1255 1256 before that deep array; to earth they sprang, their swords they drew, to win the narrow way. T. B. MACAULAY BUT THE WIDOW OF GLENCOE UT I will not wrong thee, husband, whilst thy cold and mangled body, Then I'll seek thee where thou sleepest, dearer than my bridal-bed: and I'll give thee tears, my husband! when the widows of the foemen cry the coronach for thee! W. S. AYTOUN MORTE D'ARTHUR BUT, as he walked, King Arthur panted hard one that feels a nightmare on his bed when all the house is mute. So sighed the King, muttering and murmuring at his ear 'Quick, quick! I fear it is too late, and I shall die.' But the other quickly strode from ridge to ridge clothed with his breath, and looking, as he walked, larger than human on the frozen hills. He heard the deep behind him, and a cry before. His own thought drove him like a goad. Dry clashed his harness in the icy caves and barren chasms, and all to left and right the bare black cliff clanged round him, as he based and the long glories of the winter moon. 1257 Then saw they how there hove a dusky barge, dark as a funeral scarf from stem to stern, beneath them; and descending they were ware that all the decks were dense with stately forms black-stoled, black-hooded, like a dream-by these three Queens with crowns of gold-and from them rose a cry that shivered to the tingling stars, and, as it were one voice, an agony of lamentation, like a wind, that shrills all night in a waste land, where no one comes, 1258 Then murmur'd Arthur, 'Place me in the barge,' and to the barge they came. There those three Queens put forth their hands, and took the King and wept. But she, that rose the tallest of them all and fairest, laid his head upon her lap, and loosed the shatter'd casque, and chafed his hands, and call'd him by his name, complaining loud, and dropping bitter tears against his brow striped with dark blood: for all his face was white high from the däis-throne-were parch'd with dust; mix'd with the knightly growth that fringed his lips. A. TENNYSON 1259 THE GOTHIC chief higelAC PREPARES TO AID THE DANISH KING HROTHGAR AGAINST THE GRENDEL HEY sought the bark; a wary pilot first, THE well in his sea-craft skilled, each landmark taught. And now the chief delayed not, for their vessel was on the waters; by the sea-girt cliffs she floated, while the ready warriors plied near the tide-beaten sands the well-poised oar.Deep in her hold all the bright gear of war, armour and arms, were stowed, as fitted best the willing purpose of their way.—And now by favouring winds propelled, e'en as a bird she cut the waves that foamed around her prow. Thus ere the second day had closed upon themso swift they swept the deep-the eager host saw the bright cliffs and lengthened headlands rise, and knew in that steep shore their destined port. Soon on the beach the men of Northern sires descending, blessed the power that sped their way, and moored their bark, and donned their glittering mail. 1260 Nor was it long, ere he who held in charge to guard each inlet of the rocky coast, the Scylding's warden, from his tower descried the prompt and well-trained band in fair array bearing their bright shields onwards. Then arose care in his heart, and question, who might be that stranger host; and straight he flew to horse and sought the shore, and high uplifted shook his herald staff, and thus in solemn guise bespoke them: 'Whence and what ye are, declare, who thus in arms o'er ocean's watery path have urged to Denmark's coasts your rapid keel. 'Tis mine, the warden of the seas, to hold with loyal care these outposts for the Dane, lest pirate force assail them. Speak ye then, ere yet your further march explore our realm, or friend or foe your names and kindred speak.' 1261 'In peace and truth we come to seek thy prince, Halfdane's illustrious son, with proffered aid to shield his people. Thou hast judged us falsely; for matters of high import have we sought (nor would conceal our quest) the royal Dane. J. J. CONYBEARE 1262 PRINCE ARTHUR'S DEFEAT OF MALEGER H' E then remembred well, that had bene sayd, how th' Earth his mother was, and first him bore; she eke, so often as his life decayd, did life with usury to him restore, and reysd him up much stronger then before, therefore to grownd he would him cast no more, but beare him farre from hope of succour usuall. Tho up he caught him twixt his puissant hands, so end of that carles dayes and his owne paynes did make. E. SPENSER 1263 1264 THOU TO THE RIVER AVON HOU soft-flowing Avon, by thy silver stream the fairies by moon-light dance round his green bed, and cheerful old age feel the spirit of youth; be the swans on thy borders still whiter than snow; N D. GARRICK DISASTERS COME NOT SINGLY EVER stoops the soaring vulture on the sick or wounded bison, sees the downward plunge and follows; H. W. LONGFELLOW |