ranees Jenkins Olcott ■A» Amid this festive splendor The Prince received his guest; In robes of cocoa woven He was superbly drest. While from the crown of laurels His realm placed on his brow, ) The Plucky Prince 45 I Down to his shoes of caoutchouc, | He looked a king, I trow. "Warm welcomes to my mansion!" — 'T was thus he met the King — | "See what a man you made me j By your cold banishing!" i I , A genial smile illumined The monarch and his train. "O Prince! of you I'm very proud — Come to my arms again!" So spake the King, embracing His enterprising son, And then, with jokes and laughter The banquet was begun. The court drank so much cider They complimentary grew; While the King declared the cashew Was the finest wine he knew. To this the Premier added, He hoped the Prince would grow Like to the giant banyan, And live long here below. Then soon the party ended, The guests all said: "Farewell," And the wonders of the woodland They hastened home to tell. May Bryant. 46 Deeds of Right and Wrong APPLE-SEED JOHN Poor Johnny was bended well nigh double With years of toil, and care, and trouble; But his large old heart still felt the need Of doing for others some kindly deed. "But what can I do?" old Johnny said: "I who work so hard for daily bread? It takes heaps of money to do much good; I am far too poor to do as I would." )> The old man sat thinking deeply a while, Then over his features gleamed a smile, And he clapped his hands with a boyish glee, And said to himself: "There's a way for me!" He worked, and he worked with might and main. But no one knew the plan in his brain. He took ripe apples in pay for chores. And carefully cut from them all the cores. He filled a bag full, then wandered away. And no man saw him for many a day. With knapsack over his shoulder slung, He marched along, and whistled or sung. He seemed to roam with no object in view. Like one who had nothing on earth to do; Apple-Seed John 47 But, journeying thus o'er the prairies wide, He paused now and then, and his bag untied. With pointed cane deep holes he would bore, And in every hole he placed a core; Then covered them well, and left them there In keeping of sunshine, rain, and air. Sometimes for days he waded through grass, And saw not a living creature pass, But often, when sinking to sleep in the dark. He heard the owls hoot and the prairie-dogs bark. Sometimes an Indian of sturdy limb Came striding along and walked with him; And he who had food shared with the other. As if he had met a hungry brother. When the Indian saw how the bag was filled. And looked at the holes that the white man drilled. He thought to himself 't was a silly plan To be planting seed for some future man. Sometimes a log cabin came in view. Where Johnny was sure to find jobs to do. By which he gained stores of bread and meat, And welcome rest for his weary feet. 48 Deeds of Right and Wrong He had full many a story to tell, And goodly hymns that he sung right well; He tossed up the babes, and joined the boys In many a game full of fun and noise. And he seemed so hearty, in work or play, Men, women, and boys all urged him to stay; But he always said: "I have something to do, And I must go on to carry it through." The boys, who were sure to follow him round. Soon found what it was he put in the ground ; And so, as time passed and he traveled on, Ev'ry one called him "Old Apple-Seed John." Whenever he'd used the whole of his store. He went into cities and worked for more; Then he marched back to the wilds again, And planted seed on hill-side and plain. In cities, some said the old man was crazy; While others said he was only lazy; But he took no notice of gibes and jeers, He knew he was working for future years. He knew that trees would soon abound Where once a tree could not have been found; That a flick'ring play of light and shade Would dance and glimmer along the glade; Woodman and Sandal Tree 49 That blossoming sprays would form fair bowers. And sprinkle the grass with rosy showers; And the little seeds his hands had spread, Would become ripe apples when he was dead. So he kept on traveling far and wide, Till his old limbs failed him, and he died. He said at the last: " 'T is a comfort to feel I've done good in the world, though not a great deal." / Weary travelers, journeying west, In the shade of his trees find pleasant rest; And they often start, with glad surprise, At the rosy fruit that round them lies. And If they inquire whence came such trees, Where not a bough once swayed in the breeze, The answer still comes, as they travel on: "These trees were planted by Apple-Seed John." Lydia Maria Child. THE WOODMAN AND THE SANDAL TREE Beside a sandal tree a woodman stood And swung the axe, and while its blows were laid Upon the fragrant trunk, the generous wood 50 Deeds of Right and Wrong With its own sweet perfumed the cruel blade. Go, then, and do the like. A soul endued With light from Heaven, a nature pure and great, Will place its highest bliss in doing good, And good for evil give, and love for hate. From the Spanish of Jose Rosas. Translated by William Cullen Bryant, THE BELL OF ATRI At Atri in Abruzzo, a small town Of ancient Roman date, but scant renown, One of those little places that have run Half up the hill, beneath a blazing sun. And then sat down to rest, as if to say, "I climb no farther upward, come what may," — The Re Giovanni, now unknown to fame. So many monarchs since have borne the name, Had a great bell hung in the market-place. Beneath a roof, projecting some small space By way of shelter from the sun and rain. Then rode he through the streets with all his train, And, with the blast of trumpets loud and long. Made proclamation, that whenever wrong Was done to any man, he should but ring The great bell in the square, and he, the King, The Bell of Atri 51 Would cause the Syndic to decide thereon. Such was the proclamation of King John. How swift the happy days in Atri sped, What wrongs were righted, need not here be said. Suffice it that, as all things must decay. The hempen rope at length was worn away. Unravelled at the end, and, strand by strand, Loosened and wasted in the ringer's hand, Till one, who noted this in passing by, Mended the rope with braids of briony. So that the leaves and tendrils of the vine Hung like a votive garland at a shrine. By chance it happened that in Atri dwelt A knight, with spur on heel and sword in belt, Who loved to hunt the wild-boar in the woods. Who loved his falcons with their crimson hoods. Who loved his hounds and horses, and all sports And prodigalities of camps and courts; — Loved, or had loved them; for at last, grown old. His only passion was the love of gold. He sold his horses, sold his hawks and hounds. Rented his vineyards and his garden-grounds, 52 Deeds of Right and Wrong Kept but one steed, his favorite steed of all. To starve and shiver in a naked stall, And day by day sat brooding in his chair. Devising plans how best to hoard and spare. At length he said: *'What is the use or need To keep at my own cost this lazy steed, Eating his head off in my stables here. When rents are low and provender is dear? Let him go feed upon the public ways ; I want him only for the holidays." So the old steed was turned into the heat Of the long, lonely, silent, shadeless street; And wandered in suburban lanes forlorn, Barked at by dogs, and torn by brier and thorn. One afternoon, as in that sultry clime It is the custom in the summer time, With bolted doors and window-shutters closed, The inhabitants of Atri slept or dozed; When suddenly upon their senses fell The loud alarm of the accusing bell ! The Syndic started from his deep repose. Turned on his couch, and listened, and then rose And donned his robes, and with reluctant pace Went panting forth into the market-place, The Bell of Atri 53 Where the great bell upon its cross-beams swung, Reiterating with persistent tongue, In half-articulate jargon, the old song: "Some one hath done a wrong, hath done a wrong!" But ere he reached the belfry's light arcade > He saw, or thought he saw, beneath its shade, No shape of human form of woman born, But a poor steed dejected and forlorn. Who with uplifted head and eager eye Was tugging at the vines of briony. Domeneddio!" cried the Syndic straight, This is the Knight of Atri's steed of state! He calls for justice, being sore distressed. And pleads his cause as loudly as the best." Meanwhile from street and lane a noisy crowd Had rolled together like a summer cloud, And told the story of the wretched beast In five-and-twenty different ways at least, With much gesticulation and appeal To heathen gods, in their excessive zeal. The Knight was called and questioned; in reply Did not confess the fact, did not deny; > Treated the matter as a pleasant jest, And set at naught the Syndic and the rest, 54 Deeds of Right and Wrong Maintaining, in an angry undertone, That he should do what pleased him with his own. And thereupon the Syndic gravely read The proclamation of the King; then said: "Pride goeth forth on horseback grand and But Cometh back on foot, and begs its way; Fame is the fragrance of heroic deeds, Of flowers of chivalry and not of weeds ! These are familiar proverbs; but I fear They never yet have reached your knightly ear. What fair renown, what honor, what repute Can come to you from starving this poor brute ? He who serves well and speaks not, merits more Than they who clamor loudest at the door. Therefore the law decrees that as this steed Served you in youth, henceforth you shall take heed To comfort his old age, and to provide Shelter in stall, and food and field beside." The Knight withdrew abashed; the people all Led home the steed in triumph to his stall. The King heard and approved, and laughed in glee. Tubal Cain 55 And cried aloud: "Right well it pleaseth me! Church-bells at best but ring us to the doors; But go not into mass; my bell doth more: It Cometh into court and pleads the cause Of creatures dumb and unknown to the laws; And this shall make, in every Christian clime, The Bell of Atri famous for all time." Henry Wadszuorth Longfellow. TUBAL CAIN I Old Tubal Cain was a man of might In the days when the earth was young; By the fierce red light of his furnace bright, The strokes of his hammer rung; And he lifted high his brawny hand On the iron glowing clear, Till the sparks rushed out in scarlet showers, As he fashioned the sword and the spear. And he sang: "Hurrah for my handiwork! Hurrah for the Spear and Sword ! Hurrah for the hand that shall wield them well, For he shall be king and lord!" II To Tubal Cain came many a one. As he wrought by his roaring fire. 56 Deeds of Right and Wrong And each one prayed for a strong steel blade As the crown of his desire; And he made them weapons sharp and strong, Till they shouted loud for glee, And gave him gifts of pearl and gold, And spoils of the forest free. And they sang: "Hurrah for Tubal Cain, Who hath given us strength anew! Hurrah for the smith, hurrah for the fire, And hurrah for the metal true!" Ill But a sudden change came o'er his heart, Ere the setting of the sun, And Tubal Cain was filled with pain For the evil he had done; He saw that men, with rage and hate, Made war upon their kind; That the land was red with the blood they shed In their lust for carnage blind. And he said: "Alas! that ever I made, Or that skill of mine should plan. The spear and the sword for men whose joy Is to slay their fellow-man!" IV And for many a day old Tubal Cain Sat brooding o'er his woe; Tubal Cain 57 And his hand forbore to smite the ore, And his furnace smouldered low. But he rose at last with a cheerful face, And a bright courageous eye, And bared his strong right arm for work. While the quick flames mounted high. And he sang: "Hurrah for my handiwork!" And the red sparks lit the air; "Not alone for the blade was the bright steel made;" — As he fashioned the First Ploughshare! And men, taught wisdom from the Past, In friendship joined their hands, Hung the sword in the hall, the spear on the wall. And ploughed the willing lands. And sang: "Hurrah for Tubal Cain! Our staunch good friend is he; And for the ploughshare and the plough To him our praise shall be. But while Oppression lifts its head. Or a tyrant would be lord. Though we may thank him for the Plough, We'll not forget the Sword!" Charles Mackay. 58 Deeds of Right and Wrong BRIER-ROSE Parti Said Brier-Rose's mother to the naughty Brier-Rose: "What will become of you, my child, the Lord Almighty knows. You will not scrub the kettles, and you will not touch the broom; You never sit a minute still at spinning-wheel or loom." Thus grumbled in the morning, and grumbled late at eve, The good-wife as she bustled with pot and tray and sieve; But Brier-Rose, she laughed and she cocked her dainty head : "Why, I shall marry. Mother dear," full merrily she said. " You marry, saucy Brier-Rose! The man, he is not found To marry such a worthless wench, these seven leagues around." But Brier-Rose, she laughed and she trilled a merry lay: "Perhaps he'll come, my Mother dear, from eight leagues away." Brier-Rose 59 Up stole the "girl on tiptoe, so that none her step could hear, And laughing pressed an airy kiss behind the good-wife's ear. And she, as e'er relenting, sighed: "Oh, Heaven only knows Whatever will become of you, my naughty Brier-Rose!" The sun was high and summer sounds were teeming in the air; The clank of scythes, the cricket's whir, and swelling wood-notes rare. From field and copse and meadow; and through the open door Sweet, fragrant whiffs of new-mown hay the idle breezes bore. And out she skipped the meadows o'er and gazed into the sky; Her heart o'er brimmed with gladness, she scarce herself knew why. And to a merry tune she hummed: "Oh, Heaven only knows Whatever will become of the naughty Brier- Rose!" Whene'er a thrifty matron this idle maid espied. 6o Deeds of Right and Wrong She shook her head in warning, and scarce her wrath could hide; For girls were made for housewives, for spin- ning-wheel and loom, And not to drink the sunshine and wild- flower's sweet perfume. And oft the maidens cried, when the Brier- Rose went by; "You cannot knit a stocking, and you cannot make a pie." But Brier-Rose, as was her wont, she cocked her curly head: "But I can sing a pretty song," full merrily she said. And oft the young lads shouted, when they saw the maid at play: "Ho, good-for-nothing Brier-Rose, how do you do to-day.^" Then she shook her tiny fist; to her cheeks the color flew: "However much you coax me, I'll never dance with you!" Part II Thus flew the years light-winged over Brier- Rose's head. Till she was twenty summers old, and yet remained unwed. Brier-Rose 6i And all the parish wondered: "The Lord Almighty knows Whatever will become of that naughty Brier- Rose!" And while they wondered came the Spring a-dancing o'er the hills; Her breath was warmer than of yore, and all the mountain rills, With their tinkling and their rippling and their rushing, filled the air. And the misty sounds of water forth-welling everywhere. And in the valley's depth, like a lusty beast of prey. The river leaped and roared aloud and tossed its mane of spray; Then hushed again its voice to a softly plash- ing croon, As dark it rolled beneath the sun and white beneath the moon. It was a merry sight to see the lumber as it whirled Adown the tawny eddies that hissed and seethed and swirled, Now shooting through the rapids and, with a reeling swing. Into the foam-crests diving like an animated thing.; 62 Deeds of Right and Wrong But in the narrows of the rocks, where o'er a steep incline The waters plunged, and wreathed in foam the dark boughs of the pine. The lads kept watch with shout and song, and sent each straggling beam A-spinning down the rapids, lest it should lock the stream. Part III And yet — methinks I hear it now, — wild voices in the night, A rush of feet, a dog's harsh bark, a torch's flaring light. And wandering gusts of dampness, and 'round us far and nigh, A throbbing boom of water like a pulse-beat in the sky. The dawn just pierced the pallid east with spears of gold and red. As we, with boat-hooks in our hands, toward the narrows sped. And terror smote us; for we heard the mighty tree-tops sway. And thunder, as of chariots, and hissing showers of spray. Brier-Rose 63 "Now, lads," the sheriff shouted, "you are strong, like Norway's rock: A hundred crowns I give to him who breaks the lumber-lock! For if another hour go by, the angry waters' spoil Our homes will be, and fields, and our weary years of toil!" We looked each at the other; each hoped his neighbor would Brave death and danger for his home, as valiant Norsemen should. But at our feet the brawling tide expanded like a lake, And whirling beams came shooting on, and made the firm rock quake. "Two hundred crowns," the sheriff cried, and breathless stood the crowd. "Two hundred crowns, my bonny lads!" in anxious tones and loud. But not a man came forward, and no one spoke or stirred. And nothing save the thunder of the cataract was heard. But as with trembling hands, and with faint- ing hearts we stood. 64 Deeds of Right and Wrong We spied a little curly head emerging from the wood. We heard a little snatch of a merry little song, And saw the dainty Brier-Rose come dancing through the throng. An angry murmur rose from the people round about: "Fling her into the river," we heard the matrons shout, "Chase her away, the silly thing; for God Himself scarce knows Why ever He created that worthless Brier- Rose!" Sweet Brier-Rose, she heard their cries; a little pensive smile Across her fair face flitted that might a stone beguile; And then she gave her pretty head a roguish little cock: "Hand me a boat-hook, lads," she said, "I think I'll break the lock." Derisive shouts of laughter broke from throats of young and old : Ho! good-for-nothing Brier-Rose, your tongue was ever bold." a Brier-Rose 65 And, mockingly, a boat-hook Into her hands was flung. When, lo! Into the river's midst with daring leaps she sprung! We saw her dimly through a mist of dense and blinding spray; From beam to beam she skipped, like a water- sprite at play. And now and then faint gleams we caught of color through the mist; A crimson waist, a golden head, a little dainty wrist. In terror pressed the people to the margin of the hill, A hundred breaths were bated, a hundred hearts stood still. For, hark! from out the rapids came a strange and creaking sound. And then a crash of thunder which shook the very ground. The waters hurled the lumber mass down o'er the rocky steep. We heard a muffled rumbling and a rolling in the deep; We saw a tiny form which the torrent swiftly bore And flung Into the wild abyss, where it was seen no more. 66 Deeds of Right and Wrong Ah, little naughty Brier-Rose, thou couldst nor weave nor spin; Yet thou couldst do a nobler deed than all thy mocking kin; For thou hadst courage e'en to die, and by thy death to save A thousand farms and lives from the fury of the wave. {Condensed.) Hjalmar Hjorth Boyesen. THE KNIGHT'S TOAST The feast is o'er! Now brimming wine In lordly cup is seen to shine Before each eager guest; And silence fills the crowded hall, As deep as when the herald's call Thrills in the loyal breast. Then up arose the noble host, And smiling cried: ''A toast! a toast! To all our ladies fair! Here, before all, I pledge the name Of Staunton's proud and beauteous dame. The lady Gundamere! >) Then to his feet each gallant sprung. And joyous was the shout that rung, As Stanley gave the word; The Knight's Toast 67 And every cup was raised on high, Nor ceased the loud and gladsome cry. Till Stanley's voice was heard. "Enough, enough," he smiling said, And lowly bent his haughty head, *'That all may have their due. Now each in turn must play his part, And pledge the lady of his heart. Like gallant knight and true!" Then one by one each guest sprung up. And drained in turn the brimming cup, And named the loved one's name; And each, as hand on high he raised, His lady's grace or beauty praised, Her constancy and fame. 'T is now St. Leon's turn to rise; On him are fixed those countless eyes; — A gallant knight is he; Envied by some, admired by all, Far-famed in lady's bower and hall, — The flower of chivalry. St. Leon raised his kindling eye. And lifts the sparkling cup on high; "I drink to one," he said, 68 Deeds of Right and Wrong (( Whose image never may depart, Deep graven on this grateful heart, Till memory be dead. "To one whose love for me shall last When lighter passions long have passed, So holy 't is and true; To one whose love hath longer dwelt, More deeply fixed, more keenly felt. Than any pledged by you^!^^ Each guest upstarted at the word, And laid a hand upon his sword. With fury-flashing eye; And Stanley said: "We crave the name, Proud knight, of this most peerless dame, Whose love you count so high.' j> St. Leon paused, as if he would Not breathe her name in careless mood. Thus, lightly, to another; Then bent his noble head, as though To give that word the reverence due. And gently said: ''My Mother!'' Attributed to Sir Walter Scott. The Glove and the Lions 69 THE GLOVE AND THE LIONS King Francis was a hearty king, and loved a royal sport, And one day as his lions fought, sat looking on the court; The nobles filled the benches, with the ladies in their pride. And 'mongst them sat the Count de Lorge, with one for whom he sighed : And truly 't was a gallant thing to see that crowning show, Valor and love, and a king above, and the royal beasts below. Ramp'd and roar'd the lions, with horrid laughing jaws; They bit, they glared, gave blows like beams, a wind went with their paws; With wallowing might and stifled roar they rolled on one another, Till all the pit with sand and mane was in a thunderous smother; The bloody foam above the bars came whisk- ing through the air; Said Francis then: "Faith, gentlemen, we're better here than there." 70 Deeds of Right and Wrong De Lorge's love o'erheard the King, — a beauteous lively dame With smiling lips and sharp bright eyes, which always seem'd the same: She thought, "The Count, my lover, is brave as brave can be; He surely would do wondrous things to show his love of me; King, ladies, lovers, all look on ; the occasion is divine; I'll drop my glove, to prove his love; great glory will be mine." She dropp'd her glove, to prove his love, then look'd at him and smiled; He bowed, and in a moment leapt among the lions wild: His leap was quick, return was quick, he has regain'd his place. Then threw the glove, but not with love, right in the lady's face. "Well done!" cried Francis, "bravely done!" and he rose from where he sat: "No love," quoth he, "but vanity, sets love a task like that." Leigh Hunt. Opportunity 71 OPPORTUNITY This I beheld, or dreamed it in a dream: — There spread a cloud of dust along the plain; And underneath the cloud, or in it, raged A furious battle, and men yelled, and swords Shocked upon swords and shields. A prince's banner Wavered, then staggered backward, hemmed by foes. A craven hung along the battle's edge. And thought : ' ' Had I a sword of keener steel — That blue blade that the King's son bears, — but this Blunt thing — !" he snapt and flung it from his hand. And lowering crept away and left the field. Then came the King's son, wounded, sore bestead, And weaponless, and saw the broken sword, Hilt-buried in the dry and trodden sand. And ran and snatched it, and with battle- shout Lifted afresh he hewed his enemy down. And saved a great cause that heroic day. Edward Rowland Sill. 72 Deeds of Right and Wrong YUSSOUF A STRANGER camc one night to Yussouf s tent, Saying: "Behold one outcast and in dread, Against whose life the bow of power is bent, Who flies, and hath not where to lay his head; I come to thee for shelter and for food. To Yussouf, called through all our tribes 'The Good.'" *'This tent is mine," said Yussouf, "but no more Than it is God's; come in, and be at peace; Freely shalt thou partake of all my store As I of His who buildeth over these Our tents His glorious roof of night and day. And at whose door none ever yet heard Nay." So Yussouf entertained his guest that night. And, waking him ere day, said: "Here is gold; My swiftest horse is saddled for thy flight; Depart before the prying day grow bold." As one lamp lights another, nor grows less, So nobleness enkindleth nobleness. That inward light the stranger's face made grand. Which shines from all self-conquest; kneeling low, Jaffar 73 He bowed his forehead upon Yussouf s hand, Sobbing: "O Sheik, I cannot leave thee so; I will repay thee; all this thou hast done Unto that Ibrahim who slew thy son!" "Take thrice the gold," said Yussouf, *^for with thee Into the desert, never to return, My one black thought shall ride away from me; First-born, for whom by day and night I yearn, Balanced and just are all of God's decrees; Thou art avenged, my first-born, sleep in peace!" James Russell Lowell. JAFFAR Jaffar, the Barmecide, the good Vizier, The poor man's hope, the friend without a peer. Jaffar was dead, slain by a doom unjust; And guilty Haroun, sullen with mistrust Of what the good, and e'en the bad might say, Ordaln'd that no man living from that day Should dare to speak his name on pain of death. All Araby and Persia held their breath. 74 Deeds of Right and Wrong Ail but the brave Mondeer. — He, proud to show How far for love a grateful soul could go, And facing death for very scorn and grief, (For his great heart wanted a great relief,) Stood forth in Bagdad, daily, in the square Where once had stood a happy house; and there Harangued the tremblers at the scimitar On all they owed to the divine Jaffar. "Bring me this man," the Caliph cried. The man Was brought, was gazed upon. The mutes began To bind his arms. "Welcome, brave cords," cried he; "From bonds far worse Jaffar deliver'd me; From wants, from shames, from loveless house- hold fears; Made a man's eyes friends with delicious tears ; Restor'd me, loved me, put me on a par With his great self. How can I pay Jaffar.^" Haroun, who felt that on a soul like this The mightiest vengeance could but fall amiss. Now deigned to smile, as one great lord of fate Might smile upon another half as great. He said: "Let worth grow frenzied if it will; Harmosan 75 The Caliph's judgment shall be master still. Go; and since gifts thus move thee, take this gem, ^ The richest in the Tartar's diadem, And hold the giver as thou deemest fit." "Gifts!" cried the friend. He took; and hold- ing it High towards the heaven, as though to meet his star Exclaimed, "This, too, I owe to thee, Jaffar!" Leigh Hunt. HARMOSAN Now the third and fatal conflict for the Per- sian throne was done. And the Moslem's fiery valor had the crown- ing victory won. Harmosan, the last and boldest the invader to defy, Captive, overborne by numbers, they were bringing forth to die. Then exclaimed that noble captive: "Lo, I perish in my thirst! Give me but one drink of water, and let then arrive the worst!" 76 Deeds of Right and Wrong In his hand he took the goblet; but a while the draught forbore, Seeming doubtfully the purpose of the foemen to explore. Well might then have paused the bravest — for around him angry foes With a hedge of naked weapons did that lonely man enclose. "But what fear'st thou?" cried the Caliph, "is it, friend, a secret blow? Fear it not ! our gallant Moslem no such treach- erous dealing know. "Thou may'st quench thy thirst securely, for thou shalt not die before Thou hast drunk that cup of water; this re- prieve is thine — no more!" Quick the Satrap dashed the goblet down to earth with ready hand. And the liquid sank forever, lost amid the burning sand. "Thou hast said that mine my life is, till the water of that cup I have drained: then bid thy servants that spilt water gather up!" The Two Church-Builders 77 For a moment stood the Caliph as by doubt- ful passions stirred — Then exclaimed: "Forever sacred must re- main a monarch's word! "Bring another cup and straightway to the noble Persian give; Drink, I said before, and perish — now I bid thee, drink and live!" Richard Chenevix Trench. THE TWO CHURCH-BUILDERS A FAMOUS King would build a church, A temple vast and grand; And, that the praise might be his own. He gave a strict command That none should add the smallest gift To aid the work he planned. And when the mighty dome was done, Within the noble frame, Upon a tablet broad and fair. In letters all aflame With burnished gold, the people read The royal builder's name. Now, when the King, elate with pride. That night had sought his bed. 78 Deeds of Right and Wrong He dreamed he saw an Angel come | (A halo round his head,) Erase the royal name, and write "■ Another in its stead. What could it mean? Three times that ' night \ That wondrous vision came; Three times he saw that Angel hand I Erase the royal name, And write a woman's in its stead, ] In letters all aflame. '■ i j Whose could it be.^ He gave command ^ To all about his throne, j To seek the owner of the name \ That on the tablet shone; - And so it was the courtiers found • ' A widow poor and lone. - >^ The King, enraged at what he heard, j^ * */r ; Cried: "Bring the culprit here!" W I ] And to the woman, trembling sore, / /J'^ j He said: "'T is very clear That you have broken my command; Now let the truth appear!" "Your majesty," the widow said: "I can't deny the truth; V Sir Launfal and the Leper 79 I love the Lord, — my Lord and yours, — And so, in simple sooth, I broke your majesty's command (I crave your royal ruth). "And since I had no money, sire. Why, I could only pray That God would bless your majesty; And when along the way The horses drew the stones, I gave To one a wisp of hay." "Ah! now I see," the King exclaimed, "Self-glory was my aim; The woman gave for love of God, And not for worldly fame! 'T is my command the tablet bear The pious widow's name." John G. Saxe, SIR LAUNFAL AND THE LEPER As Sir Launfal made morn through the dark- some gate. He was 'ware of a leper, crouched by the same, Who begged with his hand and moaned as he sate; And a loathing over Sir Launfal came; 8o Deeds of Right and Wrong The sunshine went out of his soul with a thrill, The flesh 'neath his armor 'gan shrink and crawl, And midway Its leap his heart stood still Like a frozen waterfall; For this man, so foul and bent of stature, Rasped harshly against his dainty nature. And seemed the one blot on the summer morn, — So he tossed him a piece of gold in scorn. The leper raised not the gold from the dust: "Better to me the poor man's crust, Better the blessing of the poor. Though I turn me empty from his door; That Is no true alms which the hand can hold: He gives only the worthless gold Who gives from a sense of duty; But he who gives but a slender mite, And gives to that which is out of sight. That thread of the all-sustaining Beauty Which runs through all and doth all unite, — The hand cannot clasp the whole of his alms, The heart outstretches its eager palms, For a god goes with it and makes it store i To the soul that was starving in darkness before." James Russell Lowell. FAIRIES, MAGIC, AND MYSTERY THE DORCHESTER GIANT There was a Giant in time of old, A mighty one was he; He had a wife, but she was a scold. So he kept her shut in his mammoth fold; And he had children three. It happened to be an election day, And the giants were choosing a king; The people were not democrats then. They did not talk of the rights of men, And all that sort of thing. Then the Giant took his children three. And fastened them in the pen; The children roared; quoth the Giant: "Be still!" And Dorchester Heights and Milton Hill Rolled back the sound again. Then he brought them a pudding stuffed with plums. As big as the State-House dome; Quoth he: "There's something for you to eat; So stop your mouths with your 'lection treat. And wait till your dad comes home." 84 Fairies, Magic, and Mystery So the Giant pulled him a chestnut stout, And whittled the boughs away; i The boys and their mother set up a shout; ,; Said he, "You're in, and you can't get out, j Bellow as loud as you may." I Off he went, and he growled a tune \ As he strode the fields along; 'T is said a buffalo fainted away, i And fell as cold as a lump of clay, i When he heard the Giant's song. — ] What are those lone ones doing now, \ The wife and the children sad.f* j Oh, they are in a terrible rout, ■< Screaming, and throwing their pudding about, j Acting as they were mad. I They flung it over to Roxbury hills, : They flung it over the plain, i And all over Milton and Dorchester too J Great lumps of pudding the giants threw, 1 They tumbled as thick as rain. \ 1 Giant and mammoth have passed away, j For ages have floated by; \ The suet is hard as a marrow-bone, j And every plum is turned to a stone, But there the puddings lie. ' The Fairies of the Caldon-Low 85 And If, some pleasant afternoon, You '11 ask me out to ride. The whole of the story I will tell, And you shall see where the puddings fell, And pay for the punch beside. {Condensed.) Oliver Wendell Holmes. THE FAIRIES OF THE CALDON-LOW (< <£ And where have you been, my Mary, And where have you been from me?" I Ve been to the top of the Caldon-Low, The midsummer night to see!" "And what did you see, my Mary, All up on the Caldon-Low?" "I saw the blithe sunshine come down, And I saw the merry winds blow." << (( And what did you hear, my Mary, AllupontheCaldonHill?" I heard the drops of water made, And I heard the corn-ears fill." "Oh tell me all, my Mary — All, all that ever you know; For you must have seen the Fairies Last night on the Caldon-Low." 86 Fairies, Magic, and Mystery ''Then take me on your knee, mother, And listen, mother of mine: A hundred Fairies danced last night. And the harpers they were nine; "And merry was the glee of the harp-strings, And their dancing feet so small; But oh! the sound of their talking Was merrier far than all!" "And what were the words, my Mary, That you did hear them say?" "I'll tell you all, my mother. But let me have my way. "And some they played with the water And rolled it down the hill; *And this,' they said, 'shall speedily turn The poor old miller's mill; "'For there has been no water Ever since the first of May; And a busy man shall the miller be By the dawning of the day! "'Oh the miller, how he will laugh. When he sees the mill-dam rise! The jolly old miller, how he will laugh, Till the tears fill both his eyes!' The Fairies of the Caldon-Low 87 (( And some they seized the little winds, That sounded over the hill, And each put a horn into his mouth. And blew so sharp and shrill! « *And there,' said they, 'the merry winds go Away from every horn; And those shall clear the mildew dank From the blind old widow's corn: (Ci Oh, the poor blind widow — Though she has been blind so long. She'll be merry enough when the mildew's gone. And the corn stands stiff and strong I' "And some they brought the brown linseed, And flung it down from the Low: *And this,' said they, *by the sunrise, In the weaver's croft shall growl "*0h, the poor lame weaver! How will he laugh outright When he sees his dwindling flax-field All full of flowers by night!' "And then upspoke a Brownie, With a long beard on his chin; *I have spun up all the tow,' said he, *And I want some more to spin. \ 88 Fairies, Magic, and Mystery (( c I Ve spun a piece of hempen cloth, And I want to spin another — A little sheet for Mary's bed And an apron for her mother!' "And with that I could not help but laugh, And I laughed out loud and free; And then on the top of the Caldon-Low, There was no one left but me. "And all on the top of the Caldon-Low The mists were cold and gray. And nothing I saw but the mossy stones That round about me lay. "But, as I came down from the hill-top, I heard, afar below. How busy the jolly miller was. And how merry the wheel did go! "And I peeped into the widow's field. And, sure enough, was seen The yellow ears of the mildewed corn All standing stiff and green! "And down by the weaver's croft I stole, To see if the flax were high; But I saw the weaver at his gate With the good news in his eye! The Fairy Folk 89 "Now, this Is all that I heard, mother, And all that I did see; So, prithee, make my bed, mother, For I'm tired as I can be!" Mary Hozvitt. THE FAIRY FOLK Up the airy mountain, Down the rushy glen. We dare n't go a-hunting For fear of little men; Wee folk, good folk. Trooping all together; Green jacket, red cap. And white owl's feather! Down along the rocky shore Some make their home. They live on crispy pancakes Of yellow tide-foam; Some in the reeds Of the black mountain-lake. With frogs for their watch-dogs, All night awake. High on the hill-top The old King sits; He is now so old and gray He's nigh lost his wits. 90 Fairies, Magic, and Mystery With a bridge of white mist Columbkill he crosses, On his stately journeys From Slieveleague to Rosses; Or going up with music, On cold starry nights. To sup with the Queen Of the gay Northern Lights. They stole little Bridget For seven years long; When she came down again Her friends were all gone. They took her lightly back. Between the night and morrow; They thought that she was fast asleep, But she was dead with sorrow. They have kept her ever since Deep within the lakes, On a bed of flag leaves, Watching till she wakes. By the craggy hillside, Through the mosses bare. They have planted thorn-trees For pleasure here and there. Is any man so daring As dig one up in spite? The Fairy Queen 91 He shall find their sharpest thorns In his bed at night. Up the airy mountain, Down the rushy glen, We dare n't go a-hunting For fear of little men; Wee folk, good folk, Trooping all together; Green jacket, red cap, And white owl's feather. William Allingham. THE FAIRY QUEEN Come, follow, follow me. You, Fairy Elves that be; Which circle on the greene. Come, follow Mab your Queene. Hand in hand let's dance around. For this place is fairye ground. When mortals are at rest, And snoring in their nest: Unheard, and unespy'd. Through key-holes we do glide; Over tables, stools, and shelves. We trip it with our Fairy Elves. 92 Fairies, Magic, and Mystery And, if the house be foul With platter, dish, or bowl. Up stairs we nimbly creep, And find the sluts asleep : There we pinch their armes and thighes: None escapes, nor none espies. But if the house be swept, < And from uncleaness kept, We praise the household maid, And duely she is paid: For we use before we goe To drop a tester in her shoe. Upon a mushroome's head Our table-cloth we spread; A grain of rye, or wheat. Is manchet, which we eat; Pearly drops of dew we drink In acorn cups fill'd to the brink. The brains of nightingales. With unctuous fat of snailes. Between two cockles stew'd. Is meat that's easily chew'd; Tailes of wormes, and marrow of mice, Do make a dish, that's wonderous nice. The Fairy Boy 93 The grasshopper, gnat, and fly, Serve for our minstrelsie; Grace said, we dance a while, And so the time beguile: And if the moon doth hide her head. The gloe-worm lights us home to bed. On tops of dewie grasse So nimbly do we passe. The young and tender stalk Ne'er bends when we do walk: Yet in the morning may be seen Where we the night before have been. From Percy's Reliques of Ancient English Poetry. THE FAIRY BOY Part I The Laird of Co has left his hall, And stands alone on the castle wall, — His castle that hangs o'er the ocean-waves. And rests on the roofs of the Fairy Caves. Oh, sad and pensive there he stands. Though his eye sees nought but his own broad lands, Or far or near where his glance may go — And keen is the glance of the Laird of Col 94 Fairies, Magic, and Mystery "A fond farewell, ye scenes so dear, A long, a last farewell, I fear. For a boding voice seems whispering me, 'You never more these scenes shall see.' But a tyrant's foot must now be stayed. And my King has asked my sword in aid; So fare-ye-well, 'tide weal or woe, 'Tide life or death, to the Laird of Co!" Now rests his eye on the pennon gay Of a bark that rides in the open bay, And spreads before the freshening gale The swelling breast of her snowy sail; While youthful squire and stalwart knight, With helm and corselet glancing bright. Along her decks impatient go — "You tarry long, O Laird of Co!" "That comrades brave for me should wait!" He quickly gains the castle-gate. But there a boy before him stands, A tiny cup in his tiny hands. "My mother dear is weak and old, Our home is dark, her couch is cold; One cup of wine on her bestow For charity, O Laird of Co!" "Has never yet with will of mine Unheeded been such prayer as thine. The Fairy Boy 95 Ho! Steward, take the boy with thee And fill his cup for charity. For charity? Poor child, I pray When from such tale I turn away, I dwell in home as dark and low As thine, that now am Laird of Co!" With rapid step he bends his way To where the bark rides in the bay, Her decks with arms and armor piled, When comes the Steward, staring wild. "That urchin strange — his elf-made cup A butt of wine hath swallowed up! Yet not a drop doth in it show — Some fiend he is, O Laird of Co!" "Or fiend or fairy, sprite or child, Good Steward, let his cup be filled. If wine enough of mine there be. For well you know my word hath he: Aye, every drop into it pour. Till drained be every vault and store; Pour till his beaker overflow — Broke never his word a Laird of Co!" Now back again the Steward hies, And views the cup with wondering eyes, While trembles every joint and limb — One drop has filled it to the brim! 96 Fairies, Magic, and Mystery i The boy departing softly said: j "When he on clay-cold couch is laid, I In home like mine, as dark and low, I will repay the Laird of Co." ] Part II ] Oh, many a summer sun has shone. And many a winter blast has blown. Since sailed to foreign wars away The bark that rode in the open bay! And they who were but children then Are women grown and bearded men. And the old are gone where all must go But comes not home the Laird of Co. In cell where sunlight never falls, And the damp runs down the blackened walls, And slowly, darkly tracks its way 'Mong rotting straw on the floor of clay, And rusts the fetters strongly bound Around the captive on the ground, So wan from suffering and woe — Is this the comely Laird of Co! "A soldier's death and soldier's grave. On battle-field with comrades brave. With lightsome heart I freely dared, Nor of them thought, nor for them cared; The Fairy Boy 97 But thus, like felon vile, to lie In hopeless, blank captivity. In dungeon dark and damp and low — And I was once the Laird of Col" What light, what light, like noontide clear, Illumes the dungeon dark and drear? What hand the door flings open wide, As bar and lock-bolts backward glide? A child beside the captive stands. His bosom crossed with folded hands: "I come to pay the debt I owe. Arise, arise, poor Laird of Co! "Arise, for thou art free again — " His hand but touched the captive's chain, And link and loop and lock and all Like frost-nipped leaves in Autumn fall: And strong and stalwart under him Becomes each shrunken, wasted limb. And he steps as stept he long ago, When he went to the wars, the Laird of Co! They mount the steep and winding stair. Where dust makes thick the scanty air; And through the gates that open stand They pass unchallenged, hand in hand. The boy's bright eyes are fixed on high — His right hand pointed to the sky — I 98 Fairies, Magic, and Mystery ' His foot he strikes on the earth below: — ; **Now mount with me, O Laird of Co!" i Then up, up, up, to the starry sky! ] They cleave the air that rushes by; | And on and on o'er wood and lea, j O'er lake and river, shore and sea; • While hamlets small and cities vast, '\ With blended lights go glancing past, ; And fade away in the gloom below — j Where journeys he, the Laird of Co? j On earth again, and hand in hand ' ! Before a castle's gate they stand — j A castle that hangs o'er the ocean-waves, \ And rests on the roofs of the Fairy Caves. ' ** Farewell, I thus the wine repay | You gave for blessed charity. And your word held sacred long ago, : Farewell, farewell, good Laird of Co!" ; From The Fairy Family. \ THE PIED PIPER OF HAMELIN I Hamelin town 's in Brunswick, By famous Hanover city; The River Weser, deep and wide, Washes its walls on the southern side; The Pied Piper of Hamelin 99 A pleasanter spot you never spied; But, when begins my ditty, Almost five hundred years ago, To see the townsfolk suffer so From vermin, was a pity. II Rats ! They fought the dogs and killed the cats, And bit the babies in the cradles, And ate the cheeses out of the vats, And licked the soup from the cooks' own ladles, Split open the kegs of salted sprats. Made nests inside men's Sunday hats, And even spoiled the women's chats, By drowning their speaking With shrieking and squeaking In fifty different sharps and fiats. Ill i At last the people in a body To the Town Hall came flocking; "'Tis clear," cried they, *^our Mayor's noddy, And as for our Corporation — shocking To think we buy gowns lined with ermine For dolts that can't or won't determine What's best to rid us of our vermin! 100 Fairies, Magic, and Mystery You hope, because you're old and obese, To find in the furry civic robe ease? Rouse up, Sirs! Give your brains a racking To find the remedy we're lacking, Or, sure as fate, we'll send you packing!" At this the Mayor and Corporation Quaked with a mighty consternation. IV An hour they sate in Council; At length the Mayor broke silence: "For a guilder I'd my ermine gown sell; I wish I were a mile hence! It's easy to bid one rack one's brain — I'm sure my poor head aches again, I've scratched it so, and all in vain. Oh, for a trap, a trap, a trap!" Just as he said this, what should hap At the chamber door, but a gentle tap. "Bless us!" cried the Mayor, "what's that.?" (With the Corporation as he sat. Looking little though wondrous fat; Nor brighter was his eye, nor moister Than a too-long-opened oyster. Save when at noon his paunch grew mutinous For a plate of turtle green and glutinous.) "Only a scraping of shoes on the mat! Anything like the sound of a rat Makes my heart go pit-a-pat!" The Pied Piper of Hamklin iQl "Come in!" the Mayor cried, looking bigger, And in did come the strangest figure 1 His queer long coat, from heel to head Was half of yellow and half of red; And he himself was tall and thin, With sharp blue eyes, each like a pin, And light loose hair, yet swarthy skin, No tuft on cheek nor beard on chin, But lips where smiles went out and in; There was no guessing his kith and kin; And nobody could enough admire The tall man and his quaint attire. Quoth one: "It's as if my great-grandsire, Starting up at the trump of Doom's tone, Had walked this way from his painted tomb- stone!" VI He advanced to the council table: And, "Please your honours," said he, "I'm able, By means of a secret charm, to draw All creatures living beneath the sun, That creep, or swim, or fly, or run, After me so as you never saw! And I chiefly use my charm On creatures that do people harm, — The mole, the toad, the newt, the viper: IQ2 Fairies, Magic, and Mystery And people call me the Pied Piper." (And here they noticed round his neck A scarf of red and yellow stripe To match his coat of the self-same cheque; And at the scarf's end hung a pipe; And his fingers, they noticed, were ever straying As if impatient to be playing Upon his pipe, as low it dangled Over his vesture so old-fangled.) "Yet," said he, "poor piper as I am, In Tartary I freed the Cham, Last June, from his huge swarm of gnats; I eased in Asia the Nizam Of a monstrous brood of vampyre bats: And as for what your brain bewilders, If I can rid your town of rats Will you give me a thousand guilders.^" "One! fifty thousand!" was the exclamation Qf the astonished Mayor and Corporation. VII Into the street the Piper stept, Smiling first a little smile, As if he knew what magic slept In his quiet pipe the while; Then, like a musical adept. To blow the pipe his lips he wrinkled. And green and blue his sharp eyes twinkled. The Pied Piper of Hamelin 103 Like a candle-flame where salt Is sprinkled; And ere three shrill notes the pipe had uttered, You heard as if an army muttered; And the muttering grew to a grumbling; And the grumbling grew to a mighty rum- bling; And out of the houses the rats came tumbling. Great rats, small rats, lean rats, brawny rats. Brown rats, black rats, grey rats, tawny rats, Grave old plodders, gay young friskers, Fathers, mothers, uncles, cousins. Cocking tails, and pricking whiskers, Families by tens and dozens. Brothers, sisters, husbands, wives — Followed the Piper for their lives. From street to street he piped, advancing. And step for step they followed dancing. Until they came to the River Weser, Wherein all plunged and perished! — Save one, who, stout as Julius Caesar, Swam across and lived to carry (As he, the manuscript he cherished) To Rat-land home his commentary: Which was, "At the first shrill note of the pipe I heard a sound as of scraping tripe, And putting apples, wondrous ripe. Into a cider-press's gripe: And a moving away of pickle-tub boards. And a leaving ajar of conserve-cupboards, 104 Fairies, Magic, and Mystery And a drawing the corks of train-oil-flasks, And a breaking the hoops of butter-casks: And it seemed as if a voice (Sweeter far than by harp or by psaltery Is breathed) called out: 'Oh, rats, rejoice! The world is grown to one vast drysaltery! So munch on, crunch on, take your nuncheon, Breakfast, dinner, supper, luncheon!' < And just as a bulky sugar-puncheon, AH ready staved, like a great sun shone Glorious, scarce an inch before me. Just as methought it said, 'Come, bore me!' — I found the Weser rolling o'er me." VIII You should have heard the Hamelin people Ringing the bells till they rocked the steeple. "Go," cried the Mayor, "and get long poles, Poke out the nests, and block up the holes! Consult with carpenters and builders, And leave in our town not even a trace Of the rats!" When suddenly, up the face Of the Piper perked in the market-place, With a, "First, if you please, my thousand guilders!" IX A thousand guilders ! The Mayor looked blue ; So did the Corporation, too. The Pied Piper of Hamelin 105 For council dinners made rare havoc With Claret, Moselle, Vin-de-Grave, Hock; And half the money would replenish Their cellar's biggest butt with Rhenish. To pay this sum to a wandering fellow, With a gypsy coat of red and yellow! "Beside," quoth the Mayor, with a knowing wink, "Our business was done at the river's brink; We saw with our eyes the vermin sink, And what's dead can't come to life, I think. So friend, we're not the folks to shrink From the duty of giving you something to drink. And a matter of money to put in your poke; But as for the guilders, what we spoke Of them, as you very well know, was in joke. Beside, our losses have made us thrifty. A thousand guilders! Come, take fifty!" X The Piper's face fell, and he cried: "No trifling! I can't wait, beside! I've promised to visit by dinner-time Bagdad, and accept the prime Of the Head-Cook's pottage, all he's rich in, For having left, in the Caliph's kitchen, Of a nest of scorpions no survivor. With him I proved no bargain-driver; io6 Fairies, Magic, and Mystery With you, don't think I'll bate a stiver! And folks who put me in a passion May find me pipe after another fashion." XI "How!" cried the Mayor, "d'ye think I'll brook Being worse treated than a Cook? Insulted by a lazy ribald With idle pipe and vesture piebald! You threaten us, fellow! Do your worst; Blow your pipe there till you burst!" XII Once more he stept into the street, And to his lips again Laid his long pipe of smooth, straight cane; And ere he blew three notes (such sweet Soft notes as yet musician's cunning Never gave the enraptured air) There was a rustling that seemed like a bustling Of merry crowds justling at pitching and hustling. Small feet were pattering, wooden shoes clat- tering, Little hands clapping and little tongues chat- tering, The Pied Piper of Hamelin 107 And, like fowls in a farmyard when barley is scattering, Out came the children running. And all the little boys and girls. With rosy cheeks and flaxen curls, And sparkling eyes and teeth like pearls, Tripping and skipping ran merrily after The wonderful music with shouting and laughter. XIII The Mayor was dumb, and the Council stood As if they were changed into blocks of wood. Unable to move a step, or cry To the children merrily skipping by, — Could only follow with the eye That joyous crowd at the Piper's back. And now the Mayor was on the rack. And the wretched Council's bosoms beat. As the Piper turned from the High Street To where the Weser rolled its waters Right in the way of their sons and daugh- ters! However he turned from South to West, And to Koppelberg Hill his steps addressed. And after him the children pressed; Great was the joy in every breast. *'He never can cross that mighty top! He's forced to let the piping drop, io8 Fairies, Magic, and Mystery \ And we shall see our children stop!" ^ When, lo, as they reached the mountain- side, A wondrous portal opened wide, As if a cavern was suddenly hollowed; And the Piper advanced, and the children followed, And when all were in to the very last, The door in the mountain-side shut fast. Did I say all? No! One was lame. And could not dance the whole of the way; i And in after years, if you would blame ■ His sadness, he was used to say: — \ ''It's dull in our town since my playmates \ left! ^ I can't forget that I'm bereft j Of all the pleasant sights they see,* j Which the Piper also promised me: . ' For he led us, he said, to a joyous land, ' Joining the town and just at hand, j Where waters gushed and fruit trees grew, \ And flowers put forth a fairer hue, • And everything was strange and new; The sparrows were brighter than peacocks I here, I And their dogs outran our fallow-deer, i And honey-bees had lost their stings, j And horses were born with eagles' wings: ■ And just as I became assured ) The Pied Piper of Hamelin 109 My lame foot would be speedily cured, The music stopped, and I stood still, And found myself outside the hill, Left alone against my will, To go now limping as before, And never hear of that country morel" XIV Alas, alas for Hamelin! There came into many a burgher's pate A text which says that Heaven's gate Opes to the rich at as easy rate As the needle's eye takes a camel in! The Mayor sent East, West, North, and South, To oifer the Piper, by word of mouth, Wherever it was man's lot to find him. Silver and gold to his heart's content. If he'd only return the way he went. And bring the children behind him. But when they saw 't was a lost endeavour. And Piper and dancers were gone for ever. They made a decree that lawyers never Should think their records dated duly If, after the day of the month and the year. These words did not as well appear, "And so long after what happened here On the Twenty-second of July, Thirteen hundred and seventy-six": no Fairies, Magic, and Mystery And the better in memory to fix The place of the children's last retreat, They called it, the Pied Piper's Street — Where any one playing on pipe or tabor Was sure for the future to lose his labour. Nor suffered they hostelry or tavern To shock with mirth a street so solemn; But opposite the place of the cavern They wrote the story on a column,^ And on the great church-window painted The same, to make the world acquainted How their children were stolen away, And there it stands to this very day. And I must not omit to say That in Transylvania there's a tribe Of alien people that ascribe The outlandish ways and dress On which their neighbours lay such stress, To their fathers and mothers having risen Out of some subterraneous prison Into which they were trepanned Long ago in a mighty band Out of Hamelin town in Brunswick land. But how or why, they don't understand. XV So, Willy, let you and me be wipers Of scores out with all men, — especially pipers! Goblin Market hi And, whether they pipe us free from rats or from mice, If weVe promised them aught, let us keep our promise! Robert Browning, << GOBLIN MARKET Part I Morning and evening Maids heard the Goblins cry: Come buy our orchard fruits, Come buy, come buy! Apples and quinces, Lemons and oranges, Plump unpecked cherries. Melons and raspberries. Bloom-down-cheeked peaches, Swart-headed mulberries. Wild free-born cranberries, Crab-apples, dewberries. Pine-apples, blackberries. Apricots, strawberries; — Taste them and try; Currants and gooseberries, Bright-fire-like barberries. Figs to fill your mouth, Citrons from the south. 112 Fairies, Magic, and Mystery \ Sweet to tongue and sound to eye; Come buy, come buy!" ; Evening by evening j . Among the brookside rushes, I Laura bowed her head to hear, i Lizzie veiled her blushes; { Crouching close together \ In the cooling weather, ] With clasping arms and cautioning lips, . j With tingling cheeks and finger tips. ! "Lie close," Laura said, j Pricking up her golden head, "We must not look at Goblin men, | We must not buy their fruits 1 Who knows upon what soil they fed \ Their hungry, thirsty roots ? " | "Come buy," call the Goblins Hobbling down the glen. "Oh," cried Lizzie, "Laura, Laura, You should not peep at Goblin men!" Lizzie covered up her eyes. Covered close lest they should look; Laura reared her glossy head. And whispered like the restless brook: "Look, Lizzie, look, Lizzie, Down the glen tramp little men. One hauls a basket. One bears a plate. Goblin Market 113 j (C One lugs a golden dish Of many pounds' weight. How fair the vine must grow Whose grapes are so luscious; How warm the wind must blow Through those fruit bushes!" No," said Lizzie, "No, no, no: Their offers should not charm us, Their evil gifts would harm usl" She thrust a dimpled finger In each ear, shut eyes and ran. Curious Laura chose to linger Wondering at each merchant man. One had a cat's face, One whisked a tail, One tramped at a rat's pace, One crawled like a snail. When they reached where Laura was They stood stock still upon the moss. One set his basket down, One reared his plate; One began to weave a crown Of tendrils, leaves, and rough nuts brown; One heaved the golden weight Of dish and fruit to offer her: 'Come buy, come buy," was still their cry, Laura stared but did not stir, 114 Fairies, Magic, and Mystery Longed but had no money. The whisk-tailed merchant bade her taste In tones as smooth as honey. But sweet-tooth Laura spoke in haste: "Good Folk, I have no coin; To take were to purloin. I have no copper in my purse, I have no silver either, And all my gold is on the furze That shakes in windy weather Above the rusty heather!" "You have much gold upon your head," They answered all together, "Buy from us with a golden curl." She clipped a precious golden lock, She dropped a tear more rare than pearl, Then sucked their fruit-globes fair or red. Sweeter than the honey from the rock, Stronger than man-rejoicing wine, Clearer than water flowed that juice; She never tasted such before. How should it cloy with length of use? She sucked, and sucked, and sucked the more Fruits which that unknown orchard bore; She sucked until her lips were sore; Then flung the emptied rinds away But gathered up one kernel stone, n Goblin Market 115 And knew not was it night or day As she turned home alone. Lizzie met her at the gate, Full of wise upbraidings: Dear, you should not stay so late, Twilight is not good for maidens; Should not loiter in the glen In the haunts of Goblin men. Do you not remember Jeanie, How she met them in the moonlight, Took their gifts both choice and many, Ate their fruits and wore their flowers Plucked from bowers Where summer ripens at all hours .^ But ever in the moonlight She pined and pined away; Sought them by night and day, Found them no more, but dwindled and grew grey; Then fell with the first snow; While to this day no grass will grow Where she lies low: I planted daisies there a year ago That never blow. You should not loiter so!" Nay, hush," said Laura, Nay, hush, my sister 1 I ate and ate my fill, Ii6 Fairies, Magic, and Mystery ■ i Yet my mouth waters still! ] To-morrow night I will i Buy more!" and kissed her. ] Part II Early in the morning ' When the first cock crowed his warning, ] Neat like bees, as sweet and busy, j Laura rose with Lizzie; Fetched in honey, milked the cows, \ Aired and set to rights the house, ] Kneaded cakes of whitest wheat, Cakes for dainty mouths to eat, ] Next churned butter, whipped up cream, Fed their poultry, sat and sewed; ] Talked as modest maidens should: i Lizzie with an open heart, 1 Laura in an absent dream, ' One content, one sick in part; ] One warbling for the mere bright day's I delight, ] One longing for the night. ^ •At length slow evening came. i They went with pitchers to the reedy \ brook; i Lizzie most placid in her look, ' Laura most like a leaping flame. ' Goblin Market 117 They drew the gurgling water from its deep. Lizzie plucked purple and rich golden flags, Then turning homeward said: "The sun- set flushes Those furthest loftiest crags; Come, Laura, not another maiden lags. No wilful squirrel wags, The beasts and birds are fast asleep." But Laura loitered still among the rushes, And said the bank was steep. And said the hour was early still. The dew not fallen, the wind not chill; Listening ever, but not catching The customary cry: "Come buy, come buyl" Till Lizzie urged: "O Laura, come; I hear the fruit-call, but I dare not look. You should not loiter longer at this brook, Come with me home." Laura turned cold as stone To find her sister heard that cry alone, That Goblin cry, "Come buy our fruits, come buyl" Day after day, night after night, Laura kept watch in vain. In sullen silence of exceeding pain. ii8 Fairies, Magic, and Mystery She never caught again the Goblin cry: i Come buy, come buy!" '| She never spied the Goblin men ; Hawking their fruits along the glen; I But when the noon waxed bright Her hair grew thin and grey; ■ She dwindled, as the fair full moon doth ] turn j To swift decay and burn I Her fire away! \ She no more swept the house, ' Tended the fowls or cows. Fetched honey, kneaded cakes of wheat. Brought water from the brook; J But sat down listless in the chimney-nook i And would not eat. ^ (C Tender Lizzie could not bear To watch her sister's cankerous care, Yet not to share. She night and morning Caught the Goblin's cry: Come buy our orchard fruits, Come buy, come buy!" Beside the brook, along the glen, She heard the tramp of Goblin men, — The voice and stir Poor Laura could not hear, — Longed to buy fruit to comfort her, Goblin Market 119 But feared to pay too dear; Till Laura dwindling Seemed knocking at Death's door. Then Lizzie weighed no more Better and worse; But put a silver penny In her purse. Kissed Laura, crossed the heath with clumps of furze, At twilight, halted by the brook; And for the first time in her life Began to listen and look! Laughed every Goblin When they spied her peeping; Came towards her hobbling, Flying, running, leaping, Puffing, and blowing. Chuckling, clapping, crowing, Clucking, and gobbling. Mopping, and mowing. Full of airs and graces, Pulling wry faces. Demure grimaces. Hugged her and kissed her; Squeezed and caressed her; Stretched up their dishes, Panniers, and plates; "Look at our apples Russet and dun. 120 Fairies, Magic, and Mystery Bob at our cherries. Bite at our peaches, Citrons and dates, Grapes for the asking. Pears red with basking Out in the sun, Plums on their twigs; Pluck them and suck them, — Pomegranates, figs!" "Good Folk," said Lizzie, Mindful of Jeanie, "Give me much and many." Held out her apron, Tossed them her penny. "Nay, take a seat with us. Honor and eat with us," They answered grinning:- — "Our feast is but beginning. Night yet is early. Warm and dew-pearly. Wakeful and starry; Such fruits as these No man can carry; Half their bloom would fly, Half their dew would dry. Half their flavor would pass by. Sit down and feast with us, Be welcome guest with us. Cheer you and rest with us!" Goblin Market 121 "Thank you," said Lizzie, "But one waits At home alone for me; So without further parleying, If you will not sell me any Of your fruits though much and many Give me back my silver penny I tossed you for a fee." — They began to scratch their pates, No longer wagging, purring. But visibly demurring. Grunting and snarling. — One called her proud. Cross-grained, uncivil; Their tones waxed loud. Their looks were evil. Lashing their tails They trod and hustled her. Elbowed and jostled her. Twitched her hair out by the roots, Stamped upon her tender feet. Held her hands and squeezed their fruits Against her mouth to make her eat. One may lead a horse to water. Twenty cannot make him drink. Though the Goblins cuffed and caught her. Coaxed and fought her. Bullied and besought her. 122 Fairies, Magic, and Mystery Scratched her, pinched her black as ink, Kicked and knocked her, Mauled and mocked her, Lizzie uttered not a word; Would not open lip from lip Lest they should cram a mouthful in; But laughed in heart to feel the drip Of juice that syruped all her face, And lodged in dimples of her chin, And streaked her neck which quaked like curd. At last the evil people, Worn out by her resistance. Flung back her penny, Kicked their fruit. Along whichever road they took, Not leaving root or stone or shoot; Some writhed into the ground, Some dived into the brook With ring and ripple, Some scudded on the gale without a sound. Some vanished in the distance. In a smart, ache, tingle, Lizzie went her way; Knew not was it night or day; ' Sprang up the bank, tore thro' the furze, Threaded copse and dingle. Goblin Market 123 And heard her penny jingle Bouncing in her purse. — She cried: "Laura," up the garden, "Did you miss me? Come and kiss me! Never mind my bruises, Hug me, kiss me, suck my juices Squeezed from Goblin fruits for you, Goblin pulp and Goblin dew! Eat me, drink me, love me; Laura, make much of me; For your sake I have braved the glen, And had to do with Goblin merchant (< men!" Laura started from her chair. Flung her arms up in the air, Clutched her hair: Lizzie, Lizzie, have you tasted For my sake the fruit forbidden? Must your light like mine be hidden. Your young life like mine be wasted. Undone in mine undoing, And ruined in my ruin. Thirsty, cankered. Goblin-ridden?" — She clung about her sister. Kissed and kissed and kissed her. Her lips began to scorch. That juice was wormwood to her tongue, 124 Fairies, Magic, and Mystery She loathed the feast; Writhing as one possessed she leaped and sung. Rent all her robe, and wrung Her hands in lamentable haste, And beat her breast 1 Like a lightning-stricken mast. Like a wind-uprooted tree Spun about, Like a foam-topped waterspout Cast down headlong in the sea, She fell at last; Pleasure past, and anguish past, Is it death or is it life? Life out of death. That night long, Lizzie watched by her. Counted her pulse's flagging stir, Felt for her breath. Held water to her lips, and cooled her face With tears and fanning leaves. But when the first birds chirped about their eaves. And early reapers plodded to the place Of golden sheaves, And dew-wet grass. The Brown Dwarf of Rucen 125 Bowed in the morning winds so brisk to pass, And new buds with new day Opened of cup-like lilies on the stream, Laura awoke as from a dream, Laughed in the innocent old way, Hugged Lizzie but not twice or thrice; Her gleaming locks showed not one thread of grey. Her breath was sweet as May, And light danced in her eyes. (Condensed.) Christina Rossetti, THE BROWN DWARF OF RUGEN The pleasant isle of Riigen looks the Baltic water o'er. To the silver sanded beaches of the Pomera- nian shore; And in the town of Rambin a little boy and maid Plucked the meadow-flowers together and in the sea-surf played. Alike were they in beauty if not in their degree : He was the Amptman's first-born, the miller's child was she. 126 Fairies, Magic, and Mystery Now of old the isle of Riigen was full of Dwarfs and Trolls, The brown-faced little Earth-men, the people without souls; And for every man and woman in Riigen's island found Walking In air and sunshine, a Troll was underground. It chanced the little maiden, one morning, strolled away Among the haunted Nine Hills, where the Elves and Goblins play. That day, in barley fields below, the harvest- ers, had known Of evil voices In the air, and heard the small horns blown. She came not back; the search for her in field and wood was vain: They cried her east, they cried her west, but she came not again. "She's down among the Brown Dwarfs,'' said the dream-wives wise and old, And prayers were made, and masses said, and Rambin's church bell tolled. The Brown Dwarf of Rugen 127 Five years her father mourned her; and then John Deitrich said: "I will find my little playmate, be she alive or dead." He watched among the Nine Hills, he heard the Brown Dwarfs sing, And saw them dance by moonlight merrily in a ring. And when their gay-robed leader tossed up his cap of red. Young Deitrich caught it as it fell, and thrust it on his head. The Troll came crouching at his feet and wept for lack of it. "Oh, give me back my magic cap, for your great head unfit I" "Nay," Deitrich said, "the Dwarf who throws his charmed cap away, Must serve its finder at his will, and for his folly pay. "You stole my pretty Lisbeth, and hid her in the earth; And you shall ope the door of glass and let me lead her forth." 128 Fairies, Magic, and Mystery **She will not come; she's one of us; she's mine!" the Brown Dyv^arf said, **The day is set, the cake is baked, to-morrow we shall wed." ''The fell fiend fetch thee!" Deitrich cried, "and keep thy foul tongue still. Quick! open to thy evil world, the glass door of the hill!" The Dwarf obeyed ; and youth and Troll down the long stairway passed, And saw in dim and sunless light a country strange and vast. Weird, rich, and wonderful, he saw the Elfin under-land, — Its palaces of precious stones, its streets of golden sand. He came into a banquet-hall with tables richly spread, Where a young maiden served to him the red wine and the bread. How fair she seemed among the Trolls so ugly and so wild! Yet pale and very sorrowful, like one who never smiled! The Brown Dwarf of Rugen 129 Her low, sweet voice, her gold-brown hair, her tender blue eyes seemed Like something he had seen elsewhere or something he had dreamed. He looked; he clasped her in his arms; he knew the long-lost one: "O Lisbeth! See thy playmate — I am the Amptman's son!" She leaned her fair head on his breast, and through her sobs she spoke: "Oh, take me from this evil place, and from the Elfin folk! t( And let me tread the grass-green fields and smell the flowers again. And feel the soft wind on my cheek and hear the dropping rain! ** And oh, to hear the singing bird, the rustling of the tree. The lowing cows, the bleat of sheep, the voices of the sea; "And oh, upon my father's knee to sit beside the door, And hear the bell of vespers ring in Rambin church once more!" 130 Fairies, Magic, and Mystery He kissed her cheek, he kissed her lips; the Brown Dwarf groaned to see: And tore his tangled hair and ground his long teeth angrily. But Deitrich said: "For five long years this tender Christian maid Has served you in your evil world, and well must she be paid! "Haste! — hither bring me precious gems, the richest in your store; Then when we pass the gate of glass, you'll take your cap once more.'' No choice was left the baffled Troll, and, mur- muring, he obeyed. And filled the pockets of the youth and apron of the maid. They left the dreadful under-land and passed the gate of glass; They felt the sunshine's warm caress, they trod the soft, green grass. And when, beneath, they saw the Dwarf stretch up to them his brown And crooked claw-like fingers, they tossed his red cap down. The Brown Dwarf of Rugen 131 Oh, never shone so bright a sun, was never sky so blue, As hand in hand they homeward walked the pleasant meadows through! And never sang the birds so sweet in Rambin's woods before, And never washed the waves so soft along the Baltic shore; And when beneath his door-yard trees the father met his child. The bells rung out their merriest peal, the folks with joy ran wild. And soon from Rambin's holy church the twain came forth as one. The Amptman kissed a daughter, the miller blest a son. John Deitrich's fame went far and wide, and nurse and maid crooned o'er Their cradle song: *' Sleep on, sleep well, the Trolls shall come no more!" For in the haunted Nine Hills he set a cross of stone; And Elf and Brown Dwarf sought in vain a door where door was none. 132 Fairies, Magic, and Mystery The tower he built in Rambin, fair Riigen's pride and boast, Looked o'er the Baltic water to the Pome- ranian coast; And, for his worth ennobled, and rich beyond compare. Count Deitrich and his lovely bride dwelt long and happy there. John Greenleaf Whittier. THE WORME OF LAMBTON The Sinning It is the joyful Easter morn. And the bells ring loud and clear, Sounding the holy day of rest Through the quiet vale of Wear. And buxom youth and bashful maid, In holiday array. Thro' verdant glade and greenwood shade, To Brigford bend their way. And soon within its sacred dome Their wandering steps are stayed; The bell is rung, the mass is sung. And the solemn prayer is prayed. The Worme of Lambton 133 But why did Lambton's youthful heir Not mingle with the throng? And why did he not bend his knee, Nor join in the holy song? O Lambton's heir is a wicked man! Alike in word and deed; He makes a jest of psalm and priest, Of the Ave and the Creed. And Lambton's heir, at the matin prayer. Or the vesper, is not seen; And on this day of rest and peace He hath donned his coat of green; And with his creel slung on his back, His light rod in his hand, Down by the side of the shady Wear He took his lonely stand. There v/as no sound but the rushing stream. The little birds were still, As if they knew that Lambton's heir Was doing a deed of ill. He threw his line, of the costly twine, Across the gentle stream; Upon its top the dun-flies drop Lightly as childhood's dream. 134 Fairies, Magic, and Mystery Again, again, — but all in vain, In the shallow or the deep; No trout rose to his cunning bait; He heard no salmon leap. And now he wandered east the stream, And now he wandered west; He sought each bank or hanging bush, Which fishes love the best. But vain was all his skilful art; Vain was each deep disguise; Vain was alike the varied bait, And vain the mimic flies. The Worme When tired and vexed, the castle bell Rung out the hour of dine, "Now," said the Lambton's youthful heir, "A weary lot is mine!" "For six long hours, this April morn, My line in vain I've cast; But one more throw; come weal come woe. For this shall be the last!" He took from his bag a maggot worm. That bait of high renown; His line wheeled quickly through the air, Then sunk in the water down. The Worme of Lambton 135 When he drew it out, his ready hand With no quivering motion shook, For neither salmon, trout nor ged, Had fastened on his hook; But a little thing, a strange formed things Like a piece of muddy weed; But like no fish that swims the stream, Nor aught that crawls the mead. 'T was scarce an inch and a half in length, Its color the darkest green; And on its rough and scaly back Two little fins were seen. It had a long and pointed snout, Like the mouth of the slimy eel. And its white and loosely hanging jaws Twelve pin-like teeth reveal. It had sharp claws upon its feet, Short ears upon its head, A jointed tail, and quick bright eyes. That gleamed of a fiery red. "Art thou the prize," said the weary wight, "For which I have spent my time; For which I have toiled till the hour of noon. Since rang the matin chime!" 136 Fairies, Magic, and Mystery From the side of the dell, a crystal well Sends its waters bubbling by; ''Rest there, thou ugly tiny elf. Either to live or die!" He threw it in, and when next he came, He saw, to his surprise, It was a foot and a half in length; It had grown so much in size. And its wings were long, far-stretched and strong, And redder were its eyes ! The Curse But Lambton's heir is an altered man, — At the church on bended knee. Three times a day he was wont to pray; — And now he's beyond the sea. He has done penance for his sins. He has drank of a sainted well. He has joined the band from the Holy Land To chase the infidel. Where host met host, and strife raged most, His sword flashed high and bright; Where force met force, he winged his course, The foremost in the fight. Pure was his fame, unstained his shield; A merciful man was he; The Worme of Lambton 137 The friend of the weak, he raised not his hand 'Gainst a fallen enemy. Thus on the plains of Palestine, He gained a mighty name. And, full of honor and renown. To the home of his childhood came. But when he came to his father's lands, No cattle were grazing there; The grass in the mead was unmown and rough, And the fields untilled and bare. And when he came to his father's hall, He wondered what might ail; His sire but coolly welcomed him. And his sister's cheeks were pale. **Now why, now why, this frozen cheer .^ What is it that may ail? Why tremble thus my father dear.^ My sister, why so pale?" "O! sad and woful has been our lot, Whilst thou wast far away; For a mighty Dragon hath hither come And taken up its stay; At night or morn it sleepeth not, But watcheth for its prey. 138 Fairies, Magic, and Mystery •"'T Is ten cloth yards in length; its hue Is of the darkest green. And on its rough and scaly back, Two strong black wings are seen. "It hath a long and pointed snout. Like the mighty crocodile; And, from its grinning jaws, stand out Its teeth in horrid file. "It hath on each round and webbed foot Four sharp and hooked claws; And its jointed tail, with heavy trail, Over the ground it draws. "It hath two rough and hairy ears Upon its bony head; Its eyes shine like the winter sun, Fearful, and darkly red. "Its roar is loud as the thunder's sound, But shorter and more shrill; It rolls, with many a heavy bound. Onward from hill to hill. "And each morn, at the matin chime ^ It seeks the lovely Wear; And, at the noontide bell. It gorges its fill, then seeks the hill Where springs the crystal well. The Worme of Lambton 139 "No knight has e'er returned who dared The monster to assail. Though he struck off an ear or limb, Or lopt its jointed tail, Its severed limbs again unite. Strong as the iron mail. "My horses and sheep, and all my kine, The ravenous beast hath killed; With oxen and deer, from far and near, Its hungry maw is filled. 'T is hence the mead is unmown and long. And the corn-fields are untilledl "My son, to hail thee here in health, My very heart is glad; But thou hast heard our tale — and say. Canst thou wonder that we're sad.^" The Witch of the Glen And sorrowful was Lambton's heir; "My sinful act," said he, "This curse hath on the country brought. Be it mine to set it free!" Deep in the dell, in a ruined hut. Far from the homes of men. There dwelt a witch the peasants called Old Elspat of the Glen. 140 Fairies, Magic, and Mystery 'T was a dark night, and the stormy wind Howled with a hollow moan, As through tangled copsewood, bush and briar. He sought the aged crone. She sat on a low and three-legg'd stool, Beside a dying fire; As he lifted the latch she stirred the brands. And the smoky flames blazed higher. She was a woman weak and old, Her form was bent and thin; And on her lean and shrivelled hand, She rested her pointed chin. He entered with fear, that dauntless man. And spake of all his need; He gave her gold; he asked her aid. How best he might succeed. "Clothe thee," said she, "in armor bright, In mail of glittering sheen. All studded o'er, behind and before, With razors sharp and keen; "And take in thy hand the trusty brand Which thou bore beyond the sea; The Worme of Lambton 141 And make to the Virgin a solemn vow, If she grant thee victory: What meets thee first, when the strife is o^er^ Her offering shall be^ The Dragon He went to the fight, in armor bright, Equipped from head to heel; His gorget closed, and his visor shut. He seemed a form of steel. But with razor blades all sharp and keen, The mail was studded o'er; And his long tried and trusty brand In his greaved hand he bore. He made to the Virgin a solemn vow, If she granted victory. What met him first on his homeward path Her sacrifice should he. He told his sire, when he heard the horn. To slip his favorite hound; "'Twill quickly seek its master's side At the accustomed sound." Forward he trod, with measured step, To meet his foe, alone, While the first beams of the morning sun On his massy armor shone. 142 Fairies, Magic, and Mystery The monster slept on an island crag Lulled by the rustling Wear, Which eddied turbid at the base Though elsewhere smooth and clear. It lay in repose, its wings were flat, Its ears fell on its head, Its legs stretched out, and drooped its snout, But its eyes were fiery red. Little feared he, that armed knight, As he left the rocky shore; And in his hand prepared for fight His unsheathed sword he bore. As he plunged in, the water's splash The monster startling hears; It spreads its wings, and the valley rings, Like the clash of a thousand spears. It bristled up its scaly back. Curled high its jointed tail. And ready stood with grinning teeth, The hero to assail. Then sprung at the knight, with all its might, And its foamy teeth it gnashed; With its jointed tail, like a thrasher's flail, The flinty rocks it lashed. The Worme of Lambton 143 It rose on high, and darkened the sky, Then with a hideous yell, A moment winnowed th' air with its wings, And down like a mountain fell. He stood prepared for the falling blow, But mournful was his fate; Awhile he reeled, then staggering, fell Beneath the monster's weight. And round about its prostrate foe Its fearful length it rolled. And clasped him close, till his armor cracked Within its scaly fold; But pierced by the blades, from body and breast Fast did the red blood pour; Cut by the blades, piece fell by piece And quivered in the gore. Piece fell by piece, foot fell by foot; No more is the river clear. But stained with blood as the severed limbs Rolled down the rushing Wear. Piece fell by piece, and inch by inch. From the body and the tail; But the head still hung by the gory teeth, Tight fastened in the mail. 144 Fairies, Magic, and Mystery It panted long, and fast It breathed, With many a bitter groan; Its eyes grew dim, it loosed its hold, And fell like a lifeless stone! The Fate of Lambton Then loud he blew his bugle-horn, The blast of victory! From rock to rock the sound was borne, By Echo, glad and free; For, burdened long by the Dragon's roar. She joyed in her liberty! But not his hound, with gladdened bound, Comes leaping at the call; With feelings dire he sees his sire Rush from his ancient hall! When Lambton's anxious listening Lord Heard the bugle-note so wild. He thought no more of his plighted word. But ran to clasp his child! Strange is my lot," said the luckless wight, How sorrow and joy combine! When high in fame to my home I came. My kindred did weep and pine. The Worme of Lambton 145 "This morn my triumph sees, and sees Dishonor light on me; For I had vowed to the Holy Maid If she gave me victory, What first I met, when the fight was o'er. Her offering should he ! " I thought to have slain my gallant hound, Beneath my unwilling knife; But I cannot raise my hand on him Who gave my being life I" And heavy and sorrowful was his heart, And he hath gone again To seek advice of the wise woman. Old Elspat of the Glen. "Since thy solemn vow is unfulfilled, Though greater be thy fame, Thou must a lofty chapel build To the Virgin Mary's name. "On nine generations of thy race, A heavy curse shall fall; They may die in the fight or in the chase, But not in their native hall!" He builded there a chapel fair, And rich endowment made. 146 Fairies, Magic, and Mystery Where morn and eve, by cowled monks In sable garb arrayed, The bell was rung, the mass was sung, And the solemn prayer was made. (Condensed.) J. Watson. ST. GEORGE AND THE DRAGON Of Hector's deeds did Homer sing. And of the sack of stately Troy, What griefs fair Helena did bring, Which was Sir Paris's only joy; And by my pen I will recite St. George's deeds, an English knight. Against the Sarazens so rude Fought he full long and many a day. Where many giants he subdued, In honor of the Christian way; And after many adventures past, To Egypt land he came at last. Now, as this story plain doth tell, Within that country there did rest A dreadful Dragon fierce and fell. Whereby they were full sore oppressed; Who by his poisonous breath each day Did many of the city slay. St. George and the Dragon 147 The grief whereof did grow so great Throughout the limits of the land, That they their wise-men did entreat To show their cunning out of hand; What way they might this fiend destroy, That did the country thus annoy. The wise-men all before the King, This answer fram'd incontinent: The Dragon none to death might bring By any means they could invent; His skin more hard than brass was found, That sword nor spear could pierce nor wound. When this the people understood, They cryed out most piteously. The Dragon's breath infects their blood. That every day in heaps they die; Among them such a plague it bred. The living scarce could bury the dead. No means there were, as they could hear, For to appease the Dragon's rage. But to present some virgin clear. Whose blood his fury might assuage; Each day he would a maiden eat, For to allay his hunger great. This thing by art the wise-men found. Which truly must observM be; 148 Fairies, Magic, and Mystery Wherefore, throughout the city round, A virgin pure of good degree Was, by the King's commission, still Taken up to serve the Dragon's will. Thus did the Dragon every day Untimely crop some virgin flower. Till all the maids were worn away, And none were left him to devour; Saving the King's fair daughter bright. Her father's only heart's delight. Then came the officers to the King, That heavy message to declare, Which did his heart with sorrow sting; "She is," quoth he, "my kingdom's heir; O let us all be poisoned here. Ere she should die, that is my dear." Then rose the people presently, And to the King in rage they went; They said his daughter dear should die, The Dragon's fury to prevent: Our daughters all are dead," quoth they. And have been made the Dragon's prey; And by their blood we rescued were. And thou hast saved thy life thereby; And now in sooth it is but fair. For us thy daughter so should die." St. George and the Dragon 149 "O save my daughter," said the King "And let me feel the Dragon's sting. 3 >> Then fell fair Sabra on her knee, And to her father dear did say; "O father, strive not thus for me. But let me be the Dragon's prey; It may be, for my sake alone This plague upon the land was thrown. » "'T is better I should die," she said, "Than all your subjects perish quite; Perhaps the Dragon here was laid, For my offence to work his spite, And after he hath sucked my gore, Your land shall feel the grief no more." "What hast thou done, my daughter dear, For to deserve this heavy scourge .^^ It is my fault, as may appear, Which makes the gods our state to purge; Then ought I die, to stint the strife, And to preserve thy happy life." Like mad-men, all the people cried: "Thy death to us can do no good; Our safety only doth abide In making her the Dragon's food." "Lo! here I am, I come," quoth she, "Therefore do what you will with me." 150 Fairies, Magic, and Mystery "Nay stay, dear daughter," quoth the Queen, "And as thou art a virgin bright. That hast for virtue famous been. So let me clothe thee all in white; And crown thy head with flowers sweet, An ornament for virgins meet." And when she was attired so. According to her mother's mind, Unto the stake then did she go. To which her tender limbs they bind; And being bound to stake a thrall, She bade farewell unto them all. "Farewell, my father dear," quoth she, "And my sweet mother meek and mild; Take you no thought nor weep for me, For you may have another child; Since for my country's good I die. Death I receive most willingly." The King and Queen and all their train With weeping eyes went then their way, And let their daughter there remain, To be the hungry Dragon's prey: But as she did there weeping lie, Behold St. George came riding by. And seeing there a lady bright So rudely tied unto a stake. St. George and the Dragon 151 As well became a valiant knight, He straight to her his way did take: "Tell me, sweet maiden," then quoth he, "What caitiff thus abuseth thee? "And, lo! by Christ his cross I vow. Which here Is figured on my breast, I win revenge It on his brow, And break my lance upon his chest; And speaking thus whereas he stood, The Dragon Issued from the wood. The lady, that did first espy The dreadful Dragon coming so, Unto St. George aloud did cry. And willed him away to go; "Here comes that cursed fiend," quoth she, "That soon will make an end of me." ?>. St. George then looking round about, The fiery Dragon soon espied. And like a knight of courage stout, Against him did most furiously ride; And with such blows he did him greet, He fell beneath his horse's feet. For with his lance that was so strong. As he came gaping In his face. In at his mouth he thrust along; For he could pierce no other place; 152 Fairies, Magic, and Mystery And thus within the lady's view This mighty Dragon straight he slew. The savor of his poisoned breath Could do this holy knight no harm; Thus he the lady saved from death, And home he led her by the arm; Which when King Ptolemy did see, There was great mirth and melody. When as that valiant champion there Had slain the Dragon in the field. To court he brought the lady fair. Which to their hearts much joy did yield. He in the court of Egypt staid Till he most falsely was betrayed. (Condensed.) Old Ballad. THE DAY-DREAM The Sleeping Palace I The varying year with blade and sheaf Clothes and reclothes the happy plains; Here rests the sap within the leaf, Here stays the blood along the veins. Faint shadows, vapors lightly curl'd, Faint murmurs from the meadows come, The Day-Dream 153 Like hints and echoes of the world To spirits folded in the womb. II Soft luster bathes the range of urns On every slanting terrace-lawn. The fountain to his place returns Deep in the garden lake withdrawn. Here droops the banner on the tower, On the hall-hearths the festal fires, The peacock in his laurel bower. The parrot in his gilded wires. Ill Roof-haunting martins warm their eggs: In these, in those the life is stay'd. The mantles from the golden pegs Droop sleepily; no sound is made, Not even of a gnat that sings. More like a picture seemeth all Than those old portraits of old kings, That watch the sleepers from the wall. IV Here sits the butler with a flask Between his knees, half-drain'd; and there The wrinkled steward at his task. The maid-of-honor blooming fair, 154 Fairies, Magic, and Mystery The page has caught her hand in his; Her lips are sever'd as to speak; His own are pouted to a kiss: The blush is fix'd upon her cheek. V Till all the hundred summers pass, The beams, that thro' the Oriel shine, Make prisms in every carven glass, And beaker brimm'd with noble wine. Each baron at the banquet sleeps, Grave faces gather'd in a ring. His state the King reposing keeps. He must have been a jovial king. VI All round a hedge upshoots, and shows At distance like a little wood; Thorns, ivies, woodbine, mistletoes. And grapes with bunches red as blood; All creeping plants, a wall of green Close-matted, burr and brake and brier, And glimpsing over these, just seen. High up, the topmost palace-spire. VII When will the hundred summers die. And thought and time be born again, The Day-Dream 155 And newer knowledge, drawing nigh, Bring truth that sways the soul of men ? Here all things in their place remain, As all were order'd, ages since. Come, Care and Pleasure, Hope and Pain, . And bring the fated fairy Prince. The Sleep{?ig Beauty I Year after year unto her feet. She lying on her couch alone. Across the purple coverlet. The maiden's jet-black hair has grown, On either side her tranced form Forth streaming from a braid of pearl; The slumbrous light is rich and warm. And moves not on the rounded curl. II The silk star-brolder'd coverlid Unto her limbs itself doth mould Languidly ever; and, amid Her full black ringlets downward rolFd, Glows forth each softly-shadow'd arm With bracelets of the diamond bright: Her constant beauty doth inform Stillness with love, and day with light. 156 Fairies, Magic, and Mystery III She sleeps; her breathings are not heard In palace chambers far apart. The fragrant tresses are not stirr'd That lie upon her charmed heart. She sleeps; on either hand upswells The gold-fringed pillow lightly prest; She sleeps, nor dreams, but ever dwells A perfect form in perfect rest. The Arrival All precious things, discover'd late, To those that seek them issue forth; For love in sequel works with fate, And draws the veil from hidden worth. He travels far from other skies — His mantle glitters on the rocks — A fairy Prince, with joyful eyes, And lighter-footed than the fox.- II The bodies and the bones of those That strove in other days to pass, Are wither'd in the thorny close. Or scatter'd blanching on the grass. He gazes on the silent dead: "They perish'd in their daring deeds." The Day-Dream 157 This proverb flashes thro' his head, "The many fail; the one succeeds." Ill He comes, scarce knowing what he seeks; He breaks the hedge; he enters there; The color flies into his cheeks: He trusts to light on something fair; For all his life the charm did talk About his path, and hover near With words of promise in his walk. And whisper'd voices at his ear. IV More close and close his footsteps wind; The Magic Music in his heart, Beats quick and quicker, till he find The quiet chamber far apart. His spirit flutters like a lark. He stoops — to kiss her — on his knee. "Love, if thy tresses be so dark. How dark those hidden eyes must be!" The Revival I A touch, a kiss! the charm was snapt. There rose a noise of striking clocks, And feet that ran, and doors that clapt. And barking dogs, and crowing cocks; 158 Fairies, Magic, and Mystery A fuller light illumined all, A breeze thro' all the garden swept, A sudden hubbub shook the hall, | And sixty feet the fountain leapt. n ■ t The hedge broke in, the banner blew. \ The butler drank, the steward scrawl'd, • The fire shot up, the martin flew, \ The parrot scream'd, the peacock squall'd, i The maid and page renew'd their strife, . The palace bang'd, and buzz'd and clackt, j And all the long-pent stream of life J Dash'd downward in a cataract. j III \ And last with these the King awoke, ^ 1 And in his chair himself uprear'd^ ; And yawn'd, and rubb'd his face, and spoke: "By holy rood, a royal beard! I How say you ? we have slept, my lords. j My beard has grown into my lap." The barons swore, with many words, 'T was but an after-dinner's nap. I "Pardy," return'd the King, "but still j My joints are somewhat stiff or so. The Day-Dream 159 My lord, and shall we pass the bill I mention'd half an hour ago?" The chancellor, sedate and vain, In courteous words returned reply; But dallied with his golden chain. And, smiling, put the question by. The Departure I And on her lover's arm she leant. And round her waist she felt it fold, And far across the hills they went In that new world which is the old; Across the hills, and "far away Beyond their utmost purple rim, And deep into the dying day The happy Princess follow'd him. II "I'd sleep another hundred years, O love, for such another kiss;" "O wake for ever, love," she hears, "O love, 't was such as this and this." And o'er them many a sliding star. And many a merry wind was borne. And, stream'd thro' many a golden bar, The twilight melted into morn. i6o Fairies, Magic, and Mystery III "O eyes long laid in happy sleep!" "O happy sleep, that lightly fled!" "O happy kiss, that woke thy sleep!" *^0 love, thy kiss would wake the dead!" And o'er them many a flowing range Of vapor buoy'd the crescent-bark, And, rapt thro' many a rosy change, The twilight died into the dark. IV "A hundred summers! can it be? And whither goest thou, tell me where?" "O seek my father's court with me, For there are greater wonders there." And o'er the hills, and far away Beyond their utmost purple rim, Beyond the night, across the day. Thro' all the world she follow'd him. Alfred Lord Tennyson, JOLLY RHYMES AND POEMS THE OWL AND THE PUSSY-CAT The Owl and the Pussy-Cat went to sea In a beautiful pea-green boat; They took some honey, and plenty of money Wrapped up in a five-pound note. The Owl looked up to the moon above, And sang to a small guitar: **0 lovely Pussy! O Pussy, my love! What a beautiful Pussy you are, — You are, What a beautiful Pussy you are!" Pussy said to the Owl: "You elegant fowl! How wonderful sweet you sing! O let us be married, — too long we have tarried, — But what shall we do for a ring?" They sailed away for a year and a day To the land where the Bong-tree grows. And there in a wood, a piggy-wig stood With a ring in the end of his nose, — His nose. With a ring in the end of his nose. a Dear Pig, are you willing to sell for one shilling Your ring.f*" Said the piggy, "I will." 164 Jolly Rhymes and Poems So they took it away, and were married next day By the turkey Who lives on the hill. They dined upon mince and slices of quince, Which they ate with a runcible spoon, And hand in hand on the edge of the sand They danced by the light of the moon, — The moon. They danced by the light of the moon. Edward Lear, THE DONKEY AND THE MOCKING-BIRD A MOCK-BIRD in a village Had somehow gained the skill To imitate the voices Of animals at will. And, singing in his prison Once, at the close of day, He gave, with great precision, The donkey's heavy bray. Well pleased, the mock-bird's master Sent to the neighbors 'round, And bade them come together To hear that curious sound. Old Man Who Lived in a Wood 165 They came, and all were talking In praise of what they heard, And one delighted lady Would fain have bought the bird. A donkey listened sadly, And said: "Confess I must That these are stupid people, And terribly unjust. "I'm bigger than the mock-bird, And better bray than he. Yet not a soul has uttered A word in praise of me." From the Spanish of Jose Rosas. Translated by W. C. Bryant. THE OLD MAN WHO LIVED IN A WOOD There was an old man who lived in a wood, As you may plainly see; He said he could do as much work in a day, As his wife could do in three. "With all my heart," the old woman said, "If that you will allow, To-morrow you'll stay at home in my stead, And I'll go drive the plough; i66 Jolly Rhymes and Poems *' But you must milk the Tidy cow, For fear that she go dry; And you must feed the little pigs That are within the sty; And you must mind the speckled hen, For fear she lay away; And you must reel the spool of yarn That I span yesterday." The old woman took a staff in her hand, And went to drive the plough; The old man took a pail in his hand, And went to milk the cow; But Tidy hinched, and Tidy flinched, And Tidy broke his nose. And Tidy gave him such a blow. That the blood ran down to his toes. *^High! Tidy! ho! Tidy! high! Tidy, do stand still! If ever I milk you, Tidy, again, 'T will be sore against my will. >> He went to feed the little pigs, That were within the sty; He hit his head against the beam And he made the blood to fly. The Enchanted Shirt 167 He went to mind the speckled hen, For fear she'd lay astray, And he forgot the spool of yarn His wife spun yesterday. So he swore by the sun, the moon, and the stars. And the green leaves on the tree, If his wife did n't do a day's work in her life, She should ne'er be ruled by he. Old Rhyme. THE ENCHANTED SHIRT Fytte the First : wherein it shall he shown how the Truth is too mighty a Drug for such as he of feehle temper. The King was sick. His cheek was red, And ,his eye was clear and bright; He ate and drank with kingly zest. And peacefully snored at night. But he said he was sick, and a king should know. And the doctors came by the score. They did not cure him. He cut off their heads, And sent to the schools for more. At last two famous doctors came. And one was as poor as a rat, — i68 Jolly Rhymes and Poems He had passed his Hfe in studious toil, And never found time to grow fat. The other had never looked in a book; His patients gave him no trouble: If they recovered, they paid him well; If they died, their heirs paid double. Together they looked at the royal tongue, As the King on his couch reclined; In succession they thumped his august chest, But no trace of disease could find. The old Sage said: "You're as sound as a nut." "Hang him up," roared the King in a gale — In a ten-knot gale of royal rage; The other leech grew a shade pale; But he pensively rubbed his sagacious nose. And thus his prescription ran — The King will he zvell, if he sleeps one night In the Shirt of a Happy Man. Fytte the Second: tells of the search for the Shirt and how it was nigh found but was not, for reasons which are said or sung. Wide o'er the realm the couriers rode, And fast their horses ran, The Enchanted Shirt 169 And many they saw, and to many they spoke, But they found no Happy Man. They found poor men who would fain be rich, And rich who thought they were poor; And men who twisted their waists in stays, And women who short hose wore. At last they came to a village gate, A beggar lay whistling there; He whistled, and sang, and laughed, and rolled On the grass, in the soft June air. The weary couriers paused and looked At the scamp so blithe and gay; And one of them said: "Heaven save you, friend! You seem to be happy to-day." **0 yes, fair sirs," the rascal laughed. And his voice rang free and glad; "An idle man has so much to do That he never has tim.e to be sad." "This is our man," the courier said; "Our luck has led us aright. 170 Jolly Rhymes and Poems I will give you a hundred ducats, friend, For the loan of your shirt to-night." The merry blackguard lay back on the grass, And laughed till his face was black; "I would do it, God wot," and he roared with the fun, '*But I have n't a shirt to my back." Fytte the Third: shewing how His Majesty the King came at last to sleep in a Happy Man his Shirt. Each day to the King the reports came in Of his unsuccessful spies. And the sad panorama of human woes Passed daily under his eyes. And he grew ashamed of his useless life, And his maladies hatched in gloom; He opened his windows and let the air Of the free heaven into his room. And out he went in the world, and toiled In his own appointed way; And the people blessed him, the land was glad, And the King was well and gay. John Hay. Diverting History of John Gilpin 171 THE DIVERTING HISTORY OF JOHN GILPIN Showing How He Went Farther Than He Intended, and Came Safe Home Again John Gilpin was a citizen Of credit and renown, .A train-band Captain eke was he Of famous London town. John Gilpin's spouse said to her dear: *' Though wedded we have been These twice ten tedious years, yet we No holiday have seen. "To-morrow is our wedding day. And we will then repair Unto the Bell at Edmonton, All in a chaise and pair. it My sister, and my sister's child, Myself and children three. Will fill the chaise, so you must ride On horseback after we." He soon replied: — "I do admire' Of womankind but one, And you are she, my dearest dear, Therefore it shall be done. 172 Jolly Rhymes and Poems \ "I am a linen-draper bold, -i As all the world doth know, "i And my good friend the Calender 1 Will lend his horse to go." ^ Quoth Mrs. Gilpin: — "That's well said; And, for that wine is dear, i We will be furnish'd with our own, ] Which is both bright and clear." ; John Gilpin kiss'd his loving wife; O'erjoyed was he to find, That, though on pleasure she was bent, She had a frugal mind. The morning came, the chaise was brought, But yet was not allow'd To drive up to the door, lest all Should say that she was proud. So three doors oflf the chaise was stay'd, • Where they did all get in; Six precious souls, and all agog To dash through thick and thin. Smack went the whip, round went the wheels, Were never folk so glad; The stones did rattle underneath, As if Cheapside were mad. Diverting History of John Gilpin 173 John Gilpin at his horse's side Seized fast the flowing mane, And up he got, in haste to ride, But. soon came down again; For saddle-tree scarce reach'd had he, His journey to begin, When, turning round his head, he saw Three customers come in. So down he came; for loss of time, Although it grieved him sore, Yet loss of pence, full well he knew, Would trouble him much more. 'T was long before the customers Were suited to their mind. When Betty screaming, came downstairs: "The wine is left behind!" "Good lack!" quoth he,— "yet bring it me, My leathern belt likewise,, In which I bear my trusty sword. When I do exercise." Now Mistress Gilpin (careful soul!) Had two stone bottles found. To hold the liquor that she loved. And keep it safe and sound. 174 Jolly Rhymes and Poems Each bottle had a curling ear, Through which the belt he drew. And hung a bottle on each side, ^ To make his balance true. J i Then over all, that he might be ] Equipp'd from top to toe, ] His long red cloak, well brush'd and neat, 1 He manfully did throw. i Now see him mounted once again 1 Upon his nimble steed, ^ Full slowly pacing o'er the stones, : With caution and good heed. i But finding soon a smoother road Beneath his well-shod feet, I The snorting beast began to trot, ] Which gall'd him in his seat, ; A So "Fair and softly," John he cried, ; But John he cried in vain; ^ That trot became a gallop soon, ] In spite of curb and rein. i So stooping down, as needs he must j Who cannot sit upright, ; He grasp'd the mane with both his hands, | And eke with all his might. j Diverting History of John Gilpin 175 His horse, who never in that sort Had handled been before, What thing upon his back had got' Did wonder more and more. Away went Gilpin, neck or nought; Away went hat and wig; He little dreamt, when he set out. Of running such a rig! The wind did blow, the cloak did fly, Like streamer long and gay. Till, loop and button failing both. At last it flew away. Then might all people well discern The bottles he had slung; A bottle swinging at each side. As hath been said or sung. The dogs did bark, the children scream'd, Up flew the windows all, And ev'ry soul cried out: "Well done!" As loud as he could bawl. i Away went Gilpin — who but he? His fame soon spread around; He carries weight!" "He rides a race!" T is for a thousand pound!" 176 Jolly Rhymes and Poems And still, as fast as he drew near, 'T was wonderful to view, How in a trice the turnpike-men Their gates wide open threw. And now, as he went bowing down His reeking head full low, The bottles twain behind his back' Were shattered at a blow. Down ran the wine into the road, Most piteous to be seen. Which made his horse's flanks to smoke As they had basted been. But still he seem'd to carry weight. With leathern girdle braced. For all might see the bottle-necks Still dangling at his waist. Thus all through merry Islington These gambols he did play. Until he came unto the Wash Of Edmonton so gay; And there he threw the Wash about On both sides of the way, Just like unto a trundling mop, Or a wild-goose at play. Diverting History of John Gilpin 177 At Edmonton his loving wife From the balcony spied Her tender husband, wond'ring much To see how he did ride. "Stop, stop, John Gilpin! — Here's the house!" They all at once did cry; "The dinner waits and we are tired;" Said Gilpin: "So am I!" But yet his horse was not a whit Inclined to tarry there; For why? — his owner had a house Full ten miles off, at Ware. So like an arrow swift he flew, , Shot by an archer strong; So did he fly — which brings me to The middle of my song. Away went Gilpin, out of breath, And sore against his will, Till at his friend the Calender's His horse at last stood still. The Calender, amazed to see j His neighbour in such trim. Laid down his pipe, flew to the gate, And thus accosted him: — lyS Jolly Rhymes and Poems "What news? what news? your tidings tell. Tell me you must and shall — Say why bare-headed you are come, Or why you come at all?" Now Gilpin had a pleasant wit, And loved a timely joke, And thus unto the Calender In merry guise he spoke: — "I came because your horse would come; And, if I well forebode, My hat and wig will soon be here, They are upon the road." The Calender, right glad to find His friend in merry pin, Return'd him not a single word. But to the house went in; • i Whence straight he came with hat and wig; A wig that flow'd behind, A hat not much the worse for wear, Each comely in its kind. He held them up, and in his turn Thus show'd his ready wit: — "My head is twice as big as yours, They therefore needs must fit. Diverting History of John Gilpin 179 "But let me scrape the dirt away That hangs upon your face; And stop and eat, for well you may Be in a hungry case." Said John: — "It is my wedding day, And all the world would stare, If wife should dine at Edmonton, And I should dine at Ware." , So, turning to his horse, he said: "I am in haste to dine; 'T was for your pleasure you came here, You shall go back for mine." Ah, luckless speech, and bootless boast! For which he paid full dear; For, while he spake, a braying ass Did sing most loud and clear; Whereat his horse did snort, as he Had heard a lion roar. And gallop'd off with all his might, As he had done before. Away went Gilpin, and away Went Gilpin's hat and wig; He lost them sooner than at first, For why? — they were too big! i8o Jolly Rhymes and Poems' Now Mistress Gilpin, when she saw Her husband posting down Into the country far away, She pulFd out half-a-crown; And thus unto the youth she said That drove them to the Bell: "This shall be yours when you bring back My husband safe and well." The youth did ride, and soon did meet John coming back amain; Whom in a trice he tried to stop, By catching at his rein; But not performing what he meant, And gladly would have done, The frighted steed he frighted more, And made him faster run. Away went Gilpin, and away Went post-boy at his heels! — The post-boy's horse right glad to miss The lumb'ring of the wheels. Six gentlemen upon the road. Thus seeing Gilpin fly. With post-boy scamp'ring in the rear, They raised the hue and cry: — The White Stag i8i "Stop thief! stop thief — a highwayman!" Not one of them was mute; And all and each that pass'd that way- Did join in the pursuit. And now the turnpike gates again Flew open in short space; The toll-men thinking, as before, That Gilpin rode a race. And so he did, and won it too, For he got first to town. Nor stopp'd till where he had got up He did again get down. Now let us sing, Long live the King! And Gilpin, long live he! And, when he next doth ride abroad. May I be there to see! William Cowper. THE WHITE STAG Into the woods three huntsmen came. Seeking the white stag for their game. They laid them under a green fir-tree And slept, and dreamed strange things to see. 1 82 Jolly Rhymes and Poems {First huntsman) "I dreamt I was beating the leafy brush, When out popped the noble stag — hush, hush!" {Second huntsman) "As ahead of the clamorous pack he sprang, I pelted him hard in the hide — piff, bang!" {Third huntsman) "And as that stag lay dead I blew On my horn a lusty tir-ril-la-loo ! " •I So speak, the three as there they lay, When lo! the white stag sped that way, Frisked his heels at those huntsmen three, Then leagues o'er hill and dale was he — Hush, hush! Piff, bang! Tir-ril-la-loo! From the German of Ludwig Uhland. Translated hy Eugene Field. THE YARN OF THE NANCY BELL 'T WAS on the shores that round our coast From Deal to Ramsgate span, That I found alone on a piece of stone An elderly naval man. The Yarn of the Nancy Bell 183 His hair was weedy, his beard was long, And weedy and long was he, And I heard this wight on the shore recite. In a singular minor key: "Oh, I am a cook and a captain bold, And the mate of the Nancy brig, And a bo'sun tight, and the midshipmite, And the crew of the captain's gig." And he shook his fists and he tore his hair, Tilll really felt afraid. For I could n't help thinking the man had been drinking, And so I simply said: "Oh, elderly man, it's little I know Of the duties of men of the sea. And I'll eat my hand if I understand However you can be "At once a cook, and a captain bold, And the mate of the Nancy brig. And a bo'sun tight, and a midshipmite, And the crew of the captain's gig." Then he gave a hitch to his trousers, which Is a trick all seamen larn, And having got rid of a thumping quid, He spun this painful yarn: 184 Jolly Rhymes and Poems "'T was in the good ship Nancy Bell That we sailed to the Indian Sea, And there on a reef we came to grief, Which has often occurred to me. '^And pretty nigh all the crew was drowned (There was seventy-seven o' soul), And only ten of the Nancy's men Said 'Here!' to the muster-roll. "There was me and the cook and the captain bold, And the mate of the Nancy brig, And a bo'sun tight, and a midshipmite, And the crew of the captain's gig. "For a month we'd neither wittles nor drink, Till a-hungry we did feel. So we draw'd a lot, and, accordin' shot The captain for our meal. "The next lot fell to the Nancy's mate And a delicate dish he made; Then our appetite with the midshipmite We seven survivors stayed. "And then we murdered the bo'sun tight. And he much resembled pig; Then we wittled free, did the cook and me, On the crew of the captain's gig. The Yarn of the Nancy Bell 185 "Then only the cook and me was left, And the delicate question, 'Which Of us goes to the kettle?' arose And we argued it out as sich., "For I loved that cook as a brother, I did, And the cook he worshipped me; But we'd both be blowed if we'd either be stowed In the other chap's hold, you see. "'I'll be eat if you dines off me,' says Tom; 'Yes, that,' says I, 'you'll be — I'm boiled if I die, my friend,' quoth I; And 'Exactly so,' quoth he. "Says he: 'Dear James, to murder me Were a foolish thing to do. For don't you see that you can't cook me. While I can — and will — cook .you! ' "So he boils the water, and takes the salt And the pepper in portions true (Which he never forgot), and some chopped shalot. And some sage and parsley too. "'Come here,' says he, with a proper pride Which his smiling features tell, "T will soothing be if I let you see How extremely nice you'll smell.' 1 86 Jolly Rhymes and Poems "And he stirred it round and round and round, And he sniffed at the foaming froth; When I ups with his heels, and smothers his squeals In the scum of the boiling broth. "And I eat that cook in a week or less. And — as I eating be The last of his chops, why, I almost drops, For a wessel in sight I see! "And I never larf, and I never smile. And I never lark nor play, But sit and croak, and a single joke I have — which is to say: "Oh, I am a cook and a captain bold, And the mate of the Nancy brig. And a bo'sun tight, and a midshipmite, And the crew of the captain's gig!" W, S. Gilbert. FAITHLESS NELLY GRAY Ben Battle was a soldier bold. And used to war's alarms; But a cannon ball took off his legs. So he laid down his arms! Faithless Nelly Gray 187 Now as they bore him ofF the field. Said he: "Let others shoot, For here I leave my second leg, And the Forty-Second Foot!" The army-surgeons made him limbs: Said he: — "They're only pegs; But there's as wooden members quite As represent my legs!" Now Ben he loved a pretty maid. Her name was Nelly Gray; So he went to pay her his devours When he'd devoured his pay! But when he called on Nelly Gray, She made him quite a scoff; And when she saw his wooden legs, Began to take them off! "O Nelly Gray! O Nelly Gray! Is this your love so warm? The love that loves a scarlet coat Should be more uniform!" She said: "I loved a soldier once. For he was blithe and brave; But I will never have a man With both legs in the grave! 1 88 Jolly Rhymes and Poems "Before you had those timber toes, Your love I did allow, But then, you know, you stand upon Another footing now!" "O Nelly Gray! O Nelly Gray! For all your jeering speeches, At duty's call I left my legs In Badajos's breaches /" "Why then," said she, "you've lost the feet Of legs in war's alarms. And now you cannot wear your shoes Upon your feats of arms!" "Oh, false and fickle Nelly Gray, I know why you refuse: — Though I 've no feet — some other man Is standing in my shoes! "I wish I ne'er had seen your face; But now a long farewell! For you will be my death; — alas! You will not be my Nell /" Now when he went from Nelly Gray, His heart so heavy got — And life was such a burthen grown, It made him take a knot! King and Miller of Mansfield 189 So round his melancholy neck A rope he did entwine, And, for his second time in life, Enlisted in the Line! One end he tied around a beam And then removed his pegs, And, as his legs were off, — of course He soon was off his legs! And there he hung till he was dead As any nail in town, — For though distress had cut him up, It could not cut him down! A dozen men sat on his corpse, To find out why he died — And they buried Ben in four cross-roads. With a stake in his inside! Thomas Hood. THE KING AND THE MILLER OF MANSFIELD Henry, our royal king, would ride a-hunting To the green forest so pleasant and fair; To see the harts skipping, and dainty does tripping. 190 Jolly Rhymes and Poems Unto merry Sherwood his nobles repair: Hawk and hound were unbound, all things prepared For the game, in the same, with good regard. All a long summer's day rode the king pleas- antly, With all his princes and nobles each one; Chasing the hart and hind, and the buck gal- lantly. Till the dark evening forced all to turn home. Then at last, riding fast, he had lost quite All his lords in the wood, late in the night. Wandering thus wearily, all alone, up and down. With a rude miller he met at the last; Asking the ready way unto fair Nottingham, *'Sir," quoth the miller, "I mean not to jest. Yet I think, what I think, sooth for to say; You do not lightly ride out of your way." "Why, what dost thou think of me," quoth our king merrily, "Passing thy judgment upon me so brief?" "Good faith," said the miller, "I mean not to flatter thee, I guess thee to be but some gentleman thief; King and Miller of Mansfield 191 Stand thee back, in the dark; light not a down, Lest that I presently crack thy knave's crown." *^Thou dost abuse me much," quoth the king, "saying thus; I am a gentleman; lodging I lack." "Thou hast not," quoth th' miller, "one groat in thy purse; All thy inheritance hangs on thy back." "I have gold to discharge all that I call; If it be forty pence, I will pay all." it If thou beest a true man," then quoth the miller, "I swear by my toll-dish, I'll lodge thee all night." "Here's my hand," quoth the king, "that was I ever." "Nay, soft," quoth the miller, "thou may'st be a sprite. Better I '11 know thee, ere hands we will shake; With none but honest men hands will I take." Thus they went all along unto the miller's house. Where they were seething of puddings and souse; 192 Jolly Rhymes and Poems The miller first enter'd in, after him went the king; Never came he in see smoky a house. "Now," quoth he, "let me see here what you are." Quoth our king, "Look your fill, and do not spare." "I like well thy countenance, thou hast an honest face: With my son Richard this night thou shalt lie." Quoth his wife, "By my troth, it is a hand- some youth. Yet it's best, husband, to deal warily. Art thou no run-away, prythee, youth, tell.^ Show me thy passport, and all shall be well." Then our king presently, making low cour- tesy, With his hat in his hand, thus he did say; "I have no passport, nor never was servitor, But a poor courtier rode out of my way: And for your kindness here offered to me, I will requite you in every degree." Then to the miller his wife whisper'd secretly, Saying: "It seemeth, this youth's of good kin, King and Miller of Mansfield 193 Both by his apparel, and eke by his manners; To turn him out, certainly were a great sin." "Yea," quoth he, "you may see he hath some grace. When he doth speak to his betters in place." "Well," quo' the miller's wife, "young man, ye 're welcome here; And, though I say it, well lodged shall be: Fresh straw will I have, laid on thy bed so brave. And good brown hempen sheets likewise," quoth she. "Aye," quoth the good man; "and when that is done. Thou shalt lie with no worse than our own son." This caused the king, suddenly, to laugh most heartily. Till the tears trickled fast down from his eyes. Then to their supper were they set orderly, With hot bag-puddings, and good apple- pies ; Nappy ale, good and stale, in a brown bowl. Which did about the board merrily troll. 194 Jolly Rhymes and Poems "Here," quoth the miller, "good fellow, I drink to thee." "I pledge thee," quoth our king, "and thank thee heartily For my good welcome in every degree: And here, in like manner, I drink to thy son." "Do then," quoth Richard, "and quicke let it come." "Wife," quoth the miller, "fetch me forth lightfoot. And of his sweetness a little we'll taste." A fair ven'son pasty brought she out pres- ently, "Eat," quoth the miller, "but, sir, make no waste. Here's dainty lightfoot!" "In faith," said the king, I never before eat so dainty a thing." n ii I wis," quoth Richard, "no dainty at all it is. For we do eate of it every day." "In what place," said our king, "may be bought like to this?" "We never pay penny for it, by my fay: From merry Sherwood we fetch it home here; Now and then we make bold with our king's deer." King and Miller of Mansfield 195 ^^Then I think," said our king, "that it is venison." "Each fool," quoth Richard, "full well may know that: Never are we without two or three in the roof, Very well fleshed, and excellent fat: But, prythee, say nothing wherever thou go; We would not, for twopence, the king should it know." "Doubt not," then said the king, "my prom- ised secresy; The king shall never know more on't for me." A cup of lamb's-wooP they drank unto him then, And to their beds they past presently. The nobles, next morning, went all up and down, For to seek out the king in every town. At last at the miller's "cot" soone they espied him out. As he was mounting upon his fair steed; To whom they came presently, falling down on their knee; Which made the miller's heart wofully bleed ; * Ale and roasted apples. 196 Jolly Rhymes and Poems Shaking and quaking, before him he stood, Thinking he should have been hanged, by the rood. The king, perceiving him fearfully trembling. Drew forth his sword, but nothing he said; The miller down did fall, crying before them all, Doubting the king would have cut off his head. But he his kind courtesy for to requite, Gave him great living, and dubbed him a knight. -^irif-^^.' (Condensed.) Old Ballad. KING JOHN AND THE ABBOT OF CANTERBURY An ancient story I'll tell you anon Of a notable prince, that was called King John; And he ruled England with main and with might, For he did great wrong, and maintained little right. And I'll tell you a story, a story so merry, Concerning the Abbot of Canterbury; King John and the Abbot 197 How for his housekeeping, and high renown, They rode post for him to fair London town. An hundred men, the King did hear say, The Abbot kept in his house every day; And fifty gold chains, without any doubt, In velvet coats waited the Abbot about. "How now. Father Abbot, I hear it of thee, Thou keepest a far better house than me; And for thy housekeeping and high renown, I fear thou work'st treason against my crown." *'My liege," quo' the Abbot, " I would it were knowne, I never spend nothing but what is my owne; And I trust your Grace will do me no deere,^ For spending of my owne true-gotten gear." ''Yes, yes. Father Abbot, thy fault It Is highe. And now for the same thou needest must dye; For except thou canst answer me questions three, Thy head shall be smitten from thy bodie. "And first," quo' the King, "when I'm In this stead, With my crowne of golde so faire on my head, ^ Deere = hurt, mischief. 198 Jolly Rhymes and Poems Among all my liege-men so noble of birthe, Thou must tell to one penny what I am worthe. "Secondlye, tell me, without any doubt, How soone I may ride the whole world about, And at the third question thou must not shrink, But tell me here truly what I do think." "Oh, these are hard questions for my shallow witt, Nor I cannot answer your Grace as yet; But if you will give me but three weekes space, ni do my endeavour to answer your Grace." "Now three weeks' space to thee will I give, And that is the longest time thou hast to live; For if thou dost not answer my questions three, Thy lands and thy livings are forfeit to me." Away rode the Abbot all sad at that word, And he rode to Cambridge, and Oxenford; But never a doctor there was so wise. That could with his learning an answer devise. King John and the Abbot 199 Then home rode the Abbot of comfort so cold, And he met his Shepherd a-going to fold: "How now, my Lord Abbot, you are welcome home; What news do you bring us from good King John?" "Sad news, sad news. Shepherd, I must give. That I have but three days more to live; For if I do not answer him questions three, My head will be smitten from my bodie. "The first is to tell him, .there in that stead. With his crown of gold so fair on his head. Among all his liege men so noble of birth, To within one penny of all what he is worth. "The seconde, to tell him, without any doubt. How soone he may ride this whole world about: And at the third question I must not shrinke, But tell him there truly what he does thinke." "Now cheare up, Sire Abbot, did you never hear yet, That a fool he may learne a wise man witt? Lend me horse, and serving men, and your apparel. And I'll ride to London to answere your quarrel. 200 Jolly Rhymes and Poems "Nay frowne not, if it hath bin told unto mee, I am like your Lordship, as ever may bee: And if you will but lend me your gowne, There is none shall knowe us at fair London towne." "Now horses, and serving men thou shalt have, With sumptuous array most gallant and brave; With crozier, and mitre, and rochet, and cope, Fit to appear 'fore our Father the Pope." (( Now welcome. Sire Abbot," the king he did say, "'T is well thou 'rt come back to keepe thy day; For and if thou canst answer my questions three, Thy life and thy living both saved shall bee. "And first, when thou seest me, here in this stead. With my crown of golde so fair on my head. Among all my liege men so noble of birthe. Tell me to one penny what I am worth.' >> "For thirty pence our Saviour was sold Among the false Jewes, as I have bin told: King John and the Abbot 201 And twenty-nine Is the worth of thee, For I thinke, thou art one penny worser than he." The King he laughed, and swore by St. Bittel, "I did not think I had been worth so httle! Now secondly tell me, without any doubt, How soon I may ride this whole world about." "You must rise with the sun, and ride with the same. Until the next morning he riseth again; And then your Grace need not make any doubt. But in twenty-four hours you '11 ride it about." The King he laughed, and swore by St. Jone, "I did not think it could be gone so soon. Now from the third question thou must not shrink, But tell me here truly what do I think." "Yea, that I shall do, and make your Grace merry; You think I'm the Abbot of Canterbury; But I'm his poor shepherd, as plain you may see, That am come to beg pardon for him and for me." 202 Jolly Rhymes and Poems The King he laughed, and swore by the mass, "I'll make thee Lord Abbot this day in his place!" "Now, nay, my Liege, be not in such speed, For alack, I can neither write nor read." "Four nobles a week, then, I will give thee, For this merry jest thou hast shown unto me; And tell the old Abbot, when thou comest home, Thou hast brought him a pardon from good King John." From Percy^s Reliques of Ancient English Poetry. THE WELL OF ST. KEYNE A WELL there is in the west country. And a clearer one never was seen; There is not a wife in the west country But has heard of the Well of St. Keyne. An oak and an elm tree stand beside. And behind doth an ash tree grow, And a willow from the bank above Droops to the water below. A traveller came to the Well of St. Keyne; Joyfully he drew nigh, The Well of St. Keyne 203 For from cock-crow he had been travelling. And there was not a cloud in the sky. He drank of the water so cool and clear, For thirsty and hot was he, And he sat down upon the bank Under the willow tree. There came a man from the house hard by At the Well to fill his pail; On the Well-side he rested it, And he bade the Stranger hail. *^Now art thou a bachelor. Stranger?" quoth he, " For an' if thou hast a wife, The happiest draught thou hast drank this day That ever thou didst in thy life. *^0r has thy good woman, if one thou hast, Ever here in Cornwall been? For an' if she have, I '11 venture my life She has drank of the Well of St. Keyne.'* *'I have left a good woman who never was here," The Stranger he made reply, "But that my draught should be the better for that, I pray you answer me why?" 204 Jolly Rhymes and Poems "St. Keyne," quoth the Cornish-maiij "many a time Drank of this crystal Well, And before the Angel summ.on'd her, She laid on the water a spell. "If the Husband of this gifted Well Shall drink before his Wife, A happy man thenceforth is he, For he shall be Master for life. "But if the Wife should drink of it first, God help the Husband then!" The Stranger stoopt to the Well of St. Keyne, And drank of the water again. "You drank of the Well I warrant betimes .f"' He to the Cornish-man said: But the Cornish-man smiled as the Stranger spake, And sheepishly shook his head. " I hastened as soon as the wedding was done. And left my Wife in the porch; But i' faith she had been wiser than me. For she took a bottle to Church." Robert Southey. SAD POEMS THE BABES IN THE WOOD Now ponder well, you parents dear, These words which I shall write; A doleful story you shall hear. In time brought forth to light. A gentleman of good account In Norfolk dwelt of late. Who did in honour far surmount Most men of his estate. Sore sick he was, and like to die, No help his life could save; His wife by him as sick did lie. And both possessed one grave. No love between these two was lost. Each was to other kind; In love they lived, in love they died, And left two babes behind. The one a fine and pretty boy. Not passing three years old; The other a girl more young than he, And framed in beauty's mould. The father left his little son, As plainly doth appear, 2o8 Sad Poems When he to perfect age should come, Three hundred pounds a year. And to his little daughter Jane Five hundred pounds in gold, To be paid down on marriage-day, Which might not be controlled: But if the children chance to die, Ere they to age should come. Their uncle should possess their wealth; For so the will did run. "Now, brother," said the dying man, "Look to my children dear; Be good unto my boy and girl, No friends else have they here: To God and you I recommend My children dear this day; But little while be sure we have Within this world to stay. "You must be father and mother both. And uncle all in one; God knows what will become of them When I am dead and gone." With that bespake their mother dear, "O brother kind," quoth she, "You are the man must bring our babes To wealth or misery: The Babes in the Wood 209 "And if you keep them carefully, Then God will you reward; But if you otherwise should deal, God will your deeds regard." With lips as cold as any stone, They kissed their children small: "God bless you both, my children dear!" With that the tears did fall. These speeches then their brother spoke To this sick couple there: The keeping of your little ones, Sweet sister, do not fear: God never prosper me nor mine. Nor aught else that I have. If I do wrong your children dear. When you are laid in grave." a The parents being dead and gone, The children home he takes. And brings them straight unto his house, Where much of them he makes. He had not kept these pretty babes A twelvemonth and a day, But, for their wealth, he did devise To make them both away. He bargained with two ruffians strong, Which were of furious mood, r 210 Sad Poems \ I That they should take these children young, -' And slay them in a wood. | He told his wife an artful tale, r He would the children send, ■ To be brought up in fair London, j With one that was his friend. l i Away then went those pretty babes, •] Rejoicing at that tide, j Rejoicing with a merry mind, \ They should on cock-horse ride. 1 They prate and prattle pleasantly, ] As they rode on the way, I To those that should their butchers be, j And work their lives' decay. ] j So that the pretty speech they had, ; Made Murder's heart relent; ] And they that undertook the deed, Full sore did now repent. ^ Yet one of them more hard of heart, j Did vow to do his charge, ; Because the wretch, that hired him, ] Had paid him very large. ] j The other won't agree thereto, ] So here they fall to strife; \ With one another they did fight 'i About the children's life; The Babes in the Wood 21 r And he that was of mildest mood, Did slay the other there, Within an unfrequented wood; The babes did quake for fear! He took the children by the hand, Tears standing in their eye, And bade them straightway follow him, And look they did not cry. And two long miles he led them on. While they for food complain; "Stay here," quoth he, "I'll bring you bread, When I come back again." These pretty babes, with hand in hand, Went wandering up and down; But never more could see the man Approaching from the town: Their pretty lips with blackberries, ' • Were all besmeared and dyed. And when they saw the darksome night, They sat them down and cried. Thus wandered these poor innocents, Till death did end their grief; In one another's arms they died, As wanting due relief: No burial this pretty pair Of any man receives, 5 i 212 Sad Poems ■■_ Till Robin Redbreast piously ] Did cover them with leaves. j And now the heavy wrath of God ; Upon their uncle fell; I Yea, fearful fiends did haunt his house, | His conscience felt an hell: ] His barns were fired, his goods consumed, \ His lands were barren made, ^ His cattle died within the field, • J And nothing with him stayed. i And in a voyage to Portugal Two of his sons did die; And to conclude, himself was brought To want and misery: He pawned and mortgaged all his land Ere seven years came about; And now at length this wicked act Did by this means come out: The fellow that did take in hand These children for to kill. Was for a robbery judged to die, Such was God's blessed will; So did confess the very truth. As here hath been displayed; Their uncle having died in gaol, Where he for debt was laid. The Parrot zi^ i You that executors be made, i And overseers eke i Of children that be fatherless, And infants mild and meek; > Take you example by this thing, And yield to each his right, \ Lest God with such like misery j Your wicked minds requite. I From Percy^s Reliques of Ancient English Poetry. ' THE PARROT A PARROT, from the Spanish Main, Full young, and early caged, came o'er, With bright wings, to the bleak domain Of Mulla's shore. To spicy groves where he had won His plumage of resplendent hue. His native fruits, and skies, and sun, He bade adieu. For these he changed the smoke of turf, A heathery land and misty sky, And turned on rocks and raging surf His golden eye. But, petted, in our climate cold He lived and chattered many a day: 214 Sad Poems Until with age, from green and gold His wings grew gray. At last, when blind and seeming dumb, He scolded, laugh'd, and spoke no more, A Spanish stranger chanced to come To Mulla's shore. He hailed the bird in Spanish speech, The bird in Spanish speech replied; Flapped round his cage with joyous screech, Dropt down, and died. Thomas Campbell. BETH-GELERT; OR, THE GRAVE OF THE GREYHOUND The spearmen heard the bugle sound. And cheerily smiled the morn. And many a brach and many a hound Obeyed Llewelyn's horn. And still he blew a louder blast. And gave a lustier cheer: '*Come, Gelert, come; wert never last Llewelyn's horn to hear. "Oh! where does faithful Gelert roam, The flower of all his race.^ Beth-Gelert 215 So true, so brave; a lamb at home, A lion in the chase!" 'T was only at Llewelyn's board The faithful Gelert fed; He watched, he served, he cheered his lord And sentinelled his bed. In sooth, he was a peerless hound. The gift of royal John; But now no Gelert could be found. And all the chase rode on. And now, as o'er the rocks and dells The gallant chidings rise, All Snowdon's craggy chaos yells The many-mingled cries! That day Llewelyn little loved The chase of hart or hare, And scant and small the booty proved For Gelert was not there. Unpleased, Llewelyn homeward hied: When near the portal seat. His truant Gelert he espied Bounding his lord to greet. But when he gained his castle-door, Aghast the chieftain stood: 2i6 Sad Poems The hound all o'er was smeared with gore, His lips, his fangs, ran blood. Llewelyn gazed with fierce surprise: Unused such looks to meet, His favorite checked his joyful guise, And crouched and licked his feet. Onward in haste Llewelyn passed, And on went Gelert too, And still, where'er his eyes he cast, Fresh blood-gouts shocked his view. O'erturned his infant's bed he found, With blood-stained covert rent. And all around the walls and ground With recent blood besprent. He called his child, no voice replied; He searched with terror wild; Blood, blood, he found on every side; But nowhere found his child. "Hell-hound! by thee my child 's devoured!" The frantic father cried; And to the hilt his vengeful sword He plunged in Gelert's side. His suppliant looks as prone he fell No pity could impart, Beth-Gelert 217 But still his Gelert's dying yell Passed heavy o'er his heart. Aroused by Gelert's dying yell, Some slumberer wakened nigh: What words the parent's joy could tell To hear his infant's cry! Concealed beneath a tumbled heap His hurried search had missed, All glowing from his rosy sleep, The cherub boy he kissed. Nor scath had he, nor harm, nor dread; But the same couch beneath Lay a gaunt wolf, all torn and dead, Tremendous still in death. Ah, what was then Llewelyn's pain! For now the truth was clear; The gallant hound the wolf had slain, To save Llewelyn's heir. Vain, vain was all Llewelyn's woe: "Best of thy kind, adieu 1 The frantic blow which laid thee low This heart shall ever rue." And now a gallant tomb they raise. With costly sculpture deckt; 2i8 Sad Poems And marbles, storied with his praise, Poor Gelert's bones protect. There never could the spearman pass, Or forester, unmoved; There oft the tear-besprinkled grass Llewelyn's sorrow proved. And there he hung his sword and spear, And there, as evening fell. In Fancy's ear he oft would hear Poor Gelert's dying yell. And till great Snowdon's rocks grow old, And cease the storm to brave. The consecrated spot shall hold The name of "Gelert's Grave." William Robert Spencer. THE CAPTAIN'S DAUGHTER We were crowded in the cabin. Not a soul would dare to sleep, — It was midnight on the waters, And a storm was on the deep. 'T is a fearful thing in winter To be shattered by the blast. And to hear the rattling trumpet Thunder, "Cut away the mast!" Alec Yeaton's Son 219 So we shuddered there in silence, — For the stoutest held his breath, While the hungry sea was roaring, And the breakers talked with Death. As thus we sat in darkness. Each one busy with his prayers, *'We are lost!" the captain shouted, As he staggered down the stairs. But his little daughter whispered, As she took his icy hand: " Is n't God upon the ocean. Just the same as on the land?" Then we kissed the little maiden, And we spoke in better cheer. And we anchored safe in harbor When the morn was shining clear. James Thomas Fields, ALEC YEATON'S SON Gloucester, August, 1720. The wind it wailed, the wind it moaned, And the white caps flecked the sea; "An' I would to God," the skipper groaned, **I had not my boy with me!" 220 Sad Poems Snug in the stern-sheets, little John Laughed as the scud swept by; But the skipper's sunburnt cheek grew wan As he watched the wicked sky. "Would he were at his mother's side!" And the skipper's eyes were dira. "Good Lord in heaven, if ill betide, What would become of him ! "For me, my muscles are as steel, For me let hap what may; I might make shift upon the keel Until the break o' day. "But he, he is so weak and small. So young, scarce learned to stand, — O pitying Father of us all, I trust him in Thy hand ! "For Thou, who markest from on high A sparrow's fall, — each one! — Surely, O Lord, Thou 'It have an eye On Alec Yea ton's son!" Then, steady helm! Right straight he sailed Towards the headland light: The wind it moaned, the wind it wailed, And black, black fell the night. Alec Yeaton's Son 221 Then burst a storm to make one quail Though housed from winds and waves, — They who could tell about that gale Must rise from watery graves! Sudden it came, as sudden went; Ere half the night was sped, The winds were hushed, the waves were spent, And the stars shone overhead. Now, as the morning mist grew thin, The folk on Gloucester shore Saw a little figure floating in. Secure, on a broken oar! Up rose the cry: "A wreck! a wreck! Pull, mates, and waste no breath!" They knew it, though 't was but a speck Upon the edge of death ! Long did they marvel in the town At God His strange decree. That let the stalwart skipper drown. And the little child go free! Thomas Bailey Aldrich. 222 Sad Poems j I THE WRECK OF THE HESPERUS \ \ It was the schooner Hesperus, ) That sailed the wintry sea; \ And the skipper had taken his h'ttle daughter, \ To bear him company. i 1 Blue were her eyes as the fairy-flax, ] Her cheeks like the dawn of day. And her bosom white as the hawthorn buds, ; That ope in the month of May. ■ The skipper he stood beside the helm, His pipe was in his mouth, And he watched how the veering flaw did blow The smoke now West, now South. Then up and spake an old Sailor, Had sailed to the Spanish Main, "I pray thee, put into yonder port. For I fear a hurricane. "Last night, the moon had a golden ring. And to-night no moon we see!" The skipper, he blew a whiflF from his pipe, And a scornful laugh laughed he. Colder and louder blew the wind, A gale from the Northeast; The Wreck of the Hesperus 223 The snow fell hissing in the brine, And the billows frothed like yeast. Down came the storm, and smote amain The vessel in its strength; She shuddered and paused, like a frighted steed, Then leaped her cable's length. "Come hither! come hither! my little daughter, And do not tremble so; For I can weather the roughest gale That ever wind did blow." He wrapped her warm in his seaman's coat Against the stinging blast; He cut a rope from a broken spar, And bound her to the mast. ''O father! I hear the church-bells ring, O say, what may it be?" "'T is a fog-bell on a rock-bound coast!" And he steered for the open sea. "O father! I hear the sound of guns, O say, what may it be?" **Some ship in distress, that cannot live In such an angry sea!" 224 Sad Poems a O father! I see a gleaming light, O say, what may it be?" But the father answered never a word, A frozen corpse was he. Lashed to the helm, all stiff and stark, With his face turned to the skies. The lantern gleamed through the gleaming snow On his fixed and glassy eyes. Then the maiden clasped her hands and prayed That saved she might be; And she thought of Christ, who stilled the wave On the Lake of Galilee. And fast through the midnight dark and drear. Through the whistling sleet and snow. Like a sheeted ghost the vessel swept Tow'rds the reef of Norman's Woe. And ever the fitful gusts between A sound came from the land; It was the sound of the trampling surf On the rocks and the hard sea-sand. The Wreck of the Hesperus 225 The breakers were right beneath her bows, She drifted a dreary wreck, And a whooping billow swept the crew Like icicles from her deck. She struck where the white and fleecy waves Looked soft as carded wool, But the cruel rocks, they gored her side Like the horns of an angry bull. Her rattling shrouds, all sheathed in ice, With the masts went by the board; Like a vessel of glass, she stove and sank, Ho! ho! the breakers roared! At daybreak, on the bleak sea-beach, A fisherman stood aghast. To see the form of a maiden fair. Lashed close to a drifting mast. The salt sea was frozen on her breast, The salt tears in her eyes; And he saw her hair, like the brown sea-weed. On the billows fall and rise. Such was the wreck of the Hesperus, In the midnight and the snow! Christ save us all from a death like this. On the reef of Norman's Woe! Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. 226 Sad Poe M o LORD ULLIN'S DAUGHTER A Chieftain, to the Highlands bound, Cries: "Boatman, do not tarry! And I '11 give thee a silver pound. To row us o'er the ferry!" — "Now who be ye, would cross Lochgyle, This dark and stormy water?" "Oh, I'm the chief of Ulva's isle. And this, Lord Ullin's daughter. "And fast before her father's men Three days we've fled together, For should he find us in the glen. My blood would stain the heather. "His horsemen hard behind us ride — Should they our steps discover. Then who will cheer my bonny bride, When they have slain her lover?" Out spoke the hardy Highland wight: "I'll go, my chief, — I'm ready: It Is not for your silver bright. But for your winsome lady: — "And by my word! the bonny bird In danger shall not tarry; Lord Ullin's Daughter 227 So, though the waves are raging white, I'll row you o'er the ferry." By this the storm grew loud apace, The water-wraith was shrieking; And in the scowl of heaven each face Grew dark as they were speaking. But still, as wilder blew the wind. And as the night grew drearer, Adown the glen rode armed men. Their trampling sounded nearer. *'0 haste thee, haste!" the lady cries, "Though tempests round us gather; I'll meet the raging of the skies. But not an angry father!" The boat has left a stormy land, A stormy sea before her, — When, oh ! too strong for human hand. The tempest gather'd o'er her. And still they row'd amidst the roar Of waters fast prevailing; Lord Ullin reach'd that fatal shore; His wrath was changed to wailing. For, sore dismay'd, through storm and shade His child he did discover; 228 Sad Poems One lovely hand she stretch'd for aid. And one was round her lover. "Come back! come back!" he cried in grief, "Across this stormy water: And I '11 forgive your Highland chief, My daughter! — O my daughter!" 'T was vain : the loud waves lash'd the shore, Return or aid preventing: The water wild went o'er his child, And he was left lamenting. Thomas Campbell. HISTORICAL LEGENDS AND STORIES (the continent, ENGLAND, AND THE UNITED STATES) THE LEAK IN THE DIKE A Story of Holland The good dame looked from her cottage At the close of the pleasant day, And cheerily called to her little son Outside the door at play: "Come, Peter, come! I want you to go, While there is light to see. To the hut of the blind old man who lives Across the dike, for me. And take these cakes I made for him — They are hot and smoking yet; You have time enough to go and come Before the sun is set." Then the good-wife turned to her labor. Humming a simple song. And thought of her husband, working hard At the sluices all day long; And set the turf a-blazing, And brought the coarse black bread; That he might find a fire at night. And find the table spread. 232 Historical Legends and Stories And Peter left the brother With whom all day he had played, And the sister who had watched their sports In the willow's tender shade; And now, with his face all glowing. And eyes as bright as the day With the thoughts of his pleasant errand, He trudged along the way; And soon his joyous prattle Made glad a lonesome place. Alas ! if only the blind old man Could have seen that happy face! Yet he somehow caught the brightness Which his voice and presence lent; • And he felt the sunshine come and go As Peter came and went. And now, as the day was sinking, And the winds began to rise, The mother looked from her door again, Shading her anxious eyes; And saw the shadows deepen And birds to their homes come back, But never a sign of Peter Along the level track. But she said: "He will come at morning. So I need not fret or grieve — Though it is n't like my boy at all To stay without my leave." The Leak in the Dike 233 ] i But where was the child delaying? 1 On the homeward way was he, j And across the dike while the sun was up i An hour above the sea. j He was stopping now to gather flowers, ' Now listening to the sound, : As the angry waters dashed themselves j Against their narrow bound. ] "Ah! well for us," said Peter, j "That the gates are good and strong, I And my father tends them carefully, j Or they would not hold you long! ' You're a wicked sea," said Peter; ■ "I know why you fret and chafe; You would like to spoil our lands and homes; ; But our sluices keep you safe!" But hark! Through the noise of waters i Comes a low, clear, trickling sound; i And the child's face pales with terror, i And his blossoms drop to the ground. j He is up the bank in a moment, j And, stealing through the sand, ] He sees a stream not yet so large ; As his slender, childish hand. | 'T is a leak in the dike ! He is but a boy, j Unused to fearful scenes; j But, young as he is, he has learned to know, 1 The dreadful thing that means. ! 234 Historical Legends and Stories A leak in the dike ! The stoutest heart Grows faint that cry to hear, And the bravest man in all the land Turns white with mortal fear. For he knows the smallest leak may grow To a flood in a single night; And he knows the strength of the cruel sea When loosed in its angry might. And the boy! He has seen the danger, And, shouting a wild alarm. He forces back the weight of the sea With the strength of his single arm! He listens for the joyful sound Of a footstep passing nigh; And lays his ear to the ground, to catch The answer to his cry. And he hears the rough winds blowing, And the waters rise and fall, But never an answer comes to him, Save the echo of his call. He sees no hope, no succor. His feeble voice is lost; Yet what shall he do but watch and wait, Though he perish at his post! So, faintly calling and crying Till the sun is under the sea; The Leak in the Dike 235 Crying and moaning till the stars Come out for company; He thinks of his brother and sister, Asleep in their safe warm bed; He thinks of his father and mother, Of himself as dying — and dead; And of how, when the night is over. They must come and find him at last: But he never thinks he can leave the place Where duty holds him fast. The good dame in the cottage Is up and astir with the light, For the thought of her little Peter Has been with her all night. And now she watches the pathway. As yester eve she had done; But what does she see so strange and black Against the rising sun.^ Her neighbors are bearing between them Something straight to her door; Her child is coming home, but not As he ever came before! "He is dead!" she cries; "my darling!" And the startled father hears. And comes and looks the way she looks. And fears the thing she fears: 236 Historical Legends and Stories Till a glad shout from the bearers Thrills the stricken man and wife: "Give thanks, for your son has saved our land, And God has saved his life!" So, there in the morning sunshine They knelt about the boy; And every head was bared and bent In tearful, reverent joy. 'T is many a year since then; but still. When the sea roars like a flood. Their boys are taught what a boy can do Who is brave and true and good. For every man in that country Takes his son by the hand. And tells him of little Peter, Whose courage saved the land. They have many a valiant hero, Remembered through the years: But never one whose name so oft Is named with loving tears. And his deed shall be sung by the cradle. And told to the child on the knee. So long as the dikes of Holland Divide the land from the sea! (Condensed.) Phcehe Cary. The Emperor's Bird's-Nest 237 THE EMPEROR'S BIRD'S-NEST Once the Emperor Charles of Spain, With his swarthy, grave commanders, I forget in what campaign. Long besieged, in mud and rain. Some old frontier town of Flanders. Up and down the dreary camp. In great boots of Spanish leather. Striding with a measured tramp. These Hidalgos, dull and damp. Cursed the Frenchmen, cursed the weather. Thus as to and fro they went. Over upland and through hollow, Giving their impatience vent. Perched upon the Emperor's tent. In her nest, they spied a swallow. Yes, it was a swallow's nest. Built of clay and hair of horses. Mane, or tail, or dragoon's crest. Found on hedge-rows east and west. After skirmish of the forces. Then an old Hidalgo said. As he twirled his gray mustachio: i 238 Historical Legends and Stories \ "Sure this swallow overhead '^ Thinks the Emperor's tent a shed, J And the Emperor but a Macho!" ; Hearing his imperial name ^ Coupled with those words of malice, J Half in anger, half in shame, ; Forth the great campaigner came I Slowly from his canvas palace. ] '^Let no hand the bird molest," ;| Said he solemnly, "nor hurt her!" " Adding then, by way of jest, ^ "Golondrina is my guest, i 'T is the wife of some deserter!" { R Swift as bowstring speeds a shaft, i Through the camp was spread the rumor, ^ And the soldiers, as they quaffed | Flemish beer at dinner, laughed .; At the Emperor's pleasant humor. So unharmed and unafraid Sat the swallow still and brooded, Till the constant cannonade Through the walls a breach had made And the siege was thus concluded. Then the army, elsewhere bent. Struck its tents as if disbanding, The Nibelungen Treasure 239 Only not the Emperor's tent, For he ordered, ere he went, Very curtly: "Leave it standing!" So it stood there all alone, Loosely flapping, torn and tattered. Till the brood was fledged and flown. Singing o'er those walls of stone Which the cannon-shot had shattered. Henry fVadszvorth Longfellow, THE NIBELUNGEN TREASURE It was an ancient monarch i Ruled where the Rhine doth flow, j And nought he loved so little ' As sorrow, feud, and woe; | His warriors they were striving \ For a treasure in the land; > In sooth they near had perished I Each by his brother's hand. j I 1 Then spake he to the nobles: i "What boots this gold," he said, I "If with the finder's life-blood The price thereof is paid? ; The gold, to end the quarrel. Cast to the Rhine away; | 240 Historical Legends and Stories There He the treasure hidden, Till dawns the latest day!" The proud ones took the treasure, And cast it to the main; I ween it all hath melted, So long it there hath lain: But, wedded to the waters That long have o'er it rolled, It clothes the swelling vineyards With yellow gleam, like gold. Oh, that each man were minded. As thought this monarch good. That never care might alter His high, courageous mood! Then deeply would we bury Our sorrows in the Rhine, And, glad of heart and grateful, Would quaif his fiery wine. From the German. Translated hy H. W. Dulcken. BARBAROSSA The ancient Barbarossa By magic spell is bound, — Old Frederic the Kaiser, In castle underground.^ Barbarossa 241 The Kaiser hath not perished, He sleeps an iron sleep; For, in the castle hidden, He's sunk in slumber deep. With him the chiefest treasures Of empire hath he ta'en, Wherewith, in fitting season, He shall appear again. The Kaiser he is sitting Upon an ivory throne; Of marble is the table His head he resteth on. His beard it is not flaxen, Like a living fire it shines, And groweth through the table Whereon his chin reclines. As in a dream he noddeth, Then wakes he, heavy-eyed, And calls, with lifted finger, A stripling to his side. Dwarf, get thee to the gateway. And tidings bring, if still Their course the ancient ravens Are wheeling round the hill. 242 Historical Legends and Stories "For if the ancient ravens Are flying still around, A hundred years to slumber By magic spell I'm bound." From the German of Friedrich Ruckert. Translated by H. JV. Dulcken. THE RICHEST PRINCE All their wealth and vast possessions Vaunting high in choicest terms, Sat the German princes feasting In the knightly hall of Worms, jvv/^'f vv , iVJ Mighty," cried the Saxon ruler, Are the wealth and power I wield: In my country's mountain gorges Sparkling silver lies concealed. " See my land with plenty glowing," Quoth the Palsgrave of the Rhine; Beauteous harvests in the valleys. On the mountains noble wine." "Spacious towns and wealthy convents," Lewis spake, Bavaria's lord, "Make my land to yield me treasures Great as those your fields afford." (( a The Battle of Blenheim 243 Wurtemberg's beloved monarch, -^ / .y Eberhard the Bearded, cried: " See, my land hath little cities, 'Mong my hills no metals bide; "Yet one treasure it hath borne me, — . Sleeping in the woodland free, I may lay my head in safety On my lowliest vassal's knee." Then, as with a single utterance, Cried aloud those princes three: "Bearded count, thy land hath jewels! Thou art wealthier far than we!" From the German of Andreas J. Kerner. Translated by H. W. Dulcken. THE BATTLE OF BLENHEIM {August 13, 1704) It was a summer evening. Old Kaspar's work was done, And he before his cottage door Was sitting in the sun; And by him sported on the green His little grandchild Wilhelmine. She saw her brother Peterkin Roll something large and round, ay a 244 Historical Legends and Stories Which he, beside the rivulet, In playing there, had found; He came to ask what he had found. That was so large, and smooth, and round. Old Kaspar took it from the hoy, Who stood expectant by; And then the old man shook his head, And, with a natural sigh, T is some poor fellow's skull," said he, Who fell in the great victory! "I find them in the garden, For there's many here about; And often when I go to plough. The ploughshare turns them out! For many thousand men," said he, W^ere slain in that great victory!" "Now tell us what 't was all about," Young Peterkin he cries; And little Wilhelmine looks up With wonder-waiting eyes; "Now tell us all about the war, And what they killed each other for." It was the English," Kaspar cried, "Who put the French to rout; But what they fought each other for, I could not well make out; a (C The Battle of Blenheim 245 But everybody said," quoth he, "That 't was a famous victory. "My father lived at Blenheim then. Yon Uttle stream hard by; They burned his dwelhng to the ground, And he was forced to fly; So with his wife and child he fled. Nor had he where to rest his head. "With fire and sword the country round Was wasted far and wide; And many a childing mother then And new-born baby died; But things like that, you know, must be At every famous victory. "They say it was a shocking sight After the field was won; For many thousand bodies here Lay rotting in the sun. But things like that, you know, must be After a famous victory. "Great praise the Duke of Marlboro' won. And our good Prince Eugene." "Why, 't was a very wicked thing!" Said little Wilhelmine. "Nay, nay, my little girl," quoth he, "It was a famous victory! 246 Historical Legends and Stories "And everybody praised the Duke Who this great fight did win." "But what good came of it at last?" Quoth little Peterkln. "Why that I cannot tell," said he, "But 't was a famous victory." Robert Southey„ NAPOLEON AND THE ENGLISH SAILOR BOY I LOVE contemplating — apart From all his homicidal glory — The traits that soften to our heart Napoleon's story. 'T was when his banners at Boulogne Armed In our Island every freeman; His navy chanced to capture one Poor British seaman. They suffered him — I know not how — Unprisoned on the shore to roam; And aye was bent his longing brow On England's home. His eye, methlnks, pursued the flight Of birds to Britain half-way over Napoleon and the English Sailor 247 With envy, — they could reach the white, Dear cliffs of Dover. A stormy midnight watch, he thought. Than this sojourn would have been dearer, If but the storm his vessel brought To England nearer. At last, when care had banished sleep, He saw one morning — dreaming — doting. An empty hogshead from the deep Come shoreward floating. He hid it in a cave, and wrought The livelong day laborious, lurking, Until he launched a tiny boat By mighty working. Heaven help us ! 't was a thing beyond Description wretched: such a wherry Perhaps ne'er ventured on a pond. Or crossed a ferry. For ploughing in the salt sea field. It would have made the boldest shudder; Untarred, uncompassed, and unkeeled. No sail — no rudder. From neighboring woods he interlaced His sorry skiff with wattled willows; 248 Historical Legends and Stories And thus equipped he would have passed The foaming billows. But Frenchmen caught him on the beach, His little Argo sorely jeering; Till tidings of him chanced to reach Napoleon's hearing. With folded arms Napoleon stood, Serene alike in peace and danger, And in his wonted attitude Addressed the stranger: "Rash man, that wouldst yon channel pass On twigs and staves so rudely fashioned! Thy heart with some sweet British lass Must be impassioned." I have no sweetheart," said the lad; But, absent long from one another, Great was the longing that I had To see my mother." And so thou shalt!" Napoleon said; YeVe both my favor fairly won: A noble mother must have bred So brave a son." He gave the tar a piece of gold, And with a flag of truce commanded Incident of the French Camp 249 He should be shipped to England Old, And safely landed. Our sailor oft could scantily shift To find a dinner plain and hearty; But never changed the coin and gift Of Bonaparte. Thomas Campbell. INCIDENT OF THE FRENCH CAMP You know, we French stormed Ratisbon; — A mile or so away. On a little mound, Napoleon Stood on our storming day; With neck out-thrust, you fancy how, Legs wide, arms locked behind, As if to balance the prone brow Oppressive with its mind. Just as perhaps he mused: "My plans That soar, to earth may fall, Let once my army-leader Lannes Waver at yonder wall," — Out 'twixt the battery-smokes there flew A rider, bound on bound Full-galloping; nor bridle drew Until he reached the mound. 250 Historical Legends and Stories Then off there flung in smiling joy, And held himself erect By just his horse's mane, a boy: You hardly could suspect — (So tight he kept his lips compressed, Scarce any blood came through,) You looked twice e'er you saw his breast Was all but shot in two. "Well," cried he, "Emperor, by God's grace We ' ve got you Ratisbon ! The marshal 's in the market-place, And you '11 be there anon To see your flag-bird flap his vans Where I, to heart's desire. Perched him." The chief's eye flashed; his plans Soared up again like fire. The chief's eye flashed; but presently Softened itself, as sheathes A film the mother eagle's eye When her bruised eaglet breathes: "You're wounded!" "Nay," his soldier's pride Touched to the quick, he said; "I'm killed, sire!" And, his chief beside. Smiling, the boy fell dead. Robert Browning. King Canute 251 KING CANUTE King Canute was weary hearted; he had reigned for years a score, Battling, struggling, pushing, fighting, killing much, and robbing more; And he thought upon his actions, walking by the wild sea-shore. 'Twixt the Chancellor and the Bishop, walked the King with steps sedate. Chamberlains and grooms came after, silver- sticks and gold-sticks great. Chaplains, aides-de-camp and pages, — all the officers of state. Sliding after like his shadow, pausing when he chose to pause. If a frown his face contracted, straight the courtiers dropped their jaws; If to laugh the King was minded, out they burst in loud hee-haws. But that day a something vexed him; th.at was clear to old and young; ^ Thrice His Grace had yawned at table when his favorite gleemen sung, Once the Queen would have consoled him, but he bade her hold her tongue. 252 Historical Legends and Stories "Something ails my gracious master!" cried the Keeper of the Seal, „ "Sure, my lord, it is the lampreys served for dinner, or the veal?" "Psha!" exclaimed the angry monarch, "Keeper, 't is not that I feel. "'T is the heart, and not the dinner, fool, that doth my rest impair; Can a king be great as I am, prithee, and yet know no care? Oh, I'm sick, and tired, and weary." Some one cried: "The King's arm-chair!" Then toward the lackeys turning, quick my Lord the Keeper nodded, Straight the King's great chair was brought him, by two footmen able-bodied;' Languidly he sank into it; it was comfortably wadded. "Nay, I feel," replied King Canute, "that my end is drawing near." " Don't say so ! " exclaimed the courtiers (striv- ing each to squeeze a tear). "Sure your Grace is strong and lusty, and may live this fifty year!" "Live these fifty years!" the Bishop roared, with actions made to suit. King Canute 253 "Are you mad, my good Lord Keeper, thus to speak of King Canute! Men have lived a thousand years, and sure His Majesty will do 't. "With his wondrous skill in healing ne'er a doctor can compete. Loathsome lepers, if he touch them, start up clean upon their feet; Surely he could raise the dead up, did His Highness think it meet. "Did not once the Jewish captain stay the sun upon the hill, And the while he slew the foemen, bid the silver moon stand still? So, no doubt, could gracious Canute, if it were his sacred will." "Might I stay the sun above us, good Sir Bishop.^" Canute cried, "Could I bid the silver moon to pause upon her heavenly ride? If the moon obeys my orders, sure I can com- mand the tide! "Will the advancing waves obey me, Bishop, if I make the sign?" Said the Bishop, bowing lowly: "Land and sea, my Lord, are thine." 254 Historical Legends and Stories Canute turned toward the ocean: "Back!" he said, "thou foaming brine. "From the sacred shore I stand on, I command thee to retreat; Venture not, thou stormy rebel, to approach thy master's seat; Ocean, be thou still! I bid thee come not nearer to my feet!" But the sullen ocean answered with a louder, deeper roar, And the rapid waves drew nearer, falling sounding on the shore; Back the Keeper and the Bishop, back the King and courtiers bore. And he sternly bade them never more to kneel to human clay. But alone to praise and worship That which earth and seas obey; And his golden crown of empire never wore he from that day. (Condensed.) William Makepeace Thackeray. KING EDWIN'S FEAST There was feasting In the hall And the beards wagged all. King Edwin's Feast 255 Oh! the board was heaped with food, And the ale was like a flood, And 't was bitter winter weather When King Edwin and his Eldormen and Thanes Were a-feasting thus together. ^ As the board was heaped with food, So the hearth was piled with wood;. Ay, with oaken logs a score; And the flames did leap and roar. And they cast a ruddy glow On King Edwin and his Eldormen and Thanes As they feasted in a row. All at once they were aware Of a flutter in the air, As a little sparrow came In between them and the flame, Then a moment flew around, While King Edwin and his Eldormen and Thanes Wondered whither he was bound. Then he vanished through the door, And they never saw him more; But up spoke a noble Thane, As a silence seemed to reign, And a wonder seemed to fall 256 Historical Legends and Stories On King Edwin and his Eldormen and Thanes As they feasted in the hall: "What is all this life of ours, With its graces and its powers? It is like the bird that came In between us and the flame, Stayed a moment in the room With King Edwin and his Eldormen and Thanes, Then was ofl" into the gloom. "So we come out of the night, Stay a moment in the light Of a warm and pleasant room, Then go forth into the gloom; Hither somehow tempest-tost, O King Edwin! and you, Eldormen and Thanes, Then again in darkness lost." Then another silence fell And the first who broke the spell Was Paulinius, the Christian, and he said, Bowing low a reverent head That was white with many years. To King Edwin and his Eldormen and Thanes, And his words were dim with tears: King Alfred the Harper 257 **0h! not merely tempest-tost, Not again in darkness lost, Js the little bird that came In between us and the flame; For the bird will find his nest. So, King Edwin, and you, Eldormen and Thanes, Be not your hearts distressed. "Not from darkness comes the soul, Nor shall darkness be its goal. For that, too, there is a nest, Whither flying it shall restj Evermore. It must be so." Said King Edwin and his Eldormen and Thanes: "Would to God that we might know!" John W. Chadzvick, KING ALFRED THE HARPER Dark fell the night, the watch was set, The host was idly spread. The Danes around their watchfires met, Caroused, and fiercely fed. The chiefs beneath a tent of leaves, And Guthrum, king of all, 258 Historical Legends and Stories Devoured the flesh of England's beeves, And laughed at England's fall. Each warrior proud, each Danish earl, In mail and wolf-skin clad, Their bracelets white with plundered pearl, Their eyes with triumph mad. In stalked a warrior tall and rude Before the strong sea-kings: "Ye Lords and Earls of Odin's brood. Without a Harper sings. He seems a simple man and poor, But well he sounds the lay; And well, ye Norsemen chiefs, be sure, Will ye the song repay!" In trod the bard with keen cold look, And glanced along the board, That with the shout and war-cry shook Of many a Danish lord. But thirty brows, inflamed and stern, Soon bent on him their gaze. While calm he gazed, as if to learn Who chief deserved his praise. Loud Guthrum spake: — "Nay, gaze not thus, Thou Harper weak and poor! By Thor! who bandy looks with us Must worse than looks endure. King Alfred the Harper 259 Sing high the praise of Denmark's host, High praise each dauntless Earl; The brave who stun this English coast With war's unceasing whirl." The Harper slowly bent his head, And touched aloud the string; Then raised his face, and boldly said: *'Hear thou my. lay, O King! High praise from every mouth of man To all who boldly strive. Who fall where first the fight began, And ne'er go back alive. "Fill high your cups, and swell the shout, At famous Regnar's name! Who sank his host in bloody rout. When he to Humber came. His men were chased, his sons were slain, And he was left alone. They bound him in an iron chain Upon a dungeon stone. With iron links they bound him fast; With snakes they filled the hole. That made his flesh their long repast, And bit into his soul. "Great Chiefs, why sink in gloom your eyes? Why champ your teeth in pain ? 26o Historical Legends and Stories Still lives the song though Regnar dies! Fill high your cups again. Ye too, perchance, O Norsemen lords! Who fought and swayed so long. Shall soon but live in minstrel words, And owe your names to song. "This land has graves by thousands more Than that where Regnar lies. When conquests fade, and rule is o'er, The sod must close your eyes. How soon, who knows ^ Not chief, nor bard ; And yet to me 't is given. To see your foreheads deeply scarred, And guess the doom of Heaven. **I may not read or when or how. But, Earls and Kings, be sure I see a blade o'er every brow. Where pride now sits secure. Fill high the cups, raise loud the strain! When chief and monarch fall, Their names in song shall breathe again, And thrill the feastful hall." Grim sat the chiefs; one heaved a groan, And one grew pale with dread. His iron mace was grasped by one, By one his wine was shed. King Alfred the Harper 261 And Guthrum cried: "Nay, bard, no more We hear thy boding lay; Make drunk the song with spoil and gore! Light up the joyous fray I" "Quick throbs my brain," — so burst the song, — "To hear the strife once more. The mace, the axe, they rest too long; Earth cries, *My thirst is sore!' More blithely twang the strings of bows Than strings of harps in glee; Red wounds are lovelier than the rose, Or rosy lips to me. "Oh! fairer than a field of flowers, When flowers in England grew. Would be the battle's marshalled powers, The plain of carnage new. With all its deaths before my soul The vision rises fair; Raise loud the song, and drain the bowl! I would that I were there!" Loud rang the harp, the minstrel's eye Rolled fiercely round the throng; It seemed two crashing hosts were nigh. Whose shock aroused the song. 262 Historical Legends and Stories A golden cup King Guthrum gave To him who strongly played; And said: "I won it from the slave Who once o'er England swayed." King Guthrum cried: "'T was Alfred's own; Thy song befits the brave: The King who cannot guard his throne Nor wine nor song shall have!" The minstrel took the goblet bright, And said: "I drink the wine To him who owns by justest right The cup thou bid'st be mine. To him, your Lord, Oh, shout ye all! His meed be deathless praise! The King who dares not nobly fall. Dies basely all his days." "The praise thou speakest," Guthrum said, "With sweetness fills mine ear; For Alfred swift before me fled, And left me monarch here. The royal coward never dared Beneath mine eye to stand. Oh, would that now this feast he shared, And saw me rule his land!" Then stern the minstrel rose, and spake, And gazed upon the King, — Taillefer the Minstrel 263 "Not now the golden cup I take, Nor more to thee I sing. Another day, a happier hour, Shall bring me here again: The cup shall stay in Guthrum's power Till I demand it then." The Harper turned and left the shed, Nor bent to Guthrum's crown; And one who marked his visage said It wore a ghastly frown. The Danes ne'er saw that Harper more, For soon as morning rose, Upon their camp King Alfred bore, And slew ten thousand foes. {Condensed.) John Sterling, TAILLEFER THE MINSTREL Duke William the Norman spake out one day: "Who sings in my court and my room alway ? Who sings from the morning till late at night. So sweetly, my heart seems to laugh out- right?" " 'T is Taillefer, my liege, that so sweetly sings. In the court, as the windlass around he swings, 264 Historical Legends and Stories In the room, as the fire he fans and rakes, When at eve he lies down, and at morn awakes." " 'T is well," quoth the Duke, " I Ve a servant rare In Taillefer, who serves me with faith and care. The wheel he turns and the fire makes bright, And so clearly he sings that my heart grows light." Then Taillefer answered: "Were I hut free, Far better I'd labor and sing for thee! How well on horseback I 'd serve my lord, And sing, as I clashed my shield and sword!" Soon Taillefer rode to the battle-field On a war-horse stout, with sword and shield; Duke William's sister, as down she gazed From a turret, the knight's bold bearing praised. And when 'neath her turret he rode, he sang; Like a breeze, and next like a storm it rang; She cried: "When he singeth, what joys awake! The tower is shaken, my heart doth quake!" Taillefer the Minstrel 265 Duke William sailed with a mighty host O'er the rolling billows to England's coast. He sprang from the ship — on his hands he fell: "Ha! England!" he shouted, "I grasp thee well!" As the Norman host to the battle strode, For a boon, to the Duke brave Taillefer rode. **Man7 years have I sung, while thy fire I ' made, Many years, while the sword and the lance I've swayed. "If I've served thee and sung to thy heart's delight. At first as a servant, and last as a knight, Then grant me this boon — when the morn shall shine. Let the first blow struck at the foe be mine!" With sword and spear he his horse bestrode, Before the whole army brave Taillefer rode; Over Hastings' field his song rang out, Of Roland he sang, and of heroes stout. When the "Roland-Song" rose loud as a blast, Many standards waved, many hearts beat fast; 266 Historical Legends and Stories Its notes with courage the knights Inspire: For well, as he sang, could he fan their fire ! Then, charging, his first quick thrust he gave, An English knight to the ground he drave; His sword he swung for the first swift blow, An English knight on the ground lay low. The Normans beheld it, and stayed not long; With yells and smiting of shields they throng; Hark ! arrows are whirring, swords clash in the fray,^ Till Harold is slain and his host gives way. The Duke on the field his standard spread, His tent he pitched i' the midst o' the dead; A golden beaker his table graced, And the English crown on his head was placed. "Come, pledge me, my Talllefer brave, this day! In love and in grief thou hast tuned thy lay. But on Hastings' field thou hast sung me a song Shall ring in my ears for my whole life long!" From the German of Ludzvig Uhland, Translated by W. W. Skeat. The Relief of Lucknow 267 THE RELIEF OF LUCKNOW Oh, that last day in Lucknow fort! We knew that it was the last; That the enemy's lines crept surely on, And the end was coming fast. To yield to that foe meant worse than death; And the men and we all worked on; It was one day more of smoke and roar, And then it would all be done. I There was one of us, a corporal's wife, A fair, young, gentle thing. Wasted with fever in the siege, And her mind was wandering. She lay on the ground, in her Scottish plaid, And I took her head on my knee; "When my father comes hame frae the pleugh," she said, "Oh, then please wauken me." She slept like a child on her father's floor. In the flecking of woodbine-shade, When the house-dog sprawls by the open door. And the mother's wheel is stayed. 268 Historical Legends and Stories It was smoke and roar and powder-stench, And hopeless waiting for death; And the soldier's wife, like a full-tired child, Seemed scarce to draw her breath. I sank to sleep; and I had my dream Of an English village-lane, And wall and garden; — but one wild scream Brought me back to the roar again. There Jessie Brown stood listening Till a sudden gladness broke All over her face; and she caught my hand And drew me near as she spoke: — "The Hielanders! Oh! dinna ye hear The slogan far awa' ? The McGregor's. Oh! I ken it weel; It's the grandest o' them a'! "God bless the bonny Hielanders! We're saved! we're saved!" she cried; And fell on her knees; and thanks to God Flowed forth like a full flood-tide. Along the battery-line her cry Had fallen among the men. And they started back; — they were there to die; But was life so near them, then? The Relief of Lucknow 269 They listened for life; the rattling fire Far off, and the far-off roar, Were all; and the colonel shook his head. And they turned to their guns once more. But Jessie said: "The slogan's done; But winna ye hear it noo? * The Campbells are comin' ' ? It 's no a dream ; Our succors hae broken through!" We heard the roar and the rattle afar, But the pipes we could not hear; So the men plied their work of hopeless war, And knew that the end was near. It was not long ere it made its way, — A thrilling, ceaseless sound: It was no noise from the strife afar, Or the sappers under ground. It was the pipes of the Highlanders ! And now they played "Auld Lang Syne." It came to our men like the voice of God, And they shouted along the line. And they wept, and shook one another's hands. And the women sobbed in a crowd ; And every one knelt down where he stood. And we all thanked God aloud. 270 Historical Legends and Stories That happy time, when we welcomed them, Our men put Jessie first; And the general gave her his hand, and cheers Like a storm from the soldiers burst. And the pipers' ribbons and tartan streamed, Marching round and round our line; And our joyful cheers were broken with tears. As the pipes played "Auld Lang Syne." Robert Traill S^ence Lowell. THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH A story of Ponce de Leon, A voyager, withered and old. Who came to the sunny Antilles, In quest of a country of gold. He was wafted past islands of spices, As bright as the emerald seas. Where all the forests seem singing, So thick were the birds on the trees. There came to De Leon, the sailor, Some Indian sages, who told Of a region so bright that the waters Were sprinkled with islands of gold. And they added: "The leafy Bimini, A fair land of grottos and bowers, The Fountain of Youth 271 Is there; and a wonderful fountain Upsprings from its gardens of flowers. That fountain gives life to the dying, And youth to the aged restores; They flourish in beauty eternal, Who set but their foot on its shores!" Then answered De Leon, the sailor, "I am withered, and wrinkled, and old; I would rather discover that fountain, Than a country of diamonds and gold." II Away sailed De Leon, the sailor; Away with a wonderful glee. Till the birds were more rare in the azure, The dolphins more rare in the sea. Away from the shady Bahamas, Over waters no sailor had seen. Till again on his wondering vision. Rose clustering islands of green. Still onward he sped till the breezes Were laden with odors, and lo! A country embedded with flowers, A country with rivers aglow ! More bright than the sunny Antilles, More fair than the shady Azores. "Thank the Lord ! " said De Leon, the sailor. As feasted his eye on the shores. 272 Historical Legends and Stories *^We have come to a region, my brothers^ More lovely than earth, of a truth; And here is the life-giving fountain, — The beautiful Fountain of Youth.'' Ill Then landed De Leon, the sailor. Unfurled his old banner, and sung; But he felt very wrinkled and withered, All around was so fresh and so young. The palms, ever-verdant, were blooming. Their blossoms e'en margined the seas; O'er the streams of the forests bright flowers Hung deep from the branches of trees. "Praise the Lord!" sung De Leon, the sailor; His heart was with rapture aflame; And he said: "Be the name of this region By Florida given to fame. 'T is a fair, a delectable country, More lovely than earth, of a truth; I soon shall partake of the fountain, — The beautiful Fountain of Youth!" IV But wandered De Leon, the sailor, In search of that fountain in vain; No waters were there to restore him To freshness and beauty again. The Fountain of Youth 273 And his anchor he lifted and murmured, — As the tears gathered fast in his eye: "I must leave this fair land of the flowers, Go back o'er the ocean, and die." Then back by the dreary Tortugas, And back by the shady Azores, He was borne on the storm-smitten waters To the calm of his own native shores. And that he grew older and older. His footsteps enfeebled gave proof. Still he thirsted in dreams for the foun- tain, — The beautiful Fountain of Youth. One day the old sailor lay dying On the shores of a tropical isle. And his heart was enkindled with rapture, And his face lighted up with a smile. He thought of the sunny Antilles, He thought of the shady Azores, He thought of the dreamy Bahamas, He thought of fair Florida's shores. And when in his mind he passed over His wonderful travels of old, He thought of the heavenly country, Of the city of jasper and gold. 274 Historical Legends and Stories "Thank the Lord ! " said De Leon, the sailor, "Thank the Lord for the light of the truth, I now am approaching the fountain, — The beautiful Fountain of Youth." VI The cabin was silent: at twilight They heard the birds singing a psalm, And the wind of the ocean low sighing Through groves of the orange and palm. The sailor still lay on his pallet, 'Neath the low-hanging vines of the roof; His soul had gone forth to discover The beautiful Fountain of Youth. {Condensed.) Hezekiah Butterworth. QUIVIRA Francisco Coronado rode forth with all his train, Eight hundred savage bowmen, three hundred spears of Spain, To seek the rumored glory that pathless deserts hold, — The City of Quivira whose walls are rich with gold. QuivfRA 275 Oh, gay they rode with plume on crest and gilded spur at heel, With gonfalon of Aragon and banner of Castile ! While High Emprise and Joyous Youth, twin marshals of the throng, Awoke Sonora's mountain peaks with trum- pet-note and song. ^ih-'/i Beside that brilliant army, beloved of serf and lord, There walked as brave a soldier as ever smote with sword, . . Though nought of knightly harness his russet gown revealed — The cross he bore as weapon, the missal was his shield. ^^ - But rugged oaths were changed to prayers, and angry hearts grew tame, And fainting spirits waxed in faith where Fray Padilla came; fr ^ And brawny spearmen bowed their heads to kiss the helpful hand Of him who spake the simple truth that brave men understand. What pen may paint their daring — those doughty cavaliers! The cities of the Zuni were humbled by their spears. 276 Historical Legends and Stories Wild Arizona's barrens grew pallid in the glow Of blades that won Granada and conquered Mexico. They fared by lofty Acoma; their rally-call was blown Where Colorado rushes down through God- hewn walls of stone; Still, North and East, where deserts spread, and treeless prairies rolled, A Fairy City lured them on with pinnacles of gold. ^^^r^'"' Through all their weary marches toward that flitting goal They turned to Fray Padilla for aid of heart and soul. He bound the wounds that lance-thrust and flinty arrow made; He cheered the sick and failing; above the dead he prayed. Two thousand miles of war and woe behind their banners lay: And sadly fever, drought and toil had lessened their array, When came a message fraught with hope to all the steadfast band: "Good tidings from the northward, friends! TV Quivira lies at hand!" QUIVIRA 277 How joyously they spurred them! How sadly drew the rein I There shone no golden palace, there blazed no jeweled fane. Rude tents of hide of bison, dog-guarded, met their view — ^ A squalid Indian village ; the lodges of the Sioux ! Then Coronado bowed his head. He spake unto his men: "Our quest is vain, true hearts of Spain! Now ride we home again. And would to God that I might give that phantom city's pride In ransom for the gallant souls that here have sunk and died!" Back, back to Compostela the wayworn handful bore: But sturdy Fray Padilla took up the quest once more. His soul still longed for conquest, though not by lance and sword; He burned to show the Heathen the pathway to the Lord. Again he trudged the flinty hills and dazzling desert sands, And few were they that walked with him, and weaponless their hands — 278 Historical Legends and Stories But and the trusty man-at-arms, Docampo, rode him near Like Great Heart guarding Christian's way through wastes of Doubt and Fear. Where still in silken harvests the prairie-lilies toss, Among the dark Quiviras Padilla reared his cross. Within its sacred shadow the warriors of the Kaw In wonder heard the Gospel of Love and Peace and Law. They gloried in their Brown-robed Priest; and oft in twilight's gold The warriors grouped, a silent ring, to hear the tale he told; While round the gentle man-at-arms their lithe-limbed children played And shot their arrows at his shield and rode his guarded blade. ,•<• I" When thrice the silver crescent had filled its curving shell, The Friar rose at dawning and spake his flock farewell : *' — And if your Brothers northward be cruel, as ye say, My Master bids me seek them — and dare I answer ^Nay'.^*" Pocahontas 279 Again he strode the path of thorns; but ere the evening star A savage cohort swept the plain in paint and plumes of war. Then Fray Padilla spake to them whose hearts were most his own: "My children, bear the tidings home — let me die here alone." He knelt upon the prairie, begirt by yelling Sioux. — " Forgive them, oh, my Father ! they know not what they do!" The twanging bow-strings answered. Before his eyes, unrolled The City of Quivira whose streets are paved with gold. Arthur Guiterman, POCAHONTAS Wearied arm and broken sword Wage in vain the desperate fight; Round him press a countless horde. He is but a single knight. Hark! a cry of triumph shrill Through the wilderness resounds, As, with twenty bleeding wounds, Sinks the warrior, fighting still. 28o Historical Legends and Stories Now they heap the funeral pyre, And the torch of death they Hght; Ah! 't is hard to die of fire! Who will shield the captive knight? Round the stake with fiendish cry Wheel and dance the savage crowd, Cold the victim's mien and proud. And his breast is bared to die. Who will shield the fearless heart? Who avert the murderous blade? From the throng with sudden start See, there springs an Indian maid. Quick she stands before the knight: "Loose the chain, unbind the ring! I am daughter of the king. And I claim the Indian right!" Dauntlessly aside she flings Lifted axe and thirsty knife, Fondly to his heart she clings, And her bosom guards his life! In the woods of Powhatan, Still 't is told by Indian fires How a daughter of their sires Saved a captive Englishman. William Makepeace Thackeray. The First Thanksgiving Day 281 THE FIRST THANKSGIVING DAY {November, 1621) "And now," said the Governor, gazing abroad on the piled-up store Of the sheaves that dotted the clearings and covered the meadows o'er, "'T is meet that we render praises because of this yield of grain; 'T is meet that the Lord of the harvest be thanked for His sun and rain. "And therefore I, William Bradford (by the grace of God to-day. And the franchise of this good people), Gov- ernor of Plymouth, say. Through virtue of vested power — ye shall gather with one accord. And hold, in the month November, thanksgiv- ing unto the Lord. "He hath granted us peace and plenty, and the quiet we've sought so long; He hath thwarted the wily savage, and kept him from wrack and wrong; And unto our feast the Sachem shall be bid- den, that he may know We worship his own Great Spirit who maketh the harvest grow. 282 Historical Legends and Stories "So shoulder your matchlocks, masters: there is hunting of all degrees; And fishermen, take your tackle, and scour for spoil the seas; And maidens and dames of Plymouth, your delicate crafts employ To honor our First Thanksgiving, and make it a feast of joy! *'We fail of the fruits and dainties — we fail of the old home cheer; Ah, these are the lightest losses, mayhap, that befall us here; But see, in our open clearings, how golden the melons lie; Enrich them with sweets and spices, and give us the pumpkin-pie!" So, bravely the preparations went on for the autumn feast; The deer and the bear were slaughtered; wild game from the greatest to least Was heaped in the colony cabins; brown home-brew served for wine, And the plum and the grape of the forest, for orange and peach and pine. At length came the day appointed: the snow had begun to fall. But the clang from the meeting-house belfry rang merrily over all, Rodney's Ride 283 And summoned the folk of Plymouth, who hastened with glad accord To listen to Elder Brewster as he fervently thanked the Lord. In his seat sat Governor Bradford; men, matrons, and maidens fair; Miles Standish and all his soldiers, with corselet and sword, were there; And sobbing and tears and gladness had each in its turn the sway, For the grave of the sweet Rose Standish o'ershadowed Thanksgiving Day. And when Massasoit, the Sachem, sate down with his hundred braves. And ate of the varied riches of gardens and woods and waves. And looked on the granaried harvest, — with a blow on his brawny chest, He muttered: "The good Great Spirit loves His white children best!" Margaret Junkin Preston. RODNEY'S RIDE {July J, 1776) In that soft mid-land where the breezes bear The North and the South on the genial air, 284 Historical Legends and Stories Through the county of Kent, on affairs of state, Rode Caesar Rodney, the delegate. Burly and big, and bold and bluff, In his three-cornered hat and coat of snuff, A foe to King George and the English State, Was Caesar Rodney, the delegate. Into Dover village he rode apace, And his kinsfolk knew, from his anxious face, It was matter grave that brought him there, To the counties three on the Delaware. *' Money and men we must have," he said, "Or the Congress fails and our cause is dead; Give us both and the King shall not work his will. We are men, since the blood of Bunker Hill!" Comes a rider swift on a panting bay: "Ho, Rodney, ho! you must save the day, For the Congress halts at a deed so great. And your vote alone may decide its fate." Answered Rodney then: "I will ride with speed; -It is Liberty's stress; it is Freedom's need. When stands it?" "To-night. Not a moment to spare. But ride like the wind from the Delaware." Rodney's Ride 285 "Ho, saddle the black! I've but half a day, And the Congress sits eighty miles away — And I '11 be in time, if God grants me grace, To shake my fist in King George's face." He is up; he is off! and the black horse flies On the northward road ere the "God-speed" dies; It is gallop and spur, as the leagues they clear. And the clustering mile-stones move a-rear. It is two of the clock; and the fleet hoofs fling The Fieldboro's dust with a clang and a cling; It is three; and he gallops with slack rein where The road winds down to the Delaware. Four; and he spurs into New Castle town, From his panting steed he gets him down — "A fresh one, quick! not a moment's wait!" And oflF speeds Rodney, the delegate. It is five; and the beams of the western sun Tinge the spires of Wilmington gold and dun; Six; and the dust of Chester Street Flies back in a cloud from the courser's feet. It is seven; the horse-boat broad of beam. At the Schuylkill ferry crawls over the stream — 286 Historical Legends and Stories And at seven-fifteen by the RIttenhouse clock, He flings his reins to the tavern jock. The Congress is met; the debate 's begun, And Liberty lags for the vote of one — When into the hall, not a moment late. Walks Caesar Rodney, the delegate. Not a moment late! and that half day's ride Forwards the world with a mighty stride; For the act was passed; ere the midnight stroke O'er the Quaker City its echoes woke. At Tyranny's feet was the gauntlet flung; ''We are free!" all the bells through the colonies rung. And the sons of the free may recall with pride The day of Delegate Rodney's ride. Elbridge Streeter Brooks. PAUL REVERE'S RIDE Listen, my children, and you shall hear Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere, On the eighteenth of April, in Seventy-five; Hardly a man is now alive Who remembers that famous day and year. Paul Revere's Ride 287 He said to his friend: "If the British march By land or sea from the town to-night, Hang a lantern aloft in the belfry-arch Of the North Church tower as a signal light, — One, if by land, and two, if by sea; And I on the opposite shore will be, Ready to ride and spread the alarm Through every Middlesex village and farm, For the country folk to be up and to arm." Then he said : "Good night ! '' and with muffled oar Silently rowed to the Charlestown shore, Just as the moon rose over the bay. Where swinging wide at her moorings lay The Somerset, British man-of-war; A phantom ship, with each mast and spar Across the moon like a prison bar, And a huge black hulk, that was magnified By its own reflection in the tide. Meanwhile, his friend, through alley and street. Wanders and watches with eager ears, Till in the silence around him he hears The muster of men at the barrack door. The sound of arms, and the tramp of feet. And the measured tread of the grenadiers. Marching down to their boats on the shore. ^ -1 288 Historical Legends and Stories i Then he climbed the tower of the Old North "~ '] Church, i By the wooden stairs, with stealthy tread. To the belfry-chamber overhead, ; And startled the pigeons from their perch \ On the sombre rafters, that round him made .; Masses and moving shapes of shade, — By the trembling ladder, steep and tall, j To the highest window in the wall, \ Where he paused to listen and look down \ A moment on the roofs of the town, \ And the moonlight flowing over all. \ Beneath, in the churchyard, lay the dead, In their night-encampment on the hill, ; Wrapped in silence so deep and still i That he could hear, like a sentinel's tread, \ The watchful night-wind, as it went < Creeping along from tent to tent, i And seeming to whisper: "All is well!" \ A moment only he feels the spell \ Of the place and the hour, and the secret ; dread \ Of the lonely belfry and the dead; ; For suddenly all his thoughts are bent \ On a shadowy something far away. Where the river widens to meet the bay, — j A line of black that bends and floats '< On the rising tide, like a bridge of boats. Paul Revere's Ride 289 Meanwhile, Impatient to mount and ride, Booted and spurred, with a heavy stride On the opposite shore walked Paul Revere. Now he patted his horse's side, Now gazed at the landscape far and near, Then, impetuous, stamped the earth, And turned and tightened his saddle-girth; But mostly he watched with eager search The belfry-tower of the Old North Churchy As it rose above the graves on the hill. Lonely and spectral and sombre and still. And lo! as he looks, on the belfry's height A glimmer, and then a gleam of light! He springs to the saddle, the bridle he turns, But lingers and gazes, till full on his sight, A second lamp in the belfry burns! A hurry of hoofs in a village street, A shape in the moonlight, a bulk in the dark, And beneath, from the pebbles, in passing, a spark Struck out by a steed flying fearless and fleet: That was all! And yet, through the gloom and the light. The fate of a nation was riding that night; And the spark struck out by that steed, in his flight. Kindled the land Into flame with its heat. f 290 Historical Legends and Stories He has left the village and mounted the steep, And beneath him, tranquil and broad and deep. Is the Mystic, meeting the ocean tides; And under the alders that skirt its edge, Now soft on the sand, now loud on the ledge, Is heard the tramp of his steed as he rides. It was twelve by the village clock, When he crossed the bridge into Medford town. He heard the crowing of the cock. And the barking of the farmer's dogj And felt the damp of the river fog, That rises after the sun goes down. It was one by the village clock, When he galloped into Lexington. He saw the gilded weathercock Swim in the moonlight as he passed, And the meeting-house windows, blank and bare. Gaze at him with a spectral glare. As if they already stood aghast At the bloody work they would look upon. It was two by the village clock, When he came to the bridge in Concord town. He heard the bleating of the flock, Paul Revere's Ride 291 And the twitter of birds among the trees, And felt the breath of the morning breeze Blowing over the meadows brown. And one was safe and asleep in his bed Who at the bridge would be first to fall, Who that day would be lying dead, Pierced by a British musket-ball. You know the rest. In the books you have read, How the British Regulars fired and fled, — How the farmers gave them ball for ball, From behind each fence and farm-yard wall, Chasing the red-coats down the lane, Then crossing the fields to emerge again Under the trees at the turn of the road, And only pausing to fire and load. So through the night rode Paul Revere; And so through the night went his cry of alarm To every Middlesex village and farm, — A cry of defiance and not of fear, A voice in the darkness, a knock at the door, And a word that shall echo forevermore ! For, borne on the night-wind of the Past, Through all our history, to the last. In the hour of darkness and peril and need. The people will waken and listen to hear 292 Historical Legends and Stories The hurrying hoof-beats of that steed And the midnight message of Paul Revere. Henry Wadszvorth Longfellow, REUBEN JAMES {August 5, 1804) Three ships of war had Preble when he left the Naples shore, And the knightly King of Naples lent him seven galleys more, And never since the Argo floated in the middle sea Such noble men and valiant have sailed in company As the men who went with Preble to the siege of Tripoli. Stewart, Bainbridge, Hull, Decatur — how their names ring out like gold ! Lawrence, Porter, Trippe, Macdonough, and a score as true and bold; Every star that lights their banner tells the glory that they won; But one common sailor's glory is the splendor of the sun. Reuben James was first to follow when Deca- tur laid aboard Of the lofty Turkish galley and in battle broke his sword. Reuben James 293 Then the pirate captain smote him, till his blood was running fast, And they grappled and they struggled, and they fell beside the mast. Close behind him Reuben battled with a dozen, undismayed. Till a bullet broke his sword-arm, and he dropped the useless blade. Then a swinging Turkish sabre clove his left and brought him low. Like a gallant bark, dismasted, at the mercy of the foe. Little mercy knows the corsair: high his blade was raised to slay. When a richer prize allured him where Decatur struggling lay. "Help!" the Turkish leader shouted, and his trusty comrade sprung, And his scimitar like lightning o'er the Yankee captain swung. Reuben James, disabled, armless, saw the sabre flashed on high. Saw Decatur shrink before it, heard the pirate's taunting cry, Saw, in half the time I tell it, how a sailor brave and true Still might show a bloody pirate what a dying man can do. 294 Historical Legends and Stories Quick he struggled, stumbling, sliding in the blood around his feet, : As the Turk a moment waited to make ven- geance doubly sweet. Swift the sabre fell, but swifter bent the sail- or's head below, And upon his 'fenceless forehead Reuben James received the blow! So was saved our brave Decatur; so the com- mon sailor died; So the love that moves the lowly lifts the great to fame and pride. Yet we grudge him not his honors, for whom love like this had birth — For God never ranks His sailors by the Regis- ter of earth ! James Jeffrey Roche, SACRED STORIES AND LEGENDS THE THREE KINGS OF COLOGNE From out Cologne there came three kings To worship Jesus Christ, their King. To Him they sought fine herbs they brought, And many a beauteous golden thing; They brought their gifts to Bethlehem town, And in that manger set them down. Then spake the first king, and he said: "O Child, most heavenly, bright, and fair! I bring this crown to Bethlehem town, For Thee, and only Thee, to wear; So give a heavenly crown to me. When I shall come at last to Thee!" The second, then. " I bring Thee here This royal robe, O Child!" he cried; "Of silk 't is spun, and such an one There is not in the world beside; So in the day of doom requite Me with a heavenly robe of white!" The third king gave his gift, and quoth : ''Spikenard and myrrh to Thee I bring, And with these twain would I most fain Anoint the body of my King; 298 Sacred Stories and Legends So may their incense sometimes rise To plead for me in yonder skies!" Thus spake the three kings of Cologne, That gave their gifts, and went their way; And now kneel I in prayer hard by The cradle of the Child to-day; Nor crown, nor robe, nor spice I bring As offering unto Christ, my King. Yet have I brought a gift the Child May not despise, however small; For here I lay my heart to-day And it is full of love to all. Take Thou the poor but loyal thing. My only tribute, Christ, my King! Eugene Field. BABOUSCKA A Russian Legend of Christmas Babouscka sits before the fire, Upon a winter's night, The driving winds heap up the snow, Her hut is snug and tight; The howling winds, they only make Babouscka's fire more bright! She hears a knocking at the door, So late — who can it be? Babouscka 299 I She hastes to lift the wooden latch (No thought of fear has she) : i The wind-blown candle in her hand ; Shines out on strangers three. i Their beards are white with age, and snow \ That in the darkness flies; I Their floating locks are long and white, : But kindly are the eyes ' That sparkle underneath their brows, i Like stars in frosty skies. | '^Babouscka, we have come from far; I We tarry but to say, i A little Prince is born this night \ Who all the world shall sway. : Come join the search; come, go with us 1 Who go these gifts to pay." i i Babouscka shivers at the door: "I would I might behold The little Prince who shall be King; ] But ah, the night is cold. The wind so fierce, the snow so deep, j And I, good sirs, am old!" j t } The strangers three, no word they speak, 1 But fade in snov/y space — Babouscka sits before the fire. And looks with wistful face: 30O Sacred Stories and Legends "I wish that I had questioned them, So I the way might trace! "When morning comes, with blessed light, I'll early be awake. My staff in hand, I '11 go — perchance, Those strangers overtake. And for the Child, some little toys I'll carry for His sake." The morning came, and, staff in hand, She wandered in the snow; And asked the way of all she met, But none the way could show. "It must be farther yet," she sighed, "Then farther will I go." And still 't is said, on Christmas eve. When high the drifts are piled, With staff, and basket on her arm, Babouscka seeks the Child. At every door her face is seen — Her wistful face and mild 1 At every door her gifts she leaves, And bends, and murmurs low. Above each little face half hid By pillows white as snow: "And is He here?" — then softly sighs: ."Nay; farther must I go!" Edith M. Thomas, The Parable of St. Christopher 301 THE PARABLE OF ST. CHRISTOPHER From The Golden Legend To a king's court a Giant came, — "O King, both far and near I seek," he said, "the Greatest King; And thou art he, I hear. "If it please thee, I will abide; To thee my knee shall bend; Only unto the Greatest Kings Can giants condescend." Right glad the King the Giant took Into his service then. For since Goliath's niighty days No man so big was seen. Well pleased the Giant, too, to serve The Greatest King on earth; He served him well, in peace, in war, In sorrow, and in mirth, Till came a wandering minstrel by, One day, who played and sang Wild songs, through which the devil's name Profanely, loudly rang. Astonished then the Giant saw The King look sore afraid; 302 Sacred Stories and Legends At mention of the devil's name, The cross's sign he made. 6i How now, my master! Why dost thou ^ Make on thy breast this sign?" He said. "It is a spell," replied ^ The King — "a spell divine, j "Which shall the devil circumvent, i And keep me safe and whole i From all the wicked arts he tries j To slay my precious soul." ] i "Oh, ho, my master! then he is \ More powerful than thou! ' They lied who called thee Greatest King; j I leave thy service now, | (( And seek the devil; him will I My master call henceforth," The Giant cried, and strode away Contemptuous and wroth. He found the devil soon. I ween The devil waited near. Well pleased to have this mighty man Within his ranks appear. They journeyed on full many a day, And now the Giant deemed ii The Parable of St. Christopher 303 At last he had a master found, Who was the king he seemed. But lo! one day they came apace To where four road-ways met, And at the meeting of the roads A cross of stone was set. The devil trembled and fell back. And said: "We go around." Now tell me," fierce the Giant cried. Why fearest thou this ground?" The devil would not answer. "Then I leave thee, master mine," The Giant said. "Of something wrong This mystery is sign." Then answered him the fiend, ashamed: "'T was there Christ Jesus died; Wherever stands a cross like that, I may not, dare not bide." "Ho, ho!" the Giant cried again. Surprised again, perplexed; "Then Jesus is the Greatest King, — I seek and serve him next." The King named Jesus, far and near, The weary Giant sought; 304 Sacred Stories and Legends His name was everywhere proclaimed, His image sold and bought, His power vaunted, and his laws Upheld by sword and fire; But him the Giant sought in vain, Until he cried in ire, One winter eve, as late he came Upon a hermit's cell: "Now by my troth, tell me, good saint, Where doth thy master dwell? "For I have sought him far and wide, By leagues of land and sea; I seek to be his servant true, In honest fealty. "I have such strength as kings desire. State to their state to lend; But only to the Greatest King Can giants condescend." Then said the hermit, pale and wan: "Oh, giant man! indeed The King thou seekest doth all kings In glorious power exceed; it But they who see him face to face, In full communion clear. The Parable of St. Christopher 305 Crowned with his kingdom's splendor bright. Must buy the vision dear. "Dwell here, O brother, and thy lot With ours contented cast, And first, that flesh be well subdued, For days and nights thou 'It fast!" "I fast!" the Giant cried, amazed. "Good saint, I'll no such thing. My strength would fail; without that, I Were fit to serve no king!" 1 "Then thou must pray," the hermit said; j "We kneel on yonder stone, ; And tell these beads, and for each bead | A prayer, one by one." | The Giant flung the beads away, j Laughing in scornful pride. ; "I will not wear my knees on stones; j I know no prayers," he cried. Then said the hermit: "Giant, since ' Thou canst not fast nor pray, ; I know not if our Master will | Save thee some other way. j "But go down to yon river deep, Where pilgrims daily sink, j 3o6 Sacred Stories and Legends And build for thee a little hut Close on the river's brink, a And carry travelers back and forth Across the raging stream; Perchance this service to our King A worthy one will seem." Now that is good," the Giant cried; i That work I understand; A joyous task 't will be to bear j Poor souls from land to land, j "Who, but for me, would sink and drown. ^ Good saint, thou hast at length I Made mention of a work which is I Fit for a giant's strength." ] For many a year, In lowly hut, The Giant dwelt content Upon the bank, and back and forth Across the stream he went. And on his giant shoulders bore All travelers who came. By night, by day, or rich or poor, All in King Jesus' name. But much he doubted if the King His work would note or know, The Parable of St. Christopher 307 And often with a weary heart He waded to and fro. One night, as wrapped in sleep he lay, He sudden heard a call: ''Oh, Christopher, come carry me!" He sprang, looked out, but all Was dark and silent on the shore. "It must be that I dreamed,'' He said, and laid him down again; But instantly there seemed Again the feeble, distant cry: *'0h, come and carry me!" Again he sprang, and looked; again No living thing could see. The third time came the plaintive voice, Like infant's soft and weak; With lantern strode the Giant forth, More carefully to seek. Down on the bank a little Child He found, — a piteous sight, — Who, weeping, earnestly implored To cross that very night. With gruff good-will, he picked him up, And on his neck to ride, 3o8 Sacred Stories and Legends He tossed him, as men play with babes, And plunged into the tide. But as the water closed around His knees, the Infant's weight Grew heavier and heavier, Until it was so great The Giant scarce could stand upright, His staff shook in his hand, His mighty knees bent under him, He barely reached the land, And, staggering, set the Infant down. And turned to scan his face; When, lo ! he saw a halo bright Which lit up all the place. Then Christopher fell down afraid At marvel of the thing And dreamed not that it was the face Of Jesus Christ, his King, Until the Infant spoke, and said: "Oh, Christopher, behold! I am the Lord whom thou hast served! Rise up, be glad, and bold! *^For I have seen and noted well Thy works of charity; 5 -1 i The Parable of St. Christopher 309 And that thou art my servant good, A token thou shalt see. "Plant firmly here upon this bank Thy stalwart staff of pine, And it shall blossom and bear fruit, This very hour, in sign." Then, vanishing, the Infant smiled. The Giant, left alone, Saw on the bank, with luscious dates His stout pine staff bent down. For many a year, St. Christopher Served God in many a land; And master painters drew his face, With loving heart and hand. On altar fronts and church's walls; And peasants used to say. To look on good St. Christopher Brought luck, for all the day. I think the lesson is as good To-day as it was then — As good to us called Christians As to the heathen men. {Condensed.) Helen Hunt Jackson. 310 Sacred Stories and Legends THE LEGEND OF EASTER EGGS Trinity bells with their hollow lungs, And their vibrant lips and their brazen tongues, Over the roofs of the city pour Their Easter music with joyous roar, Till the soaring notes to the Sun are rolled As he swings along in his path of gold. "Dearest Papa," says my boy to me. As he merrily climbs on his mother's knee, "Why are these eggs that you see me hold Colored so finely with blue and gold? And what is the wonderful bird that lays Such beautiful eggs upon Easter days?" Tenderly shine the April skies. Like laughter and tears in my child's blue eyes, And every face in the street is gay, — Why cloud this youngster's by saying nay? So I cudgel my brains for the tale he begs, And tell him this story of Easter eggs : — You have heard, my boy, of the Man who died. Crowned with keen thorns and crucified; The Legend of Easter Eggs 311 And how Joseph the wealthy — whom God reward ! — Cared for the corse of his martyred Lord, And piously tombed it within the rock, And closed the gate with a mighty block. Now, close by the tomb a fair tree grew, With pendulous leaves and blossoms of blue; And deep in the green tree's shadowy breast A beautiful singing bird sat on her nest. Which was bordered with mosses like mala- chite, And held four eggs of an ivory white. Now, when the bird from her dim recess Beheld the Lord in His burial dress. And looked on the heavenly face so pale. And the dear hands pierced with the cruel nail, Her heart nigh broke with a sudden pang. And out of the depth of her sorrow she sang. All night long till the moon was up She sat and sang in her moss-wreathed cup; A song of sorrow as wild and shrill As the homeless wind when it roams the hill; So full of tears, so loud and long, That the grief of the world seemed turned to song. 312 Sacred Stories and Legends But soon there came through the weeping night A glittering Angel clothed in white; And he rolled the stone from the tomb away, Where the Lord of the earth and the heavens lay; And Christ arose in the cavern's gloom, And in living lustre came from the tomb. Now, the bird that sat in the heart of the tree Beheld this celestial mystery, And its heart was filled with a sweet delight, And it poured a song on the throbbing night, — Notes climbing notes, till higher, higher. They shot to Heaven like spears of fire. When the glittering white-robed Angel heard The sorrowing song of the grieving bird. And, after, the jubilant paean of mirth That hailed Christ risen again on earth. He said: "Sweet bird, be forever blest, Thyself, thy eggs, and thy moss-wreathed nest!" And ever, my child, since that blessed night, When Death bowed down to the Lord of Light, The eggs of that sweet bird change their hue; And burn with red and gold and blue: Good King Wenceslas 313 Reminding mankind in their simple way Of the holy marvel of Easter Day. Fitz- James O^Brien. GOOD KING WENCESLAS Good King Wenceslas looked out On the Feast of Stephen, When the snow lay round about, Deep, and crisp, and even. Brightly shone the moon that night. Though the frost was cruel, When a poor man came in sight, Gath'ring winter fuel. "Hither, page, and stand by me, If thou know'st it, telling, ^ Yonder peasant, who is he.^ - Where and what his dwelling.^" "Sire, he lives a good league hence, Underneath the mountain; Right against the forest fence. By Saint Agnes' fountain.' >> "Bring me flesh, and bring me wine. Bring me pine-logs hither: Thou and I will see him dine. When we bear them thither." 314 Sacred Stories and Legends i i Page and monarch forth they went, ^ Forth they went together; ) Through the rude wind's wild lament i And the bitter weather. "Sire, the night is darker now. And the wind blows stronger; Fails my heart, I know not how, I can go no longer." "Mark my footsteps, my good page; Tread thou in them boldly: Thou shalt find the winter's rage Freeze thy blood less coldly." In his master's steps he trod. Where the snow lay dinted; Heat was in the very sod Which the saint had printed. Therefore, Christian men, be sure, Wealth or rank possessing, Ye who now will bless the poor. Shall yourselves find blessing. Old Carol. BROTHER HUBERT Holy-thoughted Brother Hubert, In his cell one evening sat, Brother Hubert 315 Painting angels in a missal Which he long had labored at; Till the ringers in the belfry Chimed the hour of setting sun, And he closed his precious volume, Saying: "Now my work is done. "Time flies fast when one paints angels; I had not thought it was so late; I must go and feed the poor folk Waiting at the Convent gate." Kneeling low, he prayed a moment. Turning then to leave the room, Started — for he saw a figure / Standing in a purple gloom. Sharpest thorns his head surrounded, Cruel cords his thin wrists bound, In his hands and feet were nail-prints, In his side a spear-point wound; And a purely glowing radiance From his face was shed abroad; By these signs the pious Hubert Knew the vision was his Lord. On his Master, glory stricken. Long the Monk gazed silently. 3i6 Sacred Stories and Legends Till the thought arose within him "Ah! how blessed I should be "Could my eyes but dwell forever On that dear, that glorious head; But below the Convent children Wait impatient to be fed." Straightway where the poor folk waited For their evening dole he went, Since the monks, though worn by fasting, For the needy kept no Lent. And good Hubert every sunset, (As the Convent book records). At the gate stood giving freely Bread and wine and loving words. So this evening all the poor folk Feasted to their hearts' content, Till they left the gateway taking Hubert's blessing as they went. Swiftly then the good Monk hastened Down the halls and through his door; Lo! the vision still was waiting, Only brighter than before. And the Master, turning on him Eyes of blessing, smiled and said: St. Francis' Sermon to the Birds 317 "Feeding these ones thou hast fed me, Hadst thou staid I must have fled." From an Old Legend, ST. FRANCIS' SERMON TO THE BIRDS Around Assisi's convent gate The birds, God's poor who cannot wait. From moor and mere and darksome wood Come flocking for their dole of food. "O brother birds," St. Francis said, "Ye come to me and ask for bread, But not with bread alone to-day- Shall ye be fed and sent away. "Ye shall be fed, ye happy birds, With manna of celestial words; Not mine, though mine they seem to be. Not mine, though they be spoken through me. "Oh, doubly are ye bound to praise The great Creator in your lays; He giveth you your plumes of down. Your crimson hoods, your cloaks of brown. "He giveth you your wings to fly And breathe a purer air on high, 3i8 Sacred Stories and Legends And careth for you everywhere, Who for yourselves so little care!" With flutter of swift wings and songs Together rose the feathered throngs, And singing scattered far apart; Deep peace was in St. Francis' heart. He knew not if the brotherhood His homily had understood; He only knew that to one ear The meaning of his words was clear. {Condensed,) Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. THE ABBOT OF INISFALEN I The Abbot of Inisfalen Awoke ere dawn of day; Under the dewy green leaves Went he forth to pray. The lake around his island Lay smooth and dark and deep, And, wrapt in a misty stillness, The mountains were all asleep. Low kneel'd the Abbot Cormac, ,When the dawn was dim and gray; The Abbot of Inisfalen 319 The prayers of his holy office He faithfully 'gan say. Low kneel'd the Abbot Cormac, When the dawn was waxing red, And for his sins' forgiveness A solemn prayer he said. Low kneel'd that holy Abbot When the dawn was waxing clear; And he pray'd with loving-kindness For his convent brethren dear. Low kneel'd that blessed Abbot, When the dawn was waxing bright; He pray'd a great prayer for Ireland, He pray'd with all his might. Low kneel'd that good old father. While the sun began to dart; He pray'd a prayer for all mankind, He pray'd it from his heart. II The Abbot of Inisfalen Arose upon his feet; He heard a small bird singing, And, oh, but it sung sweet! 320 Sacred Stories and Legends i '^ He heard a white bird singing well i Within a holly-tree; A song so sweet and happy Never before heard he. It sung upon a hazel, It sung upon a thorn; He had never heard such music Since the hour that he was born. It sung upon a sycamore, It sung upon a briar; To follow the song and hearken This Abbot could never tire. Till at last he well bethought him He might no longer stay; So he bless'd the little white singing-bird, And gladly went his way. Ill But when he came to his Abbey walls, He found a wondrous change; He saw no friendly faces there. For every face was strange. The strangers spoke unto him; And he heard from all and each The Abbot of Inisfalen 321 The foreign tone of the Sassenach, Not wholesome Irish speech. Then the oldest monk came forward, In Irish tongue spake he: "Thou wearest the holy Augustine's dress, And who hath given it to thee?" "I wear the holy Augustine's dress. And Cormac is my name, The Abbot of this good Abbey By grace of God I am. "I went forth to pray, at the dawn of day; And when my prayers were said, I hearkened awhile to a little bird That sung above my head." The monks to him made answer, '*Two hundred years have gone o'er, Since our Abbot Cormac went through the gate. And never was heard of more. *' Matthias now is our Abbot, And twenty have passed away. The stranger is lord of Ireland; We live in an evil day." 3 322 Sacred Stories and Legends IV I "Now give me absolution; ' For my time is come/' said he. And they gave him absolution j As speedily as might be. . Then, close outside the window, ; The sweetest song they heard That ever yet since the world began Was uttered by any bird. The monks looked out and saw the bird, ] Its feathers all white and clean; 1 And there in a moment, beside it, \ Another white bird was seen. 1 Those two they sang together, i Waved their white wings, and fled; Flew aloft, and vanished; ^ But the good old man was dead. \ They buried his blessed body ' Where lake and greensward meet; ' A carven cross above his head, j A holly-bush at his feet; : Where spreads the beautiful water ] To gay or cloudy skies, • And the purple peaks of Killarney ■ From ancient woods arise. William Allingham. ; The Monk of Heisterbach 323 THE MONK OF HEISTERBACH In cloister Heisterbach a youthful monk Went sauntering through the garden's far- thest ground, Reading God's Holy Word in silence, sunk In musing on eternity profound. He reads, and hears the Apostle Peter say: "One day is with the Lord a thousand years, A thousand years with him are but a day," — But, in his maze of doubt, no clew appears. He heeds not, lost in thought, the flight of time. And deeper in the wood is lost his track. Until the bell, with holy vesper chime. To serious cloister-duties calls him back. He reaches with swift steps the gate; the hand Of an unknown one answers now the bell; He starts — but sees the church all lighted stand. And hears the friars the holy chorus swell. Then, entering, to his seat he straightway goes, But strange to tell, he finds it occupied; He looks -upon the monks in their long rows. He sees all strangers, there, on every side. 324 Sacred Stories and Legends The staring one is stared at all around, They ask his name, and why he there appears; He tells, — low murmurs through the chapel sound ! "None such has lived here these three hun- dred years. "The last who bore the name," out spake the crowd, "A doubter was, and disappeared one day; None, since, to take that name has been allowed" — He hears the word, and shudders with dismay. He names the abbot now, and names the year: They call for the old cloister-book, and lo! A mighty miracle of God is clear: 'T is he was lost three hundred years ago! The terror palsies him, — his hair'grows gray, — A deathly paleness settles on his face, — He sinks, — while breath enough is left to say: "God is exalted over time and space! "What he had hid, a miracle now clears; Think of my fate, believe, adore, obey! I know: a day is as a thousand years With God, a thousand years are as a day!" From the German of Karl Wilhelm Milller. Translated by C. T. Brooks. A Legend of Toledo 325 A LEGEND OF TOLEDO Far down below the Christian captives pine In dungeon depths, and whoso dares to bring Assuagements for their wounds, or food, or wine. Must brave the fiercest vengeance of the King. Richly is spread above the royal board, The palace windows blaze with festal light, And many a lady, many a Moorish lord, The morning's triumph celebrate at night. But could they all without remorse or fear Feast, as though on earth were to be found No hunger to appease, no want to cheer, No dark and hopeless places underground? Neither of knight nor captain Is it told That he was shamed at heart to do this thing; One only was there, pitiful and bold — A maiden, daughter of this impious King. Three times the beauteous messenger of grace She, passing to the dungeon from the hall. 326 Sacred Stories and Legends Shone like an angel in that gloomy place, And brought relief to some, and hope to all. But envious eyes were on her, and her sire, Upon her way, encountering unawares Her passing thither the fourth time, in ire Bids show what hidden in her lap she bears. Thus, willing to condemn her in the sight Of all, he spake: she tremblingly obeyed. When, if old legends speak the truth aright, Flowers filled her lap, — those only it dis- played : Roses and pinks and lilies there were found. Marvel to her and them who saw the same; All sweetest flowers that grow from earthly ground. But nothing that might bring rebuke or blame. Whate'er is sown in love — the lowliest deed — Shall bloom and be a flower in Paradise; Yet springs not often from that precious seed Harvest so prompt as this before our eyes. But afterward how rescued from the court. And from a faith which cannot save or bless. To far-off hermitage she made resort, A saintly dweller in the wilderness, A Legend of Toledo 327 Her story, pictured on a cloister wall In old Toledo, gives us not to know: This only there appears, and this is all We need to ask, whether of weal or woe — That unto her who was In mercy bold, Was given the knowledge of a faith divine; For there in death we see her, and her hold Is on the Cross, salvation's blessed sign. Richard Chenevix Trench. KING SOLOMON AND THE BEES A Tale of the Talmud When Solomon was reigning in his glory. Unto his throne the Queen of Sheba came (So in the Talmud you may read the story) Drawn by the magic of the monarch's fame. To see the splendors of his court, and bring Some fitting tribute to the mighty King. Nor this alone: much had her Highness heard What flowers of learning graced the royal speech; What gems of wisdom dropped with every word ; What wholesome lessons he was wont to teach 328 Sacred Stories and Legends In pleasing proverbs; and she wished, in sooth, To know if Rumor spoke the simple truth. Besides, the Queen had heard (which piqued her most) How through the deepest riddles he could spy; How all the curious arts that women boast Were quite transparent to his piercing eye; And so the Queen had come — a royal guest — To put the sage's cunning to the test. And straight she held before the monarch's view, In either hand, a radiant wreath of flowers; The one, bedecked with every charming hue, Was newly culled from Nature's choicest bowers ; The other, no less fair in every part. Was the rare product of divinest Art. "Which is the true, and which the false?" she said. Great Solomon was silent. All-amazed, Each wondering courtier shook his puzzled head; While at the garlands long the monarch gazed. King Solomon and the Bees 329 As one who sees a miracle, and fain For very rapture, ne'er would speak again. "Which is the true?" once more the woman asked, Pleased at the fond amazement of the King, "So wise a head should not be hardly tasked. Most learned Liege, with such a trivial thing!" But still the sage was silent; it was plain A deepening doubt perplexed the royal brain. While thus he pondered, presently he sees. Hard by the casement — so the story goes — A little band of busy, bustling bees. Hunting for honey in a withered rose. The monarch smiled, and raised his royal head; "Open the window!" — that was all he said. The window opened at the King's command ; - Within the room the eager insects flew, And sought the flowers in Sheba's dexter hand 1 And so the King and all the courtiers knew That wreath was Nature's; and the baffled Queen Returned to tell the wonders she had seen. {Condensed.) John G. Saxe. 330 Sacred Stories and Legends BISMILLAH Forth from his tent the patriarch Abraham stept, And lengthening shadows slowly past him crept. For many days he scarce had broke his fast, Lest some poor wanderer should come at last, And, scanty comfort finding, go his way, In doubt of God's great mercy day by day. But deep contentment in his calm eyes shone When he beheld, afar, a pilgrim lone, Fare slowly toward him from the flaming west, With weary steps betokening need of rest. When that he came anear, straightway was seen An aged man of grave and reverend mien. "Guest of mine eyes, here let thy footsteps halt," The patriarch said, " and share my bread and salt." Then calling to his kinsfolk, soon the board Was laden richly with the patriarch's hoard. BiSMILLAH 331 And when around the fair repast they drew, " Bismillah 1 " 1 said they all with reverence due ; Save only he for whom the feast was spread; He bowed him gravely, but no word he said. Then Abraham thus: "O Guest, is it not meet To utter God's great name ere thou dost eat? " The pilgrim answered, courteous but calm, "Good friend, of those who worship fire I am." Then Abraham rose, his brow with anger bent And drove the aged Gheber from his tent. That instant, swifter than a flashing sword, Appeared and spake an Angel of the Lord. In shining splendor wrapt, the bright one said: "An hundred years upon this aged head "God's mercy hath been lavished from on high, In life and sun and rain. Dost thou deny "What God withholds not from the meanest clod?" The patriarch bowed in meekness. Great is God!' David L. Proudfitt. 1 " In the name of God." 332 Sacred Stories and Legends ABOU BEN ADHEM AND THE ANGEL Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!) Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace, And saw, within the moonlight in his room, Making it rich, and Uke a lily in bloom, An Angel, writing in a book of gold : — Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold. And to the Presence in the room he said: "What writest thou?" — The Vision raised its head. And, with a look made of all sweet accord. Answered: "The names of those who love the Lord." "And is mine one?" said Abou. "Nay, not so," Replied the Angel. Abou spoke more low, But cheerily still, and said : " I pray thee, then, Write me as one that loves his fellow men." The Angel wrote, and vanished. The next night It came again with a great wakening light. And showed the names whom love of God had blessed. And, lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest. Leigh IIunL The Burial of Moses 333 THE BURIAL OF MOSES I 1 "And He buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Beth-peor: but no man knoweth of his sepul- I chre unto this day." — Deut. xxxiv, 6. J i By Nebo's lonely mountain, i On this side Jordan's wave, In a vale in the land of Moab, j There lies a lonely grave. ; And no man knows that sepulchre, j And no man saw it e'er, I For the angels of God upturn'd the sod. And laid the dead man there. ^ I That was the grandest funeral ' That ever passed on earth; i But no man heard the trampling, i Or saw the train go forth, — j Noiselessly as the daylight j Comes back when night is done, I And the crimson streak on ocean's cheek Grows into the great sun; — ] Noiselessly as the spring-time Her crown of verdure weaves, And all the trees on all the hills, Open their thousand leaves; So without sound of music. Or voice of them that wept, \ 334 Sacred Stories and Legends Silently down from the mountain's crown, The great procession swept. i Perchance the bald old eagle On grey Beth-peor's height, Out of his lonely eyrie, Look'd on the wondrous sight; I Perchance the lion stalking j Still shuns that hallow'd spot; For beast and bird have seen and heard That which man knoweth not. .\ But when the warrior dieth, j His comrades in the war. With arms reversed and muffled drum, '. Follow his funeral car; < They show the banners taken, They tell his battles won. And after him lead his masterless steed, While peals the minute-gun. Amid the noblest of the land We lay the sage to rest. And give the bard an honoured place. With costly marble drest. In the great minster transept Where lights like glories fall. And the organ rings, and the sweet choir sings Along the emblazoned wall. The Burial of Moses 335 This was the truest warrior That ever buckled sword; This the most gifted poet That ever breathed a word; And never earth's philosopher Traced with his golden pen, On the deathless page, truths half so sage ^ As he wrote down for men. And had he not high honour — The hill-side for a pall, To lie in state, while angels wait With stars for tapers tall. And the dark rock-pines, like tossing plumes, Over his bier to wave, And God's own hand in that lonely land To lay him in the grave? In that strange grave without a name. Whence his uncofhn'd clay Shall break again, O wondrous thought! Before the Judgment Day, And stand with glory wrapt around On the hills he never trod, And speak of the strife, that won our life, With the Incarnate Son of God. O lonely grave in Moab's land! O dark Beth-peor's hill! 33^ Sacred Stories and Legends Speak to these curious hearts of ours, And teach them to be still. God hath his mysteries of grace, Ways that we cannot tell; He hides them deep, like the hidden sleep Of him he loved so well. Cecil Frances Alexander. THE MIGHTY THREE Watchfires are blazing on hill and plain; The noonday light is restored again; There are shining arms in Raphaim's vale, And bright is the glitter of clanging mail. The Philistine hath fixed his encampment here; Afar stretch his lines of banner and spear, And his chariots of brass are ranged side by side. And his war steeds neigh loud in their trap- pings of pride. His tents are placed where the waters flow; The sun hath dried up the springs below, Arid Israel hath neither well nor pool. The rage of her soldier's thirst to cool. The Mighty Three 337 In the cave of AduUam King David lies, Overcome with the glare of the burning skies; And his lip is parched and his tongue is dry, But none can the grateful draught supply. Though a crowned king, in that painful hour One flowing cup might have bought his power. What worth, m the fire of thirst, could be The purple pomp of his sovereignty? But no cooling cup from river or spring To relieve his want can his servants bring; . And he cries: "Are there none in my train or state Will fetch me the water of Bethlehem gate?" Then three of his warriors, the ''Mighty Three," The boast of the monarch's chivalry, Uprose in their strength, and their bucklers rang. As with eyes of flame on their steeds they sprang. On their steeds they sprang, and with spurs of speed Rushed forth in the strength of a noble deed. And dashed on the foe like the torrent flood, Till he floated away in a tide of blood. 338 Sacred Stories and Legends To the right — to the left — where their blue swords shine, Like autumn corn falls the Philistine; And sweeping along with the vengeance of fate, The '^mighty" rush onward to Bethlehem gate. Through a bloody gap in the shattered array, To Bethlehem's gate they have hewn their way; Then backward they turn on the corse-covered plain, And charge through the foe to their monarch again. The King looks at the cup, but the crystal draught At a price too high for his want hath been bought; They urge him to drink, but he wets not his lip Though great is his need, he refuses to sip. But he pours it forth to Heaven's Majesty, He pours it forth to the Lord of the sky; 'T is a draught of death — 't is a cup blood- stained — 'T is a prize from man's suffering and agony gained. The Vision of Belshazzar 339 Should he taste of a cup that his ** Mighty- Three" Had obtained by their peril and jeopardy? Should he drink of their life? 'T was the thought of a King; And again he returned to his suffering. Anonymous. THE VISION OF BELSHAZZAR The King was on his throne, The Satraps thronged the hall; A thousand bright lamps shone O'er that high festival. A thousand cups of gold, In Judah deemed divine — Jehovah's vessels hold The godless Heathen's wine. In that same hour and hall. The fingers of a hand Came forth against the wall. And wrote as if on sand: The fingers of a man — A solitary hand Along the letters ran, And traced them like a wand. 340 Sacred Stories and Legends The monarch saw, and shook, And bade no more rejoice; All bloodless waxed his look, And tremulous his voice. "Let the men of lore appear, The wisest of the earth, And expound the words of fear. Which mar our royal mirth." Chaldea's seers are good. But here they have no skill; And the unknown letters stood Untold and awful still. And Babel's men of age Are wise and deep in lore; But now they were not sage, They saw — but knew no more. A captive in the land, A stranger and a youth. He heard the King's command. He saw that writing's truth. The lamps around were bright. The prophecy in view; He read it on that night — The morrow proved it true. "Belshazzar's grave Is made. His kingdom passed away. The Destruction of Sennacherib 341 He, in the balance weighed, Is light and worthless clay; The shroud, his robe of state, His canopy the stone; The Mede is at his gate! The Persian on his throne!" George Gordon, Lord Byron. THE DESTRUCTION OF SENNACHERIB The Assyrian came down like the wolf on the fold, And his cohorts were gleaming In purple and gold ; And the sheen of their spears was like stars on the sea. When the blue wave rolls nightly on deep Galilee. Like the leaves of the forest when Summer is green, That host with their banners at sunset were seen: Like the leaves of the forest when Autumn hath blown, That host on the morrow lay withered and strown. 342 Sacred Stories and Legends For the Angel of Death spread his wings on the blast, And breathed in the face of the foe as he passed; And the eyes of the sleepers waxed deadly and chill, And their hearts but once heaved, and forever grew stilU And there lay the steed with his nostril all wide. But through it there rolled not the breath of his pride; And the foam of his gasping lay white on the turf, And cold as the spray of the rock-beating surf. And there lay the rider distorted and pale, With the dew on his brow, and the rust on his mail; And the tents were all silent, the banners alone. The lances unlifted, the trumpet unblown. And the widows of Ashur are loud in their wail. And the idols are broke in the temple of Baal! The Rabbi and the Prince 343 And the might of the Gentile, unsmote by the sword, Hath melted like snow in the glance of the Lord. George Gordon^ Lord Byron. THE RABBI AND THE PRINCE A MONARCH sat, in serious thought, alone, But little recked he of his robe and throne, Naught valuing the glory of control, He sought to solve the future of his soul. "Why should I bow the proud, imperious knee To mighty powers no mortal eye can see?" So mused he long, and turned this question o'er; Then, with impatient tread, he paced the floor 'Till maddened by conflicting trains of thought, And speculations vague which came to naught, With feverish haste he clutched a tasseled cord, As desperate hands in battle clutch a sword. *' Summon Jehoshua," the monarch cried; The white-haired Rabbi soon was at his side. "I bow no more to powers I cannot see. Thy faith and learning shall be naught to me, 344 Sacred Stories and Legends Unless, before the setting of the sun, Mine eyes behold the Uncreated One!" The Rabbi led him to the open air. The oriental sun, with furious glare, Sent down its rays, like beams of molten gold. The aged teacher, pointing, said: "Behold." *'I cannot," said the prince. "My dazzled eyes Refuse their service, turned upon the skies." "Son of the dust," the Rabbi gently said. And bowed with reverence his hoary head, "This one creation thine eyes cannot be- hold. Though by thy lofty state and pride made bold. How canst thou, then, behold the God of Light, Before whose face these sunbeams are as night .^ Thine eyes, before this trifling labor fall, Canst gaze on Him, who hath created all? Son of the dust, repentance can atone; Return and worship God, Who rules alone." James Clarence Harvey. King Robert of Sicily 345 KING ROBERT OF SICILY Robert of Sicily, brother of Pope Urbane And Valmond, Emperor of Allemaine, Apparelled in magnificent attire, With retinue of many a knight and squire, On St. John's eve, at vespers, proudly sat And heard the priests chant the Magnificat. And as he listened, o'er and o'er again Repeated, like a burden or refrain. He caught the words, " Deposuit potentes De sede, et exaltavit humiles'\' And slowly lifting up his kingly head He to a learned clerk beside him said: *'What mean these words .f"' The clerk made answer meet: "He has put down the mighty from their seat, And has exalted them of low degree." Thereat King Robert muttered scornfully : *"T is well that such seditious words are sung Only by priests and in the Latin tongue; For unto priests and people be it known, There is no power can push me from my throne!" And leaning back, he yawned and fell asleep, Lulled by the chant monotonous and deep. When he awoke, it was already night; The church was empty, and there was no light, 346 Sacred Stories and Legends Save where the lamps, that glimmered few and faint, Lighted a little space before some saint. He started from his seat and gazed around, But saw no living thing and heard no sound. He groped towards the door, but it was locked ; He cried aloud, and listened, and then knocked. And uttered awful threatenings and com- plaints, And imprecations upon men and saints. The sounds reechoed from the roof and walls As if dead priests were laughing in their stalls. At length the sexton, hearing from without The tumult of the knocking and the shout, And thinking thieves were in the house of prayer. Came with his lantern, asking, " Who is there ?" Half choked with rage. King Robert fiercely- said: "Open: 't is I, the King! Art thou afraid.?" The frightened sexton, muttering, with a curse, "This is some drunken vagabond, or worse!" Turned the great key and flung the portal wide; A man rushed by him at a single stride, Haggard, half naked, without hat or cloak, King Robert of Sicily 347 Who neither turned, nor looked at him, nor spoke, But leaped into the blackness of the night, And vanished like a spectre from his sight. Robert of Sicily, brother of Pope Urbane And Valmond, Emperor of AUemaine, Despoiled of his magnificent attire, Bareheaded, breathless, and besprent with mire. With sense of wrong and outrage desperate, Strode on and thundered at the palace gate; Rushed through the courtyard, thrusting in his rage To right and left each seneschal and page, And hurried up the broad and sounding stair, His white face ghastly in the torches' glare. From hall to hall he passed with breathless speed; Voices and cries he heard, but did not heed, Until at last he reached the banquet-room, Blazing with light, and breathing with per- fume. There on the dais sat another king. Wearing his robes, his crown, his signet-ring. King Robert's self in features, form, and height, But all transfigured with angelic light! 348 Sacred Stories and Legends It was an Angel; and his presence there With a divine effulgence filled the air, An exaltation, piercing the disguise. Though none the hidden Angel recognize. A moment speechless, motionless, amazed, The throneless monarch on the Angel gazed, Who met his look of anger and surprise With the divine compassion of his eyes; Then said: "Who art thou? and why com'st thou here?" To which King Robert answered with a sneer: "I am the King, and come to claim my own From an impostor, who usurps my throne!" And suddenly, at these audacious words. Up sprang the angry guests, and drew their swords; The Angel answered, with unruffled brow: " Nay, not the King, but the King's Jester, thou Henceforth shaft wear the bells and scalloped cape. And for thy counsellor shalt lead an ape; Thou shalt obey my servants when they call, And wait upon my henchmen in the halU" Deaf to King Robert's threats and cries and prayers. They thrust him from the hall and down the stairs; King Robert of Sicily 349 A group of tittering pages ran before, And as they opened wide the folding-door, His heart failed, for he heard, with strange alarms. The boisterous laughter of the men-at-arms, And all the vaulted chamber roar and ring With the mock plaudits of "Long live the King!" Next morning, waking with the day's first beam. He said within himself: "It was a dream!" But the straw rustled as he turned his head, There were the cap and bells beside his bed, Around him rose the bare, discolored walls. Close by, the steeds were champing in their stalls. And in the corner, a revolting shape. Shivering and chattering sat the wretched ape. It was no dream; the world he loved so much Had turned to dust and ashes at his touch! Days came and went; and now returned again To Sicily the old Saturnian reign; Under the Angel's governance benign The happy island danced with corn and wine, And deep within the mountain's burning breast Enceladus, the giant, was at rest. 350 Sacred Stories and Legends Meanwhile King Robert yielded to his fate, Sullen and silent and disconsolate. Dressed in the motley garb that Jesters wear, With look bewildered and a vacant stare. Close shaven above the ears, as monks are shorn. By courtiers mocked, by pages laughed to scorn. His only friend the ape, his only food What others left, — he still was unsubdued. And when the Angel met him on his way, And half in earnest, half in jest, would say, Sternly, though tenderly, that he might feel The velvet scabbard held a sword of steel: "Art thou the King?" the passion of his woe Burst from him in resistless overflow. And, lifting high his forehead, he would fling The haughty answer back: "I am, I am the King!" Almost three years were ended; when there came Ambassadors of great repute and name From Valmond, Emperor of AUemaine, Unto King Robert, saying that Pope Urbane By letter summoned them forthwith to come On Holy Thursday to his city of Rome. The Angel with great joy received his guests. And gave them presents of embroidered vests, King Robert of Sicily 351 And velvet mantles with rich ermine lined, And rings and jewels of the rarest kind. Then he departed with them o'er the sea Into the lovely land of Italy, Whose loveliness was more resplendent made By the mere passing of that cavalcade, With plumes, and cloaks, and housings, and the stir Of jewelled bridle and of golden spur. And lo! among the menials, in mock state. Upon a piebald steed, with shambling gait, His cloak of fox-tails flapping in the wind, The solemn ape demurely perched behind. King Robert rode, making huge merriment In all the country towns through which they went. The Pope received them with great pomp and blare Of bannered trumpets, on Saint Peter's square. Giving his benediction and embrace. Fervent, and full of apostolic grace. While with congratulations and with prayers He entertained the Angel unawares, Robert, the Jester,bursting through the crowd, Into their presence rushed, and cried aloud: "I am the King! Look, and behold in me Robert, your brother, King of Sicily! This man, who wears my semblance to your eyes, 352 Sacred Stories and Legends Is an Impostor in a king's disguise. Do you not know me? does no voice within Answer my cry, and say we are akin?" The Pope In silence, but with troubled mien. Gazed at the Angel's countenance serene; The Emperor, laughing, said: *'It is strange sport To keep a madman for thy Fool at court!" And the poor, baffled Jester in disgrace Was hustled back among the populace. In solemn state the Holy Week went by, And Easter Sunday gleamed upon the sky; The presence of the Angel, with its light. Before the sun rose, made the city bright. And with new fervor filled the hearts of men, Who felt that Christ indeed had risen again. Even the Jester, on his bed of straw, With haggard eyes the unwonted splendor saw. He felt within a power unfelt before. And, kneeling humbly on his chamber floor. He heard the rushing garments of the Lord Sweep through the silent air, ascending heav- enward. And now the visit ending, and once more Valmond returning to the Danube's shore. Homeward the Angel journeyed, and again King Robert of Sicily 353 The land was made resplendent with his train, Flashing along the towns of Italy Unto Salerno, and from thence by sea. And when once more within Palermo's wall,- And, seated on the throne in his great hall. He heard the Angelus from convent towers, As if the better world conversed with ours. He beckoned to King Robert to draw nigher, And with a gesture bade the rest retire; And when they were alone, the Angel said: ''Art thou the King ? " Then, bowing down his head. King Robert crossed both hands upon his breast, And meekly answered him: ''Thou knowest best! My sins as scarlet are; let me go hence, And in some cloister's school of penitence. Across those stones, that pave the way to heaven, Walk barefoot, till my guilty soul be shriven!" The Angel smiled, and from his radiant face A holy light illumined all the place. And through the open window, loud and clear, They heard the monks chant in the chapel near, Above the stir and tumult of the street: "He has put down the mighty from their seat, 354 Sacred Stories and Legends And has exalted them of low degree!" And through the chant a second melody Rose like the throbbing of a single string: ^*I am an Angel, and thou art the King!" King Robert, who was standing near the throne. Lifted his eyes, and lo! he was alone! But all apparelled as in days of old, With ermined mantle and with cloth of gold; And when his courtiers came, they found him there Kneeling upon the floor, absorbed in silent prayer. Henry JVadsworth Longfellow. FRIAR JEROME'S BEAUTIFUL BOOK (A.D. 1200) The Friar Jerome, for some slight sin, Done in his youth, was struck with woe. "When I am dead," quoth Friar Jerome, "Surely, I think my soul will go Shuddering through the darkened spheres, Down to eternal fires below! I shall not dare from that dread place To lift mine eyes to Jesus' face, Nor Mary's, as she sits adored Friar Jerome's Beautiful Book 355 At the feet of Christ the Lord. Alas! December 's all too brief For me to hope to wipe away The memory of my sinful May!" And Friar Jerome was full of grief, That April evening, as he lay On the straw pallet in his cell. He scarcely heard the curfew-bell Calling the brotherhood to prayer; But he arose, for 't was his care Nightly to feed the hungry poor That crowded to the Convent door. His choicest duty it had been: But this one night it weighed him down. "What work for an immortal soul. To feed and clothe some lazy clown! Is there no action worth my mood, No deed of daring, high and pure, That shall, when I am dead, endure, A well-spring of perpetual good.^" And straight he thought of those great tomes With clamps of gold, — the Convent's boast, — How they endured, while kings and realms Past into darkness and were lost; How they had stood from age to age. Clad in their yellow vellum-mail, 35^ Sacred Stories and Legends 'Gainst which the Paynim's godless rage, The Vandal's fire, could naught avail: Though heathen sword-blows fell like hail, Though cities ran with Christian blood. Imperishable they had stood! They did not seem like books to him, But Heroes, Martyrs, Saints, — themselves The things they told of, not mere books Ranged grimly on the oaken shelves. To those dim alcoves, far withdrawn. He turned with measured steps and slow, Trimming his lantern as he went; And there, among the shadows, bent Above one ponderous folio, With whose miraculous text were blent Seraphic faces : Angels, crowned With rings of melting amethyst; Mute, patient Martyrs, cruelly bound To blazing fagots; here and there, Some bold, serene Evangelist, Or Mary in her sunny hair: And here and there from out the words A brilliant tropic bird took flight; And through the margins many a vine Went wandering, — roses, red and white, Tulip, wind-flower, and columbine Blossomed. To his believing mind These things were real, and the wind. Friar Jerome's Beautiful Book 357 Blown through the mullioned window, took ! Scent from the lilies in the book. j ^ "Santa Maria!" cried Friar Jerome, j "Whatever man illumined this, j Though he were steeped heart-deep in sin, j Was worthy of unending bliss, I And no doubt hath it! Ah! dear Lord, j Might I so beautify Thy Word ! i What sacristan, the convents through, j Transcribes with such precision? who ; Does such initials as I do? Lo! I will gird me to this work. And save me, ere the one chance slips. On smooth, clean parchment Pll engross The Prophet's fell Apocalypse; And as I write from day to day. Perchance my sins will pass away." So Friar Jerome began his Book. From break of dawn till curfew-chime He bent above the lengthening page. Like some rapt poet o'er his rhyme. He scarcely paused to tell his beads. Except at night; and then he lay And tost, unrestful, on the straw. Impatient for the coming day, — Working like one who feels, perchance, That, ere the longed-for goal be won, 358 Sacred Stories and Legends Ere beauty bare her perfect breast, Black Death may pluck him from the sun. At intervals the busy brook, Turning the mill-wheel, caught his ear; And through the grating of the cell He saw the honeysuckles peer; And knew 't was summer, that the sheep In fragrant pastures lay asleep; And felt, that, somehow, God was near. In his green pulpit on the elm. The robin, abbot of that wood, Held forth by times ; and Friar Jerome Listened, and smiled, and understood. While summer wrapt the blissful land, What joy it was to labor so, To see the long-tressed Angels grow Beneath the cunning of his hand. Vignette and tail-piece deftly wrought! And little recked he of the poor That missed him at the Convent door; Or, thinking of them, put the thought Aside. "I feed the souls of men Henceforth, and not their bodies!" — yet Their sharp, pinched features, now and then, Stole in between him and his Book, And filled him with a vague regret. Now on that region fell a blight: The corn grew cankered in its sheath; Friar Jerome's Beautiful Book 359 And from the verdurous uplands rolled A sultry vapor fraught with death, — A poisonous mist, that, like a pall, Hung black and stagnant over all. Then came the sickness, — the malign Green-spotted terror, called the Pest, That took the light from loving eyes, And made the young bride's gentle breast A fatal pillow. Ah ! the woe. The crime, the madness that befell! In one short night that vale became More foul than Dante's inmost hell. Men curst their wives; and mothers left Their nursing babes alone to die. And wantoned, singing, through the streets, With shameless brow and frenzied eye; And senseless clowns, not fearing God, — Such power the spotted fever had, — Razed Cragwood Castle on the hill. Pillaged the wine-bins, and went mad. And evermore that dreadful pall Of mist hung stagnant over all: By day, a sickly light broke through The heated fog, on town and field; By night the moon, in anger, turned Against the earth its mottled shield. Then from the Convent, two and two, The Prior chanting at their head, 360 Sacred Stories and Legends The monks went forth to shrive the sick, And give the hungry grave its dead, — Only Jerome, he went not forth. But hiding in his dusty nook, "Let come what will, I must illume The last ten pages of my Book!" He drew his stool before the desk, And sat him down, distraught and wan, To paint his darling masterpiece, The stately figure of Saint John. He sketched the head with pious care, Laid in the tint, when, powers of Grace! He found a grinning Death's-head there. And not the grand Apostle's face! Then up he rose with one long cry: T is Satan's self does this," cried he. Because I shut and barred my heart When Thou didst loudest call to me! Lord, Thou know'st the thoughts of men, Thou know'st that I did yearn to make Thy Word more lovely to the eyes Of sinful souls, for Christ his sake! Nathless, I leave the task undone: 1 give up all to follow Thee, — Even like him who gave his nets To winds and waves by Galilee!" Which said, he closed the precious Book In silence with a reverent hand; Friar Jerome's Beautiful Book 361 And, drawing his cowl about his face, Went forth into the Stricken Land. And there was joy in heaven that day, — More joy o'er this forlorn old friar Than over fifty sinless men Who never struggled with desire! What deeds he did in that dark town. What hearts he soothed with anguish torn. What weary ways of woe he trod, Are written in the Book of God, And shall be read at Judgment Morn. The weeks crept on, when, one still day, God's awful presence filled the sky. And that black vapor floated by. And, lo! the sickness past away. With silvery clang, by thorpe and town, The bells made merry in their spires. Men kissed each other on the street, And music piped to dancing feet The livelong night, by roaring fires ! Then Friar Jerome, a wasted shape, — For he had taken the Plague at last, — Rose up, and through the happy town. And through the wintry woodlands, past Into the Convent. What a gloom Sat brooding in each desolate room! What silence in the corridor! 362 Sacred Stories and Legends For of that long, innumerous train Which issued forth a month before, Scarce twenty had come back again ! Counting his rosary step by step. With a forlorn and vacant air. Like some unshriven churchyard thing. The Friar crawled up the mouldy stair To his damp cell, that he might look Once more on his beloved Book. And there it lay upon the stand, Open ! — he had not left it so. I He grasped it, with a cry; for, lo! | He saw that some angelic hand, ; While he was gone, had finished it! I There 't was complete, as he had planned! I There, at the end, stood FINIS, writ ; And gilded as no man could do, — ; Not even that pious anchoret, ' Bilfrid, the wonderful, — nor yet I The miniatore Ethelwold, — \ Nor Durham's Bishop, who of old | (England still hoards the priceless leaves) ' Did the Four Gospels all in gold. ; And Friar Jerome nor spoke nor stirred, i But, with his eyes fixed on that word, I He past from sin and want and scorn; j And suddenly the chapel bells j Rang in the holy Christmas -Morn! ; Friar Jerome's Beautiful Book 363 In those wild wars which racked the land Since then, and kingdoms rent in twain, The Friar's Beautiful Book was lost, — That miracle of hand and brain: Yet, though its leaves were torn and tost, The volume was not writ in vain ! Thomas Bailey Aldrich. INDEXES SUBJECT INDEX Affection. Knight's Toast, 66; Goblin Market, ill; Richest Prince, 242; Napoleon and the English Sailor Boy, 246. American History Stories. Fountain of Youth, 270; Qui- vira, 274; Pocahontas, 279; First Thanksgiving Day, 281; Rodney's Ride, 283; Paul Revere's Ride, 286; Reuben James, 292. American Indians. White-Footed Deer, 23; Quivira, 274; Pocahontas, 279; First Thanksgiving Day, 281. Animal Friends. Story for a Child, 13; Sparrows, 15; White- Footed Deer, 23; Bell of Atri, 50; Two Church-Builders, 77; Beth-Gelert, 214; Emperor's Bird's-Nest, 237; St. Francis* Sermon to the Birds, 317. Ants. Ant and the Cricket, 3. Arbor Day, see Trees and Arbor Day. Bees. King Solomon and the Bees, 327. Birds and Bird Day. Sparrows, 15; Owl and the Pussy-Cat, 163 ; Donkey and the Mocking-Bird, 164; Babes in the Wood, 207; Parrot, 213; Emperor's Bird's-Nest, 237; King Edwin's Feast, 254; Legend of Easter Eggs, 310; St. Francis' Sermon to the Birds, 317; Abbot of Inisfalen; 318. Blacksmiths. Tubal Cain, 55. Boasting. Gourd and the Palm, 41. Charity. Good Man of Alloa, 30; Woodman and the Sandal Tree, 49; Two Church-Builders, 77; Sir Launfal and the Leper, 79; Fairy Boy, 93; Good King Wenceslas, 313; Brother Hubert, 314; Legend of Toledo, 325; Abou Ben Adhem, 332; Friar Jerome's Beautiful Book, 354. Chivalry, see Knights and Ladies. Christmas. Sparrows, 15; Three Kings of Cologne, 297; Babouscka, 298; Parable of St. Christopher, 301; Good King Wenceslas, 313; Brother Hubert, 314. Constancy. Brown Dwarf of Riigen, 125. 368 Subject Index Contention. The NIbelungen Treasure, 239. Cooperation. Elm and the Vine, 40. Courage and Heroism. Brier-Rose, 58; Opportunity, 71; Jaffar, 73; Worme of Lambton, 132; St. George and the Dragon, 146; Leak in the Dike, 231; Napoleon and the English Sailor Boy, 246; Incident of the French Camp, 249; King Alfred the Harper, 257; Quivira, 274; Reuben James, 292; Mighty Three, 336. Crickets. Ant and the Cricket, 3. Cruelty. Bishop Hatto, 20; White-Footed Deer, 23; Inchcape Rock, 27; Babes in the Wood, 207. Dogs. Beth-Gelert, 214. Dragons. Worme of Lambton, 132; St. George and the Dragon, 146. Dwarfs and Goblins. Goblin Market, 11 1; Brown Dwarf of Riigen, 125. Easter. Legend of Easter Eggs, 310. Emulation. Richest Prince, 242. English History Stories. King and the Miller of Mansfield, 189; King John and the Abbot of Canterbury, 196; King Canute, 251; King Edwin's Feast, 254; King Alfred the Harper, 257; Taillefer the Minstrel, 263; Relief of Lucknow, 267. Eternity. King Edwin's Feast, 254; Monk of Heisterbach,- 323- Fairies, Good Man of Alloa, 30; Fairies of the Caldon-Low, 85; Fairy Folk, 89; Fairy Queen, 91; Fairy Boy, 93. Faith. Captain's Daughter, 218; Alec Yeaton's Son, 219; Monk of Heisterbach, 323; Rabbi and the Prince, 343. Faithfulness. Beth-Gelert, 214. Flag Day, see Memorial and Flag Days. Flattery. King Canute, 251. Forgiveness. Yussouf, 72; Harmosan, 75. Friendship. Elm and the Vine, 40; Jaffar, 73. Generosity, see Charity and Noble-Mindedness. Giants. Toy of the Giant's Child, 10; Dorchester Giant, 83; Parable of St. Christopher, 301. Subject Index 369 God, Reverence Towards. Bismillah, 330; Rabbi and the Prince, 343. Gratitude. Jaffar, 73; Fairy Boy, 93. Happiness and Contentment. Old Man Who Lived in a Wood, 165; Enchanted Shirt, 167; Richest Prince, 242. Hastiness. Beth-gelert, 214. Hebrew Stories. King Solomon and the Bees, 327; Bismillah, 330; Burial of Moses, 333; Mighty Three, 336; Vision of Belshazzar, 339; Destruction of Sennacherib, 341. Heroism, see Courage and Heroism. Horses and Famous Rides. Bell of Atri, 50; Two Church- Builders, 77; John Gilpin, 171; Rodney's Ride, 283; Paul Revere's Ride, 286. Hospitality. Yussouf, 72; King and the Miller of Mansfield, 189; Bismillah, 330. Humility, see Pride and Humility. Hypocrisy. Good Man of Alloa, 30. Indians, see American Indians. Influence, Personal. Woodman and the Sandal Tree, 49. ' July Fourth. Rodney's Ride, 283; Paul Revere's Ride, 286. Kindness, j-^^ Charity, awif Self-sacrifice and Helpfulness. Kindness to Animals, see Animal Friends. Knights and Ladies. Knight's Toast, 66; Glove and the Lions, 69; St. George and the Dragon, 146; Day-Dream, 152; Lord Ullin's Daughter, 226. Labor Day. Toy of the Giant's Child, 10; Tubal Cain, 55; Old Man Who Lived in a Wood, 165. Laziness. Sluggard, 6; White Stag, 181. Lions. Glove and the Lions, 69. Lying, see Truth-Telling and Lying. Memorial and Flag Days. Opportunity, 71; Quivira, 274; Reuben James, 292. Mother's Day. Knight's Toast, 66; Napoleon and the English Sailor Boy, 246. 370 Subject Index Naughtiness.' Story of Augustus, 4; Sluggard, 6; False Alarms, 7; Charley the Story-Teller, 9. NoBLE-MiNDEDNESs. Yussouf, 72; Harmosaii, 75; Napoleon and the English Sailor Boy, 246; Mighty Three, 336. Opportunities. Opportunity, 71; Harmosan, 75; White Stag, 181; Rodney's Ride, 283. Peace Versus War. Tubal Cain, 55 ; Battle of Blenheim, 243 ; Quivira, 274; First Thanksgiving Day, 281. Prayer. Captain's Daughter, 218; Alec Yeaton's Son, 219; Quivira, 274; Bismillah, 330. Pride and Humility. Two Church-Builders, 77; King Canute, 25 1 ; Destruction of Sennacherib, 341 ; Rabbi and the Prince, 343; King Robert of Sicily, 345. Punishment, see Retribution. Rats and Mice. Bishop Hatto, 20; Pied Piper, 98. Repentance. Yussouf, 72; Worme of Lambton, 132; King Robert of Sicily, 345. Resourcefulness. Plucky Prince, 41; Harmoisan, 75. Retribution. Story of Augustus, 4; False Alarms, 7; Greedi- ness Punished, 18; Bishop Hatto, 20; White-Footed Deer, 23; Inchcape Rock, 27; Good Man of Alloa, 30; Pied Piper, 98; Worme of Lambton, 132; Babes in the Wood, 207; De- struction of Sennacherib, 341. Saints, Legends of. St. George and the Dragon, 146; Parable of St. Christopher, 301; Good King Wenceslas, 313; St. Francis' Sermon to the Birds, 317. Scotland, Stories. Good Man of Alloa, 30; Lord UUin's Daughter, 226. Sea-Stories. Inchcape Rock, 27; Good Man of Alloa, 30; Yarn of the^Nancy Bell, 182; Captain's Daughter, 218; Alec Yeaton's Son, 219; Wreck of the Hesperus, 222; Leak in the Dike, 231. Selfishness and Greed. Ant and the Cricket, 3; Greediness Punished, 18; Bishop Hatto, 20; Good Man of Alloa, 30; Two Church-Builders, jy, Nibelungen Treasure, 239. Self-Sacrifice and Helpfulness. Elm and the Vine, 40; Subject Index 371 Apple-Seed John, 46; Brier-Rose, 58; Opportunity, 71; En- chanted Shirt, 167; Quivira, 274; Reuben James, 292; Brother Hubert, 314; Friar Jerome's Beautiful Book, 354. Thanksgiving. First Thanksgiving Day, 281; St. Francis' Sermon to the Birds, 317; Bismillah, 330. Thrift. Ant and the Cricket, 3. Treasure Stories. Good Man of Alloa, 30; Brown Dwarf of Rugen, 125; Nibelungen Treasure, 239. Trees and Arbor Day. Elm and the Vine, 40; Gourd and the Palm, 41 ; Plucky Prince, 41 ; Apple-Seed John, 46; Woodman and the Sandal Tree, 49; Brier-Rose, 58. Truth-Telling and Lying. False Alarms, 7; Charley the Story-Teller, 9; Fairy Boy, 93; Pied Piper, 98. Vain-Glory. Two Church-Builders, TJ. Vanity. Glove and the Lions, 69. Visions and Angels. Two Church-Builders, 77; Parable of St. Christopher, 301; Legend of Easter Eggs, 310; Brother Hubert, 314; Bismillah, 330; Abou Ben Adhem, 332; Vision of Belshazzar, 339; King Robert of Sicily, 345; Friar Jerome's Beautiful Book, 354. War Stories. Tubal Cain, 55; Opportunity, 71; Harmosan, 75; Faithless Nelly Gray, 186; Emperor's Bird's-Nest, 237; . Battle of Blenheim, 243; Napoleon and the English Sailor Boy, 246; Incident of the French Camp, 249; King Alfred the Harper, 257; Taillefer the Minstrel, 263; Relief of Luck- ' now, 267; Reuben James, 292; Mighty Three, 336; Destruc- tion of Sennacherib, 341. Wisdom. King Solomon and the Bees, 327. INDEX OF FIRST LINES i I A Chieftain, to the Highlands bound, 226. ; A famous King would build a church, 77. ; A mock-bird in a village, 164. S A monarch sat, in serious thought, alone, 343. A parrot, from the Spanish Main, 213. ; A silly young cricket, accustomed to sing, 3. i A story of Ponce de Leon, 270. 1 A stranger came one night to Yussouf's tent, 72. ! A well there is in the west country, 202. Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!), 332. ' All their wealth and vast possessions, 242. \ An ancient story I '11 tell you anon, 196. : "And now," said the Governor, gazing abroad on the plled-up store, 281. ; 1 And where have you been, my Mary, 85. ■ Around Assisi's convent gate, 317. ■ As Sir Launfal made morn through the darksome gate, 79> At Atri in Abruzzo, a small town, 50. ; Augustus was a chubby lad, 4. Babouscka sits before the fire, 298. i Ben Battle was a soldier bold, 186. •; Beside a sandal tree a woodman stood, 49. ' Burg Niedeck is a mountain in Alsace, high and strong, 10. ■ By Nebo's lonely mountain, 333. \ Charles was a very wayward youth, 9. ] Come, follow, follow me, 91. 1 Dark fell the night, the watch was set, 257. Did you ever hear of a queer auld man, 30. Duke William the Norman spake out one day, 263. Far down below the Christian captives pine, 325. Forth from his tent the patriarch Abraham stept, 330. Index of First Lines 373 Francisco Coronado rode forth with all his train, 274. From out Cologne there came three kings, 297. Good King Wenceslas looked out, 313. Hamelin town 's in Brunswick, 98. Henry, our royal king, would ride a-hunting, 189. Holy-thoughtcd Brother Hubert, 314. "How old art thou?" said the garrulous gourd, 41. I love contemplating — apart, 246. In cloister Heisterbach a youthful monk, 323. In that soft mid-land where the breezes bear, 283. In the far-off land of Norway, 15. Into the woods three huntsmen came, l8l. It is the joyful Easter morn, 132. It was a hundred years ago, 23. It was a summer evening, 243. It was an ancient monarch, 239. It was the cloister Grabow, in the land of Usedom, 18. It was the schooner Hesperus, 222. Jaffar, the Barmecide, the good Vizier, 73. John Gilpin was a citizen, 171. King Canute was weary hearted; he had reigned for years a score, 251. King Francis was a hearty king, and loved a royal sport, 69. Listen, my children, and you shall hear, 286. Little one, come to my knee! 13. Morning and evening, ill. No stir in the air, no stir in the sea, 27. Now ponder well, you parents dear, 207. Now the third and fatal conflict for the Persian throne was done, 75. . . Of Hector's deeds did Homer sing, 146. Oh, that last day in Lucknow fort! 267. Old Tubal Cain was a man of might, 55. 374 Index of First Lines i Once the Emperor Charles of Spain, 237. One day little Mary most loudly did call, 7. - i ,1 Poor Johnny was bended well nigh double, 46. I I I Robert of Sicily, brother of Pope Urbane, 345. ' Said Brier-Rose's mother to the naughty Brier-Rose, 58. j 'T is the voice of the sluggard; I heard him complain, 6. 'T was on the shores that round our coast, 182. I The Abbot of Inisfalen, 318. | The ancient Barbarossa, 240. j The Assyrian came down like the wolf on the fold, 341. ^ The feast is o'er! Now brimming wine, 66. 1 The Friar Jerome, for some slight sin, 354. ; The good dame looked from her cottage, 231. 1 The King was on his throne, 339. j The King was sick. His cheek was red, 167. \ The Laird of Co has left his hall, 93. i The Owl and the Pussy-Cat went to sea, 163. \ The pleasant isle of Rugen looks the Baltic water o'er, 125. ' The spearmen heard the bugle sound, 214. 1 The summer and autumn had been so wet, 20. ; The varying year with blade and sheaf, 152. , The wind it wailed, the wind it moaned, 219. ] There was a Giant in time of old, 83. ] There was a youthful scion, 41. ] There was an old man who lived in a wood, 165. j There was feasting in the hall, 254. \ This I beheld, or dreamed it in a dream, 71. Three ships of war had Preble when he left the Naples shore, j 292. ] To a King's court a Giant came, 301. | Trinity bells with their hollow lungs, 310. ^ Up the airy mountain, 89. Uphold my feeble branches, 40. Watchfires are blazing on hill and plain, 336. i We were crowded in the cabin, 218. y Index of First Lines 375 Wearied arm and broken sword, 279. When Solomon was reigning in his glory, 327. You know, we French stormed Ratisbon, 249. INDEX OF TITLES Abbot of Inisfalen, The, 318. Abou Ben Adhem and the Angel, 332. Alec Yeaton's Son, 219. Ant and the Cricket, The, 3. i Apple-seed John, 46. Augustus who would not have any Soup, The Story of, 4. Babes in the Wood, The, 207. Babouscka, 298. Barbarossa, 240. Battle of Blenheim, The, 242. Bell of Atri, The, 50. Beth-Gelert; or. The Grave of the Greyhound, 214. Bishop Hatto and his Mouse Tower, 20. Bismillah, 330. Brier-Rose, 59, Brother Hubert, 314. Brown Dwarf of Riigen, The, 125. Burial of Moses, The, 333. Captain's Daughter, The, 218. Charley, the Story-Teller, 9. Day-Dream, The, 152. Destruction of Sennacherib, The, 341. Diverting History of John Gilpin, The, 171, Donkey and the Mocking-Bird, The, 164. Dorchester Giant, The, 83. Elm and the Vine, The, 40. Emperor's Bird's-Nest, The, 237. Enchanted Shirt, The, 167. Fairies of the Caldon-Low, The, 85. Fairy Boy, The, 93. Index of Titles 377 Fairy Folk, The, 89. \ Fairy Queen, The, 91. Faithless Nelly Gray, 186. ; False Alarms, 7. i First Thanksgiving Day, The, 281. 1 Fountain of Youth, The, 270. Friar Jerome's Beautiful Book, 354. ^ 1 Glove and the Lions, The, 69. j Goblin Market, ill. | Good King Wenceslas, 313. 1 Good Man of Alloa, The, 30. j Gourd and the Palm, The, 41. 1 Greediness Punished, 18. Harmosan, 75. i \ Inchcape Rock, The, 27. j Incident of the French Camp, 249. i Jaffar, 73. John Gilpin, The Diverting History of, 171. King Alfred the Harper, 257. King and the Miller of Mansfield, The, 189. King Canute, 251. j King Edwin's Feast, 254. King John and the Abbot of Canterbury, 196. j King Robert of Sicily, 345. j King Solomon and the Bees, 327. Knight's Toast, The, 66. i j Leak in the Dike, The, 231. j Legend of Easter Eggs, The, 310. ; Legend of Toledo, A, 325. j Lord Ullin's Daughter, 226. j Mighty Three, The, 336. ' \ Monk of Heisterbach, The, 323. j Napoleon and^the English Sailor Boy, 246. ) Nibelungen Treasure, The, 239. y | 378 Index of Titles Old Man who lived in a Wood, The, 165. Opportunity, 71. Owl and the Pussy-Cat, The, 163. Parable of St. Christopher, The, 301. Parrot, The, 213. Paul Revere's Ride, 286. Pied Piper of Hamelin, The, 98. Plucky Prince, The, 41. Pocahontas, 279. Quivira, 274. Rabbi and the Prince, The, 343. Relief of Lucknow, The, 267. Reuben James, 292. Richest Prince, The, 242. Rodney's Ride, 283. St. Francis' Sermon to the Birds, 317. St. George and the Dragon, 146. Sir Launfal and the Leper, 79. Sluggard, The, 6. Sparrows, The, 15. Story for a Child, A, 13. Story of Augustus who would not have any Soup, The, 4. Taillefer the Minstrel, 263. Three Kings of Cologne, The, 297. Toy of the Giant's Child, The, 10. Tubal Cain, 55. Two Church-Builders, The, 77. Vision of Belshazzar, The, 339. Well of St. Keyne, The, 202. White Stag, The, 181. White-footed Deer, The, 23. Woodman and the Sandal Tree, The, 49. Index of Titles 379 Worme of Lambton, The, 132. Wreck of the Hesperus, The, 222. Yarn of the Nancy Bell, The, 182. Yussouf, 72. INDEX OF AUTHORS I Aldrich, Thomas Bailey. j Alec Yeaton's Son, 219. ; Friar Jerome's Beautiful Book, 354. Alexander, Cecil Frances. ' The Burial of Moses, 333. ; Allingham, William. The Fairy Folk, 89. ^ The Abbot of Inisfalen, 318. Boyesen, Hjalmar Hjorth. Brier-Rose, 58. Brooks, C. T. ". ^ The Monk of Heisterbach, 323. ] Brooks, Elbridge Streeter. i Rodney's Ride, 283. \ Browning, Robert. \ The Pied Piper of Hamelin, 98. i Incident of the French Camp, 249. ^ Bryant, May. ; The Plucky Prince, 41. j Bryant, William Cullen. 1 The White-footed Deer, 23. '\ The Elm and the Vine, 40. '^ The Woodman and the Sandal Tree, 49. i The Donkey and the Mocking-Bird, 164. ] Butterworth, Hezekiah. ! The Fountain of Youth, 270. | Byron, Lord. The Vision of Belshazzar, 339. I The Destruction of Sennacherib, 341. i • J Campbell, Thomas. j Lord Ullin's Daughter, 226. Napoleon and the English Sailor Boy, 246. ] Index of Authors 381 Cary, Phcebe. I The Leak in the Dike, 231. \ Chadwick, John VV. j King Edwin's Feast, 254. I Child, Lydia Maria. I Apple-Seed John, 46. j CowPER, William. | The Diverting History of John Gilpin, 171. 1 DULCKEN, H. W. t The Niljelungen Treasure, 239. ] Barbarossa, 240. The Richest Prince, 242. i Field, Eugene. The White Stag, 181. The Three Kings of Cologne, 297. Fields, James Thomas. The Captain's Daughter, 219. j 1 Gilbert, W. S. The Yarn of the Nancy Bell, 182. Guiterman, Arthur. j Quivira, 274. ' Harvey, James Clarence. , The Rabbi and the Prince, 343. Hay, John. The Enchanted Shirt, 167. Hoffmann, Heinrich. i The Story of Augustus who would not have any Soup, 4. 1 Hogg, James. j The Good Man of Alloa, 30. 1 Holmes, Oliver Wendell. > The Dorchester Giant, 84. \ Hood, Thomas. j Faithless Nelly Gray, 186. 1 HowiTT, Mary. \ The Fairies of the Caldon-Low, 85. \ Hunt, Leigh. The Glove and the Lions, 69. , Jaffar, 73. i 'i 382 Index of Authors | Jackson, Helen Hunt. j The Parable of St. Christopher, 301. | i Kerner, Andreas J. j The Richest Prince, 243. ] Lear, Edward. The Owl and the Pussy-Cat, 163. i Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. The Bell of Atri, 50. : The Wreck of the Hesperus, 222. The Emperor's Bird's-Nest, 237. '. Paul Revere's Ride, 286. i St. Francis' Serrnon to the Birds, 317. ^ King Robert of Sicily, 345. j Lowell, James Russell. \ Yussouf, 72. ; Sir Launfal and the Leper, 79. ' Lowell, Robert Traill Spence. The Relief of Lucknow, 267. \ i Mackay, Charles. \ Tubal Cain, 55. ' \ Muller, Karl Wilhelm. i The Monk of Heisterbach, 323. ' O'Brien, Fitz-James. ) The Legend of Easter Eggs, 3 10. i O'Keeffe, Adelaide. i False Alarms, 7. Percy's Reliques. \ The Fairy Queen, 91. ' King John and the Abbot of Canterbury, 196. i The Babes in the Wood, 207. ■ Preston, Margaret Junkin. ] The First Thanksgiving Day, 28 1. i Proudfitt, David L. I Bismillah, 330. \ Roche, James Jeffrey. Reuben James, 292. Index of Authors 383 ; i Rosas, Jose. | The Elm and the Vine, 40. ; The Woodman and the Sandal Tree, 49. ,1 The Donkey and the Mocking-Bird, 164. I RossETTi, Christina. Goblin Market, in. I RUCKERT, FrIEDRICH. Greediness Punished, 18. I Barbarossa, 240. ' Saxe, John G. j The Two Church-Builders, 77. | King Solomon and the Bees, 327. ' ' Scott, Sir Walter. ' The Knight's Toast, 66. ' " | Sill, Edward Rowland. j Opportunity, 71. : Skeat, W. W. Taillefer the Minstrel, 263. SouTHEY, Robert. Bishop Hatto and his Mouse Tower, 20. 1 The Inchcape Rock, 27. i* The Well of St. Keyne, 202. \ The Battle of Blenheim, 243. Spencer, William Robert. Beth-Gelert; or, The Grave of the Greyhound, 214. I Sterling, John. ' ] King Alfred the Harper, 257. Taylor, Bayard. A Story for a Child, 13. Tennyson, Alfred, Lord. The Day-Dream, 152. ! Thackeray, William Makepeace. King Canute, 251. ; Pocahontas, 279. Thaxter, Celia. The Sparrows, 15. Thomas, Edith M. , Babouscka, 298. I 384 Index of Authors Trench, Richard Chenevix. Harmosan, 75. A Legend of Toledo, 325. Uhland, Ludwig. The White Stag, 181. Taillefer the Minstrel, 263. Von Chamisso, Adelbert. The Toy of the Giant's Child, 10. Watson, J. The Worme of Lambton, 132. Watts, Isaac. The Sluggard, 6. Whittier, John Greenleaf. The Brown Dwarf of Riigen, 125. CAMBRIDGE • MASSACHUSETTS U . S . A Ni ONE MONTH USE PLEASE RETURN TO DESK FROM WHICH BORROWED EDUCATION-PSYCHOLOGY LIBRARY This book is due on the last date stamped below, or on the date to which renewed. 1 -month loans may be renewed by calling 642-4209 Renewals and recharges may be made 4 days prior to due date. ALL BOOKS ARE SUBJECT TO RECALL 7 DAYS AFTER DATE CHECKED OUT. » NOV 9 1975 - DE(^^^^^ -^ ^"^ jV)H 5 ^00*^ JUN 15 1979 SE ou LD 21A-30m-5,'75 (S5877L) General Library University of California Berkeley f U.C. BERKELEY LIBRARIES Ca2QMlflS7E r UNIVERSITY OV CAUFotfTlA «,SBI!*ARV I