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"Were this same spear, which in my hand I
The British sceptre, here would I to thee
The symbol yield; and would undo this clasp,
If it confined the robe of sovereignty.

Odious to me the pomp of regal court,

And joyless sylvan sport,

grasp,

While thou art roving, wretched and forlorn,
Thy couch the dewy earth, thy roof the forest thorn!"

Then Artegal thus spake-" I only sought,
Within this realm a place of safe retreat;
Beware of rousing an ambitious thought;
Beware of kindling hopes, for me unmeet!
Thou art reputed wise, but in my mind.
Art pitiably blind;

Full soon this generous purpose thou may'st rue,
When that which has been done no wishes can undo.

"Who, when a crown is fixed upon his head,

Would balance claim with claim, and right with right? But thou - I know not how inspired, how led — Wouldst change the course of things in all men's sight! And this for one who cannot imitate

Thy virtue, who may hate:

For, if, by such strange sacrifice restored,

He reign, thou still must be his king, and sovereign lord.

“ Lifted in magnanimity above

Aught that my feeble nature could perform,
Or even conceive; surpassing me in love
Far as in power the eagle doth the worm;
I, Brother! only should be king in name,
And govern to my shame;

A shadow in a hated land, while all

Of glad or willing service to thy share would fall."

"Believe it not," said Elidure; " respect
Awaits on virtuous life, and ever most
Attends on goodness with dominion decked,
Which stands the universal empire's boast;
This can thy own experience testify :
Nor shall thy foes deny

That, in the gracious opening of thy reign,
Our Father's spirit seemed in thee to breathe again.

"And what if o'er that bright unbosoming
Clouds of disgrace and envious fortune past!
Have we not seen the glories of the spring
By veil of noontide darkness overcast ?
The frith that glittered like a warrior's shield,
The sky, the gay green field,

Are vanished; gladness ceases in the groves,
And trepidation strikes the blackened mountain coves.

"But is that gloom dissolved? how passing clear
Seems the wide world- far brighter than before!
Even so thy latent worth will re-appear,
Gladdening the people's heart from shore to shore,
For youthful faults ripe virtues shall atone;
Re-seated on thy throne,

Proof shalt thou furnish that misfortune, pain,
And sorrow, have confirmed thy native right to reign.

"But, not to overlook what thou may'st know,
Thy enemies are neither weak nor few ;
And circumspect must be our course, and slow,
Or from my purpose ruin may ensue.

Dismiss thy followers;

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Such change in thy estate

As I already have in thought devised;

And which, with caution due, may soon be realised."

The Story tells what courses were pursued,

Until King Elidure, with full consent

Of all his Peers, before the multitude,

Rose,

and, to consummate this just intent,

Did place upon his Brother's head the Crown,

Relinquished by his own;

Then to his people cried, "Receive your Lord,

Gorbonian's first-born Son, your rightful King restored!

The People answered with a loud acclaim:
Yet more ; — heart-smitten by the heroic deed,
The reinstated Artegal became

Earth's noblest penitent; from bondage freed
Of vice,

thenceforth unable to subvert

Or shake his high desert.

Long did he reign; and, when he died, the tear Of universal grief bedewed his honoured bier.

Thus was a Brother by a Brother saved;
With whom a Crown (temptation that hath set
Discord in hearts of men till they have braved
Their nearest kin with deadly purpose met)
Gainst duty weighed, and faithful love, did seem
A thing of no esteem,

And, from this triumph of affection pure,

He bore the lasting name of " pious Elidure!"

III.

THE SPARROW'S NEST.

BEHOLD, within the leafy shade,
Those bright blue eggs together laid!
On me the chance-discovered sight
Gleamed like a vision of delight.—
I started-seeming to espy

The home and sheltered bed,

The Sparrow's dwelling, which, hard by,
My Father's House, in wet or dry,
My Sister Emmeline and I

Together visited.

She looked at it as if she feared it;
Still wishing, dreading to be near it :
Such heart was in her, being then
A little Prattler among men.
The Blessing of my later years
Was with me when a Boy:

She gave me eyes, she gave me ears;
And humble cares, and delicate fears;
A heart, the fountain of sweet tears;
And love, and thought, and joy.

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