3 vols., in 1867; "The New England Tragedies," in 1868; and a complete edition of his Poetical Works," in 1869. In 1845 he published "The Poets and Poetry of Europe," the most complete and satisfactory work of the kind that has ever appeared in any language. The high finish, gracefulness, and vivid beauty of his style, and the moral purity and earnest humanity portrayed in his verse, excite the sympathy and reach the heart of the public. SECTION VII. I. 27. LORD WILLIAM. 1. O eye beheld when William plunged young Edmund in the stream, N° No human ear but William's heard young Edmund's drowning scream. 2. The ancient house of Erlingford stood in a fair domain, And Severn's' ample waters near rolled through the fertile plain. 3. But never could Lord William dare to gaze on Severn's stream; 4. In vain by restless conscience driven Lord William left his home, 5. Slow were the passing hours, yet swift the months appeared to roll; 'Sĕv' ern, one of the principal rivers of England and Wales. 6. A fearful day was that! the rains fell fast with tempest rōar, 7. The tempest, as its sudden swell in gusty howlings came, With cold and death-like feelings seemed to thrill his shuddering frame 8. Beside that couch, his brother's form, Lord Edmund, seemed to stand, 9. "I både thee with a father's love my orphan Edmund guard;—' 10. When, lo! the voice of loud alarm his inmost soul appalls: "What ho! Lord William, rise in haste! the water saps thy walls!" He rose in haste, beneath the walls he saw the flood appear; It hemmed him round, 'twas midnight now —no human aid was near. 11. He heard a shout of joy! for now a boat approached the wall, 12. Strange feelings filled them at his voice even in that hour of woe, That, save their lord, there was not one who wished with him to go. But William leapt into the boat, his terror was so sōre; "Thou shalt have half my gold," he cried, "haste, haste, to yonder shōre!" 13. The boatman plied the oar, the boat went light ǎlong the stream; Sudden Lord William heard a cry like Edmund's drowning scream. The boatman paused: "Methought I heard a child's distressful cry!"“"Twas but the howling wind of night,” Lord William made reply. 14. "Haste-haste-ply swift and strong the oar; haste—haste ǎcross the stream !" Again Lord William heard a cry like Edmund's drowning scream! “I heard a child's distressful scream," the boatman cried again. "Nay, hästen on-the night is dark—and we should search in vain.” 15. "O God! Lord William, dost thou know how dreadful 'tis to die? And canst thou without pity hear a child's expiring cry? How horrible it is to sink beneath the closing stream, To stretch the powerless arms in vain, in vain for help to scream!” 16. The shrick again was heard: it came more deep, more piercing loud ; That instant o'er the flood the moon shōne through a broken cloud; And near them they beheld a child; upon a crag he stood— A little crag, and all around was spread the rising flood. 17. The boatman plied the oar, the boat approached his resting-place; The moonbeam shōne upon the child, and showed how pale his face. "Now reach thy hand," the boatman cried, "Lord William, reach and save!" The child stretched forth his little hands, to grasp the hand he gave. 18. Then William shrieked: the hands he felt were cold and damp and dead! He held young Edmund in his arms, a heavier weight than lead! The boat sunk down--the murderer sunk beneath the avenging stream; He rose, he shrieked, no human ear heard William's drowning scream. SOUTHEY. ROBERT SOUTHEY, an English author, was born at Bristol, August 12, 1774. From his 2d year he lived with his aunt, Miss Tyler, an eccentric lady, with a passion for the theater, to which he was constantly taken. At an early age, he was conversant with Shakspeare, Beaumont and Fletcher, Tasso, Spencer, and other poets. He was educated at Westminster School, and Baliol College, Oxford, which latter he left in 1794 to enter "the muster roll of authors," publishing the same year, in connection with Lovell, a volume of " Poems." He was one of the most indefatigable and voluminous of writers. Iis three best poems are "Thalaba, the Destroyer," in 1801; "The Curse of Kehama,” in 1810; and "Roderick, the Last of the Goths," in 1814. His finest ballads and minor pieces are "Lord William," "Mary the Maid of the Inn," "Queen Orica," "The Victory," ," "Youth and Age," "Elegy on a Favorite Dog," and "The Holly Tree." The most striking merit of his prose writings is their flowing, sprightly, and perspicuous style. His "Life of Nelson" is probably the best and most delightful of all his works. He died at Greta Hall-where he first established himself in 1804-March 21, 1843. |