The bending Hermit here a prayer begun, Lord! as in heaven, on earth thy will be done.”Then, gladly turning, sought his ancient place, And pass'd a life of piety and peace. No. XXXVIII. EDWIN OF THE GREEN. PARNELL. In Britain's isle, and Arthur's days, When midnight faeries daunced the maze, Lived Edwin of the Green; Edwin, I wis, a gentle youth, Endow'd with courage, sense, and truth, Though badly shaped he'd been. His mountain back mote well be said To measure heighth against his head, And lift itself above: Yet spite of all that nature did To make his uncouth form forbid, This creature dared to love. He felt the charms of Edith's eyes, Could ladies look within; But one Sir Topaz dress'd with art, Edwin (if right I read my song,) 'Twas near an old enchaunted court, His heart was drear, his hope was cross'd, 'Twas late, 'twas far, the path was lost That reach'd the neighbour-town; With weary steps he quits the shades, Resolved, the darkling dome he treads, And drops his limbs adown. But scant he lays him on the floor, And trembling rocks the ground: On all the walls around. Now sounding tongues assail his ear, Come prankling o'er the place. But (trust me, Gentles!) never yet The country lent the sweet perfumes, Now, whilst he gazed, a gallant dress'd With awful accent cried: "What mortal of a wretched mind, "Whose sighs infect the balmy wind, "Has here presumed to hide ?" At this the swain, whose vent'rous soul Advanced in open sight: "Nor have I cause of dread," he said, "Who view (by no presumption led,) "Your revels of the night. "'Twas grief, for scorn of faithful love, "Which made my steps unweeting rove "Amid the nightly dew."— "Tis well," the gallant cries again, "We faeries never injure men "Who dare to tell us true. "Exalt thy love-dejected heart, "Now take the pleasure of thy chaunce; "Be Little Mable thine.". He spoke, and all a sudden there The Monarch leads the Queen: The dauncing past, the board was laid, As heart and lip desire; Withouten hands the dishes fly, The glasses with a wish come nigh, And with a wish retire.. |