THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES /* <: wX THE ABM! THE SWOBD! AND THE HOUK! HZfye argent? of tye ISncfcantefc totn OF MTJS^TJS. BY M. G. KENNEDY, ESQ. Umbantio. Are there not charms, By which the properties of youth and oraidhood May be abused? Have you not read, Eoderigo, Of some such thing? Ruder igo. Yes. Sir; I have indeed! LONDON: LONGMAN, BROWN, GREEN, AND LONGMAN. 1850. DEDICATION. tjje Hiarag (interntnm THIS GREAT AND MIGHTY KINGDOM ie Tfimt, TO THE RICHEST! TO THE POOREST' following WRITTEN EXPBESSLY FOB THE AMUSEMENT AND INSTBUCTION OF YOUTH, IS DEDICATED BY THE AUTHOR. PREFACE. THE Legends of Musaeus are sufficiently popular to render my humble praise a work of supereroga- tion. Wieland, the Voltaire of Germany, review- ing the Legend of " The Three Sisters," the ground work of my poem, says : " This work in its kind is one of the best publications of late years so rich in the most splendid literary productions. The tale may be, without the slightest danger, put into the hands of every youth. Far from corrupt- ing the heart, it is, on the contrary, adapted to develope in young heads the ideas which ought to germ there. At my age (seventy), I have con- secrated considerable time to superintend a new edition of this work." Khol, describes it as a singular and beautiful Fairy Legend, " which may be read to advantage by children of the largest growth." VI PREFACE. Paul de Kock has published a translation of it in France, with great success. In his preface he remarks : " The popular Fancy Stories of Musacus are entertaining as well as moral. In every line the author excites our curiosity and amuses our imagi- nation; and at the same time neglects not to present ridicule in its true light, to chastise vice, and to throw irony and satire upon folly and prejudice. If Museeus had only written the Chronicle of the Three Sisters, that story alone would have been sufficient to establish his reputation, and to place him upon a level with the first authors of Germany. None of the tales of the Thousand and one Nights T-HSO rich in beauties and wonders can enter the lists against this production, in which the author has lavished all the treasures of fairyism." I must now comply with the promise contained in page 169, and inform the youthful reader tiiat the German Legend is curious enough to inform us that, at the end of the festival at 'the Castle of the Baron Earndolf, his three Sons'-in-law de- parted. Reginald, heir of the county, always remained with his parents, and closed their eyes, as a dutiful son ought. Arthur, the Bear, bought PREFACE. vif the county Askania, and founded the town of Scarborough, (Bernburg.) It is the capital of the principality of Anhalt, and situate on the river Lata, five leagues from Dessau, and fottt from Magdeburg. The river separates the aflcient and stately castle from the town. Edgar, the Eagle, went into Helvetia, where in the shadow of the high Alps, he founded the town of Eagleborough, upon a river, at that time without a name, but afterwards called the Eagle, from the town which it watered. Eagleborough or Aarbarg is a town in Helvetia, on the river Aar, (Eagle) which unites with the Rhine, equalling it in si2e, at the junction. The town is situate in the canton of Berne, nine leagues from Basle. It has a fortress erected on the summit of a steep and lofty rock. Ufo, the Dolphin, went with an army into Burgundy, con- quered part of the country, and called the con- quered province the Dolphinate, (Le Dauphine). The Dolphinate is a province of France, forty-two leagues in length, thirty-four broad. Ufo Guignes, called the Dolphin, seized the province in the year 879. From him the first born son of his successors was called the Dolphin, in French, (Le Dauphin) Viii PREFACE. which title was transferred to the eldest son of the kings of France, when they obtained possession of the Dolphinate ; and as the three Princes had given names to their towns and dynasties in re- membrance of their enchantment they took also the forms of beast, bird, and fish, as symbols in their coats of arms. Therefore it is that the town of Scarborough has for its coat of arms a bear ; the town of Eagleborough, an eagle ; and the Dolphi- nate, a dolphin. The precious pearls worn on gala days by the terrestrian goddesses in the Courts of Europe, and generally believed of oriental origin, may be, perhaps, those taken from the en- chanted lake in the enchanted forest, and were " once on a time" in the linen sacks of the old hunting castle. With these explanatory remarks, I take my leave of my young friends and readers ; earnestly hoping they may derive not only amusement, but instruction from the following pages, and profit by what they read. M. G. K. Church Fields, January, 1850. THE ARMI-THE SWORD I-AND THE HOUR OB, of t\u ISnc&antetr BOOK L SECTION I. lago. Poor, and content, is rich, and rich enough. Othello. SHEWING HOW A CERTAIN MIGHTY BARON, LORD EARNDOLF, BEING IN GREAT PROSPERITY FOOLISHLY DISSIPATED THE SAME, AND BY SUCH WASTE AND EXTRAVAGANCE BROUGHT HIMSELF TO RUIN. ONCE on a time, our legend saith, A mighty Baron thrived In flocks, and crops, and cash beside, And so this Baron wired. 10 A FEAST ! A FEAST ! Kind Providence the union bless'd With children, Graces three ; Three lovelier maidens mortal eyes Might scarcely hope to see. The Baroness and Baron bold With pride their offspring scann'd ; And many an anxious hope was rais'd And airy castles plann'd. " A Feast ! a Feast !" Lord Earndolf cried, " The chase, and then the feast ; " The feast, the dance, the merry hour; " The altar, and the priest !" Then gallant Knights and Troubadours Sped to that ancient hall ; And brimming cups were fill'd and drain'd At midnight festival LOVE'S HOME. 11 'Twas wassailry the live-long night, Wild sports the live-long day ; And tournament, and revelry, And idle games of play. Pages and liveried lackies there Were ready at the need ; And bell-mouth'd hounds, and falcons rare, And barbs of nimblest speed. Then smil'd the Baroness to think, And smil'd the Baron too ; Who should their lovely children win, Or who should only woo. But love dwells not with revelry, More hallow'd is his mood ; Then seek not love in noisy halls But in calm solitude. 12 THRIFT .IS FORTUNE. A meek and blue-eyed heav'nly guest In the lone heart he dwells ; And to himself the whispered thought Of pure affection tells. Then marvel not that to that hall Of merriment and noise ; Love never came with happy face To join their feverish joys. The fleetest steed will tire at length, The deepest well may dry : The longest purse must find an end When thrift's no longer by. So with the Baron bold, at last His bounties felt excess ; And since his coffers could no mor, His heart must do the less. WASTE IS WANT. 18 By overweening pride oppress'd He scorn'd his state to own ; And grasp'd at every passing straw, Unwilling yet to drown. To the rich burghers of the town His lands in mortgage fell ; The money-changers in the mart His plate and jewels sell. At length his servants he dismiss'd ; Then sped his guests away ; For poverty and friends dance not Together on a day. Steed after steed a market price Sent home a market store ; At last the needy beggar turn'd In sorrow from the door. LABOUR SURE. And what remains the Baron now ? His halls deserted be ! Still he hath left a virtuous wife, And lovely daughters three. And 'mid his fortune's dark decay, In that secluded pile, His hours pass one by one away "Without one cheering smile O ! what were pomp and grand parade ? ! what was fashion now ? Better the maidens had been taught, To milk, to brew, or sew. And when the humbled Baroness Would to the pantry look, Her heart misgiving, seem'd to mourn She had not been a cook. PRIDE FALLS. 15 Poor fare was theirs ; no seething pots, No rich and savoury stews ; No frothing jugs, no flowing cups ; 'Twas neither pick nor choose. Potatoes boil'd, poor meagre fare For pamper'd appetite, Were all the castle now could boast ; So sad the Baron's plight. Such sorry cheer, such frugal meals Did very ill accord To suit the stomach, or the taste, Of that proud pamper'd Lord. Each day more surly and morose His heated temper grew ; Until his ill and savage mood No decent bearing knew. 16 DISTRESS. The castle echo'd to his oaths, So wild and loud were they ; Then from her lord the Baroness Would turn in grief away. In sorrow pin'd those lovely maids, Those high and peerless dames ; Accursed seem'd their earthly lot, And scorn'd their very names. For though the plague pestiferous, And Java's fatal tree, Have power to blight, such blight is nought Compar'd with poverty. A HUNTING WE WILL GO. 17 SECTION II. Sebastian. A living drollery: Now I will believe That there are unicorns; that, in Arabia There is one tree, the phoenix throne; one phoenix At this hour reigning there. Antonio, I'll believe both, And what does else want credit, come to me, And I'll be sworn 'tis true. The Tempest. SHOWING HOW THE BARON, IN GREAT DISTRESS, OOES INTO THE WOOD TO SEEK VENISON HOW IN THE WOOD, WHICH 18 EN- CHANTED, HE ENCOUNTERS A TALKING BEAR, WHOSE HONEI TREES THE BARON HAD DISCOVERED -AND ROBBED HOW THE BEAR THREATENS TO DEVOUR THE BARON, AND THE TERRIBLK CONDITIONS ON WHICH THE BEAR CONSENTS TO SPARE THE BARON'S LIFE. IT is the morn, a glorious morn, A sunny morn in June ; The lark is piping in the sky A sweet and merry tune. 18 THE FOREST. Up with, the lark the Baron starts And takes his hunting spear ; And to the forest glade he hies To slay the dainty deer. That forest was a fearsome spot, And known for leagues around, The haunt of wicked gnomes and elves, The foul-fiend's hunting ground. The Baron fear'd no gnome, nor fiend, With courage tried and told ; Besides a hungry stomach makes The veriest chicken bold. So stoutly march'd the Baron on, Unmindful of his way ; But all in vain his eager eye Look'd for the hoped-for prey. A STRANGE BEAST. 19 Wearied at length, beside a stream He stoop'd him down to drink ; Then underneath an oak he sat, To eat, perchance to think. " Gramercy ! mine's a scanty stock, " Potatoes water salt " O ! where be now the loins of beef, " The Ehenish and the malt? " Where be they, where ?" and wondering if An echo would reply ; He rais'd his lids, and lo ! behold ! What did his vision spy ? A bear, a most ferocious bear, With most ferocious stride, With glaring eyes, and shaggy brow, And a still shaggier hide. THE BEAST REASONS. Marching in solemn guise as though His Highness seem'd to say, " Who, Sir, are you ? and may I ask Your business here to-day ?" The Baron started to his feet And grasp'd his sturdy spear : " And who are you that dare demand " What is my business here ?" The bear turn'd up his haughty nose And wink'd his blood-red eye ; " Your question, valiant Knight," said he, " Needs question for reply." " But first, as from intruder bold, " I now demand of thee, " Why dost thou trespass, robber ! here, " To rob my honey tree ?" THE KNIGHT IS ALARMED. " Hath not the earth hath not the stream, " Their treasures essay'd ; " That each demand be satisfied " When such demand is made ?" " And when ye waste and dissipate " The power that makes ye strong ; " Ye come with recreant steps nor stint " To offer nature wrong !" " Bobber ! the honey trees are mine, " Prepare then for the strife ; " The treasur'd sweets now lost to me " Demand thy worthless life." " Alas !" the suppliant Baron cried, " As I'm an honest Knight, " I covet not thy honied sweets, " Nor question here thy right. THE KNIGHTS OFFER. " But if thou'lt join in my repast, " Although 'tis humble fare ; " Then welcome be, and welcome sit, " And welcome share and share." Thereon the Baron op'd his pouch, And to the Bear reveal'd, Potatoes which no Irishman Would wish to have re-peal'd. " Potatoes !" quoth the rugged bear, " Potatoes ! faith, your nice ! " Wretch ! think'st thou, thou can'st life redeem " At such ignoble price ? " Think of thy feastings in thine hall, " Thy countless treasures spent ; " Think of thy follies past and then " Repent fond fool, repent. THE BEAST S DEMAND. " No ! thou thy life may'st not redeem " At such vain price as this ; " But yet within thy power remains " Thy ransom, and my bliss. " Hark, Baron ! thou a daughter fair " Hast in thy castle hold ; " Annie her name, and for her hand " I make an offer bold. " Thy loveliest daughter, she must be " A bear's affianc'd bride ; " Or now beneath my fangs must flow " Thy being's blood-red tide." " She shall be thine," the Baron said, Oozing at every pore ; And twenty more he would have given If he'd had eighteen more. 24 A CURIOUS BARGAIN. " But, my lord Bear, conditions rest " Which bridegrooms all esteem ; " Come then, and with accustom'd gifts " Thy lovely bride redeem." " A bargain ! bargain !" cried the bear ; " An hundred weight of gold " Shall be upon our wedding feast " Into thy coffers told." " Agreed ! agreed !" the Baron said, " Your hand !" exclaimed the Bear, " And in seven days depend upon't, " Good Baron, I'll be there." Quick as a rail-train when express, Into the thicket sped The charmed Bear ; as quickly too, The Baron to his bed. SECTION lit. Approach thou like the rugged Russian bear The arm'd rhinoceros, or the Hyrcan tiger, Take any shape. Macbeth. SHOWING THE CONSTERNATION OF THE BAKONESS AND HER DAUSH- 1 TEHS UPON HEARING FROM THE BARON THAT HE HAD SOLD HIS ELDEST DAUGHTER TO A BEAR, HOW THE BEAR REDEEMED HER IN SEVEN DAYS WITH AN HUNDRED-WEIGHT OF GOLDEN DOUBLOONS, HOW THE BARON AND BARONESS WASTED THEIR TREASURE FOOLISHLY AS BEFORE, HOW THEY WERE AGATN REDUCED TO PENURY, SHOWING ALSO HOW 1 THE BARON SOUGHT THE FOREST AGAIN, AND ENCOUNTERED A TALKING EAGLE, WHO REMONSTRATED WITH HIM, HOW THE EAGLE WOULD HATE SLAIN THE BARON FOR TRESPASS, BUT THAT THE BARON CONSENTED TO GIVE THE EAGLE HIS SECOND DAUGHTER IN If ARRIAGE, AND HOW THE BARON RECEIVES TWO GOLDEN EGGS AN HUNDRED-WEIGHT EACH IN EXCHANGE FOR HIS CHILD; A*TD ALSO SHOWING THE MIRACULOUS MANNER IN WHICH BOTH THE BEAR AND EAGLE FETCHED AWAY THEIR BRIDES, HOW THE BARON IS IMPRACTICABLE TO EXPERIENCE, WASTES HI9 TREASURES, AND GETS AGAIN INTO TROUBLE. A BEAR that talks, the Baron thought, Must be some wicked fairy ; Besides he scarcely seem'd to like A son-in-law so hairy. 26 WEAK RESOLUTIONS. So he resolved his doors to bar, His castle fortify, And bid defiance to the fiend And all his witchery. Next morning to his wondering spouse The wond'rous tale was told ; And wonder'd too those maidens three At Bear so grim and bold. But when the gentle Annie heard The Bear her mate must be ; She started, shriek'd, then, shuddering, fell In death-like apathy. " My child, my child," the Baron cried, " While there is moat and wall ; " While there's a sword, and this good arm, No ill shall thee befal." ARTHUR'S CHASE. 7 The maiden rent her flowing hair, Tears dimm'd her azure eyes ; But all in vain the seventh day came, To banish all surprise. High in the castle keep there sat The maiden so forlorn ; The morn was lovely as could be, She lovelier than the morn. Hark ! from the forest comes a noise, 'Tis Arthur's chase that comes, And earth and sky are filTd with sounds Like magic lutes and drums. And horses prance, and bugles bray, Wheels rattling roll along ; Till at the Baron'* castle gate Arrays the gallant throng. J THE ABDUCTION. The gate springs open in a trice, Down down the drawbridge falls ; There's little virtue now in locks, Or bolts, or bars, or walls. From off a blood, cream-coloured barb, A young Knight vaulting springs ; And mounts that lofty spiral tower On love's resistless wings. Quick as a falcon there he seiz'd The maid of beauteous charms ; And bore her to a carriage gay, Pale, trembling in his arms. But when she saw a gallant Knight, Deck'd out in jewels rare ; Her heart rejoiced to find her love A Knight and not a Bear I NO JOKE. 29 The Baron, who was snoring loud, Awaken'd by the din ; Just saw his daughter taken out As he was taken in. Away away the chariot rolTd Which held the lovely fair ; " Adieu !" the raving father cried, " Thou bride of an old Bear !" But Annie from the carriage look'd, To soothe her parent's grief; And with her lily hand she wav'd Her lily handkerchief. Sad was the Baroness to hear The grim and dismal tale ; And, taking first a pinch of snuff, She next began to wail. 1 THE MAGPIE. Up to the watch-tower then she sped " My daughter daughter where, " Where hast thou gone ?'* she frantic cried,- " Ah ! must thou wed a Bear ?" " A Bear ! why not ?" a chattering voice Replied, " there's many a dame, " Much like yourself, with Bear for spouse, " In every thing hut name.*' " But mourn not, Ladye, take this key, " This silver key so bright ; f * And in four days your lord shall weigh " In gold an hundred- weight." The Baroness stared around about The speaker's form to spy ; When lo ! from forth the lattice flew Quaint Mag a chattering pie ! A SILVER KEY. 31 But on the sill the bird had dropp'd A glittering silver key ; And silver keys most ladies know Dispel much mystery. For three days moum'd the Baroness, The Baron mourn'd likewise : The fourth day brought an oaken ehest Which gladden'd both their eyes. The little glittering silver key Open'd that oaken chest, And there dispky'd the bright doubloons- In order paek'd and prest. Away with grief, away with sighs, Away with mumps and dumps ; The Baron's on his legs again, Once more he stirs his stumps. BACCHANALIANS, Poor Annie is forgotten quite ; And now again behold The vanities, and fopperies, And blandishments of gold. Chariots and horses now are bought, And servants hired, so trim ; And merry guests again crowd in To fool the Baron's whim. Women and wine their theme or sport, Neither would come amiss ; Then would they toast some neighbouring belle, Or sing some song like this : BACCHANALIAN SONG. A merry song, and a cheerful trowl, And let the song go round; A brimming cup, and a sparkling bowl, While mirth and joy abound: Away with sighs, and to ladies eyes, We'll drink while a cup is found. ' WANT OF CAUTION. 33 Fill up ! fill up, the sparkling cup, The Tine, boys, still for me; From the crystal cup, let's merrily sup The blood of the red grape tree; Away with sighs, and to ladies eyes, We'll drink from a ruby sea. The hemlock's juice may be dainty sprues To hearts oppress'd with care; But away with woe, and a flag of truce, Let us show to grim despair: Away with sighs, and to ladies eyes We'll drink, nor the goblet spare. Fill up! fill up, the sparkling cup, The vine, boys, still for me; From the crystal cup, let's merrily sup The blood of the red grape tree; Away with sighs, and to ladies eyes, We'll drink from a ruby sea. Now had the Baron put his gold To interest out that day, The chances are just two to one He might have paid his way. 34 CREDIT AND CREDITORS. But principal when on the wane, Though a full hundred-weight, With folly as a Seneschal, Will very soon grow light. And so the Baron found at last His costly treasure gone ; And in the oaken chest remain'd Of his doubloons not one \ Credit he sought, and credit stalks The tempting ghost. of debt ; Until at length stern creditors His castle gate beset. Horses and hounds again were sold, The last resources drain'd ; 'Till nothing but one falcon fierce- To that proud lord remain'd. THE EAGLE APPEARS. He took the bird upon his sleeve And to the fields he sped ; <f Fat partridges, and dainty q*ail, " Will serve a meal," he said. <* He cast the falcon in the air, Away the wild bird new, Nor would be lured, although his: lord Thrice the shrill whistle blew. When suddenly an Eagle huge t: | o') From out the forest soar'd ; And in the falcon's quivering back His piercing beak was gor'd. The Baron nimbly rais'd his spear, The daring bird to slay ; The Eagle smil'd, and said, " My Lord, " At that game two can play." 36 A FIGHT. Then on the spear the Eagle seiz'd, And snapp'd it like a straw ; For some must make, and some must break, There's Lynch as well as Law. " Audacious wretch," the Eagle said, " And would'st thou dare presume " My airy realms to rob ? prepare, " Bold man, to meet thy doom !" .- - " My life !" the Baron cried" my life ! " Patience, lord Eagle, pray ; " Ask what ye list, but life is sweet, " Take not that boon away," " Agreed !" the savage bird replied, " Two lovely daughters thine, " And since my nest a consort needs, " Let Emmeline be mine." ANOTHER BAD BARGAIN. " Two massive balls of virgin gold, " Each one an hundred-weight, Shall pay the purchase of her hand, " And our fond hearts unite." " It shall be so," the Baron said, " And Emmeline shall bide, " E'en as ye will, and where ye list, " The noble Eagle's bride." " Enough ! enough !" the bird replied, " In seven weeks will I come ; " To lead my high-born Ladye-love " Up, to her Eagle-home." Away ! away, the Eagle flew, The Baron look'd around ; His spear was splinter'd in his hand, His falcon on the ground. 38 EXPERIENCE AT FAtn/T. " Alas !" he said, then turn'd his steps Back to his castle hall ; " What varied ills of every kind " Improvidence befal." 'Tis said experience is a stern Preceptor to the mind ; But oft his words are vainly urg'd As in our tale -we find. The Baron's daughter, Emmeline, Was beautiful as day ; Where life, and light, and brightness shine Upon the flowery way. And her sweet beauties were enhanc'd By thrift and industry ; v For skilfully she trimm'd the loom, And would the bobbins ply. DISSIMILATION. 39 The Baron, when he saw his child Upon her work intent, Bemoan'd her doom, and inwardly Would her sad fate lament. But not a single word he breath'd, For though he loved his dame, He knew her fingers, like her tongue, Were always sharp the same. And so strict silence he maintain'd, Yet rued the bargain made : For time is positive when due, His debts must all be paid. Six little weeks soon passed away, And then six little days : tf The seventh day came, and woods and streams Shone in one lambent blaze. THE EAGLE'S BRIDE. Upon the lawn fair Emmeline Had spread her webs to dry ; She watch'd, when lo ! a troop of horse And horsemen gallop'd by. Behind a rose-bush in full bloom The timid creature crept ; A young Knight bounded from his steed, And to the rose-bush stept. He flung the fragrant blossoms off, They could not shame her cheek, nd said, " 'Tis you my roseate love, " 'Tis you alone I seek." " Come quickly, mount with me, my love, " My pretty Eagle's bride, " And in yon vault of azure blue " With me, my love, abide." LOVE'S ADVENT. 41 Now Emmeline the youth admir'd, Her heart went pit-a-pat ; But there was neither wonderment Nor novelty in that. For she had seen the youth before, When to the castle hall He came, a welcome guest, to join The joyous festival. And youthful hearts will start and leap When love's first accents speak ; Then comes the palpitating heart, Then comes the flushing cheek. But when she heard her lover say, " Come be an Eagle's bride !" The blood froze in her purple veins, And stopp'd its ruddy tide. 2 THE EAGLE'S THRONE. No time was now for parleying No dallying no delay The Knight rais'd up fair Emmeline, And beckon'd all away. Away away, rode Bought and Squire, Away away, they rode ; And in the haunted forest soon They reach'd the Knighf s abode. Behold him there an Eagle fierce Perch'd on a lofty tree ; With Emmeline half dead with fright And feverish agony. The Baroness, who missed her child, "Went forth her child to seek ; But sad forebodings press'd her heart, Which throbb'd well nigh to break. A SHILLOO. 43 *' O ! Emmeline, my Emmeline ! " My loved, lost, peerless maid ! " Where art thou gone ? my child, my child ! " By what foul fiend betray'd ?" She called aloud her daughter's name, The Baron shouted too ; He thought it just as well to join And keep up the shilloo ! He paced the garden court around, Then gazed he to the sky ; Then on the flowery beds, when lo ! What treasure meets his eye ? Within the rose-bush glittering there Two golden eggs he spies ; Two golden eggs, of precious gold, And of a precious size. 44 RENEWED EXCESS. No longer now could be conceal'd The secret from, his spouse ; Who eagerly began to help To roll them to the house. But all the while she stinted not The Baron to abuse ; Who wisely held his tongue, because It framed him no excuse. But soon was gentle Emmeline Forgotten at the Hall : Each day brought forth its gorgeous feast, Each night a glittering ball. And gallant Knights and ladies fair Throng'd to the castle gay ; Where wealth, and state, and beauty still, Kept gladsome holiday. VAIN HOPES. 45 And 'mid the beautiful and fair In castle, bower, or hall ; None with young Bertha could compare, Her charms surpassing all. And when the haughty Baroness Gazed on her girlish face, She sigh'd to think that she remain'd The last one of her race. " Who shall espouse my only child ? " Who shall fair Bertha wed ? " What house shall grace the ancient line " Of Earndolf now ?" she said. And while she held such long debates, Her lord kept filing on The golden eggs, until at length They both were nearly gone. 46 MOEE MISERY. Still he rasp'd on with heavy hand Deeper, still deeper cuts ; Until the eggs had dwindled to The size of hazel nuts. A few days more and these were gone, And yet a few days more ; And then the Baron found himself Deserted, sad, and poor. And will experience never teach ? Some are, who ne'er will learn! And neither stripes nor pleasant words Can make a fool discern. O ! Baron bold O ! Baron proud Hadst thou been born a serf, To plough the glebe, to sow the seed Or mow the fragrant turf; CONTENT VERSUS RICHES. 47 Thou hadst been happier far than now, And wealthier too though poor For calm content is more than gold, Though 'tis a countless store. SECTION IV. Trincolo. What have we here? a man or a fish? The Tempest. Mercutio. O ! flesh, flesh, how art thou fishified. Romeo and Juliet. HOW THE BARON, WANTINGA DINNER, GOES TO 8HOOT FAKTB1DGES, AND DISCOVERS A. LAKE STORED WITH TROUT, HOW HE THROWS A NET AND GETS A HAUL WHICH HE CANNOT LAND, THE LAKE BEING ENCHANTED WATER, HOW A HUGE DOLPHIN RISES AND THREATENS TO SWALLOW THE AFFRIGHTED BARON FOR TAKING THE TROUT, WHICH ARE HIS SUBJECTS, HOW POLITELY THE BARON PLEADS FOB HIS LIFE, AND THE MARVELLOUS CONDITIONS ON WHICH IT is SPARED: SHOWING ALSO HOW THE FISH, AS A WATER KNIGHT, REDEEMS HIS BRIDE, THE THIRD AND YOUNGEST DAUGHTER OF THE BARON, WITH THREE BUSHELS OF PEARLS, AND HOW GRIEVOUSLY THE BARONESS LAMENTS THE BARGAIN, AND SCOLDS HER LORD AND MASTER. THE Baron to his shifts again By poverty is driven, With hunger and necessity His wife and child have striven. A SPORTSMAN. 49 He shoulders now his trusty gun, The timid covey rise ; A snap a bang a snap a bang Hurra ! for partridge pies. Two plump young birds are bagg'd at once, The rest are on the wing ; " Another brace," the Baron said, " Will be the very thing. And so he plodded on his way, As every sportsman should ; Until he found himself upon The margin of the wood. " O ! wood !" he said, " accursed wood ! " I will not enter thce ; " Two of my daughters thou hast had, " Thou ne'er shalt have the three !" 50 THE ENCHANTED LAKE. " ! wood ! ! vile enchanted wood ! " Thou most detested place ; " Ne'er shall my wandering steps again " Thy labyrinths retrace." Just as the Baron turn'd away, His vision chanced to spy A little lake a pretty lake, With bright waves sparkling by. And in its calm and crystal stream A thousand speckled trout, Glancing in gold and crimson hues, Disported in and out. He thought upon his boyish days, His rod, and line, and reel ; The fly which falls like thistle down, The rise we scarcely feel ; FLY FISHING. We scarcely feel before the fish Darts startled to his bed ; As whirls the winch in rapid rounds, And strains the silken thread. But in a wave so very bright Such art no fish may take ; And rod and fly were useless all In that translucent lake. So the next morn the Baron sped A dish of trout to get ; But, 'stead of lines, he wisely took, A large broad casting net. Among the reeds a little boat He chanced there to espy ; And, jumping in, he row'd about The lake right merrily. 52 THE BARON POACHES. At length he flung his casting net Around the glittering shoal ; And never was there fisherman Had such tremendous haul. So now he sought the shore to gain, To land his wondrous prize ; When all at once, immovable, The little shallop lies. The Baron thought the boat aground And plied with hook and oar : The more he tugg'd the further he Receded from the shore. At length the lake began to swell, Extending to a sea ; And mountain billows foam'd and roar'd, And broke upon his lee. A TALKING FISH. 53 Then from the waves a fish arose, With moutK like some abyss ; And from his jaws a smother'd sound Came like a crater's whizz. " Presumptuous man, how dost thou dare," The monster cried " to come " And trespass o'er my watery realms, " And rob my fairy home ?" The Baron had familiar grown With chattering bird and beast ; The fish then caused him no alarm, He show'd it not at least. And to the monster thus he spake, " My lord Behemoth, why " To me a humble fisherman " Your bounteous store deny ?" 54 A POLITE FISH. " Should you before my hall appear, " My hospitality, " From kitchen and from cellar too, " Would at your service be." " Stop, stop !" the scaly monster said, " More courtesy I desire ; " We've never yet been introduced " As fashion's laws require." " Should you not stint to break through forms ? " Such never is my wish ; " And once you'll say you've had to learn " Politeness from a fish." " I thank you, lord Behemoth, well, " And value all you say ; " But if you will not grace my board, " I can no more good day !" EQUALITY NOT FRATERNITY. 55 " Stop, stop !" the scaly monster cried, " Such terms we part not on ! " Think'st thou my subjects thus to kill, " And unchastis'd be gone ?" " As thou would'st swallow one of these, " And think it made for thee ; " So shall these huge and hungry jaws " Avow, thou'rt made for me." " Thou think'st the little to the great " On being's scale belong ; " So now I'll show you how the weak " Are swallow'd by the strong." On this he oped his ponderous jaws ; O ! had they marble been ! But such a ruby gullet ne'er Before had mortal seen. 56 BAD BARGAIN. NUMBER THREE. " O ! Fish, Fish, Fish," the Baron shriek'd, " What a poor morsel I, " A sprat, a shrimp, a winkle nought " For that dread cavity." " Well !" said the Fish, " if thou art nought, " Thou hast a daughter fair ; " Give her to me to wive, and then " Thy paltry life I'll spare." " She's at your service, valiant Fish, " Or valiant son-in-law ; " And to your heart more welcome be " Than I should to your jaw." " In seven months then," the Fish replied, " I'll come, but I've no gold, " Or silver bars for marriage prize, " In coinage to be told." A CURIOUS MINT. 57 " But at the bottom of this lake, ce On banks of coral steep ; " A treasury of choicest pearls " In amber bowls I keep." " Pearls may be thine, the choicest pearls te From out my choicest store :" " Three bushels !" said the Baron bold, " I ask, and ask no more !" " I'm satisfied !" the Fish replied, Swelling his mighty frame ; Then dash'd he through the foaming waves Much quicker than he came. But ere he went his flapping tail, As 'twere some magic oar, Had whisk'd the boat and Baron back Upon the reedy shore. 58 TIME'S TREASURES. And there the Baron found the trout For which that morn he'd toil'd ; And some were fried in olive oil, And some were plainly boil'd. O ! little thought young Bertha when To choose she felt perplext, How much of fish her appetite Would relish of the next. Time pass'd away, it ever has, What's more, it ever will, Nor ever can return ! then seek Not time to waste nor kill ! For after all Time's but a friend, Improve it and you'll find, As it matures the fruit and grain It ripens too the mind. THE WATER KNIGHT. 59 Time pass'd away/ seven pleasant months- When at the castle gate A gorgeous train of Knights and Squires Appear'd in gallant state. The Baroness in doubtful mood The stately troop beheld ; But well known faces in the throng At once her doubts dispell'd. For when the hall for tournament And revelry was dight ; How often came that youth in green, The sprightly water Knight. For such the Knight in green was named, Since at each gathering He drank no cheerful sparkling wine But water from the spring. 60 FACTS AND SUSPICIONS. And Bertha welcomed the young Knight With smiling sapphirine eyes, That beam'd as shine at summer's noon, The pure and cloudless skies. The Baroness then sought her lord; But as he knew the day Had come to clinch the bargain made, He kept himself away. And when she to the hall return'd She found herself alone j For Bertha and the water Knight, And all the guests were gone. The courts were all deserted round, No Knight nor Squires were there ; And then she of the Eagle thought, And next about the Bear. PEAS NOT PEARLS. .61 And nought was there to cheer her heart Or give her bosom ease ; Save that the water Knight had left Three bushels of dried peas. " And have they taken Bertha too ?" The frantic mother cried, " O ! would that ere this last mischance " Thy mother, child, had died." She smote her breast she tore her hair, And might have fainted then ; But on the bridge she saw her lord Returning home again. " Ah ! woe is me !" she sobbing said, " Mine is a life of woe !" But when the Baron saw the bags Of pearls, he said " Not so !" 2 PEARLS NOT PEAS. For well the Baron knew the bags, Contain'd a precious store ; But this time kept his secret well, Though he had not before. He show'd the dame the pearly gems, Each gem drilTd neatly through ; And all as big as marrow-fats, And of most brilliant hue. And when the Baroness survey'd Each string of costly pearl ; She thought her child had wed at least A Baron, or an Earl. And this consoled her for a wl^le, And great was her cjeligfrt j To think her bounteous son-in-law No monster, but a Knight. COMMON SENSE. 63 Now soon in throngs Jews sought the hall, The pearls were turn'd to cash ; Once more the Baroness resolved To cut a mighty dash. To which the Baron said, " Dear wife, " "When we have golden store, " And dainty feasts to give, we find " The world flocks to the door." " But when we feast not, and the gold " And pageantry are gone ; " The world grows harsh, and stern, and cold, " And we may starve alone." " And so, dear wife, we'll husband these " Bich treasures at command ; " I'll buy again my castle halls, And I'll redeem my land." 64 THE SECRET TOLD. Where this resolve, so good, he'd got, 'Tis difficult to tell ; Belike it came, because he had No other child to sell. Howbeit, still the Baroness "Would daily sigh and fret ; For days pass'd on, and of her child She could no tidings get. At length in hour of dalliance sweet Her lord the truth reveal'd ; How lite unto her sister's doom Had Bertha's too been seal'd. " Alas !" said she in agony, " And have I children borne, " And live to see them from my arms " By vilest monsters torn ? VAIN COMFORTS. 65 " A savage beast ! a ravenous bird ! " Had'st thou not all thy wish ; " But thou must poor dear Bertha sell " Unto a fiendish fish ? " Ah ! what are earthly treasures now ? " What now your golden store ? " When peace, and hope, and happiness " Are banish'd evermore ?" " Dear wife !" again the Baron spake, " Take comfort yet awhile ; " For Hope can cheer a wilderness " And make a desert smile." Who may a childless mother soothe ? The Baron found it vain ; So every time she dropp'd a tear, The Baron took a drain. 66 NIL DE8PERANDTTM. At length she grieved so very much, That fits of melancholy Oft made her wish for grim-friend Hein,* Which Jolly said was folly. For while there's life, there's surely hope And never was a lane So long but there was once a turn, And will have turn again. END OF BOOK FIRST. * Friend-Hein, a German name for death. THE ARM .'-THE SWORD I-AND THE HOUR! OB, ?ic grnH of tfjc i=nc?jantfiJ BOOK II. SECTION I. lago. Thou know'st we work by wit, and not by witchcraft. Othello. SHOWING THE DESPONDENCY OF THE BABONESS, HOW SHE BE- WAILS THE LOSS OF HEB DATJGHTEBS, BUT HOW SHE CHEEBS UP AT THE PBOSPECT OF BECOMING A MOTHER, HOW A MALE CHILD IS BOBN, HOW IT IS CHBISTENED, AND CALLED " THE CHILD OF WONDEB," HOW THAT IN TWENTY YEARS THE' CHILD BECOMES A MAN AND A MOST VALIANT KNIGHT, HOW HE GOES ON QUEST IN SEABOH OF HIS LOST SISTEBS, AND THE WONDEBFUL DISCOVEBY HE MAKES OF HIS ELDEST ONE, WHO IS THE WIFfi OF A BEAR, SHOWING ALSO SOME CUB1OUS AND MAGICAL TBANSFOBMATIONS WHICH WOULD BE EXCEEDINGLY REMARKABLE WEBB THEY NOT FABULOUS. Now in the ancient castle halls The Baroness doth pine ; The Baron he seems awe-struck too, But drowns hig cares in wine. 68 MUSIC HATH CHARMS. For what are gold and choicest gems When peace of mind is gone ? And childless parents share in grief Their sad regrets alone ? Happier the rough rude peasant breathes, With fondling on his knee, Than were the Baron and his dame, 'Mid all their revelry. And when, the feast and dance were o'er, And all the guests had sped, That ancient lordly castle seem'd The mansion of the dead. One evening as the Baroness Her luckless fate .bemoan'd ; Her waiting-maid, fair Mistress Maude, Her harp to comfort toned. TO SOOTHE THE ACHING BREAST. 69 POOR HEART OF GRIEF. THE SONG OF MISTRESS MAUDE. Cast off the mantle of cold despair, Poor heart of grief, and let joy be there; For a joyful face, and a heart that's bright, Are earth's reward, and Heaven's delight. Give tears to sorrow, if tears avail; And breathe forth sighs, if sighs prevail; But ! 'tis madness to sigh and fret, When nothing is left but Tain regret. Banish thy sadness, poor heart of mine, For yet another sweet star may shine; The darker the cloud, the brighter the bow, The higher the mountain, the purer the snow: Cast off the mantle of cold despair, Poor heart of grief, and let joy be there; For a joyful face, and a heart that's bright, Are earth's reward, and Heaven's delight. Thus Maude her mistress sought to charm With cheerful notes of song ; For music has a balm for grief, A solace e'en for wrong. 70 GLAD TIDINGS. And so the Baroness at length A cheerful smile essay' d, When to her loved and noble lord Confession thus she made : " Once more, dear husband mine," she said, " I find myself to be, " As all kind husbands, like yourself, " Wish loving wives to see." Glad was the Baron's ear to hear Such tiding was in store ; It came like some returning beam Upon a sunless shore. Time soon fulfill 'd its wonted course, As 'twill for grief or joy : The Baroness presented then To her proud lord a boy ! A GIPSETf's PROPHECY. 71 A boy ! a boy !' a son and heir ! Well might the castle ring With shouts of mirth, to greet and hail Such stranger's welcoming. It was indeed a peerless boy, A bouncing, bright-hair'd lad ; The eyes of Venus, and the brow Of god-like Mars he had. And so they named him Reginald, The wondrous child ; for he By Gipsey prophet prophecied Should a deliverer be. For, saith the legend of the hall, A fish, a bird, and beast Shall overthrow, and be o'erthrown, The largest by the least. THE KNIGHT IN ARMS. So said the Baron : " Reginald " Our lost ones shall restore ; " And hope and joy shall breathe again " Where darkness reign'd before." In twenty years the little child Of course became a man ; And many a daring deed did do, And many more did plan. His knightly sword he girded on, And took his trusty shield : Behold the child of wonder now Caparison'd for field. " For sisters three I'll be revenged," He said, " nor stint the blade " Until their ransom I have won ; " Or wrong for wrong repaid." CAP-A-PIE. The more his anxious mother sought His venturous heart to stay ; The more the noble Baron urged His valiant son away. But Reginald had firm resolv'd : So stout in heart arid limb, At morning's dawn he sought the wood In gallant knightly trim. On gaily pranc'd the steed he strode, Glitter'd his armour bright ; And from his casque a flowing plume Gleam'd like a sunbeam's light. For three long leagues the forest seem'd As pleasant forest glades : His path then grew a wilderness Of rough unsightly shades. 74 THE KNIGHT ON QUEST. Large trees, up-rooted, spread around With tangled underwood ; The lands were marshy, and huge frogs Croak'd from their homes of mud. But nothing daunted, Reginald Resolv'd his quest to keep ; Though now his steed was useless quite 'Mid paths so rough and steep. Still his strong arm the thickets hew'd, He climb'd each bold ascent ; Unmindful of all dangers round, Upon his quest intent. At length he reach'd a beauteous isle, Bound by a sinuous rill ; And from the green and flowery plain Uprose a mighty hill. ENCHANTED GROUND. 75 On its grey side a grotto op'd Its black and ponderous jaw ; And at the mouth young Reginald A lovely matron saw. i A lovely matron ! Can it be Lost Annie that is there ? 'Tis even so caressing too, A young mis-shapen Bear. Beside her two rough-hided Cubs Were gambolling so gay ; Kolling or throwing summersets Like "Weiland in the play. Awe-struck the child of wonder seem'd, But when he'd gazed awhile He knew 'twas Annie bound by charms In that enchanted isle. 76 THE BEAR'S DEN. " ! youth," exclaim'd that lady fair, " What evil, spiteful star, " Hath led your steps to this vile den '( " You know not where you are !" " Here dwells a grim and savage Bear, " Whose arts may none oppose ; " And all of human kind but me " He rends as mortal foes." " Fear not !" said Reginald the bold, " I know this forest well ; " And here am come to slay the beast, " And break this mighty spell." " Young Knight !" the lady quick replied, " 'Tis not in human arm " To quell the grim and savage Bear, " Or break the mighty charm," REGINALD IS RESOLVED. 77 Replied the Knight, " I'm Reginald, " The child of wonder hight, " The lord of Earndolf is my sire, " And I'm a true born Knight." " Three daughters hath my father lost ; " Three sisters now I seek ; " Behold your brother then, resolv'd " The fiendish charm to break. " Whate'er it be it must be rent, " Or Reginald must die !" " It cannot be ;" poor Annie said, " Then fly, dear brother, fly !" But nought could shake the Knight's resolve, So Annie took his hand ; And led him to the charm'd grot, All strew'd with silvery sand. 78 FURNISHED APARTMENTS. Beneath a large and sombre vault Was heap'd a mossy bed ; On this the Bear and uncouth Cubs Their hairy noses laid. With gold-laced damask curtains round, Immediate, opposite, There stood an ivory-carved bed With counterpane as white. This bed, magnificent and gay, For Annie was prepared By magic hands, that neither cost Nor anxious trouble spared. Close by, a small black ebon door Op'd to an inner grot ; And luckily for Reginald, Aunie the key had got. THE KNIGHT IS CLOSETED. 79 " Here, brother, enter here ;" she said, " And here a day remain, " And silence keep, or never hope " To see bright day again." Scarcely had Annie turn'd the key When the grim, grisly Bear Enter'd the cavern with a growl, As scenting foeman there. His muzzle was all smear'd with blood ; (Bears are not over nice ;) For he had found the young Knight's steed, And slain it in a trice. When Annie saw the fearful sign, And found his temper up ; She tickled first his shaggy ears, Then ask'd her lord to sup. 80 " I scent here human flesh, my love," The grim beast growling said ; " And I must taste it too, before " I go this night to bed." " Beloved Bear ! beloved Bear !" The Lady meek replied, " You do mistake, for who would here " A moment dare to bide ?" " I scent here human flesh, my love !" The Bear growl'd forth again ; " And nought of human form may here " A living thing remain." He snuff'd around, about the bed, Above, and also under ; 'Tis well the closet had secured The daring child of wonder. THE WEDDING RING. 81 But there he was, and there he fum'd, Brought to a dismal pass ; And he who ne'er had fear'd before Trembled like trembling grass. Poor Annie too, began to fear ; But spite of magic spell, There's something in the wedding ring When good wives use them well. And Bears, like men (some men are Bears,) May be hen-peck'd sometimes ; If not, then reason all is gone, And nought remains but rhymes. 'Twas lucky then for Reginald, The bear was hen-peck'd quite ; So Annie kick'd him in the ribs, Which set his lordship right. 82 ALL RIGHT. He sneak'd away, and laid him down To sleep upon the floor ; And licking first his Cubs he snored, As only Bears can snore. Then Annie drew her brother forth, Cold, cramp'd, and ashey pale ; And to refresh the daring youth She gave him cakes and ale. Into another chamber then Sir Reginald she led ; And told him now that he had supp'd He best had go to bed. Upon the morrow, Reginald Arose, when lo ! behold ; The cave had to a palace turn'd, Deck'd all in silks and gold. TRANSFORMATION THE FIRST. 83 He thought he dreamt, so pinch'd himself To see if that would tell ; But finding he was wide awake He went and rang the bell. A liveried lackey in a trice Made answer to the call ; And said, " Sir Knight, your sister waits " Your presence in the hall. " Arthur, the Bear, her husband too, " Will to his brother pay " The rites of hospitality " This humanized day." The very name of Bear at first Gave the young Knight alarm ; But then he cheer'd himself to think, He yet might burst the charm. 84 AN INTRODUCTION. Then to the hall went Reginald : Behold the Bear a lord Of courtly mood, and gentle guise, To princely state restored. And Annie by his side is there, As beautiful as day : And sweet and lovely children three Around their parents play. The gentle Annie rose, and took Her brother's hand, and led His timid steps unto her spouse, And smiling thus she said : " Dear husband, to your court I bring " A true and valiant Knight ; " Sir Reginald, lord Earndolf 's son, " The child of wonder hight." AN EXPLANATION PROMISED. 85 When Arthur heard his gallant guest Was brother to his spouse ; He most politely gave the Knight Full welcome to his house. With warm fraternal tenderness Sir Reginald he embrac'd ; And said such brave and noble Knights His courtly palace grac'd. So Reginald his sister kiss'd Then without more ado ; Although his nieces were three Bears, He kiss'd the children too. And they were merry in the hall, One day in seven at least. And now the story turns to tell How came the Prince a beast. SECTION II. Brabantio. O thou foul thief, where hast thou stow'd my daughter? Daran'd as thou art, thou hast enchanted her. Othello. SHOWING HOW A TERRIBLE SORCEROR, NAMED ZOBNEBOCK, FOK THAT BECAUSE THE GOOD PBINCE BADBOLD REFUSED HIS BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER, HILDEGABDE, TO HIM IN MARRIAGE, SLEW HIM, AND SEIZED HIS CASTLE AND DAUGHTEB, HOW HE ENTBANCED THE DAMSEL, WHOM HE PEBMITTED TO AWAKE BUT ONCE IN SEVEN MONTHS TO LISTEN TO HIS ODIOUS PHOTESTA- TIONS, HOW ON HILDEGABDE'S BEFUSING HIS SUIT HE DOOMED HER TO A PERPETUAL SLEEP, TO BE ONLY BROKEN AT THE SORCERER'S DEATH, AND ALSO HOW HE CHANGED HER THREF. BBOTHEBS, PBINCELY KNIGHTS, PBINCE ABTHUB INTO A BEAR, PKINCE EDGAB INTO AN EAGLE, AND PBINCE UFO INTO A DOLPHIN. IN Servia once there lived a lord, A sort of Palatine ; But how he lived, or whence he came, No mortal could divine. A RARE MONSTER. 87 In stature he was six foot six, And in his barrel head His eyes a squint, sunk deep, and grey, Like bullets made of lead. A chromy beard, huge whiskers eke, Flow'd from beneath his ears, Which seem'd to court, and yet defy Both barber and his shears. And 'twixt his cheeks, so red and plump, Like an oak-apple rose A livid tubercle, which served The purpose of a nose. His head was bald, his forehead low, With crown so very flat, That he would wear a large broad-brinun'd, But very low-crown'd hat. 88 MORE MAGIC. A tunic of a blood-red dye Conceal'd the knock-a-knee : O ! such a brute as Zornebock You ne'er need wish to see. He held a strong and ancient hold, And kept up gallant state ; And unknown Knights from distant lands Throng'd to his castle gate. 'Twas said dread tournaments were held At midnight's blackest hour -, And then would blaze the beacon's light From many a lofty tower. But ere the dawn in suit of grey Had glimmer'd in the east, The fires were quench'd the Knights were gone ; Away went fight and feast. PRINCE POMERAN. 89 A huge dark pile of towers was seen Unsightly, massive, cold ; Which gleam'd not though the sun shone bright, And rob'd the earth in gold. Some said, a fiend was Zornebock, Some thought him Knight bewitch'd ; So on the pegs of doubts and fears Their strange mis-givings hitch'd. Yet bold eyes quail'd beneath his glance, The bold heart trembled too ; But where ? the legend telleth not j Most likely in its shoe. On a domain adjacent there Liv'd one, Prince Pomeran j A very valiant Knight was he, And a good sort of man. o 90 EXCEEDINGLY BEAUTIFUL. He gave grand dinners, balls, and masques ; His bankers held assets ; And every Monday regular He paid his weekly debts. Three sons had Radbold Pomeran, A daughter too had he ; Knowle's would have term'd her " beautiful," Perhaps " exceedingly." Prince Zornebock saw Hildegarde One morn upon a ride ; And from that moment he resolv'd To claim her for his bride. The " Beautiful exceedingly !" Disdain'd the proffer'd suit : And said her choice, when made, should be A man, and not a brute. LONG ODDS. 91 This vex'd the fiendish Zornebock, And put him in a rage. " A never ending war/' said he, " With Pomeran I'll wage." He marshall'd forth his elfin Knights, Each on an elfin steed ; To win the young and beautiful, .Or make the old one bleed. * Poor Eadbold found the odds not his When meeting on the plain ; For one fierce thrust from Zornebock Left Radbold with the slain. " Stop stop the fight," cried Zornebock, " Spare Knight, and Squire, and man ; " For now is valiant Zornebock " The lord of Pomeran." 92 THE FIEND'S DEFEAT. Dead Radbold's castle then he seiz'd, And seiz'd his daughter too : To seize is not the wisest way, For those who wish to woo. And so discoyer'd Zornebock When Hildegarde he'd won : Though in her teens yet was not she So easily to be done. The fiend next tried his magic arts; And in a cavern deep He flung the maid, and bade her take A long seven months of sleep. When full seven months had pass'd away He sought the cavern door ; And 'cause she frown'd he bade her sleep Again for seven months more. THE FIEND'S REVENGE. 93 So he went on soliciting Her hand, but all in vain ; Her answer, " No !" but made him say " Then sleep, and snore again." " But hark !" said he " thy brothers three " By magic art I'll change ; " From human shape to monstrous forms, " Savage, and wild, and strange." " Six days in seven shall Arthur be " A grim and grisly Bear ; " A wild rank forest for a home, " A cavern for his lair." if Six weeks in seven shall Edgar range " An Eagle fierce and fell ; " The lowering welkin be his realm, " 'Mid branches let him dwell." 94 DEMAGORGON'S POWERS. " Six months in seven shall Ufo pass " Beneath the rolling deep ; " Into a vile and monstrous fish " His manly form shall creep," " And 'till some magic charm be wrought, " More potent than is ours ; " It is decreed fchat each must yield " To Demagorgon's powers." " Such is our elfin law, and such " Must elfin law remain, " Until thou weddest Zornebock, " Or Zornebock be slain." Poor Hildegarde sleeps in her cave To wake one month in seven : Into the wood, the air, and sea, Her brothers three are driven. NOT ABSOLUTE. 95 And Zornebock, a tyrant fierce, Controls each destiny : But there must come an end at last To wrong, though strong it be. The evil weed which grows apace The soonest fades and dies ; In beauty and in strength, the oak Out-braveth centuries. So will the upright and the just Maintain a noble sway ; When worthlessness, and cruelty, And tyrants pass away. SECTION III. Prospero. Now does my project gather to a head : My charms crack: not; my spirits obey; and time Goes upright with his carriage. The Tempest. SHOWING HOW SIB REGINALD, THE " CHILD OF WONDER," IS EN- TERTAINED BY PBINCE ARTHUR ON THE DAY Of HIS TRANS- FORMATION, AND PRESENTS HIM WITH A VERY CURIOUS GIFT. IN Arthur's princely court are seen The beautiful and fair ; But none in worth c-r loveliness With Annie can compare. And 'mid the noble, bold, and brave, With Arthur none can mate ; Though sorrow sits upon his brow And mocks his princely state. THE EXPLANATION PROMISED. 97 The feast is over. Arthur's Knights, His wife, and guests are gone ; And with the " child of wonder" he Seeks conference alone. et Ah ! brother dear," he sorrowing said, " Mine is a grievous lot ; " The victim I of some unknown " But powerful fiendish plot." " One day in seven behold me then " A Prince of knightly fame ; " The other six I am a brute, " In action, form, and name. " My Knights and Squires you've seen to-day, " To-morrow's dawn will change " To badgers, otters, rats, and beasts " Most villainous and strange." 98 MORE TRANSFORMATIONS. " The ladies of my household too, " So beautiful and fair, " Will be transform'd to bats and owls, " Myself into a Bear." " My chariots will be shells of nuts, " My horses, ants ; my house " Into a dismal rock will turn ; " My cook into a mouse." " Yon fountains now so pure and fresh " In muddy pools will lie ; " And murky clouds of gray o'erspread " Yon bright cerulean sky." " It was, Sir Knight, one day like this, " I sought your castle gate ; " And having bargain'd for my bride, Redeem'd my lovely mate." NATURE PARAMOUNT. 99 " At first she mourn'd her heavy chance, " At first in secret pin'd ; " But now you see she's reconcil'd " And to her fate resign'd." " For yet methinks the fiendish charm " Which holds me in its thrall, " May soon be rent, and Arthur rule " Once more in princely hall." " Twenty-one years have now elaps'd " Since Annie came my bride, " But yet her charms and loveliness " You see with her abide." " For elfin skill, though dread its power, " Still yields to nature's laws ; " And neither sprites, nor rhymes can make " Effect, without a cause." 100 ELFIN POWER. " And thus when elfin power withdraws " Mortals, from mortal kind ; " Time always stops the running sand, " And throws his scythe behind." " The fairy world marks not the hour ; " Moments eternal stay ; " A day's a month, a month's a year, " A year is but a day." " And twenty years may be compress'd " Into a minute's span ; " As Mecca's seer through boundless space " In one brief moment ran." " Then let us trust, brave Reginald, " The happy hour will come, " And see me to my state restor'd " Your sister to her home." THE ARM. 101 " For I have yet two brothers young, " Two brothers bold and true ; " Go then and try what three good swords " And three good hearts may do." " But I must tell thee, Reginald, " The spell hath wond'rous charm ; " Who rends it must have heart upright, " A free and guileless arm." 'Tis very well to think, and plan, To dream, to hope, or wish ! He knew not Edgar was a bird, And Ufo but a fish. And Reginald his counsel kept, Unwilling to deceive ; Well wishing too his brother should In cheerful hope believe. 102 MORE CHANGES. The hours past on, when Arthur rose Distracted from his seat : " My brother bold, my hour draws near," He said, " You must retreat." " In twenty minutes more will come " The great and mighty change ; " And things now rich and beautiful " Will frightful be, and strange." " In me the instinct of the Bear, " Brutal and fierce will be ; " And I should spill your life's red blood " Although so dear to me." " Then leave me, Reginald, before " My savage mood comes on ;" And then he sternly urg'd the Knight To harness, and be gone. A CHEERING PROMISE. 103 " Alas !" said Reginald, " whate'er " Of evil may betide ; " O ! suffer me as still with friends " And relatives to abide." " It may not be," Prince Arthur said, " Too powerful is the spell ; " And none but Annie for a day " Beneath the charm may dwell." With earnest exhortations he So movingly appealed ; That Reginald saw, if he stay'd, His own fate might be seal'd. And so he kiss'd his sister's cheek, And press'd the Prince's hand : " I go," said he, " but I'll return " And bring my chosen band." 104 THE CURIOUS GIFT. " Whate'er the charm, this arm shall rend " The magic veil in twain ; " And I'll restore you to your halls " And happiness again." Again the brothers then embrac'd, When princely Arthur took From out his vest, a very small And red morocco book. " This little book, " said he, " contains " Three brown and single hairs ; " Do not despise the gift, because " They once have been a Bear's." " In token of your journey here, " They'll ever bring to mind " Those who must ever love, and you " Leave evermore behind." THE STATE CARRIAGE. " But," added Arthur earnestly, " If ever aid you need, " Rub these three hairs and you will find " 'Twill come to you with speed." " Adieu, my brother !" and " Adieu !" Sir Reginald replied ; Five minutes more, and Reginald Was in the forest wide. A phaeton drawn by six black steeds Bore him in state along ; Servants and horsemen round him rode, A brave and gallant throng. The silvery stars were glittering bright, The moon was on the wane ; Away the magic chariot roll'd Through forest, wild and plain. H 106 STRANGE CATTLE. At length, the neighing steeds were stay'd, When a young squire drew nigh ; And said, " Sir Knight, our parting's here, " And we must say, good bye !" " Farewell," said Keginald, " farewell ! " And all good saints protect" Those words ! what magic words are those That have such strange effect ? The chariot's now a poor nut shell, The coal black steeds are gone ; And six black ants, up t'wards their hill That shell are dragging on. And round them throng an hundred more, Some red, some white, some gray, And these were Knights and Squires, so plum'd And marshall'd yesterday. CRUELTY DETESTABLE. 107 Sir Reginald now felt how true Prince Arthur's words had been ; And wonder'd much at what he'd heard, But more at what he'd seen. He turn'd his steps from that ant hill, And as he turn'd took care, Not to destroy a single ant, Well knowing what they were. But Reginald was ever kind, He would not hurt a worm ; For he detested cruelty In every shape and form. " I would not enter on my list " Of friends" the Poet sings, The man who wilfully would put His foot on meaner things. 108 SUAVITEB IN MODO. For " polisli*d manners, and fine sense," We abrogate, when we By cruel words, or acts, forget Sweet works of charity. The gentle heart, 'tis said, is known By gentle deeds, and kind : So gentle thoughts exalt the soul And purify the mind. SECTION IV. Flavius. These growing feathers pluck'd from Caesar's wing, Will make him fly an ordinary pitch. Julius Casar. SHOWING HOW THE " CHILD OF WONDER" PROCEEDS IN SEARCH OF HIS SECOND SISTER, AND FINDS HER IN AN EAGLE'S NEST, AN EAGLE'S BRIDE, HOW HE is RECEIVED BY THE LOVELY MMME- LINE, AND PRINCE EDGAR, THE EAGLE; ALSO THE WONDERFUL REVELATIONS MADE BY EDGAR, WHO PRESENTS SIR BEG1NALD WITH A REMARKABLE GIFT; HOW THE " CHILD OF WONDER*' IS INDUCED FURTHER TO GO IN SEARCH OF HIS YOUNGEST SISTER BERTHA, HOW HE DREAMS, AND THEN DISCOURSES WITH EN- CHANTED FISHES, AND AFTERWARDS VAULTS DOWN A GLASS CHIMNEY IN THE MIDDLE OF A MAGIC LAKE, AT THE BOTTOM OF WHICH HE DISCOVERS BERTHA, THE BRIDE OF PRINCE UFO, THE DOLPHIN; ALSO OF THE MARVELLOUS TRANSFORMATIONS OF UFO, AND HOW HE PRESENTS THE " CHILD OF WONDER" WITH ANOTHER WONDERFUL GIFT, JUST AS WONDERFUL AS THE FORMER TWO. THAT night the '' child of wonder" slept Beneath a gnarled oak ; His pillow was a mossy bank, His counterpane his cloak. 110 DESPONDENCY. A glow-worm serv'd him for a lamp, His thoughts supplied a book ; His lullaby the melody, "Which murmur'd from the brook. And when the east in rosy red And opal hue was drest, Sir Reginald his armour brac'd To follow on his quest. And murmuring to himself he said, " Although my power be vain " To break the spell, yet I must see " My sister once again." His reverie was sad and short ; A loud and rustling sound Of huge wings cleaving the clear air He heard above around ! THE EAGLE AGAIN. Ill And looking up he saw a bird, Of mighty bulk, descend Upon an oak whose leafy arms Might o'er three rods extend. " The Eagle !" quoth Sir Reginald, " Then Emmeline is here :" And so behind some shrubs he crept Which spread a shelter near. For seven long hours he watch'd the tree : At noon the bird arose, And off in search of sport, or prey, The magic Eagle goes. Scarce were his big wings out of sight, When Reginald crept out His hiding place, and cautiously He ey'd him round about. 112 EMMELINE IS FOUND. Then to the foot of that oak tree He stept and whispering said : " O ! Emmeline, my sister dear, " Hast thou been hither led." " ! dost thou in this tree abide ? " Speak ! speak, my sister, speak ! " I come, your brother Reginald, " A sister dear to seek." A sweet, a soft, a gentle voice, As from a cloud on high, Fell in soft cadence on his ears, Seraphic melody. " If thou art Reginald," it said, " Ascend this hated tree ; " And from a hideous Eagle's fang* " A sorrowing sister free." A ROPE LADDER. 113 The Knight attempted the ascent, But found his labour vain ; For soon as he had fix'd one foot The other slipt again. His sister saw his efforts fail ; "With fiends they could not cope ; So, Juliet like, she lower'd him down. A ladder made of rope. Right merrily Sir Reginald Mounted the lofty tree ; And there he found an Eagle's nest Hous'd in a balcony. Beneath a canopy reclin'd The beauteous Emmeline ; Still busy with her silken webs And lace of rare design. 114 SAVAGE PROPENSITIES. Upon her lap an Eagle's egg With fondest care was laid ; And all around her handi-works 'Mid moss and twigs display'd. " Alas !" said Emmeline, " what chance, " Hath brought you, brother, here ? " Know'st thou not danger ? nor my fate ? " Or hast thy heart no fear ?" " My husband is an Eagle fierce, " When human forms he spies ; " He rends their flesh, plucks out their hearts, " And teareth out their eyes." " This did he do but yesterday " To gallant horsemen three ; " Three knights our father Earndolf sent " To seek, and follow thee." INJUNCTION IN CHANCERY. 115 " Six weeks in seven upon him lies " The vile enchanter's spell : " But on the seventh he's wise and kind, " And would receive you well." " So hide, dear Reginald, to-day ; " To-morrow you will see, " When he's transform'd to what he was, " How noble he can be." " See'st yonder old and wither'd pine ? " Within its hollow trunk, " Go hide thee, and as silent be " As some ascetic monk." " But do not, as you value life, " Expose yourself to view ; " For should his eyes detect you there, " I'd rather not be you." 116 HIDE AND SEEK. " Let but to-morrow dawn, and then, " Dear brother, you're secure : " So for one night, such lodgment strange, " For me, you must endure." Down ! down again the ladder drops, Down ! down the bold Knight steals ; And squeezing in the hollow trunk He hides him, head and heels. 'Twas well that Emmeline before Had ask'd the Knight to dine ; 'Twas well that Reginald partook So freely of the wine. The chances were to other Knight Not half so stout or bold ; He might by keeping such a watch Have caught a serious cold. TRANSFORMATION THE SECOND. 117 At dawn Sir Keginald peep'd out, But what was his surprise, To see where sprang the monster oak A monster palace rise. The russet forest had become A bright and verdant lawn ; The knotted, gnarled, withering stumps To evergreens had grown. Fountains were throwing cooling jets Into a summer sky ; And on each branching spray, bright birds Were chaunting merrily. The hollow, wither'd pine became A green and lovely bower, Spread o'er with Jess'mine, Eglantine, And every scented flower. 118 MORNING REVELS. And on the lawn a feast was spread Of every dainty known ; And crystal cups, and silver bowls, In rich profusion shone. And nimbly danc'd the ladies fair, The Knights danc'd gaily too ; And Emmeline all joyous seem'd, And Edgar merry grew. And as they laugh'd, and jok'd, and drank, And merrily they danc'd, The " child of wonder," from the bow'r, In knightly guise advanc'd. First greeted him, fair Emmeline, Then to her husband she Presented Reginald, who bent At once his knightly knee. REPOSE ESSENTIAL. 119 And Reginald was welcome there, They gave him of the best ; Perhaps it was because he was Their only mortal guest. Hilarity and sport must end ; The boy that always plays Will never be a wise-man made, Nor win bright honor's bays. Unbend the bow, relax the mind, Both strengthen by repose ; But in ignoble ease will both Their spring elastic lose. The evening came the sports were stay'd Prince Edgar then caress'd His brother Reginald, and thus The gallant Knight address'd : 120 MORE NEWS. " Brother ! before we part to-night " A conference we must hold ; " For much, and all of these strange sights " Must to your ears be told." And so they sought a private room, The Prince's private study ; And there they chatted half the night, And got a little muddy. And there Prince Edgar told his tale ; How when the seventh week came He was no Eagle, but a Knight Of lineage good, and fame. How that himself had charmed been, His brothers both, beside By Zornebock a fiendish Prince : How too, he'd won his bride. GOOD ADVICE. & He told him all the marvels strange Which to his state belong'd ; And how his miseries might have end, Or how might be prolong'd. The " child of wonder" soon perceiv'd Which way the cat would jump ; So with his fist the table gave A most tremendous thump. " I've heard Prince Arthur's tale/' he said, " Thine is the marrow to't : " By Hercules I'll slay the fiend, " This very day I'll do't." " Patience ! brave Knight," the Prince replied, " The time's not yet mature ; " Brisk not uncertain odds, but wait " And make your bargain sure." ANOTHER CHANGE. " Stay here with us for six days more " And them must then begone ; " For Edgar then inhumaniz'd " Must mount his Eagle throne." Seven pleasant days did Reginald Enjoy the dance and feast ; Upon the seventh the mimes were gone, All revelry had ceas'd. " Good Eeginald," spoke Edgar then, " Before thou'rt hence away ; " Some chary words in council grave " Time beckons me to say." " First, for your love and friendship thanks ; " But think no more to win " Th' Enchanter's spell, or break the charm " That binds your luckless kin." " He, who the trial undertakes, " Must pay his precious life " If that he fail ; then, brother dear, " Abandon thou the strife." " Thy soul is noble, but thy hand " Unequal to the deed ; " And it would break thy sister's heart " If in our cause you bleed." " And I must tell thee, Reginald, " The spell hath potent aid ; " Who rends it must have upright heart, " A true and stainless blade." Once more the brothers then embrac'd, When princely Edgar drew From out his vest a little case Of bright and silvery hue. " THEN ANOTHER FLEW OUT." " This little case," he said, " contains " Three feathers from my breast ; " Do not despise the gift, because " They once an Eagle drest." " But," added Edgar, eagerly, " When danger lifts her hand ' ' Rub but these feathers, and you'll find " There's succour at command." " Adieu ! my brother ! and adieu !" " Said Reginald the bold ; Then kissing lovely* Emmeline He left the castle hold. And as he pass'd the grated gate And pass'd the draw-bridge o'er, It closed with a terrific crash Like to the thunder's roar. A DOSE A DOZE. 1 Under a lime tree, Reginald Sat down awhile to think : And thinking very long, at last The Knight began to wink. And winking long, and thinking too, On things abstruse and deep, (Say nothing of the cups of sack,) The Knight fell fast asleep. And having slept for six long hours, It may not wond'rous seem, Maugre the night-mare, that the Knight Might " sleep, perchance to dream." He thoughthe wink'd he slept he snor'd He dreamt and dreams they say, If dreamt when crows proud chanticleer Have verity, and sway. 126 " MY DREAMS PRESAGE.' SIR REGINALD'S DREAM. He dreamt he wander'd near a spot Where three broad rivers met ; Of brilliant colours were the waves, White, yellow, violet. And in a wide and sparkling stream They were commingling seen ; And spread one mass of liquid light, A pure transparent green. Amid the waves a little isle Of verdant shrubs arose ; And o'er a marble altar flung Their sweet ambrosial boughs. NO CLAIRVOYANCE. 127 He dreamt he dash'd into the waves Which sever'd for awhile ; And lo ! he walk'd dry shod, on gems, On to the beauteous isle. Upon the altar there he saw A two-edg'd sword engrav'd : " By this," the legend said, " shall three " From elfin thrall be sav'd." " My brothers ! ah !" said Reginald, And rush'd to seize the blade ; It vanish'd, and the altar chang'd, And other words display'd. " These rivers three are sisters three, " Whose varied fortunes run, " Through tortuous channels yet to be " United into one." HOPE'S INSPIRATION. " Awake ! Sir Knight, awake, awake !" Whisper'd a gentle voice ; " Awake, Sir Knight 1 awake, and bid " Those aching hearts rejoice." Broken the dream, the Knight awoke, But in a misty cloud He seem'd envelop'd, like a corpse Within its snowy shroud. The sun suck'ci up the vapourous veil, And Reginald then found. That he was perch'd upon a r6ck Where all was bleak arouiScL' The Palace halls and parks wfcre gotte, And dreadful fright was his, When at his fdet he saw a deep, Wide yawning, dark abyss. THE ENCHANTED LAKE. 129 He scrambl'd up with cautious step Along the rocky side ; Until he reach'd the mountain's top, Whence a small lake he spied. And then he thought that Bertha there By some perchance might dwell; So wending td the lake, he made Its banks as evening fell. O'ercome and faint with long fatigue He sat him 'neath a tree ; And with his wallet, amply stor'd. He made a little free; And haying filled a flask of wine He sought the water's edge ; And to" his youngest sister's health He gave an earnest pledge. 130 ENCHANTING FISHES. " O ! Bertha dear," said he, " if you " Within these waves abide ; " I come the fiendish spell to break " And disenchant the tide." No answer from the waters came ; But sundry little trout, With gold and crimson speckl'd sides, Disported in and out. " O ! you dear fishes," said the Knight, " You darling fishes, tell " Your mistress that Sir Reginald " Doth hope to find her well. " And that her brother fain would see " The villa sub-marine, " Of which he's heard his sister dear " Is now the matchless queen. CONTUMELIOUS FISHES. 131 Each fish then wink'd his little eye, And wagg'd his little tail ; And so he pelted them with stones, Since words could not prevail. This trick at school the Knight had learnt From some quaint fable old, Which has from JEsop, or from Gay, Been very often told. But flinty stones he found no harm, And honied words no good ; So like a valiant Knight he plung'd Into the sparkling flood. And there he swam, and swam about, Just like a lily duck ; Depending on discretion nought, But all upon his luck. AN ARISTOCRATIC CHUMMY. At length 'he saw a crystal spire From out the waters rise ; 'Twas hollow like a chimney pot, But of a monstrous size. He first look'd down the crystal tube, And seeing all 'was clear, He mounted up, then scrambl'd down, His own brave pioneer. He found the glassy chimney led Into a chamber straight, Where the long-lost, lov'd Bertha- sat In pomp and princely state. But wheta (she saw the Knight's arm'd legs Come down the chimney first, Into a fit of laughter loud The merry Bertha burst. BERTHA AI>VISBS. " And who art thou ?" the laughing fair In cheerful accents said ; " I'm Reginald," the Knight replied, " Here to your rescue led." Her brother bold, fair Bertha knew, Since from, her lord she'd heard> How he'd been welcom'd by the beast, How feasted by the bird. Still Bertha was a timid soul, So bade the Knight begone ; And, kissing Reginald, she said, " O ! leave me, dear, alone." " Though brother Bear will not devour " Your young and daring heart : " Though brother Eagle spares your eyes, " And bids you safe depart :" 134 NO ENCOURAGEMENT. " Ufo has no such tender qualms, " He'll break this crystal hall ; " I shall be drown' d, and you, alas ! " Into his jaws must fall." " Fear not !" said Reginald, " I know " His transformation's nigh ; " So hide me, Bertha, since from hence " Alone I will not fly." " Where can I hide you, brother, dear I " This mansion as you see ; " Is one huge mass of crystal bright, " Transparent as may be." " And round and round its walls the fish " Incessantly doth roair, " To see that neither fr'ends nor aid " To my deliverance come." A SUB-MARINE CELLAR. 135 " O ! is there not a single spot, " Impervious to the sight?" Said Reginald, when Bertha's eyes Sparkl'd with dear delight. " ! yes," she said, " methinks there is " A cellarage built for wood, " To keep our firing faggots dry " From moisture and the flood." So in the fuel-room she turn'd Her brother, as she said, " Breathe but a word, and I'll not be " The surety for your head." Into the wood-house crept the Knight, She scarce had squeez'd him in When Ufo round the crystal hall, Kick'd up a precious din. 136 THE GREEN-EYED MONSTER. He rais'd his fins, he whisk'd his tail, And with his nostrils wide, Ejected what he'd swallow'd first Of that enchanted tide. The waters foam'd, the waters boil'd ; For Ufo, jealous grown, Suspected Bertha, so he gave His pretty wife a frown. Yet still he lov'd her very mucli, And lov'd to gaze upon her ; And though she question'd not his taste, He thought he would her honour. " Bertha !" said he, " methinks I saw " A young Knight swimming by !" Bertha could not 4 en y the fact, So she began to cry. WOMAN'S TEARS. 137 And " woman's tears produc'd at will," Gain sometimes what they wish ; And in the present case they sooth 'd The anger of a fish. When Ufo saw the trickling tear His heart relented quite ; " Weep not, dear love !" he fondly said, Then darted out of sight. For three long days did Reginald Within the woodhouse dwell ; The fourth day wrought a wond'rous change To crystal hall and cell. A kingly palace then appear'd Upon a sun-lit isle ; And nature in her brightest robes- Was seen around to smile. K 138 FAIRY LAND. And other islands crowded round, Cover'd with shrubs and trees, And gilded barques around them moved Without a tide or breeze. For elfin ships move on like steam, Both against wind and tide ; Or in a rough tempestuous sea May safe at anchor ride. And such was Ufo's charm'd domain, A pretty portraiture ; Just fancy Venice, how 'twould look If shown in miniature. "When Ufo saw Sir Reginald He took him by the hand ; And said : " Dear brother, welcome be " To this, our pleasant land." TRANSFORMATION THREE. 139 " But to a brief and little month " Be limited your stay, " For then your safety will demand, " That you must hence away." " Six months in seven a magic spell " Works on my mortal frame, " And then I am a fiendish fish " In deeds, as well as name." " What is the spell ?" said Reginald, " That spell I must destroy !" Ufo was pleas'd, but only smil'd Upon the daring boy. " O ! teU me, Ufo, brother dear ;" Again the young Knight spoke ; " What is this spell which binds you here " Like Milo to his oak." 140 MORE REVELATIONS. Then Ufo told, how Zornebock By wond'rous charms had wrought His magic work, and into thrall Himself and brothers brought. How Hildegarde was laid entranc'd In some enchanted cave, To yield unto his foul embrace, Or fill a living grave. " But/' said Prince Ufo, " east away " Despair's cold mantle now, " For since 'tis festival in hall " "We must be merry too." " Come join the feast, and then the dance, ' f And let us all be gay ; " Four pleasant weeks, a little month, " "Will pass too soon away !" MORE REVELRY. 141 'Tis mirth in palace, and in field, On water, and on shore ; Such revelry upon those isles Had ne'er been known before. For Ufo by some chance divin'd How Reginald the brave Had dared the forest, and resolved To dare th' enchanted wave. Pass'd on three weeks in merriest guise In feast, and dance, and song ; The fourth had come, that also too Was passing quick along. When Ufo said to Reginald ; " Dear brother, soon must end " The festive hour, and we must cease " To meet as friend meets friend." 142 MORE WARNINGS. " But yesterday I sought your hall " And saw Lord Earndolf there, " Your mother too ; and both are lost " In sorrow and despair." " Return thee home, brave Reginald, " And seek to comfort those " Who but for thee must share in grief " An over-weight of woes." " Your sisters three may none redeem, " No solace may they have : " Let not your parents then go down " In sorrow to the grave." " For none our magic chains may break ; " The spell hath potent power ; " Who rends it, must be pure, and watch " Unceasingly, THE HOUR ! MORE ADVICE. 143 " There needeth then the unstained blade, " And, the unflinching arm ; " But it must be an upright heart " To which must yield the charm." As Reginald with Ufo now Had been three weeks and more ; He something heard, and something learnt More serious than before. " To break the spell," he said, " requires " An upright heart, and pure ; " But more than this the fiend demands To make the conquest sure." .. " There must be an unflinching arm," " That's mine !" the young Knight said ; " And there must be a stainless sword ! " Mine's an unspotted blade." 144 MORE CAUTION. " Then I must watch unceasingly ; " How strange these mysteries seem ?" Then thought he of the rivers three, His sisters, and his dream. As thus absorb'd in reverie Once more Prince Ufo spake ; " Come, Reginald, my brother dear, " From dreaming, boy, awake !" " And bid farewell, to Bertha there, " While yet the Hour is thine ; ({ I cannot promise half as much, " Whene'er the Hour is mine." Again the brothers then embrac'd ; When Ufo gave the Knight A little box, cut from a clear, And perfect crysolite. THE THIBD CURIOUS GIFT. 145 " This little box/' said he, " contains " Three scales, white, yellow, blue ; " Do not disdain the gift, because " A fish once own'd them too." " Then," added Ufo, seriously, " When danger threatens nigh ; " Rub but these scales, and you will find " Your truest friend is by." " Adieu ! my brother !" and Adieu !" Said Reginald, while tears Furrow'd the young Knight's cheeks, for now Doubt had confirm'd his fears. Into a gilded gondola He slowly, sadly stept ; And weary, and oppressed with grief, The youthful hero slept. 146 A SHAKSPEAREAN QUOTATION. Two gondoliers row'd on row'd on Row'd on two gondoliers ; And sang and chaunted merrily, Unheard by mortal ears. When lo ! 'mid mist, the palaces, The isles, and gardens fair, Had mingl'd ; as "Will. Shakespere says, And " melted into air." Upon the margin of the lake Was Reginald once more ; Precisely on the very spot Where he had stood before. And there he found his armour bright, His shield and trusty spear ; E'en just, as when four weeks ago The Knight had left them there. BEWARE OF RASH VOWS. 147 Upon the ground knelt Reginald, And made a solemn vow, But what it was, we will not stop To sing about it now* For vows are very solemn things ; Fearful ! when rashly made : Remember Jeptha ! if thou would'st Not find thy heart betray'd. The spoken word can none recal ; Then give thy thoughts due weight, The better chance there'll be to find " Whatever is is RIGHT !" END OF BOOK II. THE AKM! THE SWOKDI-AND THE HOUK! OB, ?irgrnH of tljc i-ncJjaittetr BOOK III. SECTION I. Prospero. How's the day? Ariel. On the sixth hour; at which time, my lord, You said our work should cease. The Tempest. SHOWING HOW SIB REGINALD, THE DAUNTLESS, PURSUED HIS QUEST RESOLVED TO BREAK THE ENCHANTER'S SPELL, OR DIE ! HOW HE DISCOVERED THE MAGIC CAVERN, WHICH WAS GUARDED BY A MAGIC BULL, HOW HE ENCOUNTERED THE BULL, WHO THREW HIM INTO A PEAR TREE, AND HOW HE MUST HAVE BEEN THROWN DOWN AGAIN AND SLAIN HAD HE NOT BETHOUGHT HIM OF HIS THREE WONDERFUL BROTHERS* THREE WONDERFUL GIFTS, HOW HE FULFILLED THEIR INJUNCTIONS, AND THE JOY- FUL RESULTS OF SUCH FAITH, LEADING TO THE OVERTHROW Of TRANSGRESSION AND WRONG, AND THE FINAL TRIUMPH OF VALOUR AND JUSTICE. IT was a night a lovely night, A night of glittering stars : And sweetly beam'd bright Venus forth, And redly glisten'd Mars. 150 ECHO SONG. And through the wood, bold Reginald, Went plodding on his way : How very natural 'twas he long'd To see the break of day. To make the road less tedious seem He warbledjbrth a ditty That breath'd a fervent suppliant strain, Night-echo^seem'd to pity. THE ECHO SONG. Say! who can guide my wandering feet, Now, now astray ? (Echo.) Now, now astray I To where three rolling rivers meet, Far, far away? (Echo.) Far, faraway! 'Tis there alone, One mighty arm, Can rend this strong and magic charm; There, there alone! (Echo.) There, there alone! Ye translunarian powers on high Look on me down! (Echo.) Look on me down! And grant such mortal destiny, Mine, mine alone! (Echo.) Mine, mine alone! To conquest on! The soldier cries, And midnight echo soft replies, To conquest on! (Echo.) To conquest on! A MAGIC BULL. 151 The morning dawn'd, and from the wood A granite mountain rose, Whose sides were fring'd with firs and yews, And crown'd with cypress boughs. Close to its base a monument Of blackest marble stood ; Its bright steel portals bound with brass Were spotted o'er with blood. Before the monument, a large Fierce Bull was grazing seen : His eyes were greener than the grass, Though that was very green. His tail was longer than a pine, Though pines are very long ; His hoofs were stronger far than steel, Though steel is very strong. 152 THE KNIGHT DISCOMFITED. His hide was blacker than the night When nights are very black : Still thought bold Keginald, I'll give His Mightiness a crack. And so he drew his trusty sword And put him on his guard : But lo ! the blade was like a straw, His shield, an idle card- On rush'd the Bull ; but as he rush'd, The young Knight stepp'd aside ; And aim'd one blow upon his neck, Another on his hide. In splinters flew the glittering blade, Though 'twas Damascus steel ; So hors de combat thought the Knight, I'll try it, toe and heel. __ NOT SAFE YET. But in an instant, round the Bull Turn'd on his unarm'd foe ; And flung him twenty feet, or more, On to a pear tree's bough. The nimble Knight grip'd fast the branch, Though sore his limbs did chafe : " I'm here," said he, " but after all, " I'm not so very safe." For now, behold ! the savage Bull Was tearing up the sod, With horns which were with iron-tipp'd, And hoofs with iron-shod. At length the tree began to shake, Then shook the young Knight too ; For in such sad and doubtful plight What else could mortal do ? 154 BEAR'S GKEASE. At last he thought upon the words Which princely Arthur spoke ; And then as from some feverish dream, His sinking heart awoke. From out his vest, Sir Reginald, Next drew the little book ; A roar ! a rend ! a rend ! a roar ! Lo ! how that pear tree shook. Then thought the Knight there virtue is In grease that comes from bears : I'll try what necromancy lies In what he calls his hairs. So 'twixt his hands the hairs he rubb'd ; When rushing from the wood, Before the Bull, a mighty Bear In fierce defiance stood. QUACKERY EVEN IN MAGIC. 155 'Twas but a minute's work to seize* The wild Bull with his snout ; Then throwing him upon his back He ripp'd his entrails out. From out the Bull a wild duck flew, " Quack, quack," she cried, " quack, quack!" Quoth Reginald, " there's magic here, " And duckie must come back." And so he rubb'd the feathers three, His brother Edgar's gift ; " The Bear," said he, " has serv'd my stead, " I'll try the Eagle's drift." Swift as an arrow from a bow, Though unseen in the sky, An Eagle darted on the duck, And cleav'd her, head to thigh. 156 FISH SCALES. GOOD MEASURE. From out the duck a golden egg Was seen to fall, and take It's course, like fairy aeronaut, To a translucent lake. Yon egg, thought Reginald, contains The magic mystery : And next he thought, how to his power It might restored be. And then he thought upon the gift His brother Ufo gave : So rubb'd his scales, just as the egg Had reach'd the crystal wave. A mighty fish from thence arose And seiz'd the precious store ; Then flung it from his ponderous jaws Upon the sedgy shore. A GOLDEN KEY. 157 Sir Reginald took up the egg And dash'd it on the ground ; It broke, and vanish'd ; and, instead Of egg, a key he found. A golden key, all burnish'd bright, Studded with jewels o'er : " Belike," said he, " this key will ope " Yon monumental door." " 'Tis very small, but still I'll try . " What golden keys can do." It touch'd the wards, and open wide The iron portals flew. \ In rush'd the knight a mighty chasm There seem'd to be at first ; But soon into a rich domain The dim-lit region burst. 158 THE LADY HILDEGABDE, Beneath the canopy he saw A maiden fast asleep : He scream'd into her ears in vain, Her slumber was so deep. This was the Lady Hildegarde ; And mourn'd the Knight her doom : Yet knew not how to rescue her From forth her living tomb. He turn'd, and gaz'd upon the plain, Lo ! there three rivers met ; In brilliant hues their waves roll'd on, White, yellow, violet, And then again an island rose Amid the emerald stream, With altar grac'd, just as he'd seen, The same shrine. in his dream. six O'CLOCK. 159 Before him stood a snow-white slab Of alabaster made, And on the slab a two-edg'd sword With golden hilt was laid. He seiz'd the weapon : to his grasp It yielded, and it seem'd The very blade of which, beneath The lime tree he had dream'd. Above the slab an ancient clock (Its hands, a sword and arm,) Stood at ten minutes after six, Fix'd by the mighty charm. A dial told a different tale, For by the sinking sun 'Twas not yet six, but moments now "Were fast upon the run. 160 TEN MINUTES AFTER. ft The arm, and sword," said Reginald, " I feel now both are mine ; ft And lo ! the hour, that too is here, " Though far on the decline." His first thought then was to regain The island in the stream ; For now the Knight began to put Some faith upon his dream. A little shallop stoutly plied Soon brought the rower too : The marble altar now had chang'd To one of dusky hue. And on the plinth some warning words Seem'd Reginald to- ftx ; " Strike not,' they said, *' or strike before " Ten minutes after six." ANOTHER MYSTERY EXPLAINED. 161 Up went the arm of Reginald, Up went the two-edged blade ; A stunning blow he struck, and low The altar prostrate laid. The opening earth receiv'd the shrine, The waters pass'd away, And all around was green and bright Like a Midsummer's day. From her deep trance fair Hildegarde Started, and gaz'd around ; Nor knew she by what wond'rous power The spell had been unbound. But when she saw Sir Reginald Her heart's misgivings sped ; And to her bold deliverer's arms The timid creature fled. 162 ANOTHER TRANSFORMATION. " Fear not, fair maid/' said Reginald, " Whate'er of hope remains ; " I'll risk for thee, or die to break " Foul Demagorgon's chains." " But look what cavalcades are these " From north, and east, and west ? " With banners floating in the air, " Each Knight with lance in rest ?" And where they come on prancing steeds Along the dusty road ; Five minutes past three plenteous streams In winding currents flow'd. As Reginald, the wond'rous child, Saw the arm'd troops approach ; He recogniz'd his, sisters three, Each riding in her coach. TRUE HERALDRY. 163 And Hildegarde her brothers knew, Though long they'd sever'd been ; For elfin laws, as hath been sung, Mar not a mortal scene. First, from the north rode Arthur on, Upon his shield a bear Was blazon'd on a golden field ; All proper to a hair. Next from the east Prince Edgar came, And on his bossy shield A golden eagle proudly soar'd Upon an azure field. Then from the west rode Ufo last, A dolphin was his crest ; And on his shield of dazzling green Three dolphins were imprest. 164 ALL HUMANIZED. Beside them in three coaches rode Their lovely partners three ; And round them throng'd young gallant Knights And Squires of high degree. Arthur's three little cubs now show'd As three fine chubby girls ; With cherub faces, Titian ne'er Painted such cheeks and curls. The Eagle's egg had twins produc'd Two lively, lovely boys, To whom the starry Gemini Are constellated toys. On Bertha's knee, a merry lad, Smiling, in beauty sat ; Not quite so graceful, for he was y Like Ufo, rather fat. PLEASANT GREETINGS. 165 When they beheld fair Hildegarde The Knights their chargers left, And seiz'd their sister in their arms As men of sense bereft. And when the " child of wonder" saw His sisters of the train ; He kiss'd them once, he kiss'd them twice And thrice he kiss'd again. He took the two-edg'd magic blade And said, " with thee I've done, " Since thou for me three sisters dear, " And brothers three hast won." He flung the blade up high in air, It fell not down again : A mighty Albatross was seen Floating above the plain ; 166 THE DEATH OF ZORNEBOCK. His beak he fasten'd on the sword, Then flew with it away, But whence he came, or where he went, The legend doth not say. A steed ! a steed ! a coal-black steed, With rider mail'd in white, Upon the conclave gallops on, " News ! news !" exclaims the Knight And when that Knight his steed had rein'd He to the conclave said; " The enchanter Zornebock is slain ; " And they've cut off his head." " No more shall Demagorgon rule " For broken is the spell ; " Then hie ye home, Lord Earndolf waits " To greet his children well." THE " TIMES" REPORT. 167 On to the castle now repair The Knights in gallant trim ; Sir Reginald his father greets, His mother greeteth him. There are such greetings, and such smiles, Such cheers, such welcomings, Such happy hearts, and cakes so hot, Sweet wines, and such like things. Lo ! it would take an hour or more To chronicle the day; 'Twas like some levee which the Queen. Holds at the end of May. Twould nil three columns of The Times y In minion type so small; Therefore to fancy must we leave The gala at the Hall. 168 GOOD POLICY. One record still the legend hath j - The happiest day was when Fair Hildegarde made Reginald The happiest of men. Such lessons had the Baron learnt He grew an alter'd man ; The Baroness reolv'd likewise Upon, a better plan. The interest of their cash alone The daily want supplies : No thankless spongy guests are seen To haunt their premises, A month of festive joy was held, A month of pleasantness ; And after twenty years of grief Who could have wished them less ? A SATISFACTORY CONCLUSION. 169 Away then sped Prince Arthur, and Away too Edgar sped ; Prince Ufo follow'd, and away The Knights their legions led. Three towns they built on their estates, But why they built ? and where ? If you have not the preface read, You'll find the story there. And at the Hall, Sir Reginald "With Hildegarde remains As heir at law, and Seneschal Of Earndolf 's wide domains. And to a green and good old age Live Earndolf and his spouse, To see their child and grand children The pride of Earndolf House. M SECTION II. Ophelia. I shall the effect of this good lesson keep, As watchoulti to my heart. Hamlet. SECTION THE LAST PROVIDES A MORAL, THE TIEN OF WHICH THE INTELLIGENT HEADER MUST HAVE SEEN THROUGHOUT. MOST gentle reader would ye know The moral of my song ? Or how that moral may apply ? To whom it may belong ? The moral by the legend taught Is seen throughout the drift ; Wealth with extravagance is vain, Small means may serve with thrift* FOLLY ITS OWN PUNISHMENT. 171 Improvidence becomes at last A self-inflicting knout ; And those who act as Earndolf did, "Will one day find it out. See how he spar'd not truth, nor sense, Nor honor, in his mood : To gain the world's applause, he sold His very children's blood ! And will the world repay such acts ? Just try it, and you'll find It warily will always leave, The spendthrift fool behind. And yet the world's a pleasant world, A pleasant world of smiles ; But who may hope to find it free From cares and guilty guiles ? 172 " CONSCIENCE MAKES COWARDS." As to the dreadful Zornebock ! If conscience him we call ? Then every heart will find at times Conscience transforms us all. No matter what the impulse is, The passion that degrades ; These take a thousand different forms, A thousand different shades. Curb then each vain, each proud desire, Bow down the stubborn mind ; And let your thoughts and feelings be To charity inclin'd. On Faith's sweet promises rely ; In heavenly Hope put trust ; Remembering in our sunniest hours That we are only dust. THE LAST AND GREAT COMMAND. 173 And let this great commandment be The key to every other ; Love thy Creator all in all, But still, love one another. Such was the mission, such the law And precept from above ; And while they tell us " love is heaven," They tell us, " heaven is love." END. JOHN BRIDGEFORD, PRINTER, MULBERRY STREET, SHEFFIELD. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY Los Angeles This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. Form L9-32m-8,'57(.C8680s4)444 2438 The arml The M97A7 sr?r H I qrid the UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY A 001 189 159 5 hourl FT 2438 M97A7