Their purpose, then did he divide,

He parted from them; but at their side
Now walks in unanimity.

Then peace to cruelty and scorn,
While to the prison they are borne,
Peace, peace to all indignity!'

"And so in Prison were they laid, O hear me, hear me, gentle Maid! For I am come with power to bless, By scattering gleams, through your distress. Of a redeeming happiness.

Me did a reverent pity move

And privilege of ancient love;
And, in your service making bold,

Entrance I gained to that stronghold.

"Your Father gave me cordial greeting; But to his purposes, that burned

Within him, instantly returned:

He was commanding and entreating,
And said, 'We need not stop, my Son!
Thoughts press, and time is hurrying on,' -
And so to Francis he renewed

His words, more calmly thus pursued.

"Might this our enterprise have sped, Change wide and deep the Land had seen, A renovation from the dead,

4 spring-tide of immortal green:

The darksome altars would have blazed
Like stars when clouds are rolled away;
Salvation to all eyes that gazed,
Once more the Rood had been upraised
To spread its arms, and stand for aye.
Then, then, had I survived to see
New life in Bolton Priory;

The voice restored, the eye of Truth
Reopened that inspired my youth;
To see her in her pomp arrayed,
This Banner (for such vow I made)
Should on the consecrated breast
Of that same Temple have found rest ·
I would myself have hung it high,
Fit offering of glad victory!

""A shadow of such thought remains, To cheer this sad and pensive time; A solemn fancy yet sustains

One feeble Being, — bids me climb
Even to the last, -one effort more
To attest my Faith, if not restore.

"Hear, then,' said he, while I impart, My Son, the last wish of my heart. The Banner strive thou to regain; And, if the endeavor prove not vain, Bear it to whom, if not to thee Shall I this lonely thought consign? Bear it to Bolton Priory,

VOL. IV.

And lay it on Saint Mary's shrine,
To wither in the sun and breeze
'Mid those decaying sanctities.
There let at least the gift be laid,
The testimony there displayed;
Bold proof that with no selfish aim,
But for lost Faith and Christ's dear name
I helmeted a brow, though white,
And took a place in all men's sight;
Yea, offered up this noble Brood,
This fair, unrivalled Brotherhood,
And turned away from thee, my Son!
And left - But be the rest unsaid,
The name untouched, the tear unshed;
My wish is known, and I have done:
Now promise, grant this one request,
This dying prayer, and be thou blest!'

"Then Francis answered, 'Trust thy Son, For, with God's will, it shall be done!'

"The pledge obtained, the solemn word Thus scarcely given, a noise was heard, And Officers arose in state

To lead the prisoners to their fate.
They rose, -O wherefore should I fear
To tell, or, lady, you to hear?

They rose,

embraces none were given,— They stood like trees when earth and heaven Are calm; they knew each other's worth,

And reverently the Band went forth.
They met, when they had reached the door,
One with profane and harsh intent

Placed there, that he might go before,

And, with that rueful Banner borne

Aloft, in sign of taunting scorn,
Conduct them to their punishment:
So cruel Sussex, unrestrained
By human feeling, had ordained.
The unhappy Banner Francis saw,
And, with a look of calm command
Inspiring universal awe,

He took it from the soldier's hand;
And all the people that stood round
Confirmed the deed in peace profound.
-High transport did the Father shed
Upon his Son, and they were led,
Led on, and yielded up their breath;
Together died, a happy death!-
But Francis, soon as he had braved
That insult, and the Banner saved,
Athwart the unresisting tide
Of the spectators occupied

In admiration or dismay,

Bore instantly his Charge away."

These things, which thus had in the sight

And hearing passed of him who stood
With Emily, on the Watch-tower height,
In Rylstone's woful neighborhood,

He told; and oftentimes with voice
Of power to comfort or rejoice;
For deepest sorrows that aspire,

Go high, no transport ever higher.

66

Yes, God is rich in mercy," said

The old Man to the silent Maid;

"Yet, Lady! shines, through this black night, One star of aspect heavenly bright;

Your Brother lives, he lives, is come

Perhaps already to his home;

Then let us leave this dreary place."
She yielded, and with gentle pace,
Though without one uplifted look,
To Rylstone hall her way she took.

CANTO SIXTH.

WHY comes not Francis? - From the doleful City

He fled,

and, in his flight, could hear

The death-sounds of the Minster bell:

That sullen stroke pronounced farewell
To Marmaduke, cut off from pity!

To Ambrose that! and then a knell

For him, the sweet, half-opened Flower!
For all, all dying in one hour!

-Why comes not Francis? Thoughts of love

Should bear him to his Sister dear

With the fleet motion of a dove;