"Quake to your foundations deep,Stately towers and banner'd keep,Bid your vaulted echoes moan,As the dreaded step they own."Fiends, that wait on Merlin's spell,Hear the footfall! mark it well!Spread your dusky wings abroad,Bound ye for your homeward road!"It isHis, the first who e'erDared the dismal Hall of Fear;His, who hath the snares defiedSpread by Pleasure, Wealth, and Pride."Quake to your foundations deep,Bastion huge, and turret steep!Tremble, keep! and totter, tower!This is Gyneth's waking hour."Thus while she sung, the venturous KnightHas reach'd a bower, where milder lightThrough crimson curtains fell;Such softened shade the hill receives,Her purple veil when twilight leavesUpon its western swell.That bower, the gazer to bewitch,Had wondrous store of rare and richAs e'er was seen with eye;For there, by magic skill, I wis,Form of each thing that living isWas limn'd in proper dye.All seemed to sleep—the timid hareOn form, the stag upon his lair,The eagle in her eyrie fairBetween the earth and sky.But what of pictured rich and rareCould win De Vaux's eye-glance, where,Deep slumbering in the fatal chair,He saw King Arthur's child!Doubt, and anger, and dismayFrom her brow had passed away,Forgot was that fell tourney-day,For, as she slept, she smiled:It seem'd that the repentant SeerHer sleep of many a hundred yearWith gentle dreams beguiled.That form of maiden loveliness,'Twixt childhood and 'twixt youth,That ivory chair, that sylvan dress,The arms and ankles bare, expressOf Lyulph's tale the truth.Still upon her garment's hemVanoc's blood made purple gem,And the warder of commandCumber'd still her sleeping hand;Still her dark locks dishevelled lowFrom net of pearl o'er breast of snow;And so fair the slumberer seems,That De Vaux impeached his dreams,Vapid all and void of might,Hiding half her charms from sight.Motionless a while he stands,Folds his arm and clasps his hands,Trembling in his fitful joy,Doubtful how he should destroyThe long-enduring spell;Doubtful, too, when slowly riseDark-fringed lids of Gyneth's eyes,What these eyes shall tell,—"St. George! St. Mary! can it be,That they will kindly look on me!"Gently, lo! the Warrior kneels,Soft that lovely hand he steals,Soft to kiss, and soft to clasp—But the warder leaves her grasp;Lightning flashes, rolls the thunder!Gyneth startles from her sleep,Totters tower, and trembles keep,Burst the castle-walls asunder!Fierce and frequent were the shocks,—Melt the magic halls away;——But beneath their mystic rocks,In the arms of bold De VauxSafe the princess lay;Safe and free from magic power,Blushing like the rose's flowerOpening to the day;And round the Champion's brows were boundThe crown that Druidess had wound,Of the green laurel-bay.And this was what remain'd of allThe wealth of each enchanted hall,Garland and the Dame:But where should Warrior seek the meed,Due to high worth for daring deed,Except fromLoveandFame.Our lovers, briefly be it said,Wedded as lovers wont to wed,When tale or play is o'er;Lived long and blest, loved fond and true,And saw a numerous race renewThe honours that they bore.Know, too, that when a pilgrim strays,In morning mist or evening maze,Along the mountain lone,That fairy fortress often mocksHis gaze upon the castled rocksOf the Valley of St. John:But never man since brave De VauxThe charmed portal won.'Tis now a vain illusive show,That melts whene'er the sunbeams glow,Or the fresh breeze hath blown.
"Quake to your foundations deep,Stately towers and banner'd keep,Bid your vaulted echoes moan,As the dreaded step they own.
"Fiends, that wait on Merlin's spell,Hear the footfall! mark it well!Spread your dusky wings abroad,Bound ye for your homeward road!
"It isHis, the first who e'erDared the dismal Hall of Fear;His, who hath the snares defiedSpread by Pleasure, Wealth, and Pride.
"Quake to your foundations deep,Bastion huge, and turret steep!Tremble, keep! and totter, tower!This is Gyneth's waking hour."
Thus while she sung, the venturous KnightHas reach'd a bower, where milder lightThrough crimson curtains fell;Such softened shade the hill receives,Her purple veil when twilight leavesUpon its western swell.That bower, the gazer to bewitch,Had wondrous store of rare and richAs e'er was seen with eye;For there, by magic skill, I wis,Form of each thing that living isWas limn'd in proper dye.All seemed to sleep—the timid hareOn form, the stag upon his lair,The eagle in her eyrie fairBetween the earth and sky.But what of pictured rich and rareCould win De Vaux's eye-glance, where,Deep slumbering in the fatal chair,He saw King Arthur's child!Doubt, and anger, and dismayFrom her brow had passed away,Forgot was that fell tourney-day,For, as she slept, she smiled:It seem'd that the repentant SeerHer sleep of many a hundred yearWith gentle dreams beguiled.
That form of maiden loveliness,'Twixt childhood and 'twixt youth,That ivory chair, that sylvan dress,The arms and ankles bare, expressOf Lyulph's tale the truth.Still upon her garment's hemVanoc's blood made purple gem,And the warder of commandCumber'd still her sleeping hand;Still her dark locks dishevelled lowFrom net of pearl o'er breast of snow;And so fair the slumberer seems,That De Vaux impeached his dreams,Vapid all and void of might,Hiding half her charms from sight.Motionless a while he stands,Folds his arm and clasps his hands,Trembling in his fitful joy,Doubtful how he should destroyThe long-enduring spell;Doubtful, too, when slowly riseDark-fringed lids of Gyneth's eyes,What these eyes shall tell,—"St. George! St. Mary! can it be,That they will kindly look on me!"
Gently, lo! the Warrior kneels,Soft that lovely hand he steals,Soft to kiss, and soft to clasp—But the warder leaves her grasp;Lightning flashes, rolls the thunder!Gyneth startles from her sleep,Totters tower, and trembles keep,Burst the castle-walls asunder!Fierce and frequent were the shocks,—Melt the magic halls away;——But beneath their mystic rocks,In the arms of bold De VauxSafe the princess lay;Safe and free from magic power,Blushing like the rose's flowerOpening to the day;And round the Champion's brows were boundThe crown that Druidess had wound,Of the green laurel-bay.And this was what remain'd of allThe wealth of each enchanted hall,Garland and the Dame:But where should Warrior seek the meed,Due to high worth for daring deed,Except fromLoveandFame.
Our lovers, briefly be it said,Wedded as lovers wont to wed,When tale or play is o'er;Lived long and blest, loved fond and true,And saw a numerous race renewThe honours that they bore.Know, too, that when a pilgrim strays,In morning mist or evening maze,Along the mountain lone,That fairy fortress often mocksHis gaze upon the castled rocksOf the Valley of St. John:But never man since brave De VauxThe charmed portal won.'Tis now a vain illusive show,That melts whene'er the sunbeams glow,Or the fresh breeze hath blown.
The End.
[1]In the register of Bishop Appleby, in 1374, there is an indulgence of forty days to any inhabitant of the parish of Crossthwaite, that should attend the Vicar to St. Herbert's Isle, on the 13th of April, yearly, that being the anniversary of his death, there to celebrate mass in memory of St. Herbert. Processions and ceremonies of this kind had, in those days, a powerful effect on the minds of the lower orders of society. Perhaps it was better they should have some religion, though tinctured with a degree of superstition, than have been possessed of minds irreverent towards heaven, and souls totally absorbed in the darkness of ignorance, and given up to gross licentiousness.[2]This actually took place on Kidstow Pike, at the head of Hawes Water.[3]The Great Gavel, so called, I imagine, from its resemblance to the gable end of a house, is one of the highest of the Cumberland mountains. It stands at the head of the several vales of Ennerdale, Wastdale, and Borrowdale.The Leeza is a river which flows into the lake of Ennerdale; on issuing from the lake it changes its name, and is called the End, Eyne, or Enna. It falls into the sea a little below Egremont.[4]A note to this passage in "Percy's Reliques" (the editor of which, it must be stated, modernised and added to this ballad), informs us that Tearne-Wadling is near Hesketh, on the road from Penrith, where there is a tradition still in existence that an old castle once stood upon the spot.[5]Clipping is the word used in the North of England for shearing.[6]From Hutchinson'sHistory of Cumberland, and Rev. C. C. Clarke'sOne Hundred Wonders of the World.[7]Lonsdale Magazine, vol. ii. p. 313.[8]Coniston Hall, by Rev.W. Gresley, M.A., p. 135.[9]Hutchinson'sHistory of Cumberland, p. 420, vol. i.[10]Westmoreland and Cumberland Illustrated, p. 217.[11]Lonsdale Magazine, vol. ii. p. 425.[12]Clarke'sWonders of the World.[13]Wilkinson'sTours to the British Mountains, pp. 64, 65.[14]Clarke'sWonders of the World, pp. 434, 435.[15]Dr. Percy, in a note to the poem, a stanza of which is given below, explains "heart o' grease," or "greece," to mean a fat animal, from the French wordgraisse.[16]The jail and court-house were at that period divided by the street. The jail, etc., has been rebuilt, and there is now a passage from one to the other.[17]Dunmailraise is one of the grand passes from Cumberland into Westmorland. It takes its name from a cairn, or pile of stones, erected it is said, to the memory of Dunmail, the last king of Cumberland, who was slain and buried there.[18]A circular entrenchment, about half a mile from Penrith, is thus popularly termed. The circle within the ditch is about one hundred and sixty paces in circumference, with openings, or approaches, directly opposite to each other. As the ditch is on the inner side, it could not be intended for the purpose of defence, and it has been reasonably conjectured, that the enclosure was designed for the solemn exercise of feats of chivalry; and the embankment around for the convenience of the spectators.[19]Higher up the river Eamont than Arthur's Round Table, is a prodigious enclosure of great antiquity, formed by a collection of stones upon the top of a gently sloping hill, called Mayburgh. In the plain which it encloses there stands erect an unhewn stone of twelve feet in height. Two similar masses are said to have been destroyed during the memory of man. The whole appears to be a monument of Druidical times.[20]Ullswater.[21]The small lake called Scales-tarn, which lies so deeply embosomed in the recesses of the huge mountain called Saddleback, more poetically Blencathara, is of such great depth, and so completely hidden from the sun, that it is said its beams never reach it, and that the reflection of the stars may be seen on its surface at mid-day.[22]This was the name of King Arthur's well known sword, sometimes also called Excalibar.[23]Tintadgel Castle, in Cornwall, is reported to have been the birthplace of King Arthur.[24]The author has an indistinct recollection of an adventure somewhat similar to that which is here ascribed to King Arthur, having befallen one of the ancient Kings of Denmark. The horn in which the burning liquor was presented to that Monarch is said still to be preserved in the Royal Museum at Copenhagen.[25]Zaharak, or Zaharah, is the Arab name of the Great Desert.
[1]In the register of Bishop Appleby, in 1374, there is an indulgence of forty days to any inhabitant of the parish of Crossthwaite, that should attend the Vicar to St. Herbert's Isle, on the 13th of April, yearly, that being the anniversary of his death, there to celebrate mass in memory of St. Herbert. Processions and ceremonies of this kind had, in those days, a powerful effect on the minds of the lower orders of society. Perhaps it was better they should have some religion, though tinctured with a degree of superstition, than have been possessed of minds irreverent towards heaven, and souls totally absorbed in the darkness of ignorance, and given up to gross licentiousness.
[1]In the register of Bishop Appleby, in 1374, there is an indulgence of forty days to any inhabitant of the parish of Crossthwaite, that should attend the Vicar to St. Herbert's Isle, on the 13th of April, yearly, that being the anniversary of his death, there to celebrate mass in memory of St. Herbert. Processions and ceremonies of this kind had, in those days, a powerful effect on the minds of the lower orders of society. Perhaps it was better they should have some religion, though tinctured with a degree of superstition, than have been possessed of minds irreverent towards heaven, and souls totally absorbed in the darkness of ignorance, and given up to gross licentiousness.
[2]This actually took place on Kidstow Pike, at the head of Hawes Water.
[2]This actually took place on Kidstow Pike, at the head of Hawes Water.
[3]The Great Gavel, so called, I imagine, from its resemblance to the gable end of a house, is one of the highest of the Cumberland mountains. It stands at the head of the several vales of Ennerdale, Wastdale, and Borrowdale.The Leeza is a river which flows into the lake of Ennerdale; on issuing from the lake it changes its name, and is called the End, Eyne, or Enna. It falls into the sea a little below Egremont.
[3]The Great Gavel, so called, I imagine, from its resemblance to the gable end of a house, is one of the highest of the Cumberland mountains. It stands at the head of the several vales of Ennerdale, Wastdale, and Borrowdale.
The Leeza is a river which flows into the lake of Ennerdale; on issuing from the lake it changes its name, and is called the End, Eyne, or Enna. It falls into the sea a little below Egremont.
[4]A note to this passage in "Percy's Reliques" (the editor of which, it must be stated, modernised and added to this ballad), informs us that Tearne-Wadling is near Hesketh, on the road from Penrith, where there is a tradition still in existence that an old castle once stood upon the spot.
[4]A note to this passage in "Percy's Reliques" (the editor of which, it must be stated, modernised and added to this ballad), informs us that Tearne-Wadling is near Hesketh, on the road from Penrith, where there is a tradition still in existence that an old castle once stood upon the spot.
[5]Clipping is the word used in the North of England for shearing.
[5]Clipping is the word used in the North of England for shearing.
[6]From Hutchinson'sHistory of Cumberland, and Rev. C. C. Clarke'sOne Hundred Wonders of the World.
[6]From Hutchinson'sHistory of Cumberland, and Rev. C. C. Clarke'sOne Hundred Wonders of the World.
[7]Lonsdale Magazine, vol. ii. p. 313.
[7]Lonsdale Magazine, vol. ii. p. 313.
[8]Coniston Hall, by Rev.W. Gresley, M.A., p. 135.
[8]Coniston Hall, by Rev.W. Gresley, M.A., p. 135.
[9]Hutchinson'sHistory of Cumberland, p. 420, vol. i.
[9]Hutchinson'sHistory of Cumberland, p. 420, vol. i.
[10]Westmoreland and Cumberland Illustrated, p. 217.
[10]Westmoreland and Cumberland Illustrated, p. 217.
[11]Lonsdale Magazine, vol. ii. p. 425.
[11]Lonsdale Magazine, vol. ii. p. 425.
[12]Clarke'sWonders of the World.
[12]Clarke'sWonders of the World.
[13]Wilkinson'sTours to the British Mountains, pp. 64, 65.
[13]Wilkinson'sTours to the British Mountains, pp. 64, 65.
[14]Clarke'sWonders of the World, pp. 434, 435.
[14]Clarke'sWonders of the World, pp. 434, 435.
[15]Dr. Percy, in a note to the poem, a stanza of which is given below, explains "heart o' grease," or "greece," to mean a fat animal, from the French wordgraisse.
[15]Dr. Percy, in a note to the poem, a stanza of which is given below, explains "heart o' grease," or "greece," to mean a fat animal, from the French wordgraisse.
[16]The jail and court-house were at that period divided by the street. The jail, etc., has been rebuilt, and there is now a passage from one to the other.
[16]The jail and court-house were at that period divided by the street. The jail, etc., has been rebuilt, and there is now a passage from one to the other.
[17]Dunmailraise is one of the grand passes from Cumberland into Westmorland. It takes its name from a cairn, or pile of stones, erected it is said, to the memory of Dunmail, the last king of Cumberland, who was slain and buried there.
[17]Dunmailraise is one of the grand passes from Cumberland into Westmorland. It takes its name from a cairn, or pile of stones, erected it is said, to the memory of Dunmail, the last king of Cumberland, who was slain and buried there.
[18]A circular entrenchment, about half a mile from Penrith, is thus popularly termed. The circle within the ditch is about one hundred and sixty paces in circumference, with openings, or approaches, directly opposite to each other. As the ditch is on the inner side, it could not be intended for the purpose of defence, and it has been reasonably conjectured, that the enclosure was designed for the solemn exercise of feats of chivalry; and the embankment around for the convenience of the spectators.
[18]A circular entrenchment, about half a mile from Penrith, is thus popularly termed. The circle within the ditch is about one hundred and sixty paces in circumference, with openings, or approaches, directly opposite to each other. As the ditch is on the inner side, it could not be intended for the purpose of defence, and it has been reasonably conjectured, that the enclosure was designed for the solemn exercise of feats of chivalry; and the embankment around for the convenience of the spectators.
[19]Higher up the river Eamont than Arthur's Round Table, is a prodigious enclosure of great antiquity, formed by a collection of stones upon the top of a gently sloping hill, called Mayburgh. In the plain which it encloses there stands erect an unhewn stone of twelve feet in height. Two similar masses are said to have been destroyed during the memory of man. The whole appears to be a monument of Druidical times.
[19]Higher up the river Eamont than Arthur's Round Table, is a prodigious enclosure of great antiquity, formed by a collection of stones upon the top of a gently sloping hill, called Mayburgh. In the plain which it encloses there stands erect an unhewn stone of twelve feet in height. Two similar masses are said to have been destroyed during the memory of man. The whole appears to be a monument of Druidical times.
[20]Ullswater.
[20]Ullswater.
[21]The small lake called Scales-tarn, which lies so deeply embosomed in the recesses of the huge mountain called Saddleback, more poetically Blencathara, is of such great depth, and so completely hidden from the sun, that it is said its beams never reach it, and that the reflection of the stars may be seen on its surface at mid-day.
[21]The small lake called Scales-tarn, which lies so deeply embosomed in the recesses of the huge mountain called Saddleback, more poetically Blencathara, is of such great depth, and so completely hidden from the sun, that it is said its beams never reach it, and that the reflection of the stars may be seen on its surface at mid-day.
[22]This was the name of King Arthur's well known sword, sometimes also called Excalibar.
[22]This was the name of King Arthur's well known sword, sometimes also called Excalibar.
[23]Tintadgel Castle, in Cornwall, is reported to have been the birthplace of King Arthur.
[23]Tintadgel Castle, in Cornwall, is reported to have been the birthplace of King Arthur.
[24]The author has an indistinct recollection of an adventure somewhat similar to that which is here ascribed to King Arthur, having befallen one of the ancient Kings of Denmark. The horn in which the burning liquor was presented to that Monarch is said still to be preserved in the Royal Museum at Copenhagen.
[24]The author has an indistinct recollection of an adventure somewhat similar to that which is here ascribed to King Arthur, having befallen one of the ancient Kings of Denmark. The horn in which the burning liquor was presented to that Monarch is said still to be preserved in the Royal Museum at Copenhagen.
[25]Zaharak, or Zaharah, is the Arab name of the Great Desert.
[25]Zaharak, or Zaharah, is the Arab name of the Great Desert.
Transcriber's NoteObvious typographical errors were repaired, as listed below. Other apparent archaic spellings, inconsistencies or errors have been retained. Missing, extraneous, or incorrect punctuation has been corrected and hyphenation has been made consistent.Pagex, "HADRA" changed to "HARDRA" for consistency. (THE MAID OF HARDRA SCAR;)Pagev, "fairlyland" changed to "fairyland". (... embosomed in the most delicious, fairyland valleys, diversified with beautiful mansions, and snow-white cottages...)Page48, "Uppn" changed to "Upon". (Vow'd to revenge the dead-drunk peer Upon renowned St. Kitt.)Page68, "EEMA" changed to "EMMA". (EMMA; OR, THE MURDERED MAID.)Page78, "roul" changed to "foul". (... for he will marry her, however foul and loathsome she may be.)Page91, "word" changed to "words". (The words seem to come out of the mouth of one of the very moss troopers who had acted a part in the achievement, and the whole composition is rough but finely flavoured;)Page141, "glow" changed to "grow". (Her plastic needle bade fresh flow'rets grow;)Page147, "bare" changed to "bore". (It bore the living moisture to her lips,...)Page149, "tbe" changed to "the". (And forc'd—too late! the unglutted beast to fly.)Page163, "fabellœ" changed to "fabellæ". (... abounds in all theaniles fabellæof fairies, ghosts, and apparitions,...)Page166, no closing double quotation mark has been added to "Saw ever man such gallant sight?" This appears as in the original, as the closing of the quotation could occur in numerous places.Page171, "phenomonen" changed to "phenomenon" for consistency. (The same phenomenon has been observed amongst the Scotch mountains.)Page185, "lift" changed to "left". (It was midsummer: the fashionable part of the community had left London for their seats in the country,...)Page188, "unaccounably" changed to "unaccountably". (... by which we are instantly and unaccountably attracted to one whom we have never seen before,...)Page217, "waiscoat" changed to "waistcoat" for consistency. (He was dressed in a black jacket, black silk waistcoat, fustian pantaloons, shoes, and white cotton stockings.)Page222, "way" changed to "may". (... it may well be supposed that the mountain ridges forming the line of demarcation between the two territories...)
Obvious typographical errors were repaired, as listed below. Other apparent archaic spellings, inconsistencies or errors have been retained. Missing, extraneous, or incorrect punctuation has been corrected and hyphenation has been made consistent.
Pagex, "HADRA" changed to "HARDRA" for consistency. (THE MAID OF HARDRA SCAR;)
Pagev, "fairlyland" changed to "fairyland". (... embosomed in the most delicious, fairyland valleys, diversified with beautiful mansions, and snow-white cottages...)
Page48, "Uppn" changed to "Upon". (Vow'd to revenge the dead-drunk peer Upon renowned St. Kitt.)
Page68, "EEMA" changed to "EMMA". (EMMA; OR, THE MURDERED MAID.)
Page78, "roul" changed to "foul". (... for he will marry her, however foul and loathsome she may be.)
Page91, "word" changed to "words". (The words seem to come out of the mouth of one of the very moss troopers who had acted a part in the achievement, and the whole composition is rough but finely flavoured;)
Page141, "glow" changed to "grow". (Her plastic needle bade fresh flow'rets grow;)
Page147, "bare" changed to "bore". (It bore the living moisture to her lips,...)
Page149, "tbe" changed to "the". (And forc'd—too late! the unglutted beast to fly.)
Page163, "fabellœ" changed to "fabellæ". (... abounds in all theaniles fabellæof fairies, ghosts, and apparitions,...)
Page166, no closing double quotation mark has been added to "Saw ever man such gallant sight?" This appears as in the original, as the closing of the quotation could occur in numerous places.
Page171, "phenomonen" changed to "phenomenon" for consistency. (The same phenomenon has been observed amongst the Scotch mountains.)
Page185, "lift" changed to "left". (It was midsummer: the fashionable part of the community had left London for their seats in the country,...)
Page188, "unaccounably" changed to "unaccountably". (... by which we are instantly and unaccountably attracted to one whom we have never seen before,...)
Page217, "waiscoat" changed to "waistcoat" for consistency. (He was dressed in a black jacket, black silk waistcoat, fustian pantaloons, shoes, and white cotton stockings.)
Page222, "way" changed to "may". (... it may well be supposed that the mountain ridges forming the line of demarcation between the two territories...)