THE BOWER OF MELISSA.

A TALE.

CANTO IV.

ARRIV'D in presence of th' immortal dame,

The cheek of Paladour was ting'd with shame.

He turn'd his head aside. His hand she press'd,
And smiling with benignant voice address'd.

Full dearly, youth, thou hast experience bought; 'The punishment has sure aton'd the fault.

'Man is of wayward race, infirm of mind, 'Ardent in hope, but to the future blind : 'Urg'd by the stings of uncontroll'd desire, 'He courts destruction with a lover's fire :

'But heav'n still views him with paternal care,

'Forgives his wand'rings, pities his despair.

Then full of hope, with no unmanly fears,

Essay th' adventure of the vale of tears.

Each path, which to my bow'r conducts, to thee

'Is barr'd for ever by stern fate's decree,

'Save only one; a long and painful way,

'Where fraud ensnares, and prodigies dismay :

Danger with giant arm, and scowling eye,

'Sends terror to the heart, and warns the foot to fly:

e

'Acrasia's spell the cheated sense beguiles,

'And bright Morgana spreads destructive wiles:

• But thou be bold, be firm.' With glowing heart

Brave Cadwall in th' adventure claims a part.

• No chance again our fortunes shall divide ;

Thy toils I share,' the gen'rous warrior cried.

e The Alcina of Ariosto, and the Acrasia of Spenser, appear to be the same allegorical person, the genius of sensual pleasure. Morgana is the Fairy of Riches.

Not so.

To one the glory is reserv'd.'

The Fay rejoins. Be heav'n's decree observ'd.'

Reluctant he obeys; then clasps the youth,

And binds upon his arm the shield of truth.
Now see the noble Paladour bestride

His bounding courser with a warrior's pride:
To right, to left, his ample buckler bear,
And brandish oft his long-unpractis'd spear.

Parting at length with many a kind farewell,

He plunges deep into a shadowy dell.

From either side huge oaks with mingling boughs,

Above his head a stately arch compose.

There noon's bright radiance scarce dispels the night,

And faintly marks the way with chequer'd light.

Deep-musing he proceeds. And now more rare
The trees their leafy summits lift in air;

Sharp furze and purple heath the hills o'erspread,
And jutting rocks appear with mossy head,

Till one sad waste extends, where howls the storm,

And famine brooding sits, with terrors ghastly form.

The felon's carcase withering in the air,

Tells of strange deeds of horror acted there;
And fancy listens, in the passing gale,

While sad-complaining ghosts their fate bewail.
Just then the clash of arms arous'd the knight,
Clamour and cries, and tumult of the fight.

And soon he sees, against an armed band,

Where one, with sword alone, makes gallant stand:
Who seems the chief bestrides a stately steed,

And with loud voice commands the murd'rous deed.

The gen'rous Paladour with fury glows,

Nor stays to count the number of his foes:

He rushes forward with indignant cries,

And to the fight the felon crew defies.

The chief oppos'd was haughty, bold, and strong;

Well arm'd, and constant to maintain the

He fixes in the rest his mighty spear,

wrong:

And spurs his steed, and meets the knight's career, 、.}.

Proud and secure he ran, The frustrate blow

Glanc'd o'er the shoulder of his noble foe.

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Through shield and breast-plate driv'n with surer aim,

The lance of Paladour resistless came.

Supine the felon tumbles on the ground,

Spouts the black gore, his clanking arms resound.

Soon as they saw their cruel master slain,

Confus'd, and trembling, fled the dastard train:

But he they late assaulted on the ground,

Lay steep'd in blood, and gash'd with many a wound.
Brave Paladour dismounting hastes to bring

The cool wave, gushing fresh from living spring;
To the parch'd lip the wholesome draught applies,

And lightly sprinkles on the closing eyes;

Then gently lifts, and rests upon his breast,

The languid head, by death's cold weight opprest.

The dying man drew forth a mournful sigh,

And fix'd upon the knight his glassy eye:

Blest be the warlike arm, whose pow'rful blow
Aveng'd my wrongs, and laid the villain low.

I die, nought grieving that my course is run;

• Force has achiev'd what sorrow else had done."