsprung rebound From the slight pressure of fleet- moving steps around ? LXXV. Of the sweet music caught by each glad ear ; Of courtly ones, held in the dance's thralls By piping notes — receding, drawing near, While the winged step like noiseless snow-wreath falls ! Of the full budding forms that girlhood owns— The air-flung tresses, streaming far and fair; — Of panting breasts, unpressed by jewelled zones ; — Of Laughter's lips — or Love's absorbing air ; — What glances from coy Truth, or frolic Fun were there ? THE ALTHORP PICTURE GALLERY. O'J LXXVI. Can ye not tell how looked the Royal Dame,-' Proud Denmark's Anne ? — Whether in joyous mood, With all the pageantry of courts she came. And turned a willing ear to air-frothed food Which Flattery's lips, with honeyed tones, let fall ? Her clear blue eyes— say, did their brightness spring From sparkling wells, at Adulation's call ? Did no obnoxious weed 'mid ruins cling To her vain woman's heart, nor pierce with thorny sting ? LXXVH. Did not that heart miss from the masqued gay throng One princely form, with whose grace none could vie ? In absent mood, did she ne'er glide along, Nor muse on one proud brow, one soft dark eye ? Did she ne'er start, nor seek to hide the tear. When tutored homage to her charms was paid ? And did not low, sweet tones steal to her ear, As from the lips of Him,-- whose head was laid In a dishonoured tomb, bv force and treachery made ? 40 THE ALTHORP PICTURE GALLERY. l.XXVIII. Did she — though proudly conscious of her truth To England's Lord, her learned yet despised nitite — Conceal all outward mourning for the vouth ; Nor clasp within, a sterner, lasting hate, 'Gainst him who laid the gallant Gowrie low^ — The sun of chivalry, in manhood's pride ? — Disdaining thus to let her heart's full woe Gush with outflowings of its swollen tide. To the jov-gazc of those whose hands his blood had dved. LXXIX. Fair Queen ! 'tis said that thou wert heartless, vain — But O ! thy woman's heart was sorely crushed ! — Could he (thy drivelling lord) affection gain ? Were not the yearnings of thy spirit hushed ? Didst thou not ride in Pleasure's reeling car. And seek to hide from all the blight within ? With slackened reins the steeds bore thee afar. Yet, ere they reached the dark abyss of sin. Maddening thou curbed'st their race, nor headlong plunged within ! THE ALTHORP PICTURE GALLERY. 41 LXXX. Lio-ht, scornful words are cast at thee — dead One 1 Bv such as may not dream thy secret grief : — They, upon whom hath shone life's fairest sun. With souls ne'er twined by sorrow's withering leaf! Thy Lord — say, was he of thy choice ? Still more, Thy children, were they of thy love ? Ah, no ! What blacker stream from Trouble's vase can pour — What sharper pain can blighting anguish throw, Than those thy heart shrieked forth with each strong birth-pang throe ? LXXXI. Didst thou not gaze upon each rosebud face, With feelings which to self thou scarce would'st own ? If thou no semblance of the Sire could'st trace. Did not joy's sigh escape, with murmuring tone. From grateful lips r whilst the wan, languid cheek Would, shuddering, shrink from thy liord's welcome pressed. As wife and babe with anxious haste he'd seek. And strive to hide the sickness of thy breast : — When woman's joy's most full, what woe thy heart oppressed ! 42 THE ALTHORP PICTURE GALLERY. LXXXII. When Woman's curse convulsed thy tender frame, It was not borne for one. for whom thy heart Glowed with the faintest beam of Love's pure flame ; Poor Victim-slave, from a far regal mart I And oh ! in that sad, fearful, ordeal hour, When Nature's agony stamps Mother on The pale damp brow, with sign of anguished power. How longs the Sufferer to lean upon One loved and loving breast, sacred to her alone ! LXXXIII. But this was not for thee ! — a Mother — Wife — Without the magic that inshrines each name ! — The deep, sweet fountains of thy sex's life — Domestic hope ! were dashed by darker claim — Were clogged by bruised Affection's twining root ; — Crushed and uptorn — and wildly there it grew ; Turned to a weed, whose dank leaves did pollute The soul's rich springs, and exhalations threw Which oft thy struggling mind in grief, perchance, might rue ! THK ALTHORP PICTURE GALLKRY. 43 LXXXIV. What clouds of doom are gathering in the west. Of fiery tint, and dark portentous shade ! What torturing sobs arise from earth's low breast ! What sceptred horror stalks through glen and glade ! A captive King sweeps o'er the shuddering land ;23 A rebel crew bear him to death and wrong : — How different this fierce and ruffian band From that which long-back years woke Echo's song ! How different the rustic crowd so rudely move along 1 LXXXV. Now the wild Dirae lash their plunging steeds. And pour Phlegethon's hottest stream on all Around. The fume of maddening vapour leads Intoxicated brains to the dread fall Wherein are crushed the nobler signs of mind ! — Brute violence takes their place, and Pity dies ; Justice and Mercy are left far behind. And soft-eyed Innocence, pale, trembling, flies On hasty wing, to her bright nook beyond the skies I 44 THK ALTHORF PICTURE GALLERY. LXXXVI. Ill-fated Charles ! thy first young breath was drawn ^^ From grief's low sigh, o'er the slain Cowrie's doom ; Thy new-born eyes ope'd on the lowering dawn A nation wailed its loved, in silent gloom ! — Thou spring'st to life — his limbs are cast to air — Thy Mother-queen's large tears are not of joy, As she bends o'er, with bloodless cheek, so fair. The pure soft beauty of her infant boy ; — And dreams of death — not life — her shuddering thoughts employ. LXXXVII. And, doomed thou wert ! fate sealed thy baby brow With the impress that is not of this earth ;-^ The visioned sorrows, which young spirits bow, And check each joyous strain of gladsome mirth ; — Forebodings, which repose 'mid shadowy light. In the deep calm of the soft thoughtful eye. Would speak of premature — of early blight — Of thoughts, 'mong mistlike griefs that hidden lie, TiOng ere the circling years had marked thy destiny. THE ALTHORP PICTURE GALLERY. 45 LXXXVIII. Who'll mourn their paltry woes, when thus is fixed On thee and on ihy sorrow, the full flood Of yearning sympathy ?■ — Thy cup was mixed With blood drawn from the heart. — How proudly stood Thy regal form sedate ! The wreck within Was total ! — hut thy hope was set on high. Thy holy calm quelled even those men of sin — It beamed a lustre from thy steadfast eye, [die ! When thou wert tried and brought the felon-death to LXXXIX. Thou wert a King ! — Thy realm, where had it passed .'' A husband, too ! — and in thine hour of woe. One lovely image lingered to the last (In fancy's eye), with the enchanting glow That shone around, when through the dance was led Thy Fate ! -^ — from whose fringed orbs flashed forth young love ; — (Beneath that glance how colder prudence fled !) — It thrilled thy frame, like lightning from above. Nor passing as such flasli did thy fond truth e'er prove. 46 THE ALTHORP PICTURE GALLERY. XC. Thou wert a Father, too ! but where are they — The twining arms that round thee fondly clung? — Where are the cherub lips for thee that pray ? — Torn from thy side, thou lone and princely one ! Too much of grace it would have been for them To let young fond words breathe upon thine ear ; To let the tendrils cling unto the stem, Droop in its shade, and shed hot tear for tear ; Too much, for thee — for them, of all to nature dear ! XCI. Thy Friends I — for one thou stemmed the mob's fierce hate,-' Until his heart was pierced by murder's knife ; — But for the one most true thy darker fate Ordained thy star should lower .-^ Thus Strafford's life Bled forth to the wolf-hounds that bayed around ; Deep penitence eat to thy soul — a spot Of cankerous growth — thy breast a funeral mound, Laved bythe heart's wrung drops, large, burning, liot ; Such grief to mercy's eye that moment's fall might blot ! THE ALTHOKI' I'lCTUKE GALLERY. 47 XCII. And from such stains wert thou not purified ? How nobly did thy lips the truth avow Thy willingness to die as he had died, And to his fate thy regal forehead bow ! And thou didst bow and felt thy pardon sealed By his pure spirit, glorying on high ! There shone a ray to thy lorn soul — revealed Through the thick fog, far spread o'er sorrow's sky. And told thee, with thy life, thy all of pain should die. XClll. What varied changes in these glades have been ! What storms or calms have held a holidav ! What gentle zephyrs, with soft breath serene Have kissed the gladsome steps of smiling May I — Eros hath flown around, whose joyous wing A glory beams, of rays from lovers' eves ; By stealth the laughing god his snares would fling. Bedewed with tears, and wafted by sweet sighs. Whose echoes form a spell, where madness hidden lies ! 48 THE ALTIIORP PICTURE GALLERY. XCIV. And, nestled here, tiie wily Boy oft caught A roving breast, by some gay roguish wile ; A proud and fickle heart hath often brought To feel each throb wait on a maiden's smile ; — Hath lightly sprung from a blue merry eye, Or softly crept from one of darker hue ; — Hath lurked within a bi-aid of raven dye. Or with sunbeams hath danced, and lightly flew From golden locks, that bid the gazer dearly rue ; — xcv. Hath pendant hung upon a long dark lash. Or smiled within a dimple's radiant round ; — Hath leapt out archly, with a transient flash. From orbs soon quickly veil'd towards the ground ;- Hath thrilled along a soft and silvery tone, Or breathed a music from some airy grace ; — O'er the smooth roundness of an arm hath shone ;- On a small foot hath found a resting place, Or srlowinglv hath danced o'er a soul-beaming face ! THK ALTHOaP PICTURK GALLKRY. 49 XCVI. And here the Huntsnaan's cry hath shrilly sped,-^ And flying Echo's shrieks have rung around; The crowding deer have stood, in listening dread, Then onward sprung, with lighter — wilder bound ; And writhing boughs have closed, with meeting crash, As yelping hounds pressed headlong through the dell ; And hurrying steeds, with reckless leap and dash — Afar the horn's sharp notes would loudly swell With the gay shout that proved the trembling victim's knell. XCVII. And, as the living whirlwind rushed along, Affrighted wood- doves fled, with startled spring ; — The lonely thrush abruptly stayed her song ; The wondering eagle gazed, on poising wing ; The trampled flowers shed all their sweets around ; The country boors, who trudged the thicket's side. With vacant stare (whom whirl and sweep astound. And their high worships' clothes in scarlet dyed), Looked on the boisterous rout, and plodding — home- ward hied. D 50 THK ALTHOHE" I'lCTUUE GALLERY. XCVIII. These bou2:lis have rustled to the marriage son