"Were this same spear, which in my hand I Odious to me the pomp of regal court, And joyless sylvan sport, grasp, While thou art roving, wretched and forlorn, Then Artegal thus spake-" I only sought, Full soon this generous purpose thou may'st rue, "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, A shadow in a hated land, while all Of glad or willing service to thy share would fall." "Believe it not," said Elidure; " respect That, in the gracious opening of thy reign, "And what if o'er that bright unbosoming Are vanished; gladness ceases in the groves, "But is that gloom dissolved? how passing clear Proof shalt thou furnish that misfortune, pain, "But, not to overlook what thou may'st know, Dismiss thy followers; 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: Earth's noblest penitent; from bondage freed 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; 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, The home and sheltered bed, The Sparrow's dwelling, which, hard by, Together visited. She looked at it as if she feared it; She gave me eyes, she gave me ears; |