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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/75378-0.txt b/75378-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..90ca2ea --- /dev/null +++ b/75378-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2466 @@ + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75378 *** + + + + + + NEEDWOOD FOREST. + + + LICHFIELD: + + PRINTED BY JOHN JACKSON, M.DCC.LXXVI. + + + + + NEEDWOOD FOREST. + + + PART, I. + + _Needwood!_ if e’er my early voice + Hath taught thy echoes to rejoice; + If e’er my hounds in opening cry + Have fill’d thy banks with ecstacy; + If e’er array’d in cheerful green + Our train hath deck’d thy wintry scene; + Ere yet thy wood-wild walks I leave, + My tributary verse receive: + With thy own wreath my brows adorn, + And to thy praises tune my horn! + + What green-rob’d Nymph, all loose her hair, + With buskin’d leg, and bosom bare, + Steps lightly down the turfy glades, + And beckons tow’rd yon opening shades?— + No harlot-form, dissembling guile + With wanton air and painted smile, + Lures to enchanted halls or bowers, + Where festive Vice consumes his hours. + Her mild and modest looks dispense + The simple charm of innocence: + And a sweet wildness in her eye + Sparkles with young sincerity.— + Lead on, fair guide, ere wakes the dawn, + With thee I’ll climb the steepy lawn, + With thee the leafy labyrinths trace, + Where dwells the Genius of the place.— + His large limbs press a prim-rose bed, + A moss-grown root sustains his head, + And, list’ning to a Druid’s rhimes, + He bends his eye on distant times: + While troops of sylvan Vassals meet + To cast their garlands at his feet, + And pipe and frisk in rings about, + Or parly with the Hunter’s shout. + And now a fragrant show’r he throws + Of blossoms from his curled brows, + And rising waves his oaken wand, + And bids yon magic scenes expand!— + + First blush the hills with orient light, + And pierce the sable veil of night, + Green bends the waving shade above, + And glist’ring dew-drops gem the grove: + Next shine the shelving lawns around, + Bright threads of silver net the ground; + And down, the entangled brakes among, + The white rill sparkling winds along: + Then, as the pausing zephyrs breathe, + The billowy mist recedes beneath; + Slow, as it rolls away, unfold + The vale’s fresh glories green and gold; + DOVE[1] laughs, and shakes his tresses bright, + And trails afar a line of light. + + Now glows the illumin’d landscape round! + Ye Vulgar hence!—’tis sacred ground! + Hence to the flimsy walks of art, + That lull, but not transport the heart. + Nature, O Muse, here sits alone, + And marks these regions for thy own; + Here her variety of joys + Nor season bounds, nor change destroys: + Be mine the pride, tho’ weak my strains, + That first I woo’d thee to these plains; + Where Spring, in all her beauty drest, + But promises a brighter guest: + Where Summer yields her greens and flowers + To Autumn’s variegated bowers: + Smiles Winter, as their honours fall, + And bids his hollies shame them all.[2] + + Ye sage Professors of design, + Whom system’s stubborn rules confine, + Can science here one blemish show? + Or one deficient grace bestow? + EMES,[3] who yon desart wild explor’d, + And to it’s name the scene restor’d; + Whose art is nature’s law maintain’d, + Whose order negligence restrain’d, + Here, fir’d by native beauty, trac’d + The foot-steps of the Goddess, Taste: + Won from her coy retreats she came, + And led him up these paths to fame. + + Here ev’ry flower improves the gale + From the meek violet of the vale + To her, who flaunts in air sublime, + The woodbine, queen of summer’s prime: + While each delicious shade may vie + With those of boasted Arcady. + There sweet varieties appear + Of thickets, shap’d by nibbling Deer, + Of hills, that swell with gradual ease, + Wood-skirted lawns, and scatter’d trees; + Of vallies seen down distant glades, + That break the mass of mingling shades; + While nature’s attribute, extent, + Crowns each inferior ornament!— + + On this green unambitious brow, + Fair Mistress of the vale below, + With sloping hills enclos’d around, + Their heads with oaks and hollies crown’d, + With lucky choice, by happy hands, + Plac’d in good hour, my dwelling stands; + And draws the distant trav’ler’s eye, + Enamour’d of it’s scenery; + Where all things give, what all express, + Content and rural happiness. + Where far retir’d from life’s dull form + Comes no intruder but the storm; + The storm, that with contrasted low’r + Endears the fair the silent hour. + + Thus their wise days our fathers led, + Fleet ran their hounds, their arrows sped, + And jocund Health with rosy smile + Look’d on, companion of their toil: + Till tyrant Law usurp’d the land, + Stretch’d o’er the woods his iron hand, + Forbad the echoing horn to blow, + Maim’d the staunch hound, and snapp’d the bow.[4] + + Here with fair peace and modest fame[5] + They dwelt, who boasted Bagot’s name,— + Go, BAGOT, plead your country’s cause, + While senates listen with applause, + With fearless truth and manly sense + Detecting specious eloquence: + Great talents to the world are due, + Retirement were a crime in you. + Go, and receive your oaken crown! + Here, with no title to renown, + Leave me to loiter at my door + Beneath the spreading sycamore, + That canopies the sloping lawn; + And view the deer at early dawn + In troops come winding down the hill + To taste fresh herbage near the rill; + Or count at noon their slumb’ring heaps; + At evening watch their playful leaps; + Or hear the quiring of the grove + Give breath to harmony and love; + Or listen to the hum profound, + In the still air that floats around; + Or mark yon hills extended side, + Where turf and shade the space divide;— + Here the wood straggles tow’rd the plain, + The pasture there prevails again; + The heifer grazes on it’s brow, + Clamours the rook on trees below; + Gay golden furze and purple ling + Around their mixt embroidery fling, + O’er all, irregularly join’d, + Th’ according outline waves behind. + + No dusky Cares o’er-hang the bower, + No Passions wreck the halcyon hour; + Nurs’d in the shade Reflection springs, + Smooths her white plumes, and tries her wings. + No leaf of autumn falls in vain; + No flower-bell droops beneath the rain, + No bubble down the current flows, + But life’s uncertain tenure shows. + Those thorns protect the forest’s hopes; + That tree the slender ivy props: + Thus rise the mighty on the mean! + Thus on the strong the feeble lean! + In yonder holly—blush mankind!— + A rare fidelity I find; + Like yours tho’ summer’s flatteries end, + My winter here hath found a friend.— + Hail faithful fav’rite tree! to you + The Muse shall pay observance due: + Whether in horrent files you stand + Round sapling oaks a guardian band; + Or form aloft a shelt’ring bower + Impervious to the sun or shower; + Whether to yon hill-side you throng + Ranging in various groups along; + Or on the plain, maturely grown, + You boldly brave the storm alone, + Or tapering high, with woodbines hid, + Rise in a fragrant pyramid; + Your vigorous youth with upright shoots, + Your verdant age, your glowing fruits, + Your glossy leaves, and columns gray + Shall live the favorites of my lay! + + Alas! in vain with warmth and food + You cheer the songsters of the wood, + The barbarous boy from you prepares + On treacherous twigs his viscous snares. + Yes, the poor bird, you nurs’d, shall find + Destruction in your rifled rind. + Thus good and ill too often meet, + And bitter mingles with the sweet! + —Ye pedagogues! let truant youth + Imbibe from you this gen’rous truth; + That one humane, one tender thought + Is worth the whole, that schools have taught. + + + PART, II. + + With what fond gaze my eye pursues, + _NEEDWOOD_, thy sweetly-varying views! + Satyr, or Nymph, or sylvan God + A fairer circuit never trod! + Charm’d, as I turn, thy pictures seem + The golden fabricks of a dream. + Where Fiction stands with prism bright, + Rays forth her many-colour’d light, + Dyes the green herb, and purple flower, + Gives glittering lustres to the shower; + Then gilds with livelier tints the sky, + Or bends her radiant bow on high. + + To scenes so elegantly wild + Fancy, of old, her darling child + From AVON’S flowery margin brought, + And ARDEN boasts what NEEDWOOD taught.[6] + + Such shades by mazy paths perplex’d, + Where strays the traveller inly vex’d, + Inspir’d the Muse of SPENCER’S pen; + The _wandering wood_, and _Errors den_,[7] + Dwarfs, Palfreys, Dames, and Giants rise + Full on Imaginations eyes! + See, See the Sarazin advance! + The red-cross Knight hath couch’d his lance! + They meet, the Christian wins the field, + And bears away the _faithless_ shield![8] + + With such companions fond to rove, + I venerate each hill and grove, + To Phœbus as to Dian dear, + And find a new Parnassus here. + Here might the sacred sisters dwell + By pebbly brook, or gushing well: + O let me listen, as they sing, + In some close vale beside a spring, + Whose stream the intruding alder chides, + Where the wild-bee her treasure hides!— + Or sit in high imbowering shade + With Contemplation, heav’n-ey’d maid, + Where the scant sun through branches thin + Chequers the dark green floor within; + Where ev’ry leaf is wisdom’s page, + And each gray trunk a hoary sage. + Nor motion, human form, or noise + This solemn pause of life destroys; + Save where the playful squirrel bounds, + Or ring-dove pours her plaintive sounds, + Or lurking peasant lops an oak + Restraining half his pilfering stroke, + Or with his faggot stoops to rest + Both by his years and burthen prest. + + Here, seen of old, the elfin race + With sprightly vigils mark’d the place; + Their gay processions charm’d the sight, + Gilding the lucid noon of night; + Or, when obscure the midnight hour, + With glow-worm lantherns hung the bower. + —Hark!—the soft lute! along the green + Moves with majestic step the queen! + Attendant Fays around her throng, + And trace the dance or raise the song; + Or touch the shrill reed, as they trip, + With finger light and ruby lip. + + High, on her brow sublime, is born + One scarlet wood-bine’s tremulous horn; + A gaudy bee-bird’s triple plume[9] + Sheds on her neck its waving gloom; + With silvery gossamer entwin’d + Stream the luxuriant locks behind. + Thin folds of tangled network break + In airy waves adown her neck: + Warp’d in his loom, the spider spread + The far-diverging rays of thread, + Then round and round with shuttle fine + Inwrought the undulating line. + One rose-leaf forms her crimson vest, + The loose edge crosses o’er her breast. + And one translucent fold, which fell + From the tall lily’s ample bell, + Forms with sweet grace her snowy train, + Flows, as she steps, and sweeps the plain. + Silence and Night inchanted gaze, + And Hesper hides his vanquish’d rays!— + + Now the wak’d reed-birds swell their throats, + And night-larks trill their mingled notes: + Yet hush’d in moss with writhed neck + The black-bird hides his golden beak; + Charm’d from his dream of love, he wakes, + Opes his gay eye, his plumage shakes, + And stretching wide each ebon wing, + First in low whispers tries to sing; + Then sounds his clarion loud, and thrills + The moon-bright lawns, and shadowy hills. + Silent the choral Fays attend, + And then their silver voices blend, + Each shining thread of sound prolong, + And weave the magic woof of song. + Pleas’d Philomela takes her stand + On high, and leads the fairy band, + Pours sweet at intervals her strain, + And guides with beating wing the train. + Whilst interrupted zephyrs bear + Hoarse murmurs from the distant wear; + And at each pause is heard the swell + Of Echo’s soft symphonius shell. + + Nor the dread night my mind alarms,— + NIGHT, and her horrors have their charms. + O’er the wide forest oft I roam, + What time the trav’ler, far from home, + Bewilder’d in the pathless brakes, + There his cold bed despairing makes; + And hear the fox with savage bark + Pay distant courtship through the dark; + The owl with fault’ring voice unfold + Her tale, like one who shakes with cold: + And then the alarmed woods resound + Th’ upbraidings of the well-train’d hound, + Who with tremendous tongue arraigns + And haunts the plunderer of his plains. + So cries from earth the life-blood spilt, + So waking furies harrass guilt! + + Oft have I through this solemn glade + Of old dismember’d hollies stray’d, + Whose bold bare rugged brows are seen + Thrust through the mantling ever-green; + Tall clustring columns here ascend, + And there in gothic arches bend;[10] + Whilst, as the silver moon-beams rise, + Imagin’d temples strike my eyes, + With tottering spire, and mouldering wall, + And high roof nodding to its fall.— + His lantern gleaming down the glade, + One, like a sexton with his spade,[11] + Comes from their caverns to exclude + The mid-night prowlers of the wood.— + Through fields of air while pausing slow, + Yon death-bell tells the village woe! + + Born on her clouds when Darkness flings + O’er the still air her raven wings, + Ere yet the watery freight descends, + While Heaven it’s purposes suspends, + NIGHT, let me stand in silent trance, + And watch the lightning’s kindling glance: + While, stiff’ning at the imagin’d stroke, + Appears behind a brighten’d oak, + From justice fled to this wild place, + A conscious robber’s gastly face!— + Or fancy views with fear-fix’d eye + A mangled spectre gliding by, + Quick with the flash who seems to wave + His pale hand, beck’ning to a grave!— + And, as the fleeting vision dies, + Loud thunders shake the closing skies. + + NIGHT, when rude blasts thy scenes deform, + O place me in the perilous storm! + While the moon labouring thro’ the clouds + By turns her light reveals and shrouds; + Torn from it’s trunk, when whirlwinds bear + The twisted ash aloft in air: + And some vast elm’s uprooted spoil + Ploughs in its headlong fall the soil. + While, as he stalks thro’ groaning oaks, + At intervals the old deer croaks: + And the lean sow with paps drawn dry + O’er rustling leaves trots whining by.— + + Then posts across the blasted plain, + Born on the wild storm, Witchcraft’s train, + Aghast with guilt, and shrunk with age, + And yelling with demoniack rage!— + With eyes turn’d back malign and wide + See blood-stain’d Murder silent stride, + A moon-beam’s sudden light expands, + He starts, and hides his crimson hands!— + And now the cauldron gleams afar, + Fir’d by a baneful meteor’s glare, + Around they dance, they pause, and pour + The mischiefs of the midnight hour; + While trembling fiends with wonder gaze, + Stretch their black wings, and fan the blaze! + + + PART, III. + + Ere Night withdraws her starry train, + I print long traces o’er the plain, + And bend my eyes to yon bright east + To meet the Morning’s radiant guest, + As o’er the hill his golden rays + Burst thro’ the thicket in a blaze. + Now from my foot the startled fawn + Bounds to its parent on the lawn; + And the wak’d lark exulting springs, + Hangs high in air on quivering wings, + Chaunts his loud transports o’er the heath, + And eyes his list’ning loves beneath. + + Oft shall my TALBOT hither stray, + And friendship give new joys to day; + On him his blooming bride attend, + Hither her graceful footsteps bend, + Fresh life her brighter beauties fling + O’er the young dawn, and blossom’d spring. + + They come! their eddying wheels resound, + The harness’d coursers proudly bound, + The light-hung chariot floats in air, + And laughing Hymen wreaths the pair! + As o’er the daisy’d lawns they move + By glittering rill or dusky grove, + Old NEEDWOOD calls his softest gale, + Bids all his fragrant buds exhale: + His gazing herds around them throng, + His plighted birds suspend their song, + Each on her urn his Naiads lean, + And Wood-nymphs peep from allies green. + + Where this gay mount o’er-looks the wood,[12] + Charm’d with the scene a monarch stood, + Call’d these fair plains the richest gem, + That deck’d his triple diadem, + Awhile the cares of state forgot, + And with it’s name adorn’d the spot. + + Down yon meridian fields afar + When Mercia led her chiefs to war, + Fell in one hour three monarchs brave, + And LICHFIELD’S bower protects their grave.[13] + Her stately spires amidst the skies + Ting’d by the orient sun arise, + With golden vanes invite the gale.— + Triumphant ladies of the vale! + + Down yon mid-vale the british Nile,[14] + Fair DOVE, comes winding many a mile; + And from his copious urn distils + The fatness of a thousand hills. + Swell, generous river, leave thy banks, + The thirsty soil shall give thee thanks!— + The generous river swells, and leads + His waters o’er impoverish’d meads, + And lays his ample treasure down, + Rich emblem of thy bounty, BROWN![15] + + Pleas’d on yon high abode I gaze, + Whence C’ANDISH foaming Dove surveys:[16] + And where those humbler vales extend + Of thine, FITZHERBERT, chearful friend.[17] + Or mark upon yon round ascent + The social flag and open tent,[18] + Where life’s smooth paths with sweets are strown, + And mirth makes every hour it’s own. + + Where spreads this grove it’s umbrage wide + Late the bold Outlaw fought and died.[19] + Oft in it’s dark recess the oak + Had fall’n beneath his secret stroke, + Full many a deer the night’s dim ray + Beheld his silent arrow slay, + Deep furze conceal’d the fawns in vain, + And lust of lucre thinn’d the plain. + Here, by no power before controll’d, + He met a forester as bold; + O’er the fierce conflict frown’d the wood, + And drank with thirsty roots his blood. + + Yon bank demands a pitying look, + Where life a gentler breast forsook;[20] + Sole comfort of an aged pair! + The true-love of a damsel fair!— + At prime of dawn he stepp’d away; + Long was the journey, short the day; + The wint’ry blast blew loud and chill; + Night caught him on the unshelter’d hill; + Fatigu’d he fell; no help came nigh; + His faithful dog alone was by; + Who, as he fondly lick’d his cheek, + Heard his expiring master speak. + “Heap not for me thy cottage-fire; + “Cold grows my heart, unhappy sire! + “But turn to my unfinish’d loom, + “And weave the web, and bear it home! + “Prepare not, dame, my evening meal; + “But bid them ring my passing peal! + “Deck not thyself, dear maid, to meet + “Thy love; but bring his winding sheet! + “I come not to your festive cheer; + “Ye comrades, place me on my bier!—” + —The morrow found him stiff and pale: + Mournful the Muse recounts his tale. + + Her stately tower there HANBURY rears, + Which proudly looks o’er distant shires; + Down the chill slope and darken’d glade + Projects afar it’s length of shade; + Assails the skies with giant force, + And checks the whirlwind in it’s course; + Or, when black clouds involve the pole, + Disarms the thunders, as they roll!— + Beneath how Nature throws around + Grand inequalities of ground, + While down the dells and o’er the steeps + The wavy line of Paphos creeps!— + + With awful sorrow I behold + Yon cliff, that frowns with ruins old;[21] + Stout FERRERS there kept faithless ward,[22] + And GAUNT perform’d his Castle-guard.[23] + There captive MARY look’d in vain[24] + For NORFOLK, and her nuptial train; + Enrich’d with royal tears the Dove, + But sigh’d for freedom, not from love. + ’Twas once the seat of festive state, + Where high born dames and nobles sat; + While minstrels, each in order heard,[25] + Their venerable songs preferr’d. + False memory of it’s state remains + In the rude sport of brutal swains.[26] + Now serpents hiss, and foxes dwell + Amidst the mould’ring citadel; + And time but spares those broken towers + In mockery of human powers. + + Yon hill, that glows with southern rays,[27] + All-conscious of superior praise, + Swells her smooth top and pastures green, + And of her sisters seems the queen; + Proud from her ancient seats to trace + The lineage of a generous race. + “That generous race,” fair SUDBURY cries, + “Is mine,” and bids her turrets rise, + Lifts from the lap of peace her dome, + Where finds Munificence a home; + Then wide her shining lake she leads + Through blossom’d groves and emerald meads, + Cloaths with dark woods the distant scene, + And pours her dappled herds between. + —Ah me! what sudden sadness lowers + O’er her fair front and vernal bowers! + There sinks to her untimely tomb + A virgin flower in beauty’s bloom! + O thou wast all that youth admires, + A parent loves, or friend desires! + I knew thee well! my sorrowing heart + Bears in thy loss a bitter part!— + Whilst the sad Muse in plaintive verse + Strews all her flowers around thy hearse, + Let Pity quit thy grave, and go + A mourner to yon house of woe. + There from thy father’s bosom break + Sighs, which too eloquently speak: + Thy mother weeps, but weeps resign’d, + In all things noble, most in mind: + Pale griefs thy sisters’ cheeks invade; + And one, alas, too tender maid! + Holds a long melancholy strife + Betwixt her sorrows and her life: + Thy manly brothers strive to cure + In vain, the pangs themselves endure. + Fair Saint! a happier lot is thine + Repos’d beneath the silent shrine! + + Now let me seek in pensive mood + The rude recesses of the wood; + And, where congenial gloom extends, + Think of lost hopes and distant friends; + Of scenes, whose pleasures fled too fast, + And hours most valued now they’re past! + + Beside me lies a dingle deep,[28] + With shaggy banks abrupt and steep; + Through vistas wild my course I bend, + Till day-light opens at the end: + Where from intoxicating height + Bursts the wide prospect on my sight. + The terrace bold, on which I stand, + Steps broad and forward on the land; + Rude hills compose the side-long scene, + With crofts and cottages between: + The various landscape onward spreads + O’er cultur’d plains and verdant meads; + And seats, and towns, and hamlets rise, + Where yon smoke curls into the skies, + And spires, that pierce thro’ tufted trees; + Till, faintly fading by degrees, + Beyond, in wild confusion tost, + The hills blue tops in clouds are lost. + + Yes, EATON-BANKS, in vain I strive[29] + To hide the grief your oaks revive.— + Bow thy tall branches, grateful wood! + Afford me blossom, leaf, and bud! + He, for whose memory these I blend, + Thy late-lost master, was my friend!— + Fall, gentle dews! fresh zephyrs, breathe! + Spread, cooling shades! preserve my wreath!— + Alas, it withers ere its time!— + So faded he in manly prime!— + But Virtue, scorning friendship’s aid, + Rears her own palms, which never fade! + + + PART, IV. + + Henry, O leave, whilst youth is ours,[30] + And health leads on the fleeting hours, + O leave awhile the court you grace, + And urge with me the sylvan chase! + + Oft, as I bathe in morning’s breath, + Ere wakes the plover on the heath, + Ere the sun robs the woodbine’s smell, + Or dries the fox-glove’s purple bell, + I hear the deep-mouth’d thunder rise; + The monarch of the woodland flies, + Whilst the loud triumphs of the horn + On breezy wings are backward born.[31] + His subject mates no succour lend; + What tyrant ever found a friend? + He dies!—the satiate echoes cease; + The forest reassumes its peace. + + Now sun-burnt Autumn with his spoils + Diana’s bleeding altar piles: + Again the slaughtering gun is heard, + And wildly screams the parent bird; + All night she mourns her lessen’d brood, + Still views them fluttering in their blood, + With timorous call the rest collects, + And with quick wing their flight directs. + Now the strong buck his rival drives, + And awes with jealous threats his wives: + Slow move the kine to fresher fields; + The hawthorn to the holly yields: + No twittering swallow skims the plain, + No shrite-cock tunes his echoing strain:[32] + Dumb are the full-plum’d songsters all, + Save the lone red-breast on my wall; + Thy tender lay, sweet bird, prolong, + And sooth old Winter with thy song! + + When wintry mists obscure the skies, + His busy nose the spaniel plies, + Where mossy glades and thickets brown + Tempt the far-wandering wood-cock down: + Stretch thy strong wing, thy flight retake, + Nor trust the inhospitable brake!— + Ah, forc’d from the luxuriant ground, + He mounts, and feels the sudden wound. + So transmeridian Zealand views + Adventurous Europe’s wandering crews: + Fierce hunger eyes the stranger-guest, + And fraud secures the barbarous feast; + Stain’d are the rocks with human gore, + And white with scatter’d bones the shore. + + The leveret—but I spare the rest, + I see compassion touch thy breast— + Come then, and whilst the murderous crew + In harmless blood their hands imbrue, + Rous’d to revenge by ravag’d flocks, + Haste we to find the kennell’d fox. + Hark! those preluding cries he hears; + Thick beats his heart with conscious fears. + Some tyrant thus, in luckless hour + Whom fraud or force has rais’d to pow’r, + With throbbing heart and pale eye stands, + And spreads to heaven his harpy hands, + When Freedom’s voice alarms the morn, + And Vengeance winds her echoing horn. + See, with the wind he scours away + Sleek, and in crimes grown old and gray! + Oft has he foil’d our angry pack, + I know his customary track. + Talk not of pity to such foes! + Stern justice claims the life he owes. + No storms arise to screen his flight; + ’Tis long till interrupting night; + The breathing South his sentence gives, + And not an hour the caitiff lives! + Through woods, and hills, and vales, and brakes, + NEEDWOOD with general transport shakes. + Mark how the pack diffusely spread, + And shew me, if you can, their head! + ’Tis here—’tis there—now onward far + Streams down the vales irregular. + As through the furzy brakes they drive + The trembling coverts seem alive. + Thus by the winds o’er bending corn + Loose waves of light and shade are born. + Now winding up yon steep they strain; + Now wheel in silence on the plain: + Again they catch the tainted wind; + No hound disgraceful lurks behind: + All striving with confederate aim, + Their size, their power, their speed the same, + With eager eye and clamorous tongue + In broad career they press along, + Fierce on their victim gathering round— + —He suffers by no single wound! + Thus o’er the azure fields of night + Shoot the quick rays of northern light, + To one bright point converg’d they flow, + And round the silver zenith glow. + So, when a lake surcharg’d by rain + Bursts, and o’erwhelms the sloping plain, + The wond’ring rustic flies, nor knows + Which of its currents fastest flows; + Now here the rattling eddies lead, + Now there they foam along the mead, + Till in a silent pool they stand, + Collected on the hollow land. + + Go languid fops, go pedants, waste + Your sneers on joys you cannot taste; + And cloak with many a vain pretence + Cold-blooded fear and indolence! + + Warm to each elegant delight, + Ingenious, sensible, polite, + Known to the world you know so well, + Lov’d e’en by those whom you excel, + MEYNELL, my leader and my friend, + Stand forth! the manly chase defend! + O raise your animating voice, + And cheer the Dian of your choice! + Not her, whose foul Circean draft + ’Squires of preceding ages quaff’d, + Unletter’d reveller, whose joys + Were rudeness, turbulence, and noise, + But her, no less of British kind, + Well-bred, intelligent, refin’d, + Of younger years and purer mold, + Chaste as the Huntress Queen of old. + + Yes, I am thine, enchanting maid! + Come, in thy decent robes array’d! + O bring thy blithe companion, Health, + Who smiles, and mocks the sluggard Wealth; + And Hope, who spleen and care destroys; + And Rapture scorning tamer joys; + Young Eagerness with kindling eyes; + And Triumph mingling jocund cries! + + Come, as thy cheerful train is seen, + Where FOREMARKE waves his woodlands green; + When hears his vale thy matin song, + And TRENT exulting shouts along: + While wait, thy gay return to greet, + Convivial Mirth and Welcome sweet.— + On me, thy humbler votary, shower + The balmy dews of every flower, + Which oft thy curious hand has twin’d + Thy BURDETT’S favour’d brows to bind! + + + PART, V. + + Whence, NEEDWOOD, that tremendous sound!— + —Low dying murmurs run around, + A deeper gloom the wood receives, + And horror shivers on the leaves, + Loud shriekes the hern, the raven croaks— + Destruction’s arm arrests thy oaks![33] + Onward with giant strides he towers, + Dooms with dread voice thy withering bowers, + High o’er his head the broad axe wields, + Stamps with his iron foot, and shakes the fields! + + When from her lawless rocks and sands + Arabia pours her ruffian bands, + The village hinds in wild distress + Around some holy hermit press + Orb within orb, their wrongs declare, + And ask his counsel and his prayer; + All white with age, inspir’d he stands, + And lifts to heaven his wrinkled hands! + So seems the affrighted forest, drawn + In crowds around this lonely lawn: + High in the midst with many a frown + Huge SWILCAR shakes his tresses brown,[34] + Out-spreads his bare arms to the skies, + The ruins of six centuries, + Deep groans pervade his rifted rind— + —He speaks his bitterness of mind. + “Your impious hands, barbarians, hold! + “Ye pause! but fir’d with lust of gold, + “Your leader lifts his axe, and like + “Accursed JULIUS, bids you strike.[35] + “Deaf are the ruthless ears of gain, + “And youth and beauty plead in vain. + “—Loud groans the wood with thick’ning strokes! + “Yes, ye must perish, filial oaks! + “In heaps your wither’d trunks be laid, + “And wound the lawns, ye used to shade; + “Whilst Avarice on the naked pile + “Exulting casts a hideous smile. + “Strike here! on me exhaust your rage, + “Nor let false pity spare my age! + “No pity dwells with sordid slaves; + “’Tis want of worth alone that saves. + “Yes, ye will leave me with disdain + “A mouldring land-mark on the plain, + “Where many a reign my trunk hath stood + “Proud father of the circling wood. + “In freedom’s dearest days I grew,[36] + “And HENRY’S jealous nobles knew; + “I saw them pierce the bounding game, + “And heard their horn announce the claim. + “No more, beneath my favorite shade, + “The forest youth and village maid + “Shall meet to plight their troth, and mark + “Their loves memorial on my bark. + + “Yet, yet, fond Hope, thy distant light[37] + “Beams unexpected on my sight; + “Lo VERNON hastes, the common friend! + “The affrighted forest to defend; + “Bids the keen axe the saplings spare, + “And makes posterity his care. + “Yes, Joy shall see these scenes renew’d, + “Shall wake his sister Gratitude, + “Shall call on lawns and hills and dells + “The silent echoes from their cells, + “Long trains of golden years proclaim, + “And NEEDWOOD ring with VERNON’S name.” + + He ceas’d, and shook his hoary brow: + Glad murmurs fill the vale below, + The deer in gambols bound along, + The plighted birds resume their song. + + Thrice-venerable Druid, hail! + O may thy sacred words prevail, + May NEEDWOOD’S oaks successive stand + The lasting wonder of the land!— + And may some powerful bard arise, + Tho’ heaven to me that power denies, + The POPE or DENHAM of his days, + Whose lofty verse shall match their praise. + + + _FINIS._ + + + + + ADDRESS + TO + SWILCAR OAK, + DESCRIBED + IN MR. MUNDY’S POEM + ON + NEEDWOOD FOREST, + + + Hail, stately oak, whose wrinkled trunk hath stood + Age after age, the sov’reign of this wood; + You, who have seen a thousand springs unfold + Their ravell’d buds, and dip their flowers in gold; + Ten thousand times yon moon relight her horn, + And that bright eye of evening gild the morn. + + Say, when of old the snow-hair’d druids pray’d + With mad-ey’d rapture in your hallow’d shade, + While to their altars bards and heroes throng, + And crouding nations join the ecstatick song; + Did e’er such dulcet notes arrest your gales, + As MUNDY pours along the list’ning vales? + + Yes, stately oak, thy leaf-wrapp’d head sublime + Erelong must perish in the wrecks of time; + Shou’d o’er thy brow the thunders harmless break, + And thy firm roots in vain the whirlwinds shake, + Yet must thou fall,—thy withering glories sunk, + Arm after arm shall leave the mould’ring trunk! + + But MUNDY’S verse shall consecrate thy name, + And rising forests envy SWILCAR’S fame: + Green shall thy gems expand, thy branches play, + And bloom for ever in the immortal lay. + + E. D. + + + + + A + RURAL CORONATION, + Inscribed to Mr. MUNDY, + On reading his POEM + ON + NEEDWOOD FOREST. + + + Haste from your dells, your woods, and lawns, + Nymphs, Naiads, Satyrs, Fays, and Fauns, + Haste! hither bring your flowers and boughs, + And weave a wreath for MUNDY’S brows! + + First twigs of oak from SWILCAR rend, + And round his auburn temples bend; + Then tye the ends, that twisting meet, + With tendrils from the wood-bine sweet: + With laurel-blossoms next be spread + Pale ivy crosswise o’er his head; + These holly sprigs insert between, + —The berries blush amid the green— + While hare-bells blue, and lilies fair, + Mix’d with the wild-rose, deck his hair. + + Now with fantastick step advance, + And hand in hand around him dance; + To oaten pipe attune his lays, + And hail the bard, who sings your praise. + “While the gay choirings of the grove + “Give breath to harmony and love, + “And golden furze and purple ling + “Around their mix’d embroidery fling, + “And, all irregularly join’d, + “Th’ according outline waves behind.” + + A. S. + + + + + SONNET. + + + Mundy, whose song hath taught the forest swain + To view fair NEEDWOOD thro’ the radiance clear + Of bright imagination, taught the tear + To glisten in his eye for other’s pain, + And own that taste and virtue are not vain, + How was thy pipe melodious wont to cheer + The wintry groves, when every leaf was sear, + And brighten summer with its artful strain!— + Say, by what meed shall NEEDWOOD court thy stay? + She unsuspecting twines in amorous care + Her favorite holly and her flower-bells gay, + To deck with modest hand her lover’s hair,— + Ah, do not thou her gentle hope betray, + And doom her tender bosom to despair! + + B. B. + + + + + _On_ Mr. MUNDY’s _Needwood Forest_. + + + Where NEEDWOOD’S banks embroidered smile + On bright-hair’d Dove, the british Nile, + Pleas’d MUNDY fix’d his easel strong, + And stretch’d his canvass wide and long; + Broad o’er his hand the pallet lies + With pencils for a thousand dyes. + He look’d, and drew, and look’d again,— + —Enamour’d Fancy snatch’d the pen, + Nymphs, Graces, Loves around him throng, + With all the sisterhood of song: + Bright tints by fairy hands were mix’d. + And Witchcraft etch’d the shades betwixt. + + Delighted Flora smil’d and drew + The primrose pale, and violet blue. + A Naiad spreads the flake of snow,—[38] + White foams the glittering stream below. + “Give me the pallet,” Love demands, + And stretching forth his baby hands + Dip’d with nice touch his keenest shaft + In all the blushing lakes, and laugh’d;[39] + With sweetest grace the pencil flow’d, + With softest tints the canvass glow’d; + “I’ll draw Mamma,” the Wanton cries, + And TALBOT’S features charm our eyes! + With airy ease the white neck bends, + Lock after lock the hair descends: + O’er the fair form the Graces spread + Their vest, and Hymen wreaths the head. + + And then Thalia, muse of woe, + Moves o’er the woof her crayon slow. + Here, cold, bewilder’d, tir’d, forlorn, + The Traveller sighs in vain for morn; + Stretch’d on the imprinted snow he lies, + And bends on heaven his stiffening eyes. + There Friendship sits the shade beneath, + And twines for CLARKE a fadeless wreath; + Fresh cypress with the flowers she weaves, + And many a tear-drop gems the leaves. + Next o’er the lawn a virgin throng + In sad procession moves along, + Lorn Loves inverted torches bear, + And Pity weeps o’er VERNON’S bier. + + To shade the distant ground, and lay + The rising group in bolder day, + A Dryad chalks some dusky strokes,— + Behind umbrageous frown her oaks! + And SWILCAR, rent by many a storm, + Rears high in air his leafless form. + + Pleas’d MUNDY stood with eager eyes, + And watch’d the living figures rise; + Smil’d as the varying colours flow’d, + And sigh’d by turns, and chill’d, and glow’d: + And to the admiring world has shewn + The immortal tablet for his own. + + E. D. Jun. + +[Illustration: [Fleuron]] + + + + + THE + FALL + OF + NEEDWOOD. + + + =Derby:= + + PRINTED AT THE OFFICE OF J. DREWRY. + +[Illustration] + + 1808. + + + + + THE FALL OF NEEDWOOD. + + + Ah, Needwood! I, whose early voice + Taught thy shrill echoes to rejoice; + I, who first pour’d the sylvan song + Thy glades, thy banks, thy lawns along; + I, who with artless pencil drew + Thy Forest charms of varied hue, + Approach thee now with different strain, + That mourns thy wrongs, yet mourns in vain: + I come, but not with former haste, + To view the dim unshelter’d Waste, + That once was Needwood: on thy brow + No green-rob’d Wood-nymph beckons now: + Yet be thy Spirit sooth’d to bear + My Requiem through the void of air! + + O Draycot Cliff! again thy height, + Known beacon of my young delight, + With sad’ning thoughts, that much portend + Of change and tumult, I ascend; + Nor flatter’d by thy levell’d way, + That smiles, like worldlings, to betray. + How swells my aged heart, now near + Scenes to my happiest youth so dear! + How sinks that heart, as these arise + Distorted, to my anguish’d eyes! + Where are those ample plains, display’d + ’Mong woods with many an opening glade? + Where is the wild doe bounding by, + Once emblem of their liberty? + No stragglers from the warren fleet + Scud cross my path with flirting feet. + No jealous blood-hound, brave and proud, + Throws from the lodge his challenge loud. + + O hear me on thy summits tall, + Time-honour’d Needwood! hear my call! + For thou my filial voice hast known.— + No answer follows—hark! a groan! + His ancient seats I seek in vain; + He, nor his ancient seats remain; + But in strange horror staring round, + A Spectre, pointing to his wound, + Of hideous shape, with bald head, stalks + Before me o’er the ravag’d walks; + Where Desolation grim affrights[40] + Sham’d Ceres in unhallow’d rites; + Where the check’d Plunderer shrinks aside, + As by his own deed terrified, + Or fears, from many a faithful root, + Vengeance in ambush at his foot. + + Wavering alike in mind and pace, + I roam, familiar haunts to trace; + The winds, that bow me as I go, + Rush unrestrain’d, as wild with woe, + Or querulously vex’d to miss + The blooming groves they lov’d to kiss. + Each spot discover’d has its tale; + Seems a friend’s voice in every gale; + Wak’d Recollection starts aghast, + And thoughtful sighs o’er pleasures past. + + When Nature, with exulting smile, + Form’d from her stores this happy Isle, + Curious, and bounteously intent + To raise a central ornament, + She cull’d the brightest and the best; + And heap’d them on her darling’s breast: + Sprung joyful to her warm embrace + Th’ appointed Genius of the Place; + His features fair young Beauty drew; + On her soft lap the fondling grew. + The Seasons came his birth to greet, + And pour’d their choicest at his feet; + The Dryads quaintly curl’d his locks; + Nymphs, Fauns, and Satyrs rush’d in flocks, + Pleas’d in such Fairy-land to dwell, + And peopled every bower and dell. + Kings mark’d the consecrated ground; + And Power protective watch’d around. + Long Mercia sat beside enthron’d;[41] + And prouder crowns its honours own’d.[42] + Delighted Ages list’ning heard + The wild hoof beat the tainted swerd, + The glad’ning hound and echoing horn, + And hunters’ shouts far onward born. + How did his dignity excel! + Blush, blush ye Times when Needwood fell! + + ’Twas Avarice with his harpy claws, + Great Victim! rent thy guardian laws; + Loos’d Uproar with his ruffian bands;[43] + Bade Havoc show his crimson’d hands; + Grinn’d a coarse smile, as thy last deer + Dropp’d in thy lap a dying tear; + Exulted in his schemes accurst, + When thy pierc’d heart, abandon’d, burst; + And, glozing on the public good, + Insidious demon! suck’d thy blood. + Detested ever be that day, + Which left thee a defenceless prey! + May never sun its presence cheer! + O be it blotted from the year! + + Where now the Forest-freeman’s boast? + His joys, his hopes, his name are lost. + Repentant claimants of the soil![44] } + Your’s keen remorse and thankless toil; } + Strangers and hirelings snatch the spoil. } + Too late ye mourn your glory gone; + Too late the deed yourselves have done. + Thus, fell Owhyhee’s senseless crew, + Him, their best friend, their idol, slew; + Shar’d his torn limbs with savage pride; + Then griev’d, infatuate! that he died. + Ah, who but knows and loves the lay, + Which Seward hung on Cook’s Morai? + O had I such melodious tear, + Lamented Needwood, for thy bier! + + Forests of England! ye might claim + A proud share in her ancient fame. + Tell your forgetful country, tell, + When dangers dread her state befell, + How rush’d your sons in hardy bands, + Their long bows in their skilful hands; + How far the foremost and the best,[45] + On fierce invading foes they press’d; + With what sure aim their arrows flew, + Whistling the death song ere they slew. + You, in your secret labyrinths, spread[46] + Your dark shields o’er great Alfred’s head, + True to your charge. The ruthless Dane + Brandish’d his reeking blade in vain. + ’Twas your’s to nurse that mighty mind, + Where every Virtue sat enshrin’d. + Your hush’d leaves parted, as the beams[47] + Of glory shot, and fir’d his dreams. + You fann’d his patriot bosom’s glow; + You tun’d his harp; you trimm’d his bow.[48] + He imag’d in your wolves his foes; + And practis’d Vengeance keener rose. + Your proud oaks lean’d[49] to court the hand, + Which England’s conquering navy plann’d. + Your song-birds[50] taught him to convey + Mild manners in attractive lay; + While Liberty, the nymph you love,[51] + Braided the silken bands he wove. + On circled lawns, in secret glade, + You marshall’d thousands to his aid, + Then gave him from your woods to shine + A Cæsar and an Antonine. + There the bright wreaths of Victory grew; + And Themis pluck’d her wand from you. + Rouz’d vigorous by the morning air, + So quits the monarch stag his lair;[52] + With fresh fray’d beams his rival seeks;[53] + His meditated vengeance wreaks; + And, stamping on the mountain’s brow, + Claims homage from the vale below. + + On yonder castled cliff of old,[54] + Needwood, how throng’d thy archers bold, + When there, for deeds of arms array’d, + His banner princely Gaunt display’d! + And fill’d they not his chosen ranks[55] + On distant Ebro’s oliv’d banks? + Spain’s boasted slingers! soon ye fled[56] + From English bowmen, Forest-bred. + Fame stak’d her dearest honours there: + And won not Needwood’s sons their share? + + Illustrious History, bear me back + Up golden Time’s recorded track, + And bring from thy illumin’d page + The heroes of that martial age, + When knightly valour’s own right hand + Sought fame, and spoil, and high command! + Say, as they pass in bright review, + What favourite takes precedence due! + They come—the pride and pomp of war + Mark their disastrous course afar. + Ah, while the mad’ning trumpet brays, + Fields reek with blood and cities blaze; + Fell cries for glory or a crown + The skrieks of wives and orphans drown. + See English Richard’s crest advance!— + Back from the lightning of his lance! + Hark! nations hail in loud accord[57] + His lion heart and victor sword. + Cease, cease thy boasting, clarion vain! + Truth gives my lyre a purer strain. + Blush, as thy people, haughty king, + Shout for the man thy Minstrels bring,[58] + And offer, with less guilty claim, + A Forest Yeoman’s humble name! + How sweetly pours that bugle shrill + It’s mellow tones o’er dale and hill, + As Sherwood’s Hero, down the glade,[59] + Steps with his bow and bright brown blade,[60] + His feather’d arrows, broad and keen, + Hung lightly o’er his gown of green! + A robber! say’st thou? Thy harsh laws, + Oppressor, and the poor man’s cause + Led him, indignant, to the wood, + With bold pretence of rights withstood. + Churls, with no feeling but for self, + Yield to his better hands your pelf! + Such trespass Fear disdains to hide; + And hoodwink’d Justice peeps aside. + The liberal air his freeborn soul + Lifts high, in scorn of base controul. + In fellowship and fealty bound, + Firm as the knights of Table Round, + Him and his hundred, tall and fleet, + Not twice two hundred care to meet. + Minions, oppose not his career! + He seeks no slaughter, but of deer. + Yet will he pass unquestion’d by: + Raise but your weapons and ye die! + Start not fair maids! your path pursue + Unharm’d; he guards its peace for you; + And cheers, on each occasion kind, + In age or want, the hamlet hind. + Here, warriors, to the Forest turn, + True courage and its use to learn! + Here, nobles, to the wood resort, + For courtesy unknown at court!— + Needwood, this brave man was thy guest;[61] + Love crown’d the day, and Mirth the feast. + + Region, where all delights were found, + How look’st thou now? a burial ground! + With sad memorials, here and there, + Of what was noble, free, and fair. + King’s-standing, with a tortur’d frown,[62] + Marks its own splendour overthrown. + Whate’er of wood or lawn could please, + Whate’er of hills that rang’d with ease, + In grand assemblage broad display’d, + This far commanding mount survey’d. + How chang’d! those oaks, that tower’d so high, + Dismember’d, stript, extended, lie; + On the stain’d turf their wrecks are pil’d,[63] + Where thousand Summers bask’d and smil’d; + In smouldering heaps their limbs consume;[64] + The dark smoke marks their casual tomb; + From blacken’d brakes,[65] the choak’d winds toss + The ashes of the golden goss; + While great with power, yon Wretch[66] derides + And boasts the mischief, which he guides. + Thus, when, in unsuspecting peace, + Rush’d Scythia’s hordes on fertile Greece, + Mars, their grim god, whom heaven abhors, + Urg’d with fell taunts to wasteful wars. + Valley! where Marebrook, all unveil’d,[67] + Her slender line, far shining, trail’d, + With frequent curves thy slopes between, + As loth to quit the enticing scene; + Or turning with young fawns to play, + Wily and volatile as they; + Alluring, with her tinkling sweet, + From bank to bank their timid feet; + Lov’d Valley! now no charm invites + My steps to rove these injur’d heights; + Thy wavy knolls the fence arrests; + The rude spade wounds thy swelling breasts; + Rent her fair locks and mantle rich, + Forlorn along that hateful ditch + Thy violated Naiad steals, + And in foul streams her shame conceals. + + These broad roots bore a secret grove, + Where I was wont at eve to rove; + And, while low-thoughted cares retired, + Wrapp’d in fond musings, Fancy-fir’d, + Saw what alone the mind’s eye sees; + Heard other whisperings than the breeze; + And knights and dames, and dwarfs portray’d,[68] + And bright arms gleaming down the glade; + Drew Magic, muttering powerful spell; + And Witchcraft with demoniac yell. + Hark! the last trunk that axe assails; + See! the plough tears the writhing vales; + Stop, thoughtless clown! nor dare to bring + Destruction on that Fairy-Ring, + Imprinted deep with stainless green, + And lasting beauty, seldom seen. + E’en Winter paus’d that turf to spare; + Nor look’d the fiery Dog-star there. + And once more may Titania come, + With farewell, to her ancient home; + But, for the bee bird’s gaudy plume,[69] + Wav’d o’er her neck in quivering bloom, + Funereal spray of dismal hue, + Of cypress, or the baleful yew, + Join’d with the nightshade’s deadly flow’r, + Shall darkly o’er her forehead low’r. + Attendant Fays, in mournful throng, + Nor trace the dance, nor raise the song; + While, for the shrill reed’s cheerful sound, + That led them lightly tripping round, + Beetles and drones, with hummings low, + Measure their footfalls sad and slow.— + Alas, no gentle sprite remains! + But foul fiends scour th’ affrighted plains, + Rob of their honours hills and lawns, + Trace the mean ditch that greedy yawns, + And teach the reptile hedge to crawl; + Twin pests, confederate, seizing all. + + What old man with his gray dog sits, + What blind man, by those sandy pits? + ’Tis Manuel![70]—and he rests him, where + My fox-earth was his nightly care.— + Ah, come not now to scenes so drear, + Gay hunters! scenes ye cannot cheer. + Ah venture not their threats to brave; + Nor trample on your Needwood’s grave!— + ’Tis Manuel! and he knows my voice: + His tears, tho’ not his eyes, rejoice: + Reduc’d by age and loss of sight + To beggary and the parish mite, + That dog his only guide, he picks, + Groping in fear, those wretched sticks. + But soon will such small gleanings end.— + Thou, Needwood, wast the poor man’s friend! + + Garden of Nature! on whose face + Contended fragrance, bloom, and grace; + Kind nurse of her abundant good + To human wants, from herb or wood, + Tho’ seem the withering winds less rude + Than thoughtless man’s ingratitude; + Not all thy children droop forlorn, + Hurl’d from magnificence to scorn. + You, fox-gloves, through the varying year[71] + Fresh, vigorous and countless here, + You, happy fox-gloves, as you fell, + In triumph clos’d each purple bell; + Proud that the bark of fam’d Peru + Was rival’d, British plant, by you. + Philosophy and Science rare + Had pitied Dropsy’s sad despair, + And pour’d your healing treasure forth; + While their own Bard extoll’d your worth; + Poet and Sage: hence doubly shine + Your honours on Hygiea’s shrine, + Where pleas’d Apollo stoop’d to yield + To Darwin’s hand his lyre and shield.[72] + + Again, to save this fair domain,[73] + A Vernon strove, but strove in vain; + And many a noble heart was warm[74] + The fell devourer’s rage to charm; + But mean Self-interest lit the flame, + Blind Furies fann’d; and Ruin came. + + Yet Limbrook prattles, in her pride,[75] + Of ancient scenery on her side, + Calls, where her beauties still prevail, + To Byrkley Bowers and Yoxall Dale, + Boasts of deep shades and allies green, + And bids me mark that Forest mien, + Pleas’d, in this circlet, to secure + Her injur’d parents’ miniature; + And fain would cheer me, as she leads + By cultur’d banks to verdant meads; + And spreads her mirrors to reflect + How Nature’s hand-maid, Art, hath deck’d + The matron here, with choicest bloom;— + Ah, garlands now for Needwood’s tomb! + + Limbrook! protected child and heir, + Enjoy thy patrimony fair; + And ever, in thy favour’d bound,[76] + Prosperity and Peace be found. + Yet long wilt thou lament the change + Of herds and flocks, that near thee range, + More loudly to thy rushes chide, + Since comes no doe her fawn to hide; + And long thy murmuring stream will shrink, + When stoops the stranger ewe to drink;[77] + And long those oaks, Destruction spar’d, + Grieve for the greatness, once they shar’d, + And sigh, while, ages hence, appear + The tracks of their remember’d deer,[78] + And scatter, careless, to the wind, + Fruits, for their Autumn feast design’d. + + Thus, when that monster of the world[79] + Thy nobles from their honours hurl’d, + Oh France! a few, to fate resign’d, + All lost, but dignity of mind, + Still on the general wreck abide, + Terror and Tyranny beside, + And privileg’d in fall’n estate, + Walk humbly with the power they hate, + Regretful of their happier times, + And sighing o’er a nation’s crimes. + + Yet Byrkley Bowers, your Emma’s art[80] + Such sweet delusion can impart, + Such truth her curious pencil gives, + That Needwood in its magic lives. + O, haste to catch, ingenious maid, + His remnant beauties ere they fade: + So to th’ admiring world be shown + Fair forms, accomplish’d like your own! + + Though aptly might these dells retain + Wild Fancy and her sylvan train, + I ask no fabled nymph to lend + Her idle aid, as I descend; + I seek not such attendants here; + But hail your presence and revere, + Truth, Genius, Science!—Yoxall Dale, + ’Mong Forest Walks distinguish’d, hail! + Enough, that future times will say: + “Here Gisborne penn’d his moral lay,[81] + “Practis’d the duties he enjoin’d, + “Led and instructed human kind, + “Here the high paths of Nature trod, + “And saw and glorified her God.” + + Gigantic hollies![82] many a year + Your lopp’d limbs fed the pining deer; + And many a year, your growth renew’d, + In venerable solitude, + With arch and column, here you stood, + As once the Temple of the Wood. + The seasons wrought not on your form; + You bent not to the battering storm; + Arrested on each shrouded brow, + No wanton sunbeams pry’d below.— + Respected veterans! favourite glade! + Oft, as I pac’d your pensive shade, + Rapt Meditation mus’d in prayer; + Or self-indulgence soften’d care.— + These, Needwood, thy destroyers saw + And seiz’d, uncheck’d by shame or awe! + + Fair Virgin! in that hallow’d gloom,[83] + While the bell knoll’d thee to thy tomb, + I chose a polish’d trunk to mark + Thy memory on its yielding bark: + As held in reverence profound, + The grove was motionless around, + Save that an ivy’s stragling leaf + Shook in the breathings of my grief; + Watch’d Pity through her starting tears, + Numbering too soon thy transient years; + Lorn Loves, that knew thee well, were by; + And Sorrow with reverted eye. + Yes; “thou wast all that youth admires, + A parent seeks, or friend desires!” + + Ah, if yet spar’d, to that lone shrine + Direct me, some remaining sign! + Or whispering airs instruct to find, + Soft as ye kiss the swelling rind! + Or gentle red-breast hop before!— + No; those retirements are no more.— + See the griev’d wood-dove on her flight! + And the scar’d owlet lost in light! + + Hark! the same bell!—take, sister bier,[84] + Affection’s sigh and friendship’s tear! + These for ourselves:—for thee, blest shade! + Amply thy debt of life was paid; + And gentle, as that life, thy fall;— + Rest honour’d, as belov’d by all! + Rest, while the parting Virtues bear + For heaven’s approof, thy record fair! + In yonder cloud that lowers above, + Darkening the cheerful face of Dove, + Their white plumes glimmer to the eye, + And radiant arms extend on high. + + Yes, Holly-Bush![85]—endeared spot! + Forsaken long, but ne’er forgot! + Yes, Holly-Bush! through all disguise + I know thee, but with watery eyes! + With thee what warm emotions start! + What passions press upon my heart! + Quick rushes my own change to view; + And wounds, yet tender, bleed anew. + I come not now to treasur’d sweets; + Blank my approach; no welcome greets; + No lifted sash, no smiling face + Salutes me, joyous from the chase; + No ready grooms my call await; + Leaps on its hinge no friendly gate; + Not for my meal that kitchen’s blaze; + Thy people on a stranger gaze; + And, for the fox-hound cow’ring bland, + Bays the fierce house-dog at his stand. + Yet, as my doubtful step withdraws, + Fresh memories plead for longer pause; + While mixes with each faint farewell + What only struggling sighs can tell. + + Yes, Holly-Bush!—here fled too fast + Fair hours, most valued now they’re past. + But not, in my regard, import + These structures of a prouder sort; + And former fondness ill can brook + This order’d dress and inland look;[86] + Thy flowery copse and bowers make room + For alien shrubs and new perfume; + Thy meek rill swells with glaring brim; + Thy rude paths march through gardens trim; + Ah, here no unambitious brow,[87] + Nor my contented dwelling now! + + But thou remainest, favourite Tree! + Extend thy friendly canopy! + Ah! know me, sooth me, in my age, + And cheer this mournful pilgrimage! + + Hall! whose kind arm is stretch’d between[88] + The spoiler and yon Forest scene, + Its green vale with its wooded banks, + (And Needwood’s honour owes thee thanks) + Save too this suppliant at thy door, + O save my spreading Sycamore! + It gave my window breezes sweet, + And shelter when the tempest beat; + When wild bees humm’d its boughs among, + Or cooing stock-dove watch’d her young, + Oft have I sat beneath its shade, + And bless’d my children, as they play’d. + Ah! let not Taste, with upstart pride, + This old domestic thrust aside; + This relic, generous owner! spare + To Needwood’s earliest poet’s prayer: + So prosper here thy fair designs; + So Beauty lend thee her own lines; + So here all social Pleasures throng; + And sweet Enjoyment flourish long. + + Revered Swilcar![89] kingly Oak! + Ill spar’d from thee th’ assassin’s stroke. + How brilliant was thy sylvan court! + Of sons and subjects proud resort; + Here stately rang’d in close array; + There lightly group’d on carpets gay; + Attendant hollies glow’d beneath, + All arm’d; their crest a woodbine wreath. + In safety skipp’d the dappled herds; + Securely perch’d the choiring birds; + O’er charter’d ground thy broad shade spread; + In freedom wav’d thy sacred head, + Where age had whiten’d many a stem, + And plac’d an antler’d diadem. + + Horrid!—I see thee far[90]—defac’d— + In fetters on a dreary waste, + With outstretch’d arms and bosom bare, + Appealing to the troubled air; + Yet taxing not the pelting storm; + But those, more cruel, who deform + Thy rich retreats, thy turf defile + With fence, and road, and uses vile; + Nor of the whole, which Nature gave, + Leave thee enough to make thy grave, + When comes, as come it must, thy fall, + _Lear_ of the Forest, robb’d of all! + + Enough; and from my trembling hand + Drops the sad lyre.—Abused Land, + Take my last strains! in happier days + I tun’d my rude horn to thy praise; + And (all I wish’d) the friends I lov’d + Those unassuming notes approv’d; + And some, with strength beyond its own,[91] + In sweeter echoes cheer’d the tone; + To swell _this_ tear, which sorrow drew, + Do _they_ remain?—alas how few! + + Swilcar! from thee a wither’d bough + Will best become my temples now. + And pendent here my shell I leave + Mournfully mute; save when, at eve, + While Silence lists on brooding wings, + Soft airs shall brush the murmuring strings: + So still be fond complaint preferr’d, + Its master’s voice no longer heard! + + Then haply some, who wander near + Musing, may lend a partial ear; + And if thy venerable age, + And awful size their hearts engage, + If Nature’s wood-wild walks they love, + If violated grandeur move, + Ah, will not indignation rise, + As Fancy views with weeping eyes, + Nymphs, Satyrs, Fauns, in cheerless row, + And Dian with a broken bow; + Hears Druid’s groan and Dryad’s shriek + Oft through the moonlight stillness break, + Yon prison’d cliffs[92] their griefs repeat, + Dove howling hoarsely at their feet? + + Region!—I lov’d thee at my heart— + Farewell!—for ever now we part. + Forest farewell!—delighted Time + Thee would have spar’d in endless prime; + Me, as he shakes my ebbing sands, + While MORTAL LIFE her roll expands, + Me, feebly bending o’er thy tomb, + He beckons to her COMMON HOME.— + Ah, human weakness! may a name, + Aspiring to no splendid fame, + Live, yet a little, in my SONGS + Of NEEDWOOD’S PRAISE and NEEDWOOD’S WRONGS! + + + + + MY GRAND CLIMACTERIC. 1802. + + + As one, who journeys over unknown lands, + Ere yet the sun withdraws his western ray, + Stops on some mountain’s brow, whose site commands + The shifting scenes and labyrinths of the way; + + With fond reverted look his thoughts retrace, + Where flowers their sweets, and wild-birds gave their song, + And dwell, long dwell! on many a favourite space, + Where prodigal of time he loiter’d long; + + Lovers and friends in bright perspective rise, + Companions of his morn, on yon blue hill; + Down that blank plain he drops a look, and sighs, + Whence seem their parting words to reach him still; + + Here his pain’d eyes unkindly districts mark, + Where faint heats smote him or fierce storms o’ertook; + There strain o’er deep’ning woods at noonday dark, + Where his false steps their destin’d course forsook; + + Pond’ring the change and chances of the day, + As warning eve prepares her veil to close, + Serious, he now proceeds with short survey, + Expecting night’s dark hour, and hoping calm repose: + + So I look back on more than sixty years, + In life’s sequester’d walks obscurely spent, + Where tho’ its trophied head no column rears, + Inscrib’d with mighty deed, or proud event, + + Yet, on some few small eminencies, glow + The heart’s rejoicing-lights of self-applause; + Some generous claims surmount the gloom below, + And shame and sharp regrets a moment pause; + + Yet these prevail—ah! might my wish prevail + That Time would turn my near exhausted glass; + Then not a grain should of its harvest fail;— + Seeds are but sands when unimprov’d they pass. + + Vain wish! vain promise! what dost thou presume, + O weak Humanity? thyself but dust! + Since from the cradle, hourly, to the tomb, + Toil, trifle, err and grieve, frail thing! thou must. + + But pleasures, passions lose their dangerous force; + And the world’s business shrinks as age descends: + O spare Adversity! my evening course; + My little part is play’d, my small importance ends. + + + + + _To F. N. C. MUNDY, Esq._ + ON HIS POEM + THE FALL OF NEEDWOOD. + + + Poet of Needwood, much my heart approves + This thy ow’d duty to his ravag’d groves, + The lost! the lovely! who in better days + View’d their each grace reflected in thy lays; + And O! when many a future Age has pass’d, + Rolling oblivious o’er his nameless Waste, + Its sometime beauties shall again revive, + And in thy pictur’d strains for EVER live. + + Come, pensive listening, ye once jocund Throng, + Whilome that rov’d those forest-haunts along; + Explor’d, with pleasure brightening in your air, + Each coy, green labyrinth and each turfy lair, + Still, as in pride of youth, the wanton Spring + Expanded to the Sun her showery wing, + And cliffs, illustrious in their golden bloom, + Rose o’er the glades of light-besprinkled gloom. + + Nor absent ye when Summer’s fervid Hours + Dropt more luxuriant curtains on the Bowers, + And the vast Oak’s writh’d arms of dusky green + Shadow’d the dappled Tenants of the Scene, + With rival Elm, whose mossy trunk appears + Out-numbering far the lonely Eagle’s years. + + Nor when the Months consummate, left their vales + To Suns less ardent, less benignant gales, + And Autumn painted, with his tawny hand, + The shrinking foliage, and in colours bland + Streak’d the pale red with purple, faint and brief, + And tipt with tarnish’d gold each trembling leaf. + + Nor e’en when Phœbus’ Steeds, no longer fleet, + With mane dishevel’d streaming to their feet, + Struggling thro’ clouds, th’ hybernal Solstice gain, + Their necks bedropt with globes of freezing rain, + And the loud Tyrant of the dying Year + Stript OTHER Groves, made OTHER Forests fear; + For Needwood to his sway disdain’d to yield; + His polish’d umbrage an unfailing shield, + Those numerous hollies on his breast and brow, + That thrust their scarlet clusters thro’ the snow, + Or spread their glossy leaves to transient rays + The rebel Glory of the icy days. + + Nor if, ere yet arisen, dim Morning heard + Your lightheel’d Coursers paw the dewy swerd, + When the sly Prowler stole adown the wind, + And hop’d he left no tell-tale scent behind. + Vain hope! your swift staunch hounds the search began, + To right and left their hurrying numbers ran, + Till found the taint, in streaming files they hie, + And in one shrill, continuous, clamouring cry, + To which th’ accordant Forest joyous rings, + Hang on his rear, while o’er the vale he springs, + Dash through the rhimy glades, and round the hills + As when receiving tribute brooks and rills + O’er flinty bed a River foams and roars, + Loud and impatient of meandering shores; + Or, deepen’d, shews the Sun his mirror’d face, + Or zones with silver light the mountain’s base. + + Now come, with Mundy, where the Ruin lowers! + He hymns the dirge of the devasted Bowers. + Echo his wailings o’er their fallen state, + Whom Centuries hail’d irregularly great. + Come, execrate the Edict that destroy’d, + Leaving Time-hallow’d Needwood bare and void! + There fell Imagination’s rural fane! + Thence fled fair-shafted Dian’s votive Train, + All which the Bard, entranc’d, in forest sees, + Satyrs and Fauns and leaf-crown’d Dryades. + They fled when Avarice, with rapacious frown, + From Mercia’s temples struck her sylvan crown. + + Yet, gentle Minstrel, they whose raptur’d ears + Drank thy sweet Song in the departed years; + Saw oaken wreaths thy auburn brows entwine, + The well-won meed at Needwood’s shadowy shrine, + Shall find thy Gratulation’s vivid glow + Match’d by thy Requiem in its mournful flow; + The orb of Mundy’s Muse-illumin’d day + Setting with rival tho’ with milder ray; + Pleas’d shall compare the evening with the noon, + And feel, in equal power, the Cypress Garland won. + + ANNA SEWARD.[93] + + + + + IMPROMPTU. + TO THE AUTHOR OF THE NEW POEM, ENTITLED + THE FALL OF NEEDWOOD. + + OCTOBER, 1808. + + + When Poesy, the Child of Zeal, + Who soothes each Pang, that Earth can feel, + Beheld, at wounded Nature’s call, + That Scene of Horror, Needwood’s Fall! + She said, in haste to yield Relief, + And calm the Mighty Mother’s Grief: + “Nature! dear Parent! Power divine! + Whose Joys and Griefs are truly mine! + To you my sympathy devotes + My chearful, and my plaintive Notes: + With Feelings not to be supprest, + I view your lacerated Breast; + This Waste of Ravages! where stood + Your Sylvan Wealth! your graceful Wood! + I cannot from the rifled Earth + Call into sudden, second Birth + The Forest, vanished from your sight, + Tho’ once your Pride! and my Delight! + But I can raise, in your Distress, + A Charm, that scarce will soothe you less; + Behold this Proof of my Regard, + In Needwood’s fascinating Bard! + + He, whom our blended Gifts engage + To sing, with youthful Fire, in age, + He, Needwood! by whose Breath you live, + Gives you, whatever Verse can give; + He makes immortal, in his Songs, + Your Beauties all, and all your Wrongs: + His Verse displays a deathless Charm, + That foils the Force of Havoc’s Arm; + Age after Age, while Nymphs are found + To breathe Delight on English Ground, + The grateful Dryads will admire + The Magic of their Mundy’s Lyre; + And boast the Wood, he lov’d to praise, + For ever verdant in his Lays. + + W. HAYLEY. + +----- + +Footnote 1: + + [DOVE, _etc._] The river _Dove_. + +Footnote 2: + + [_And bids his hollies, etc._] The numerous groves and clumps of + hollies give uncommon beauty to the winter-scenes of _Needwood + Forest_. + +Footnote 3: + + [EMES, _etc._] Mr. EMES, who ornamented _Beaudesart_, the seat of Ld. + PAGET, which is seen from the Forest, and who has obtained great + reputation for his Taste in ornamental Gardening, has frequently + assured the Author, that he took his best hints from the scenes of + _Needwood_. + +Footnote 4: + + [_Maim’d the staunch hound, etc._] Alludes to the Order for _Lawing_, + or cutting off a claw of all Dogs kept within the purlieus of the + royal forests, to prevent their destroying the Deer. + +Footnote 5: + + [_Here with fair peace, etc._] The Author rents his house, upon the + verge of the forest, of Sir WM. BAGOT. It was built and inhabited by + two gentlemen of the BAGOT family. + +Footnote 6: + + [_And_ ARDEN _boasts, etc._] See SHAKESPEAR’S _As you like it_.—Scene + Forest of Arden. + +Footnote 7: + + [_The wandering Wood, etc._] Fairy Queen, Book 1st. chap. 1st. stanza + 13th. _This is the wandering Wood, this Errors den._ + +Footnote 8: + + [_And bears away, etc._] B. 1st. c. 2d. The Shield inscribed _Sans + Foy_. + +Footnote 9: + + [_A gaudy bee-bird’s, etc._] The Humming Bird. + +Footnote 10: + + [_And there in gothic arches, etc._] Dr. Warburton observes the gothic + architecture originally imitated the groves, which were in earlier + times consecrated to religious worship. + + DIVINE LEGATION. + +Footnote 11: + + [_One like a sexton, etc._] Earth-stopper. + +Footnote 12: + + [_Where this gay mount, etc._] A beautiful eminence called + KING’S-STANDING. + +Footnote 13: + + [_And_ LICHFIELD’S _bower, etc._] LICHFIELD Bower is supposed to be + the tumulus of three Saxon Kings slain in battle near that spot. + +Footnote 14: + + [_British Nile, etc._] Dr. PLOTT calls the DOVE the Nile of England, + and attributes the fertility of its floods to the sheep dung washed + from the hills in the Moorlands. + +Footnote 15: + + [BROWN, _etc._] HAWKINS BROWN Esq; of _Foston upon Dove_. + +Footnote 16: + + [C’ANDISH, _etc._] _Doveridge_, the seat of C’ANDISH, ESQ; + +Footnote 17: + + [FITZHERBERT, _etc._] RICHARD FITZHERBERT, ESQ; of _Sommershall_. + +Footnote 18: + + [_The social flag, etc._] Messrs. ADDERLEY and SCOTT have pitched a + tent upon a fine hill above _Coton_, from whence a flag flies when + they are at home, as a signal to their friends. + +Footnote 19: + + [_Outlaw, etc._] A Deer-stealer refusing to surrender was here slain + by a Keeper. + +Footnote 20: + + [_Where life a gentler breast, etc._] This unfortunate young man being + sent on an errand by the Author of this Poem, died on his return; was + found next morning in the forest within a mile of his home, his dog + standing by him. He was a weaver, supported his father and mother; was + engaged on the night of his death to meet his sweetheart at a + Christmas feast in the neighbourhood. + +Footnote 21: + + [_Yon cliff, etc._] TUTBURY CASTLE. + +Footnote 22: + + [FERRERS, _etc._] ROBERT DE FERRERS joining a rebellion against HENRY + 3d. forfeited the possession of _Tutbury_. + +Footnote 23: + + [_Castle-guard, etc._] A service imposed upon those to whom Castles + and Estates adjoining were granted. + +Footnote 24: + + [MARY, _etc._] MARY Queen of _Scots_ was a prisoner in _Tutbury_ + Castle at the time of the Duke of NORFOLK’s intrigues: she listened to + his proposals of marriage, as the only means of obtaining her liberty, + declaring herself otherwise averse to farther matrimonial connections. + +Footnote 25: + + [_While minstrels, etc._] The minstrels formerly crowded to _Tutbury_ + Castle, then a place of festivity and hospitality, in such numbers, as + to require regulations of order and precedence amongst them, the + person appointed for this purpose was called _King_ of the + _Minstrels_. + +Footnote 26: + + [_In the rude sport, etc._] The annual Bull-running. + +Footnote 27: + + [_Yon hill, etc._] HOUND-HILL, the ancient seat of the VERNON’S. + +Footnote 28: + + [_Beside me lies, etc._] The situation of NEEDWOOD is high, and its + banks, descending from the plain of the forest to the country below, + are in many places a mile deep; they consist of alternate cliffs and + dingles, and are entirely covered with trees and rough copses. + +Footnote 29: + + [_Yes_, EATON-BANKS, _etc._] EATON-WOOD, seen from the Forest, was the + property of the late GODFRY BAGNELL CLARKE, ESQUIRE. + +Footnote 30: + + [HENRY, _etc._] The Hon. HENRY VERNON. + +Footnote 31: + + [_On breezy wings, etc._] A Deer when hunted runs against the Wind. + +Footnote 32: + + [_No shrite-cock, etc._] The Shrite-cock or Missel Thrush. + +Footnote 33: + + [_Destruction’s arm, etc._] By order from the Dutchy Court of + LANCASTER, to which the forest of NEEDWOOD belongs, the timber is now + felling under the direction of an officer of that Court. + +Footnote 34: + + [_Huge_ SWILCAR, _etc._] SWILCAR Oak stands singly upon a beautiful + small lawn surrounded with extensive woods,—it is of remarkable size, + and supposed to be six hundred years old. + +Footnote 35: + + [_Accursed_ JULIUS, _etc._] CÆSAR cuts down a consecrated grove. + LUCAN, lib. 3. + +Footnote 36: + + [_In freedom’s dearest days, etc._] The charter of HEN. 3. confirms + the privilege to Lords of parliament of killing a Deer or two in any + of the royal forests in their way to or from parliament, in the + presence of the keeper, or on blowing a horn in his absence.—’tis + about six hundred years since that king reigned. + +Footnote 37: + + [_Yet, yet, fond Hope, etc._] Upon the above order from the Dutchy + Court, Ld. VERNON proposed an inclosure of some parts of the forest, + for the preservation of the young timber, and the beauty of the place. + +Footnote 38: + + [_Flake of snow, etc._] Flake-white. + +Footnote 39: + + [_Lakes, etc._] Carnation Colours. + +Footnote 40: + + [_Where Desolation, etc._] The trees in some parts have been so + injudiciously fallen, that the tillage of the ground is extremely + difficult, or quite at a stand. + +Footnote 41: + + [_Long Mercia sat beside enthron’d_;] The magnificent site of the + castle at Tutbury, no doubt was occupied by a considerable fort in or + before the time of the Saxon heptarchy when it was the residence of + the Kings and Earls of Mercia, who might alternately enjoy hence the + pleasures of the chase in their adjoining forest of Needwood, or the + satisfaction of security against an enemy.—Shaw’s _History of + Staffordshire_. + +Footnote 42: + + [_And prouder crowns its honours own’d._] See Needwood Forest, p. 23, + of King’s-Standing. + +Footnote 43: + + [_Loos’d Uproar &c._] The day of disafforesting presented an + extraordinary scene of riot and disturbance, in consequence of the + pursuit of the remaining deer by mobs from all parts. + +Footnote 44: + + [_Repentant claimants &c._] It is believed that the freeholders now + very generally regret the Inclosure. + +Footnote 45: + + [_How far the foremost and the best_,] Though formerly the yeomanry of + this kingdom were every where trained to the use of the long-bow, and + excelled all other nations in the art of shooting, it may be + reasonably presumed that the best archers were to be found in and near + the forests. + +Footnote 46: + + [_You in your secret labyrinths &c._] Those scenes (forests in + Somersetshire) will ever be famous in British history, while the + remembrance continues of Alfred the Great. Frequent inundations of + Danes and repeated losses had driven him from the management of + affairs. But he retired before the enemies of his country only to + attack them with more advantage. Seeing the time ripe for action he + emerged from his retreat where he had been concealed, but not inactive + during a twelvemonth; called his friends together in the forest of + Selwood, which sheltered him and his numbers. Here arranging his + followers, he burst from the forest like a torrent upon the Danes, and + totally defeated them.—_Gilpin’s Forest Scenery, Hume, &c._ + +Footnote 47: + + [_Your hush’d leaves &c._] Alfred on the night of his retirement from + the Danes, it is said, had a vision of St. Cuthbert, comforting and + assuring him he should be a great King.—_Camden’s Britannia._ + +Footnote 48: + + [_You tun’d his harp, you trimm’d his bow._] He was skilful in the use + of both. + +Footnote 49: + + [_Your proud oaks lean’d_] He provided himself with a naval power, + which though the most natural defence of an island, had hitherto been + totally neglected by the English. + +Footnote 50: + + [_Your song-birds_] He endeavoured to convey his morality to his + subjects by apologues, parables, stories, and apothegms couch’d in + poetry. + +Footnote 51: + + [_While Liberty &c._] Amidst the necessary rigor of justice this great + Prince preserved the most sacred regard to the liberty of his people. + +Footnote 52: + + [_Lair_] The couch or harbour of a wild beast. _Milton._ + +Footnote 53: + + [_With fresh fray’d beams &c._] As soon as the new horns (or beams) of + a stag have acquired their full dimensions and solidity, he rubs them + against the trees in order to clear them of a skin with which they are + covered.—_Buffon._ To fray (_frayer_, _Fr._) is the hunting term for + this operation. + +Footnote 54: + + [_On yonder castled cliff &c._] Tutbury castle, the residence of John + of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster. + +Footnote 55: + + [_And fill’d they not &c._] The Duke of Lancaster greatly + distinguished himself in a battle fought between Najara and Navarete + near the Ebro in Spain in 1367. He commanded the 1st battalion of the + English army.—_Johnes’s Froissart._ + +Footnote 56: + + [_Spain’s boasted slingers &c._] The Spanish commonalty made use of + slings, to which they were accustomed, & from which they threw large + stones which at first much annoyed the English: but when their first + cast was over, and they felt the sharpness of the English arrows, they + kept no longer any order.—_Johnes’s Froissart._ + +Footnote 57: + + [_Hark! nations hail &c._] Alluding to his prowess and fame in the + Crusades. + +Footnote 58: + + [_The man thy Minstrels bring_,] As the subject of their historic + ballads. The minstrels were much encouraged in this King’s reign. + +Footnote 59: + + [_As Sherwood’s Hero, &c._] The severity of those tyrannical + forest-laws that were introduced by our Norman Kings, and the great + temptation of breaking them by such as lived near the royal forests, + must constantly have occasioned great numbers of outlaws, and + especially of such as were the best marksmen. These naturally fled to + the woods for shelter, and forming into troops endeavoured by their + numbers to protect themselves from the dreadful penalties of their + delinquency. This will easily account for the troops of banditti, + which formerly lurked in the Royal forests, and from their superior + skill in archery and knowledge of the recesses of those unfrequented + solitudes, found it no difficult matter to resist or elude the civil + power. Among those, none was ever more famous than Robin Hood, the + Hero of Sherwood forest; of whom Stow’s account is briefly thus.—“In + this time (about the year 1190, in the reign of Richard 1st) were many + robbers and outlaws, among the which Robin Hood and Little John, + renowned thieves, continued in woods despoyling and robbing the goods + of the rich. They killed none but such as would invade them, or by + resistance for their own defence. The saide Robert entertained an + hundred tall men and good archers with such spoiles and thefts as he + got, upon whom four hundred (were they ever so strong) durst not give + the onset. He suffered no woman to be oppressed, violated, or + otherwise molested: poor mens goods he spared abundantlie, relieving + them with that, which by theft he got from Abbeys and the houses of + rich Carles.” The personal courage of this celebrated outlaw, his + skill in archery, his humanity, and especially his levelling principle + of taking from the rich and giving to the poor, have in all ages + rendered him the favourite of the common people. He was in early times + the favourite subject of popular songs.—_Percy’s Reliques of antient + English Poetry, 1st vol._ + +Footnote 60: + + [_Bright brown blade, broad arrows, gown of green_,] is the language + of the ballads. + +Footnote 61: + + [_Needwood, this brave man &c._] See in Robin Hood’s garland a ballad, + (quoted in Shaw’s History of Staffordshire) giving an account of Robin + Hood’s visit to Tutbury; and of his marriage there with + Clorinda.________ The relation of the forest to Tutbury will probably + admit of this consideration of them as one and the same. + +Footnote 62: + + [_King’s-standing, &c._] See Needwood Forest, page 23. + +Footnote 63: + + [_On the stain’d turf their wrecks are pil’d_,] Bark-ranges. + +Footnote 64: + + [_In smouldering heaps, &c._] Making charcoal. + +Footnote 65: + + [_From blacken’d brakes_,] Burning the furze-brakes.—Goss.—_Bailey’s + Dictionary._ + +Footnote 66: + + [_Yon Wretch_] Surveyor or overlooker. + +Footnote 67: + + [_Valley! where Marebrook, all unveil’d_,] This Valley nearly bisected + the Forest in beautifully varied windings, though without trees of any + kind on its sides, or on the verge of its little stream, Marebrook, + the course of which was remarkably flexuous; but is now actually + turned down the straight fence-ditch. + +Footnote 68: + + [_And knights and dames, and dwarfs portray’d, &c._] Needwood Forest, + p. 16. + +Footnote 69: + + [_But for the bee bird’s gaudy plume, &c._] See Needwood Forest, p. + 16. + +Footnote 70: + + [_Manuel._] The Forest earth-stopper in the hunting days of the + author. + +Footnote 71: + + [_You fox-gloves, &c._] _See_ _Digitalis—Loves of the plants, p. 78._ + + “The effect of this plant (the fresh leaves of which may be had at all + seasons of the year) in that kind of Dropsy which is termed anasarca + is truly astonishing.” + +Footnote 72: + + [_Lyre and shield._] As the God of Medicine, giving health and safety, + Apollo is sometimes described with a shield, as well as a lyre. + +Footnote 73: + + [_Again to save &c._] See Needwood Forest, p. 43. + +Footnote 74: + + [_And many a noble heart &c._] Alluding to the opposition to the + Inclosure. + +Footnote 75: + + [_Yet Limbrook, &c._] This rivulet rises on the late Forest and takes + its course through an extensive valley on the brow of which stands + Byrkley Lodge, and proceeds downwards by Yoxall Lodge: some beautiful + Forest scenes have been added to the old Inclosures of these Lodges, + where are shrubberies and sheets of water. + +Footnote 76: + + [_And ever, in thy favour’d bound_,] Applying the whole scenery around + these lodges to Limbrook. + +Footnote 77: + + [_When stoops the stranger ewe to drink_;] Sheep were not depastur’d + on the Forest. + +Footnote 78: + + [_The tracks of their remember’d deer_,] It is said that the + Wolf-tracks may yet be seen in some parts which those animals + frequented, in Ireland, centuries ago. + +Footnote 79: + + [_Monster of the world_] French Revolution. + +Footnote 80: + + [_Emma’s art_] Miss Emma Sneyd, of Byrkley Lodge, has produced some + beautiful landscapes and drawings of the Forest scenes. + +Footnote 81: + + [“_Here Gisborne penn’d his moral lay_] The character and writings + both in verse and prose of the Rev. Thomas Gisborne, of Yoxall Lodge, + are equally well known and admired: the public has lately called for a + seventh edition of his “Walks in a Forest.” + +Footnote 82: + + [_Gigantic hollies!_] Particular groups of hollies of great age and + size are here alluded to, as in _Needwood Forest p. 19_. Having been + lopped for the deer in winter, (the upper part of their remaining + trunks and branches being again cloathed with their fresh ever-green + shoots) they had somewhat the appearance of ruins. + +Footnote 83: + + [_Fair Virgin!_] The Hon. Catharine Venables Vernon died in the summer + of 1775. + +Footnote 84: + + [_Hark the same bell!—take, sister bier_,] The Hon. Martha Venables + Vernon died while the Author was writing this poem. + +Footnote 85: + + [_Yes, Holly-Bush!_] Formerly the residence of the Author, where many + alterations have since been made and are making. + +Footnote 86: + + [_Inland look_;] In contradistinction to its former forest character, + in which sense this word is repeatedly used by Shakespear in “As you + like it,” though there applied to persons. + +Footnote 87: + + [_Unambitious brow &c._] Needwood Forest p. 8.——[_Favourite Tree + Sycamore_;] Needwood Forest p. 10. + +Footnote 88: + + [_Hall, whose kind arm &c._] T. K. Hall, Esq. has purchased Holly Bush + with a considerable portion of the adjacent Forest land, the scenery + of which he intends to preserve. + +Footnote 89: + + [_Revered Swilcar_;] Needwood Forest p. 41, 42. &c. + +Footnote 90: + + [_Horrid!—I see thee far!_] The present appearance of Swilcar oak over + a broad and hitherto uncultivated part of the late Forest, where not + another tree remains, is very striking. He is fenced off from a new + road. + +Footnote 91: + + [_And some, with strength &c._] Alluding to the complimentary verses + printed with Needwood Forest, and others afterwards sent to the + author. + +Footnote 92: + + [_Yon prison’d cliffs_] The banks and cliffs of the Forest, hanging + towards the river Dove, are now fenced in, though otherwise left in + their former state. + +Footnote 93: + + Milton, in Comus, makes Naiades the plural of Naiad, “amid the + flowery-kirtled Naiades.” + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + + + + + TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES + + + ● Typos fixed; non-standard spelling and dialect retained. + ● Used numbers for footnotes, placing them all at the end of the last + chapter. + ● Enclosed italics font in _underscores_. + ● Enclosed blackletter font in =equals=. + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75378 *** diff --git a/75378-h/75378-h.htm b/75378-h/75378-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4330174 --- 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{text-indent: 2em; margin-bottom: .5em; } + .chapter { clear: both; page-break-before: always; } + body {font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: justify; } + table {font-size: .9em; padding: 1.5em .5em 1em; page-break-inside: avoid; + clear: both; } + div.titlepage {text-align: center; page-break-before: always; + page-break-after: always; } + div.titlepage p {text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; font-weight: bold; + line-height: 1.5; margin-top: 3em; } + .ph2 { text-indent: 0em; font-weight: bold; font-size: x-large; margin: .75em auto; + page-break-before: always; } + .blackletter {font-family: 'Old English Text MT', serif; font-weight:bold; } + .x-ebookmaker p.dropcap:first-letter { float: left; } + .lnum {float: right; text-indent: 2em; } + </style> + </head> + <body> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75378 ***</div> + +<div class='tnotes covernote'> + +<p class='c000'><strong>Transcriber’s Note:</strong></p> + +<p class='c000'>New original cover art included with this eBook is granted to the public domain.</p> + +</div> + +<div class='titlepage'> + +<div> + <h1 class='c001'>NEEDWOOD FOREST.</h1> +</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c002'> + <div>LICHFIELD:</div> + <div class='c003'><span class='sc'>Printed by John Jackson</span>, M.<span class='fss'>DCC.LXXVI.</span></div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_3'>3</span> + <h2 class='c004'>NEEDWOOD FOREST.</h2> +</div> + +<h3 class='c005'>PART, I.</h3> + +<div class='lg-container-b c006'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><em><span class='c007'>N</span>eedwood!</em> if e’er my early voice</div> + <div class='line'>Hath taught thy echoes to rejoice;</div> + <div class='line'>If e’er my hounds in opening cry</div> + <div class='line'>Have fill’d thy banks with ecstacy;</div> + <div class='line'>If e’er array’d in cheerful green</div> + <div class='line'>Our train hath deck’d thy wintry scene;</div> + <div class='line'>Ere yet thy wood-wild walks I leave,</div> + <div class='line'>My tributary verse receive:</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_4'>4</span>With thy own wreath my brows adorn,</div> + <div class='line'>And to thy praises tune my horn!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>What green-rob’d Nymph, all loose her hair,</div> + <div class='line'>With buskin’d leg, and bosom bare,</div> + <div class='line'>Steps lightly down the turfy glades,</div> + <div class='line'>And beckons tow’rd yon opening shades?—</div> + <div class='line'>No harlot-form, dissembling guile</div> + <div class='line'>With wanton air and painted smile,</div> + <div class='line'>Lures to enchanted halls or bowers,</div> + <div class='line'>Where festive Vice consumes his hours.</div> + <div class='line'>Her mild and modest looks dispense</div> + <div class='line'>The simple charm of innocence:</div> + <div class='line'>And a sweet wildness in her eye</div> + <div class='line'>Sparkles with young sincerity.—</div> + <div class='line'>Lead on, fair guide, ere wakes the dawn,</div> + <div class='line'>With thee I’ll climb the steepy lawn,</div> + <div class='line'>With thee the leafy labyrinths trace,</div> + <div class='line'>Where dwells the Genius of the place.—</div> + <div class='line'>His large limbs press a prim-rose bed,</div> + <div class='line'>A moss-grown root sustains his head,</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_5'>5</span>And, list’ning to a Druid’s rhimes,</div> + <div class='line'>He bends his eye on distant times:</div> + <div class='line'>While troops of sylvan Vassals meet</div> + <div class='line'>To cast their garlands at his feet,</div> + <div class='line'>And pipe and frisk in rings about,</div> + <div class='line'>Or parly with the Hunter’s shout.</div> + <div class='line'>And now a fragrant show’r he throws</div> + <div class='line'>Of blossoms from his curled brows,</div> + <div class='line'>And rising waves his oaken wand,</div> + <div class='line'>And bids yon magic scenes expand!—</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>First blush the hills with orient light,</div> + <div class='line'>And pierce the sable veil of night,</div> + <div class='line'>Green bends the waving shade above,</div> + <div class='line'>And glist’ring dew-drops gem the grove:</div> + <div class='line'>Next shine the shelving lawns around,</div> + <div class='line'>Bright threads of silver net the ground;</div> + <div class='line'>And down, the entangled brakes among,</div> + <div class='line'>The white rill sparkling winds along:</div> + <div class='line'>Then, as the pausing zephyrs breathe,</div> + <div class='line'>The billowy mist recedes beneath;</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_6'>6</span>Slow, as it rolls away, unfold</div> + <div class='line'>The vale’s fresh glories green and gold;</div> + <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Dove</span><a id='r1'></a><a href='#f1' class='c008'><sup>[1]</sup></a> laughs, and shakes his tresses bright,</div> + <div class='line'>And trails afar a line of light.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Now glows the illumin’d landscape round!</div> + <div class='line'>Ye Vulgar hence!—’tis sacred ground!</div> + <div class='line'>Hence to the flimsy walks of art,</div> + <div class='line'>That lull, but not transport the heart.</div> + <div class='line'>Nature, O Muse, here sits alone,</div> + <div class='line'>And marks these regions for thy own;</div> + <div class='line'>Here her variety of joys</div> + <div class='line'>Nor season bounds, nor change destroys:</div> + <div class='line'>Be mine the pride, tho’ weak my strains,</div> + <div class='line'>That first I woo’d thee to these plains;</div> + <div class='line'>Where Spring, in all her beauty drest,</div> + <div class='line'>But promises a brighter guest:</div> + <div class='line'>Where Summer yields her greens and flowers</div> + <div class='line'>To Autumn’s variegated bowers:</div> + <div class='line'>Smiles Winter, as their honours fall,</div> + <div class='line'>And bids his hollies shame them all.<a id='r2'></a><a href='#f2' class='c008'><sup>[2]</sup></a></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'><span class='pageno' id='Page_7'>7</span>Ye sage Professors of design,</div> + <div class='line'>Whom system’s stubborn rules confine,</div> + <div class='line'>Can science here one blemish show?</div> + <div class='line'>Or one deficient grace bestow?</div> + <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Emes</span>,<a id='r3'></a><a href='#f3' class='c008'><sup>[3]</sup></a> who yon desart wild explor’d,</div> + <div class='line'>And to it’s name the scene restor’d;</div> + <div class='line'>Whose art is nature’s law maintain’d,</div> + <div class='line'>Whose order negligence restrain’d,</div> + <div class='line'>Here, fir’d by native beauty, trac’d</div> + <div class='line'>The foot-steps of the Goddess, Taste:</div> + <div class='line'>Won from her coy retreats she came,</div> + <div class='line'>And led him up these paths to fame.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Here ev’ry flower improves the gale</div> + <div class='line'>From the meek violet of the vale</div> + <div class='line'>To her, who flaunts in air sublime,</div> + <div class='line'>The woodbine, queen of summer’s prime:</div> + <div class='line'>While each delicious shade may vie</div> + <div class='line'>With those of boasted Arcady.</div> + <div class='line'>There sweet varieties appear</div> + <div class='line'>Of thickets, shap’d by nibbling Deer,</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_8'>8</span>Of hills, that swell with gradual ease,</div> + <div class='line'>Wood-skirted lawns, and scatter’d trees;</div> + <div class='line'>Of vallies seen down distant glades,</div> + <div class='line'>That break the mass of mingling shades;</div> + <div class='line'>While nature’s attribute, extent,</div> + <div class='line'>Crowns each inferior ornament!—</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>On this green unambitious brow,</div> + <div class='line'>Fair Mistress of the vale below,</div> + <div class='line'>With sloping hills enclos’d around,</div> + <div class='line'>Their heads with oaks and hollies crown’d,</div> + <div class='line'>With lucky choice, by happy hands,</div> + <div class='line'>Plac’d in good hour, my dwelling stands;</div> + <div class='line'>And draws the distant trav’ler’s eye,</div> + <div class='line'>Enamour’d of it’s scenery;</div> + <div class='line'>Where all things give, what all express,</div> + <div class='line'>Content and rural happiness.</div> + <div class='line'>Where far retir’d from life’s dull form</div> + <div class='line'>Comes no intruder but the storm;</div> + <div class='line'>The storm, that with contrasted low’r</div> + <div class='line'>Endears the fair the silent hour.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'><span class='pageno' id='Page_9'>9</span>Thus their wise days our fathers led,</div> + <div class='line'>Fleet ran their hounds, their arrows sped,</div> + <div class='line'>And jocund Health with rosy smile</div> + <div class='line'>Look’d on, companion of their toil:</div> + <div class='line'>Till tyrant Law usurp’d the land,</div> + <div class='line'>Stretch’d o’er the woods his iron hand,</div> + <div class='line'>Forbad the echoing horn to blow,</div> + <div class='line'>Maim’d the staunch hound, and snapp’d the bow.<a id='r4'></a><a href='#f4' class='c008'><sup>[4]</sup></a></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Here with fair peace and modest fame<a id='r5'></a><a href='#f5' class='c008'><sup>[5]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>They dwelt, who boasted Bagot’s name,—</div> + <div class='line'>Go, <span class='sc'>Bagot</span>, plead your country’s cause,</div> + <div class='line'>While senates listen with applause,</div> + <div class='line'>With fearless truth and manly sense</div> + <div class='line'>Detecting specious eloquence:</div> + <div class='line'>Great talents to the world are due,</div> + <div class='line'>Retirement were a crime in you.</div> + <div class='line'>Go, and receive your oaken crown!</div> + <div class='line'>Here, with no title to renown,</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_10'>10</span>Leave me to loiter at my door</div> + <div class='line'>Beneath the spreading sycamore,</div> + <div class='line'>That canopies the sloping lawn;</div> + <div class='line'>And view the deer at early dawn</div> + <div class='line'>In troops come winding down the hill</div> + <div class='line'>To taste fresh herbage near the rill;</div> + <div class='line'>Or count at noon their slumb’ring heaps;</div> + <div class='line'>At evening watch their playful leaps;</div> + <div class='line'>Or hear the quiring of the grove</div> + <div class='line'>Give breath to harmony and love;</div> + <div class='line'>Or listen to the hum profound,</div> + <div class='line'>In the still air that floats around;</div> + <div class='line'>Or mark yon hills extended side,</div> + <div class='line'>Where turf and shade the space divide;—</div> + <div class='line'>Here the wood straggles tow’rd the plain,</div> + <div class='line'>The pasture there prevails again;</div> + <div class='line'>The heifer grazes on it’s brow,</div> + <div class='line'>Clamours the rook on trees below;</div> + <div class='line'>Gay golden furze and purple ling</div> + <div class='line'>Around their mixt embroidery fling,</div> + <div class='line'>O’er all, irregularly join’d,</div> + <div class='line'>Th’ according outline waves behind.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'><span class='pageno' id='Page_11'>11</span>No dusky Cares o’er-hang the bower,</div> + <div class='line'>No Passions wreck the halcyon hour;</div> + <div class='line'>Nurs’d in the shade Reflection springs,</div> + <div class='line'>Smooths her white plumes, and tries her wings.</div> + <div class='line'>No leaf of autumn falls in vain;</div> + <div class='line'>No flower-bell droops beneath the rain,</div> + <div class='line'>No bubble down the current flows,</div> + <div class='line'>But life’s uncertain tenure shows.</div> + <div class='line'>Those thorns protect the forest’s hopes;</div> + <div class='line'>That tree the slender ivy props:</div> + <div class='line'>Thus rise the mighty on the mean!</div> + <div class='line'>Thus on the strong the feeble lean!</div> + <div class='line'>In yonder holly—blush mankind!—</div> + <div class='line'>A rare fidelity I find;</div> + <div class='line'>Like yours tho’ summer’s flatteries end,</div> + <div class='line'>My winter here hath found a friend.—</div> + <div class='line'>Hail faithful fav’rite tree! to you</div> + <div class='line'>The Muse shall pay observance due:</div> + <div class='line'>Whether in horrent files you stand</div> + <div class='line'>Round sapling oaks a guardian band;</div> + <div class='line'>Or form aloft a shelt’ring bower</div> + <div class='line'>Impervious to the sun or shower;</div> + <div class='line'>Whether to yon hill-side you throng</div> + <div class='line'>Ranging in various groups along;</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_12'>12</span>Or on the plain, maturely grown,</div> + <div class='line'>You boldly brave the storm alone,</div> + <div class='line'>Or tapering high, with woodbines hid,</div> + <div class='line'>Rise in a fragrant pyramid;</div> + <div class='line'>Your vigorous youth with upright shoots,</div> + <div class='line'>Your verdant age, your glowing fruits,</div> + <div class='line'>Your glossy leaves, and columns gray</div> + <div class='line'>Shall live the favorites of my lay!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Alas! in vain with warmth and food</div> + <div class='line'>You cheer the songsters of the wood,</div> + <div class='line'>The barbarous boy from you prepares</div> + <div class='line'>On treacherous twigs his viscous snares.</div> + <div class='line'>Yes, the poor bird, you nurs’d, shall find</div> + <div class='line'>Destruction in your rifled rind.</div> + <div class='line'>Thus good and ill too often meet,</div> + <div class='line'>And bitter mingles with the sweet!</div> + <div class='line'>—Ye pedagogues! let truant youth</div> + <div class='line'>Imbibe from you this gen’rous truth;</div> + <div class='line'>That one humane, one tender thought</div> + <div class='line'>Is worth the whole, that schools have taught.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_13'>13</span> + <h3 class='c009'>PART, II.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c006'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='c007'>W</span>ith what fond gaze my eye pursues,</div> + <div class='line'><em>NEEDWOOD</em>, thy sweetly-varying views!</div> + <div class='line'>Satyr, or Nymph, or sylvan God</div> + <div class='line'>A fairer circuit never trod!</div> + <div class='line'>Charm’d, as I turn, thy pictures seem</div> + <div class='line'>The golden fabricks of a dream.</div> + <div class='line'>Where Fiction stands with prism bright,</div> + <div class='line'>Rays forth her many-colour’d light,</div> + <div class='line'>Dyes the green herb, and purple flower,</div> + <div class='line'>Gives glittering lustres to the shower;</div> + <div class='line'>Then gilds with livelier tints the sky,</div> + <div class='line'>Or bends her radiant bow on high.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>To scenes so elegantly wild</div> + <div class='line'>Fancy, of old, her darling child</div> + <div class='line'>From <span class='sc'>Avon’s</span> flowery margin brought,</div> + <div class='line'>And <span class='sc'>Arden</span> boasts what <span class='sc'>Needwood</span> taught.<a id='r6'></a><a href='#f6' class='c008'><sup>[6]</sup></a></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'><span class='pageno' id='Page_14'>14</span>Such shades by mazy paths perplex’d,</div> + <div class='line'>Where strays the traveller inly vex’d,</div> + <div class='line'>Inspir’d the Muse of <span class='sc'>Spencer’s</span> pen;</div> + <div class='line'>The <em>wandering wood</em>, and <em>Errors den</em>,<a id='r7'></a><a href='#f7' class='c008'><sup>[7]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>Dwarfs, Palfreys, Dames, and Giants rise</div> + <div class='line'>Full on Imaginations eyes!</div> + <div class='line'>See, See the Sarazin advance!</div> + <div class='line'>The red-cross Knight hath couch’d his lance!</div> + <div class='line'>They meet, the Christian wins the field,</div> + <div class='line'>And bears away the <em>faithless</em> shield!<a id='r8'></a><a href='#f8' class='c008'><sup>[8]</sup></a></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>With such companions fond to rove,</div> + <div class='line'>I venerate each hill and grove,</div> + <div class='line'>To Phœbus as to Dian dear,</div> + <div class='line'>And find a new Parnassus here.</div> + <div class='line'>Here might the sacred sisters dwell</div> + <div class='line'>By pebbly brook, or gushing well:</div> + <div class='line'>O let me listen, as they sing,</div> + <div class='line'>In some close vale beside a spring,</div> + <div class='line'>Whose stream the intruding alder chides,</div> + <div class='line'>Where the wild-bee her treasure hides!—</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_15'>15</span>Or sit in high imbowering shade</div> + <div class='line'>With Contemplation, heav’n-ey’d maid,</div> + <div class='line'>Where the scant sun through branches thin</div> + <div class='line'>Chequers the dark green floor within;</div> + <div class='line'>Where ev’ry leaf is wisdom’s page,</div> + <div class='line'>And each gray trunk a hoary sage.</div> + <div class='line'>Nor motion, human form, or noise</div> + <div class='line'>This solemn pause of life destroys;</div> + <div class='line'>Save where the playful squirrel bounds,</div> + <div class='line'>Or ring-dove pours her plaintive sounds,</div> + <div class='line'>Or lurking peasant lops an oak</div> + <div class='line'>Restraining half his pilfering stroke,</div> + <div class='line'>Or with his faggot stoops to rest</div> + <div class='line'>Both by his years and burthen prest.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Here, seen of old, the elfin race</div> + <div class='line'>With sprightly vigils mark’d the place;</div> + <div class='line'>Their gay processions charm’d the sight,</div> + <div class='line'>Gilding the lucid noon of night;</div> + <div class='line'>Or, when obscure the midnight hour,</div> + <div class='line'>With glow-worm lantherns hung the bower.</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_16'>16</span>—Hark!—the soft lute! along the green</div> + <div class='line'>Moves with majestic step the queen!</div> + <div class='line'>Attendant Fays around her throng,</div> + <div class='line'>And trace the dance or raise the song;</div> + <div class='line'>Or touch the shrill reed, as they trip,</div> + <div class='line'>With finger light and ruby lip.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>High, on her brow sublime, is born</div> + <div class='line'>One scarlet wood-bine’s tremulous horn;</div> + <div class='line'>A gaudy bee-bird’s triple plume<a id='r9'></a><a href='#f9' class='c008'><sup>[9]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>Sheds on her neck its waving gloom;</div> + <div class='line'>With silvery gossamer entwin’d</div> + <div class='line'>Stream the luxuriant locks behind.</div> + <div class='line'>Thin folds of tangled network break</div> + <div class='line'>In airy waves adown her neck:</div> + <div class='line'>Warp’d in his loom, the spider spread</div> + <div class='line'>The far-diverging rays of thread,</div> + <div class='line'>Then round and round with shuttle fine</div> + <div class='line'>Inwrought the undulating line.</div> + <div class='line'>One rose-leaf forms her crimson vest,</div> + <div class='line'>The loose edge crosses o’er her breast.</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_17'>17</span>And one translucent fold, which fell</div> + <div class='line'>From the tall lily’s ample bell,</div> + <div class='line'>Forms with sweet grace her snowy train,</div> + <div class='line'>Flows, as she steps, and sweeps the plain.</div> + <div class='line'>Silence and Night inchanted gaze,</div> + <div class='line'>And Hesper hides his vanquish’d rays!—</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Now the wak’d reed-birds swell their throats,</div> + <div class='line'>And night-larks trill their mingled notes:</div> + <div class='line'>Yet hush’d in moss with writhed neck</div> + <div class='line'>The black-bird hides his golden beak;</div> + <div class='line'>Charm’d from his dream of love, he wakes,</div> + <div class='line'>Opes his gay eye, his plumage shakes,</div> + <div class='line'>And stretching wide each ebon wing,</div> + <div class='line'>First in low whispers tries to sing;</div> + <div class='line'>Then sounds his clarion loud, and thrills</div> + <div class='line'>The moon-bright lawns, and shadowy hills.</div> + <div class='line'>Silent the choral Fays attend,</div> + <div class='line'>And then their silver voices blend,</div> + <div class='line'>Each shining thread of sound prolong,</div> + <div class='line'>And weave the magic woof of song.</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_18'>18</span>Pleas’d Philomela takes her stand</div> + <div class='line'>On high, and leads the fairy band,</div> + <div class='line'>Pours sweet at intervals her strain,</div> + <div class='line'>And guides with beating wing the train.</div> + <div class='line'>Whilst interrupted zephyrs bear</div> + <div class='line'>Hoarse murmurs from the distant wear;</div> + <div class='line'>And at each pause is heard the swell</div> + <div class='line'>Of Echo’s soft symphonius shell.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Nor the dread night my mind alarms,—</div> + <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Night</span>, and her horrors have their charms.</div> + <div class='line'>O’er the wide forest oft I roam,</div> + <div class='line'>What time the trav’ler, far from home,</div> + <div class='line'>Bewilder’d in the pathless brakes,</div> + <div class='line'>There his cold bed despairing makes;</div> + <div class='line'>And hear the fox with savage bark</div> + <div class='line'>Pay distant courtship through the dark;</div> + <div class='line'>The owl with fault’ring voice unfold</div> + <div class='line'>Her tale, like one who shakes with cold:</div> + <div class='line'>And then the alarmed woods resound</div> + <div class='line'>Th’ upbraidings of the well-train’d hound,</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_19'>19</span>Who with tremendous tongue arraigns</div> + <div class='line'>And haunts the plunderer of his plains.</div> + <div class='line'>So cries from earth the life-blood spilt,</div> + <div class='line'>So waking furies harrass guilt!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Oft have I through this solemn glade</div> + <div class='line'>Of old dismember’d hollies stray’d,</div> + <div class='line'>Whose bold bare rugged brows are seen</div> + <div class='line'>Thrust through the mantling ever-green;</div> + <div class='line'>Tall clustring columns here ascend,</div> + <div class='line'>And there in gothic arches bend;<a id='r10'></a><a href='#f10' class='c008'><sup>[10]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>Whilst, as the silver moon-beams rise,</div> + <div class='line'>Imagin’d temples strike my eyes,</div> + <div class='line'>With tottering spire, and mouldering wall,</div> + <div class='line'>And high roof nodding to its fall.—</div> + <div class='line'>His lantern gleaming down the glade,</div> + <div class='line'>One, like a sexton with his spade,<a id='r11'></a><a href='#f11' class='c008'><sup>[11]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>Comes from their caverns to exclude</div> + <div class='line'>The mid-night prowlers of the wood.—</div> + <div class='line'>Through fields of air while pausing slow,</div> + <div class='line'>Yon death-bell tells the village woe!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'><span class='pageno' id='Page_20'>20</span>Born on her clouds when Darkness flings</div> + <div class='line'>O’er the still air her raven wings,</div> + <div class='line'>Ere yet the watery freight descends,</div> + <div class='line'>While Heaven it’s purposes suspends,</div> + <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Night</span>, let me stand in silent trance,</div> + <div class='line'>And watch the lightning’s kindling glance:</div> + <div class='line'>While, stiff’ning at the imagin’d stroke,</div> + <div class='line'>Appears behind a brighten’d oak,</div> + <div class='line'>From justice fled to this wild place,</div> + <div class='line'>A conscious robber’s gastly face!—</div> + <div class='line'>Or fancy views with fear-fix’d eye</div> + <div class='line'>A mangled spectre gliding by,</div> + <div class='line'>Quick with the flash who seems to wave</div> + <div class='line'>His pale hand, beck’ning to a grave!—</div> + <div class='line'>And, as the fleeting vision dies,</div> + <div class='line'>Loud thunders shake the closing skies.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'><span class='sc'>Night</span>, when rude blasts thy scenes deform,</div> + <div class='line'>O place me in the perilous storm!</div> + <div class='line'>While the moon labouring thro’ the clouds</div> + <div class='line'>By turns her light reveals and shrouds;</div> + <div class='line'>Torn from it’s trunk, when whirlwinds bear</div> + <div class='line'>The twisted ash aloft in air:</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_21'>21</span>And some vast elm’s uprooted spoil</div> + <div class='line'>Ploughs in its headlong fall the soil.</div> + <div class='line'>While, as he stalks thro’ groaning oaks,</div> + <div class='line'>At intervals the old deer croaks:</div> + <div class='line'>And the lean sow with paps drawn dry</div> + <div class='line'>O’er rustling leaves trots whining by.—</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Then posts across the blasted plain,</div> + <div class='line'>Born on the wild storm, Witchcraft’s train,</div> + <div class='line'>Aghast with guilt, and shrunk with age,</div> + <div class='line'>And yelling with demoniack rage!—</div> + <div class='line'>With eyes turn’d back malign and wide</div> + <div class='line'>See blood-stain’d Murder silent stride,</div> + <div class='line'>A moon-beam’s sudden light expands,</div> + <div class='line'>He starts, and hides his crimson hands!—</div> + <div class='line'>And now the cauldron gleams afar,</div> + <div class='line'>Fir’d by a baneful meteor’s glare,</div> + <div class='line'>Around they dance, they pause, and pour</div> + <div class='line'>The mischiefs of the midnight hour;</div> + <div class='line'>While trembling fiends with wonder gaze,</div> + <div class='line'>Stretch their black wings, and fan the blaze!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_22'>22</span> + <h3 class='c009'>PART, III.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c006'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='c007'>E</span>re Night withdraws her starry train,</div> + <div class='line'>I print long traces o’er the plain,</div> + <div class='line'>And bend my eyes to yon bright east</div> + <div class='line'>To meet the Morning’s radiant guest,</div> + <div class='line'>As o’er the hill his golden rays</div> + <div class='line'>Burst thro’ the thicket in a blaze.</div> + <div class='line'>Now from my foot the startled fawn</div> + <div class='line'>Bounds to its parent on the lawn;</div> + <div class='line'>And the wak’d lark exulting springs,</div> + <div class='line'>Hangs high in air on quivering wings,</div> + <div class='line'>Chaunts his loud transports o’er the heath,</div> + <div class='line'>And eyes his list’ning loves beneath.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Oft shall my <span class='sc'>Talbot</span> hither stray,</div> + <div class='line'>And friendship give new joys to day;</div> + <div class='line'>On him his blooming bride attend,</div> + <div class='line'>Hither her graceful footsteps bend,</div> + <div class='line'>Fresh life her brighter beauties fling</div> + <div class='line'>O’er the young dawn, and blossom’d spring.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'><span class='pageno' id='Page_23'>23</span>They come! their eddying wheels resound,</div> + <div class='line'>The harness’d coursers proudly bound,</div> + <div class='line'>The light-hung chariot floats in air,</div> + <div class='line'>And laughing Hymen wreaths the pair!</div> + <div class='line'>As o’er the daisy’d lawns they move</div> + <div class='line'>By glittering rill or dusky grove,</div> + <div class='line'>Old <span class='sc'>Needwood</span> calls his softest gale,</div> + <div class='line'>Bids all his fragrant buds exhale:</div> + <div class='line'>His gazing herds around them throng,</div> + <div class='line'>His plighted birds suspend their song,</div> + <div class='line'>Each on her urn his Naiads lean,</div> + <div class='line'>And Wood-nymphs peep from allies green.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Where this gay mount o’er-looks the wood,<a id='r12'></a><a href='#f12' class='c008'><sup>[12]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>Charm’d with the scene a monarch stood,</div> + <div class='line'>Call’d these fair plains the richest gem,</div> + <div class='line'>That deck’d his triple diadem,</div> + <div class='line'>Awhile the cares of state forgot,</div> + <div class='line'>And with it’s name adorn’d the spot.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'><span class='pageno' id='Page_24'>24</span>Down yon meridian fields afar</div> + <div class='line'>When Mercia led her chiefs to war,</div> + <div class='line'>Fell in one hour three monarchs brave,</div> + <div class='line'>And <span class='sc'>Lichfield’s</span> bower protects their grave.<a id='r13'></a><a href='#f13' class='c008'><sup>[13]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>Her stately spires amidst the skies</div> + <div class='line'>Ting’d by the orient sun arise,</div> + <div class='line'>With golden vanes invite the gale.—</div> + <div class='line'>Triumphant ladies of the vale!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Down yon mid-vale the british Nile,<a id='r14'></a><a href='#f14' class='c008'><sup>[14]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>Fair <span class='sc'>Dove</span>, comes winding many a mile;</div> + <div class='line'>And from his copious urn distils</div> + <div class='line'>The fatness of a thousand hills.</div> + <div class='line'>Swell, generous river, leave thy banks,</div> + <div class='line'>The thirsty soil shall give thee thanks!—</div> + <div class='line'>The generous river swells, and leads</div> + <div class='line'>His waters o’er impoverish’d meads,</div> + <div class='line'>And lays his ample treasure down,</div> + <div class='line'>Rich emblem of thy bounty, <span class='sc'>Brown</span>!<a id='r15'></a><a href='#f15' class='c008'><sup>[15]</sup></a></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'><span class='pageno' id='Page_25'>25</span>Pleas’d on yon high abode I gaze,</div> + <div class='line'>Whence <span class='sc'>C’andish</span> foaming Dove surveys:<a id='r16'></a><a href='#f16' class='c008'><sup>[16]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>And where those humbler vales extend</div> + <div class='line'>Of thine, <span class='sc'>Fitzherbert</span>, chearful friend.<a id='r17'></a><a href='#f17' class='c008'><sup>[17]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>Or mark upon yon round ascent</div> + <div class='line'>The social flag and open tent,<a id='r18'></a><a href='#f18' class='c008'><sup>[18]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>Where life’s smooth paths with sweets are strown,</div> + <div class='line'>And mirth makes every hour it’s own.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Where spreads this grove it’s umbrage wide</div> + <div class='line'>Late the bold Outlaw fought and died.<a id='r19'></a><a href='#f19' class='c008'><sup>[19]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>Oft in it’s dark recess the oak</div> + <div class='line'>Had fall’n beneath his secret stroke,</div> + <div class='line'>Full many a deer the night’s dim ray</div> + <div class='line'>Beheld his silent arrow slay,</div> + <div class='line'>Deep furze conceal’d the fawns in vain,</div> + <div class='line'>And lust of lucre thinn’d the plain.</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_26'>26</span>Here, by no power before controll’d,</div> + <div class='line'>He met a forester as bold;</div> + <div class='line'>O’er the fierce conflict frown’d the wood,</div> + <div class='line'>And drank with thirsty roots his blood.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Yon bank demands a pitying look,</div> + <div class='line'>Where life a gentler breast forsook;<a id='r20'></a><a href='#f20' class='c008'><sup>[20]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>Sole comfort of an aged pair!</div> + <div class='line'>The true-love of a damsel fair!—</div> + <div class='line'>At prime of dawn he stepp’d away;</div> + <div class='line'>Long was the journey, short the day;</div> + <div class='line'>The wint’ry blast blew loud and chill;</div> + <div class='line'>Night caught him on the unshelter’d hill;</div> + <div class='line'>Fatigu’d he fell; no help came nigh;</div> + <div class='line'>His faithful dog alone was by;</div> + <div class='line'>Who, as he fondly lick’d his cheek,</div> + <div class='line'>Heard his expiring master speak.</div> + <div class='line'>“Heap not for me thy cottage-fire;</div> + <div class='line'>“Cold grows my heart, unhappy sire!</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_27'>27</span>“But turn to my unfinish’d loom,</div> + <div class='line'>“And weave the web, and bear it home!</div> + <div class='line'>“Prepare not, dame, my evening meal;</div> + <div class='line'>“But bid them ring my passing peal!</div> + <div class='line'>“Deck not thyself, dear maid, to meet</div> + <div class='line'>“Thy love; but bring his winding sheet!</div> + <div class='line'>“I come not to your festive cheer;</div> + <div class='line'>“Ye comrades, place me on my bier!—”</div> + <div class='line'>—The morrow found him stiff and pale:</div> + <div class='line'>Mournful the Muse recounts his tale.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Her stately tower there <span class='sc'>Hanbury</span> rears,</div> + <div class='line'>Which proudly looks o’er distant shires;</div> + <div class='line'>Down the chill slope and darken’d glade</div> + <div class='line'>Projects afar it’s length of shade;</div> + <div class='line'>Assails the skies with giant force,</div> + <div class='line'>And checks the whirlwind in it’s course;</div> + <div class='line'>Or, when black clouds involve the pole,</div> + <div class='line'>Disarms the thunders, as they roll!—</div> + <div class='line'>Beneath how Nature throws around</div> + <div class='line'>Grand inequalities of ground,</div> + <div class='line'>While down the dells and o’er the steeps</div> + <div class='line'>The wavy line of Paphos creeps!—</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'><span class='pageno' id='Page_28'>28</span>With awful sorrow I behold</div> + <div class='line'>Yon cliff, that frowns with ruins old;<a id='r21'></a><a href='#f21' class='c008'><sup>[21]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>Stout <span class='sc'>Ferrers</span> there kept faithless ward,<a id='r22'></a><a href='#f22' class='c008'><sup>[22]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>And <span class='sc'>Gaunt</span> perform’d his Castle-guard.<a id='r23'></a><a href='#f23' class='c008'><sup>[23]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>There captive <span class='sc'>Mary</span> look’d in vain<a id='r24'></a><a href='#f24' class='c008'><sup>[24]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>For <span class='sc'>Norfolk</span>, and her nuptial train;</div> + <div class='line'>Enrich’d with royal tears the Dove,</div> + <div class='line'>But sigh’d for freedom, not from love.</div> + <div class='line'>’Twas once the seat of festive state,</div> + <div class='line'>Where high born dames and nobles sat;</div> + <div class='line'>While minstrels, each in order heard,<a id='r25'></a><a href='#f25' class='c008'><sup>[25]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>Their venerable songs preferr’d.</div> + <div class='line'>False memory of it’s state remains</div> + <div class='line'>In the rude sport of brutal swains.<a id='r26'></a><a href='#f26' class='c008'><sup>[26]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_29'>29</span>Now serpents hiss, and foxes dwell</div> + <div class='line'>Amidst the mould’ring citadel;</div> + <div class='line'>And time but spares those broken towers</div> + <div class='line'>In mockery of human powers.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Yon hill, that glows with southern rays,<a id='r27'></a><a href='#f27' class='c008'><sup>[27]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>All-conscious of superior praise,</div> + <div class='line'>Swells her smooth top and pastures green,</div> + <div class='line'>And of her sisters seems the queen;</div> + <div class='line'>Proud from her ancient seats to trace</div> + <div class='line'>The lineage of a generous race.</div> + <div class='line'>“That generous race,” fair <span class='sc'>Sudbury</span> cries,</div> + <div class='line'>“Is mine,” and bids her turrets rise,</div> + <div class='line'>Lifts from the lap of peace her dome,</div> + <div class='line'>Where finds Munificence a home;</div> + <div class='line'>Then wide her shining lake she leads</div> + <div class='line'>Through blossom’d groves and emerald meads,</div> + <div class='line'>Cloaths with dark woods the distant scene,</div> + <div class='line'>And pours her dappled herds between.</div> + <div class='line'>—Ah me! what sudden sadness lowers</div> + <div class='line'>O’er her fair front and vernal bowers!</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_30'>30</span>There sinks to her untimely tomb</div> + <div class='line'>A virgin flower in beauty’s bloom!</div> + <div class='line'>O thou wast all that youth admires,</div> + <div class='line'>A parent loves, or friend desires!</div> + <div class='line'>I knew thee well! my sorrowing heart</div> + <div class='line'>Bears in thy loss a bitter part!—</div> + <div class='line'>Whilst the sad Muse in plaintive verse</div> + <div class='line'>Strews all her flowers around thy hearse,</div> + <div class='line'>Let Pity quit thy grave, and go</div> + <div class='line'>A mourner to yon house of woe.</div> + <div class='line'>There from thy father’s bosom break</div> + <div class='line'>Sighs, which too eloquently speak:</div> + <div class='line'>Thy mother weeps, but weeps resign’d,</div> + <div class='line'>In all things noble, most in mind:</div> + <div class='line'>Pale griefs thy sisters’ cheeks invade;</div> + <div class='line'>And one, alas, too tender maid!</div> + <div class='line'>Holds a long melancholy strife</div> + <div class='line'>Betwixt her sorrows and her life:</div> + <div class='line'>Thy manly brothers strive to cure</div> + <div class='line'>In vain, the pangs themselves endure.</div> + <div class='line'>Fair Saint! a happier lot is thine</div> + <div class='line'>Repos’d beneath the silent shrine!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'><span class='pageno' id='Page_31'>31</span>Now let me seek in pensive mood</div> + <div class='line'>The rude recesses of the wood;</div> + <div class='line'>And, where congenial gloom extends,</div> + <div class='line'>Think of lost hopes and distant friends;</div> + <div class='line'>Of scenes, whose pleasures fled too fast,</div> + <div class='line'>And hours most valued now they’re past!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Beside me lies a dingle deep,<a id='r28'></a><a href='#f28' class='c008'><sup>[28]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>With shaggy banks abrupt and steep;</div> + <div class='line'>Through vistas wild my course I bend,</div> + <div class='line'>Till day-light opens at the end:</div> + <div class='line'>Where from intoxicating height</div> + <div class='line'>Bursts the wide prospect on my sight.</div> + <div class='line'>The terrace bold, on which I stand,</div> + <div class='line'>Steps broad and forward on the land;</div> + <div class='line'>Rude hills compose the side-long scene,</div> + <div class='line'>With crofts and cottages between:</div> + <div class='line'>The various landscape onward spreads</div> + <div class='line'>O’er cultur’d plains and verdant meads;</div> + <div class='line'>And seats, and towns, and hamlets rise,</div> + <div class='line'>Where yon smoke curls into the skies,</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_32'>32</span>And spires, that pierce thro’ tufted trees;</div> + <div class='line'>Till, faintly fading by degrees,</div> + <div class='line'>Beyond, in wild confusion tost,</div> + <div class='line'>The hills blue tops in clouds are lost.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Yes, <span class='sc'>Eaton-Banks</span>, in vain I strive<a id='r29'></a><a href='#f29' class='c008'><sup>[29]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>To hide the grief your oaks revive.—</div> + <div class='line'>Bow thy tall branches, grateful wood!</div> + <div class='line'>Afford me blossom, leaf, and bud!</div> + <div class='line'>He, for whose memory these I blend,</div> + <div class='line'>Thy late-lost master, was my friend!—</div> + <div class='line'>Fall, gentle dews! fresh zephyrs, breathe!</div> + <div class='line'>Spread, cooling shades! preserve my wreath!—</div> + <div class='line'>Alas, it withers ere its time!—</div> + <div class='line'>So faded he in manly prime!—</div> + <div class='line'>But Virtue, scorning friendship’s aid,</div> + <div class='line'>Rears her own palms, which never fade!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_33'>33</span> + <h3 class='c009'>PART, IV.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c006'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='c007'>H</span>enry, O leave, whilst youth is ours,<a id='r30'></a><a href='#f30' class='c008'><sup>[30]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>And health leads on the fleeting hours,</div> + <div class='line'>O leave awhile the court you grace,</div> + <div class='line'>And urge with me the sylvan chase!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Oft, as I bathe in morning’s breath,</div> + <div class='line'>Ere wakes the plover on the heath,</div> + <div class='line'>Ere the sun robs the woodbine’s smell,</div> + <div class='line'>Or dries the fox-glove’s purple bell,</div> + <div class='line'>I hear the deep-mouth’d thunder rise;</div> + <div class='line'>The monarch of the woodland flies,</div> + <div class='line'>Whilst the loud triumphs of the horn</div> + <div class='line'>On breezy wings are backward born.<a id='r31'></a><a href='#f31' class='c008'><sup>[31]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>His subject mates no succour lend;</div> + <div class='line'>What tyrant ever found a friend?</div> + <div class='line'>He dies!—the satiate echoes cease;</div> + <div class='line'>The forest reassumes its peace.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'><span class='pageno' id='Page_34'>34</span>Now sun-burnt Autumn with his spoils</div> + <div class='line'>Diana’s bleeding altar piles:</div> + <div class='line'>Again the slaughtering gun is heard,</div> + <div class='line'>And wildly screams the parent bird;</div> + <div class='line'>All night she mourns her lessen’d brood,</div> + <div class='line'>Still views them fluttering in their blood,</div> + <div class='line'>With timorous call the rest collects,</div> + <div class='line'>And with quick wing their flight directs.</div> + <div class='line'>Now the strong buck his rival drives,</div> + <div class='line'>And awes with jealous threats his wives:</div> + <div class='line'>Slow move the kine to fresher fields;</div> + <div class='line'>The hawthorn to the holly yields:</div> + <div class='line'>No twittering swallow skims the plain,</div> + <div class='line'>No shrite-cock tunes his echoing strain:<a id='r32'></a><a href='#f32' class='c008'><sup>[32]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>Dumb are the full-plum’d songsters all,</div> + <div class='line'>Save the lone red-breast on my wall;</div> + <div class='line'>Thy tender lay, sweet bird, prolong,</div> + <div class='line'>And sooth old Winter with thy song!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>When wintry mists obscure the skies,</div> + <div class='line'>His busy nose the spaniel plies,</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_35'>35</span>Where mossy glades and thickets brown</div> + <div class='line'>Tempt the far-wandering wood-cock down:</div> + <div class='line'>Stretch thy strong wing, thy flight retake,</div> + <div class='line'>Nor trust the inhospitable brake!—</div> + <div class='line'>Ah, forc’d from the luxuriant ground,</div> + <div class='line'>He mounts, and feels the sudden wound.</div> + <div class='line'>So transmeridian Zealand views</div> + <div class='line'>Adventurous Europe’s wandering crews:</div> + <div class='line'>Fierce hunger eyes the stranger-guest,</div> + <div class='line'>And fraud secures the barbarous feast;</div> + <div class='line'>Stain’d are the rocks with human gore,</div> + <div class='line'>And white with scatter’d bones the shore.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>The leveret—but I spare the rest,</div> + <div class='line'>I see compassion touch thy breast—</div> + <div class='line'>Come then, and whilst the murderous crew</div> + <div class='line'>In harmless blood their hands imbrue,</div> + <div class='line'>Rous’d to revenge by ravag’d flocks,</div> + <div class='line'>Haste we to find the kennell’d fox.</div> + <div class='line'>Hark! those preluding cries he hears;</div> + <div class='line'>Thick beats his heart with conscious fears.</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_36'>36</span>Some tyrant thus, in luckless hour</div> + <div class='line'>Whom fraud or force has rais’d to pow’r,</div> + <div class='line'>With throbbing heart and pale eye stands,</div> + <div class='line'>And spreads to heaven his harpy hands,</div> + <div class='line'>When Freedom’s voice alarms the morn,</div> + <div class='line'>And Vengeance winds her echoing horn.</div> + <div class='line'>See, with the wind he scours away</div> + <div class='line'>Sleek, and in crimes grown old and gray!</div> + <div class='line'>Oft has he foil’d our angry pack,</div> + <div class='line'>I know his customary track.</div> + <div class='line'>Talk not of pity to such foes!</div> + <div class='line'>Stern justice claims the life he owes.</div> + <div class='line'>No storms arise to screen his flight;</div> + <div class='line'>’Tis long till interrupting night;</div> + <div class='line'>The breathing South his sentence gives,</div> + <div class='line'>And not an hour the caitiff lives!</div> + <div class='line'>Through woods, and hills, and vales, and brakes,</div> + <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Needwood</span> with general transport shakes.</div> + <div class='line'>Mark how the pack diffusely spread,</div> + <div class='line'>And shew me, if you can, their head!</div> + <div class='line'>’Tis here—’tis there—now onward far</div> + <div class='line'>Streams down the vales irregular.</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_37'>37</span>As through the furzy brakes they drive</div> + <div class='line'>The trembling coverts seem alive.</div> + <div class='line'>Thus by the winds o’er bending corn</div> + <div class='line'>Loose waves of light and shade are born.</div> + <div class='line'>Now winding up yon steep they strain;</div> + <div class='line'>Now wheel in silence on the plain:</div> + <div class='line'>Again they catch the tainted wind;</div> + <div class='line'>No hound disgraceful lurks behind:</div> + <div class='line'>All striving with confederate aim,</div> + <div class='line'>Their size, their power, their speed the same,</div> + <div class='line'>With eager eye and clamorous tongue</div> + <div class='line'>In broad career they press along,</div> + <div class='line'>Fierce on their victim gathering round—</div> + <div class='line'>—He suffers by no single wound!</div> + <div class='line'>Thus o’er the azure fields of night</div> + <div class='line'>Shoot the quick rays of northern light,</div> + <div class='line'>To one bright point converg’d they flow,</div> + <div class='line'>And round the silver zenith glow.</div> + <div class='line'>So, when a lake surcharg’d by rain</div> + <div class='line'>Bursts, and o’erwhelms the sloping plain,</div> + <div class='line'>The wond’ring rustic flies, nor knows</div> + <div class='line'>Which of its currents fastest flows;</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_38'>38</span>Now here the rattling eddies lead,</div> + <div class='line'>Now there they foam along the mead,</div> + <div class='line'>Till in a silent pool they stand,</div> + <div class='line'>Collected on the hollow land.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Go languid fops, go pedants, waste</div> + <div class='line'>Your sneers on joys you cannot taste;</div> + <div class='line'>And cloak with many a vain pretence</div> + <div class='line'>Cold-blooded fear and indolence!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Warm to each elegant delight,</div> + <div class='line'>Ingenious, sensible, polite,</div> + <div class='line'>Known to the world you know so well,</div> + <div class='line'>Lov’d e’en by those whom you excel,</div> + <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Meynell</span>, my leader and my friend,</div> + <div class='line'>Stand forth! the manly chase defend!</div> + <div class='line'>O raise your animating voice,</div> + <div class='line'>And cheer the Dian of your choice!</div> + <div class='line'>Not her, whose foul Circean draft</div> + <div class='line'>’Squires of preceding ages quaff’d,</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_39'>39</span>Unletter’d reveller, whose joys</div> + <div class='line'>Were rudeness, turbulence, and noise,</div> + <div class='line'>But her, no less of British kind,</div> + <div class='line'>Well-bred, intelligent, refin’d,</div> + <div class='line'>Of younger years and purer mold,</div> + <div class='line'>Chaste as the Huntress Queen of old.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Yes, I am thine, enchanting maid!</div> + <div class='line'>Come, in thy decent robes array’d!</div> + <div class='line'>O bring thy blithe companion, Health,</div> + <div class='line'>Who smiles, and mocks the sluggard Wealth;</div> + <div class='line'>And Hope, who spleen and care destroys;</div> + <div class='line'>And Rapture scorning tamer joys;</div> + <div class='line'>Young Eagerness with kindling eyes;</div> + <div class='line'>And Triumph mingling jocund cries!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Come, as thy cheerful train is seen,</div> + <div class='line'>Where <span class='sc'>Foremarke</span> waves his woodlands green;</div> + <div class='line'>When hears his vale thy matin song,</div> + <div class='line'>And <span class='sc'>Trent</span> exulting shouts along:</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_40'>40</span>While wait, thy gay return to greet,</div> + <div class='line'>Convivial Mirth and Welcome sweet.—</div> + <div class='line'>On me, thy humbler votary, shower</div> + <div class='line'>The balmy dews of every flower,</div> + <div class='line'>Which oft thy curious hand has twin’d</div> + <div class='line'>Thy <span class='sc'>Burdett’s</span> favour’d brows to bind!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_41'>41</span> + <h3 class='c009'>PART, V.</h3> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c006'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='c007'>W</span>hence, <span class='sc'>Needwood</span>, that tremendous sound!—</div> + <div class='line'>—Low dying murmurs run around,</div> + <div class='line'>A deeper gloom the wood receives,</div> + <div class='line'>And horror shivers on the leaves,</div> + <div class='line'>Loud shriekes the hern, the raven croaks—</div> + <div class='line'>Destruction’s arm arrests thy oaks!<a id='r33'></a><a href='#f33' class='c008'><sup>[33]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>Onward with giant strides he towers,</div> + <div class='line'>Dooms with dread voice thy withering bowers,</div> + <div class='line'>High o’er his head the broad axe wields,</div> + <div class='line'>Stamps with his iron foot, and shakes the fields!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>When from her lawless rocks and sands</div> + <div class='line'>Arabia pours her ruffian bands,</div> + <div class='line'>The village hinds in wild distress</div> + <div class='line'>Around some holy hermit press</div> + <div class='line'>Orb within orb, their wrongs declare,</div> + <div class='line'>And ask his counsel and his prayer;</div> + <div class='line'>All white with age, inspir’d he stands,</div> + <div class='line'>And lifts to heaven his wrinkled hands!</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_42'>42</span>So seems the affrighted forest, drawn</div> + <div class='line'>In crowds around this lonely lawn:</div> + <div class='line'>High in the midst with many a frown</div> + <div class='line'>Huge <span class='sc'>Swilcar</span> shakes his tresses brown,<a id='r34'></a><a href='#f34' class='c008'><sup>[34]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>Out-spreads his bare arms to the skies,</div> + <div class='line'>The ruins of six centuries,</div> + <div class='line'>Deep groans pervade his rifted rind—</div> + <div class='line'>—He speaks his bitterness of mind.</div> + <div class='line'>“Your impious hands, barbarians, hold!</div> + <div class='line'>“Ye pause! but fir’d with lust of gold,</div> + <div class='line'>“Your leader lifts his axe, and like</div> + <div class='line'>“Accursed <span class='sc'>Julius</span>, bids you strike.<a id='r35'></a><a href='#f35' class='c008'><sup>[35]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>“Deaf are the ruthless ears of gain,</div> + <div class='line'>“And youth and beauty plead in vain.</div> + <div class='line'>“—Loud groans the wood with thick’ning strokes!</div> + <div class='line'>“Yes, ye must perish, filial oaks!</div> + <div class='line'>“In heaps your wither’d trunks be laid,</div> + <div class='line'>“And wound the lawns, ye used to shade;</div> + <div class='line'>“Whilst Avarice on the naked pile</div> + <div class='line'>“Exulting casts a hideous smile.</div> + <div class='line'>“Strike here! on me exhaust your rage,</div> + <div class='line'>“Nor let false pity spare my age!</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_43'>43</span>“No pity dwells with sordid slaves;</div> + <div class='line'>“’Tis want of worth alone that saves.</div> + <div class='line'>“Yes, ye will leave me with disdain</div> + <div class='line'>“A mouldring land-mark on the plain,</div> + <div class='line'>“Where many a reign my trunk hath stood</div> + <div class='line'>“Proud father of the circling wood.</div> + <div class='line'>“In freedom’s dearest days I grew,<a id='r36'></a><a href='#f36' class='c008'><sup>[36]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>“And <span class='sc'>Henry’s</span> jealous nobles knew;</div> + <div class='line'>“I saw them pierce the bounding game,</div> + <div class='line'>“And heard their horn announce the claim.</div> + <div class='line'>“No more, beneath my favorite shade,</div> + <div class='line'>“The forest youth and village maid</div> + <div class='line'>“Shall meet to plight their troth, and mark</div> + <div class='line'>“Their loves memorial on my bark.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>“Yet, yet, fond Hope, thy distant light<a id='r37'></a><a href='#f37' class='c008'><sup>[37]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>“Beams unexpected on my sight;</div> + <div class='line'>“Lo <span class='sc'>Vernon</span> hastes, the common friend!</div> + <div class='line'>“The affrighted forest to defend;</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_44'>44</span>“Bids the keen axe the saplings spare,</div> + <div class='line'>“And makes posterity his care.</div> + <div class='line'>“Yes, Joy shall see these scenes renew’d,</div> + <div class='line'>“Shall wake his sister Gratitude,</div> + <div class='line'>“Shall call on lawns and hills and dells</div> + <div class='line'>“The silent echoes from their cells,</div> + <div class='line'>“Long trains of golden years proclaim,</div> + <div class='line'>“And <span class='sc'>Needwood</span> ring with <span class='sc'>Vernon’s</span> name.”</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>He ceas’d, and shook his hoary brow:</div> + <div class='line'>Glad murmurs fill the vale below,</div> + <div class='line'>The deer in gambols bound along,</div> + <div class='line'>The plighted birds resume their song.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Thrice-venerable Druid, hail!</div> + <div class='line'>O may thy sacred words prevail,</div> + <div class='line'>May <span class='sc'>Needwood’s</span> oaks successive stand</div> + <div class='line'>The lasting wonder of the land!—</div> + <div class='line'>And may some powerful bard arise,</div> + <div class='line'>Tho’ heaven to me that power denies,</div> + <div class='line'>The <span class='sc'>Pope</span> or <span class='sc'>Denham</span> of his days,</div> + <div class='line'>Whose lofty verse shall match their praise.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c002'> + <div><em>FINIS.</em></div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_45'>45</span> + <h2 class='c004'><span class='large'>ADDRESS</span><br> <span class='small'>TO</span><br> SWILCAR OAK,<br> <span class='small'>DESCRIBED</span><br> <span class='large'><span class='sc'>In Mr. MUNDY’s Poem</span></span><br> <span class='small'>ON</span><br> NEEDWOOD FOREST,</h2> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c010'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='c007'>H</span>ail, stately oak, whose wrinkled trunk hath stood</div> + <div class='line'>Age after age, the sov’reign of this wood;</div> + <div class='line'>You, who have seen a thousand springs unfold</div> + <div class='line'>Their ravell’d buds, and dip their flowers in gold;</div> + <div class='line'>Ten thousand times yon moon relight her horn,</div> + <div class='line'>And that bright eye of evening gild the morn.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'><span class='pageno' id='Page_46'>46</span>Say, when of old the snow-hair’d druids pray’d</div> + <div class='line'>With mad-ey’d rapture in your hallow’d shade,</div> + <div class='line'>While to their altars bards and heroes throng,</div> + <div class='line'>And crouding nations join the ecstatick song;</div> + <div class='line'>Did e’er such dulcet notes arrest your gales,</div> + <div class='line'>As <span class='sc'>Mundy</span> pours along the list’ning vales?</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Yes, stately oak, thy leaf-wrapp’d head sublime</div> + <div class='line'>Erelong must perish in the wrecks of time;</div> + <div class='line'>Shou’d o’er thy brow the thunders harmless break,</div> + <div class='line'>And thy firm roots in vain the whirlwinds shake,</div> + <div class='line'>Yet must thou fall,—thy withering glories sunk,</div> + <div class='line'>Arm after arm shall leave the mould’ring trunk!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>But <span class='sc'>Mundy’s</span> verse shall consecrate thy name,</div> + <div class='line'>And rising forests envy <span class='sc'>Swilcar’s</span> fame:</div> + <div class='line'>Green shall thy gems expand, thy branches play,</div> + <div class='line'>And bloom for ever in the immortal lay.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in44'>E. D.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_47'>47</span> + <h2 class='c004'><span class='small'>A</span><br> RURAL CORONATION,<br> <span class='small'>Inscribed to Mr. <em class='gesperrt'>MUNDY</em>,<br> On reading his <span class='sc'>Poem</span><br> ON</span><br> <span class='large'>NEEDWOOD FOREST.</span></h2> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c010'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='c007'>H</span>aste from your dells, your woods, and lawns,</div> + <div class='line'>Nymphs, Naiads, Satyrs, Fays, and Fauns,</div> + <div class='line'>Haste! hither bring your flowers and boughs,</div> + <div class='line'>And weave a wreath for <span class='sc'>Mundy’s</span> brows!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'><span class='pageno' id='Page_48'>48</span>First twigs of oak from <span class='sc'>Swilcar</span> rend,</div> + <div class='line'>And round his auburn temples bend;</div> + <div class='line'>Then tye the ends, that twisting meet,</div> + <div class='line'>With tendrils from the wood-bine sweet:</div> + <div class='line'>With laurel-blossoms next be spread</div> + <div class='line'>Pale ivy crosswise o’er his head;</div> + <div class='line'>These holly sprigs insert between,</div> + <div class='line'>—The berries blush amid the green—</div> + <div class='line'>While hare-bells blue, and lilies fair,</div> + <div class='line'>Mix’d with the wild-rose, deck his hair.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Now with fantastick step advance,</div> + <div class='line'>And hand in hand around him dance;</div> + <div class='line'>To oaten pipe attune his lays,</div> + <div class='line'>And hail the bard, who sings your praise.</div> + <div class='line'>“While the gay choirings of the grove</div> + <div class='line'>“Give breath to harmony and love,</div> + <div class='line'>“And golden furze and purple ling</div> + <div class='line'>“Around their mix’d embroidery fling,</div> + <div class='line'>“And, all irregularly join’d,</div> + <div class='line'>“Th’ according outline waves behind.”</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in40'>A. S.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_49'>49</span> + <h2 class='c004'>SONNET.</h2> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c010'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='c007'>M</span>undy, whose song hath taught the forest swain</div> + <div class='line'>To view fair <span class='sc'>Needwood</span> thro’ the radiance clear</div> + <div class='line'>Of bright imagination, taught the tear</div> + <div class='line'>To glisten in his eye for other’s pain,</div> + <div class='line'>And own that taste and virtue are not vain,</div> + <div class='line'>How was thy pipe melodious wont to cheer</div> + <div class='line'>The wintry groves, when every leaf was sear,</div> + <div class='line'>And brighten summer with its artful strain!—</div> + <div class='line'>Say, by what meed shall <span class='sc'>Needwood</span> court thy stay?</div> + <div class='line'>She unsuspecting twines in amorous care</div> + <div class='line'>Her favorite holly and her flower-bells gay,</div> + <div class='line'>To deck with modest hand her lover’s hair,—</div> + <div class='line'>Ah, do not thou her gentle hope betray,</div> + <div class='line'>And doom her tender bosom to despair!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in48'>B. B.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_50'>50</span> + <h2 class='c004'><em>On</em> Mr. <em class='gesperrt'>MUNDY’s</em> <em>Needwood Forest</em>.</h2> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c010'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='c007'>W</span>here <span class='sc'>Needwood’s</span> banks embroidered smile</div> + <div class='line'>On bright-hair’d Dove, the british Nile,</div> + <div class='line'>Pleas’d <span class='sc'>Mundy</span> fix’d his easel strong,</div> + <div class='line'>And stretch’d his canvass wide and long;</div> + <div class='line'>Broad o’er his hand the pallet lies</div> + <div class='line'>With pencils for a thousand dyes.</div> + <div class='line'>He look’d, and drew, and look’d again,—</div> + <div class='line'>—Enamour’d Fancy snatch’d the pen,</div> + <div class='line'>Nymphs, Graces, Loves around him throng,</div> + <div class='line'>With all the sisterhood of song:</div> + <div class='line'>Bright tints by fairy hands were mix’d.</div> + <div class='line'>And Witchcraft etch’d the shades betwixt.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Delighted Flora smil’d and drew</div> + <div class='line'>The primrose pale, and violet blue.</div> + <div class='line'>A Naiad spreads the flake of snow,—<a id='r38'></a><a href='#f38' class='c008'><sup>[38]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>White foams the glittering stream below.</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_51'>51</span>“Give me the pallet,” Love demands,</div> + <div class='line'>And stretching forth his baby hands</div> + <div class='line'>Dip’d with nice touch his keenest shaft</div> + <div class='line'>In all the blushing lakes, and laugh’d;<a id='r39'></a><a href='#f39' class='c008'><sup>[39]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>With sweetest grace the pencil flow’d,</div> + <div class='line'>With softest tints the canvass glow’d;</div> + <div class='line'>“I’ll draw Mamma,” the Wanton cries,</div> + <div class='line'>And <span class='sc'>Talbot’s</span> features charm our eyes!</div> + <div class='line'>With airy ease the white neck bends,</div> + <div class='line'>Lock after lock the hair descends:</div> + <div class='line'>O’er the fair form the Graces spread</div> + <div class='line'>Their vest, and Hymen wreaths the head.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>And then Thalia, muse of woe,</div> + <div class='line'>Moves o’er the woof her crayon slow.</div> + <div class='line'>Here, cold, bewilder’d, tir’d, forlorn,</div> + <div class='line'>The Traveller sighs in vain for morn;</div> + <div class='line'>Stretch’d on the imprinted snow he lies,</div> + <div class='line'>And bends on heaven his stiffening eyes.</div> + <div class='line'>There Friendship sits the shade beneath,</div> + <div class='line'>And twines for <span class='sc'>Clarke</span> a fadeless wreath;</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_52'>52</span>Fresh cypress with the flowers she weaves,</div> + <div class='line'>And many a tear-drop gems the leaves.</div> + <div class='line'>Next o’er the lawn a virgin throng</div> + <div class='line'>In sad procession moves along,</div> + <div class='line'>Lorn Loves inverted torches bear,</div> + <div class='line'>And Pity weeps o’er <span class='sc'>Vernon’s</span> bier.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>To shade the distant ground, and lay</div> + <div class='line'>The rising group in bolder day,</div> + <div class='line'>A Dryad chalks some dusky strokes,—</div> + <div class='line'>Behind umbrageous frown her oaks!</div> + <div class='line'>And <span class='sc'>Swilcar</span>, rent by many a storm,</div> + <div class='line'>Rears high in air his leafless form.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Pleas’d <span class='sc'>Mundy</span> stood with eager eyes,</div> + <div class='line'>And watch’d the living figures rise;</div> + <div class='line'>Smil’d as the varying colours flow’d,</div> + <div class='line'>And sigh’d by turns, and chill’d, and glow’d:</div> + <div class='line'>And to the admiring world has shewn</div> + <div class='line'>The immortal tablet for his own.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in40'>E. D. Jun.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/i_052.jpg' alt='[Fleuron]' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_53'>53</span> + <h2 class='c004'><span class='small'>THE</span><br> <span class='large'>FALL</span><br> <span class='small'>OF</span><br> NEEDWOOD.</h2> +</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c002'> + <div><span class='blackletter'>Derby:</span></div> + <div class='c003'>PRINTED AT THE OFFICE OF J. DREWRY.</div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/i_053.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> + <div class='nf-center'> + <div><span class='xsmall'>1808.</span></div> + </div> +</div> + +<div><span class='pageno' id='Page_55'>55</span></div> +<div class='chapter ph2'> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c011'> + <div>THE FALL OF NEEDWOOD.</div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c010'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='c007'>A</span>h, Needwood! I, whose early voice</div> + <div class='line'>Taught thy shrill echoes to rejoice;</div> + <div class='line'>I, who first pour’d the sylvan song</div> + <div class='line'>Thy glades, thy banks, thy lawns along;</div> + <div class='line'>I, who with artless pencil drew</div> + <div class='line'>Thy Forest charms of varied hue,</div> + <div class='line'>Approach thee now with different strain,</div> + <div class='line'>That mourns thy wrongs, yet mourns in vain:</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_56'>56</span>I come, but not with former haste,</div> + <div class='line'>To view the dim unshelter’d Waste,</div> + <div class='line'>That once was Needwood: on thy brow</div> + <div class='line'>No green-rob’d Wood-nymph beckons now:</div> + <div class='line'>Yet be thy Spirit sooth’d to bear</div> + <div class='line'>My Requiem through the void of air!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>O Draycot Cliff! again thy height,</div> + <div class='line'>Known beacon of my young delight,</div> + <div class='line'>With sad’ning thoughts, that much portend</div> + <div class='line'>Of change and tumult, I ascend;</div> + <div class='line'>Nor flatter’d by thy levell’d way,</div> + <div class='line'>That smiles, like worldlings, to betray.</div> + <div class='line'>How swells my aged heart, now near</div> + <div class='line'>Scenes to my happiest youth so dear!</div> + <div class='line'>How sinks that heart, as these arise</div> + <div class='line'>Distorted, to my anguish’d eyes!</div> + <div class='line'>Where are those ample plains, display’d</div> + <div class='line'>’Mong woods with many an opening glade?</div> + <div class='line'>Where is the wild doe bounding by,</div> + <div class='line'>Once emblem of their liberty?</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_57'>57</span>No stragglers from the warren fleet</div> + <div class='line'>Scud cross my path with flirting feet.</div> + <div class='line'>No jealous blood-hound, brave and proud,</div> + <div class='line'>Throws from the lodge his challenge loud.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>O hear me on thy summits tall,</div> + <div class='line'>Time-honour’d Needwood! hear my call!</div> + <div class='line'>For thou my filial voice hast known.—</div> + <div class='line'>No answer follows—hark! a groan!</div> + <div class='line'>His ancient seats I seek in vain;</div> + <div class='line'>He, nor his ancient seats remain;</div> + <div class='line'>But in strange horror staring round,</div> + <div class='line'>A Spectre, pointing to his wound,</div> + <div class='line'>Of hideous shape, with bald head, stalks</div> + <div class='line'>Before me o’er the ravag’d walks;</div> + <div class='line'>Where Desolation grim affrights<a id='r40'></a><a href='#f40' class='c008'><sup>[40]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>Sham’d Ceres in unhallow’d rites;</div> + <div class='line'>Where the check’d Plunderer shrinks aside,</div> + <div class='line'>As by his own deed terrified,</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_58'>58</span>Or fears, from many a faithful root,</div> + <div class='line'>Vengeance in ambush at his foot.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Wavering alike in mind and pace,</div> + <div class='line'>I roam, familiar haunts to trace;</div> + <div class='line'>The winds, that bow me as I go,</div> + <div class='line'>Rush unrestrain’d, as wild with woe,</div> + <div class='line'>Or querulously vex’d to miss</div> + <div class='line'>The blooming groves they lov’d to kiss.</div> + <div class='line'>Each spot discover’d has its tale;</div> + <div class='line'>Seems a friend’s voice in every gale;</div> + <div class='line'>Wak’d Recollection starts aghast,</div> + <div class='line'>And thoughtful sighs o’er pleasures past.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>When Nature, with exulting smile,</div> + <div class='line'>Form’d from her stores this happy Isle,</div> + <div class='line'>Curious, and bounteously intent</div> + <div class='line'>To raise a central ornament,</div> + <div class='line'>She cull’d the brightest and the best;</div> + <div class='line'>And heap’d them on her darling’s breast:</div> + <div class='line'>Sprung joyful to her warm embrace</div> + <div class='line'>Th’ appointed Genius of the Place;</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_59'>59</span>His features fair young Beauty drew;</div> + <div class='line'>On her soft lap the fondling grew.</div> + <div class='line'>The Seasons came his birth to greet,</div> + <div class='line'>And pour’d their choicest at his feet;</div> + <div class='line'>The Dryads quaintly curl’d his locks;</div> + <div class='line'>Nymphs, Fauns, and Satyrs rush’d in flocks,</div> + <div class='line'>Pleas’d in such Fairy-land to dwell,</div> + <div class='line'>And peopled every bower and dell.</div> + <div class='line'>Kings mark’d the consecrated ground;</div> + <div class='line'>And Power protective watch’d around.</div> + <div class='line'>Long Mercia sat beside enthron’d;<a id='r41'></a><a href='#f41' class='c008'><sup>[41]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>And prouder crowns its honours own’d.<a id='r42'></a><a href='#f42' class='c008'><sup>[42]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>Delighted Ages list’ning heard</div> + <div class='line'>The wild hoof beat the tainted swerd,</div> + <div class='line'>The glad’ning hound and echoing horn,</div> + <div class='line'>And hunters’ shouts far onward born.</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_60'>60</span>How did his dignity excel!</div> + <div class='line'>Blush, blush ye Times when Needwood fell!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>’Twas Avarice with his harpy claws,</div> + <div class='line'>Great Victim! rent thy guardian laws;</div> + <div class='line'>Loos’d Uproar with his ruffian bands;<a id='r43'></a><a href='#f43' class='c008'><sup>[43]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>Bade Havoc show his crimson’d hands;</div> + <div class='line'>Grinn’d a coarse smile, as thy last deer</div> + <div class='line'>Dropp’d in thy lap a dying tear;</div> + <div class='line'>Exulted in his schemes accurst,</div> + <div class='line'>When thy pierc’d heart, abandon’d, burst;</div> + <div class='line'>And, glozing on the public good,</div> + <div class='line'>Insidious demon! suck’d thy blood.</div> + <div class='line'>Detested ever be that day,</div> + <div class='line'>Which left thee a defenceless prey!</div> + <div class='line'>May never sun its presence cheer!</div> + <div class='line'>O be it blotted from the year!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Where now the Forest-freeman’s boast?</div> + <div class='line'>His joys, his hopes, his name are lost.</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_61'>61</span>Repentant claimants of the soil!<a id='r44'></a><a href='#f44' class='c008'><sup>[44]</sup></a> <span class='lnum'>}</span></div> + <div class='line'>Your’s keen remorse and thankless toil; <span class='lnum'>}</span></div> + <div class='line'>Strangers and hirelings snatch the spoil. <span class='lnum'>}</span></div> + <div class='line'>Too late ye mourn your glory gone;</div> + <div class='line'>Too late the deed yourselves have done.</div> + <div class='line'>Thus, fell Owhyhee’s senseless crew,</div> + <div class='line'>Him, their best friend, their idol, slew;</div> + <div class='line'>Shar’d his torn limbs with savage pride;</div> + <div class='line'>Then griev’d, infatuate! that he died.</div> + <div class='line'>Ah, who but knows and loves the lay,</div> + <div class='line'>Which Seward hung on Cook’s Morai?</div> + <div class='line'>O had I such melodious tear,</div> + <div class='line'>Lamented Needwood, for thy bier!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Forests of England! ye might claim</div> + <div class='line'>A proud share in her ancient fame.</div> + <div class='line'>Tell your forgetful country, tell,</div> + <div class='line'>When dangers dread her state befell,</div> + <div class='line'>How rush’d your sons in hardy bands,</div> + <div class='line'>Their long bows in their skilful hands;</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_62'>62</span>How far the foremost and the best,<a id='r45'></a><a href='#f45' class='c008'><sup>[45]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>On fierce invading foes they press’d;</div> + <div class='line'>With what sure aim their arrows flew,</div> + <div class='line'>Whistling the death song ere they slew.</div> + <div class='line'>You, in your secret labyrinths, spread<a id='r46'></a><a href='#f46' class='c008'><sup>[46]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>Your dark shields o’er great Alfred’s head,</div> + <div class='line'>True to your charge. The ruthless Dane</div> + <div class='line'>Brandish’d his reeking blade in vain.</div> + <div class='line'>’Twas your’s to nurse that mighty mind,</div> + <div class='line'>Where every Virtue sat enshrin’d.</div> + <div class='line'>Your hush’d leaves parted, as the beams<a id='r47'></a><a href='#f47' class='c008'><sup>[47]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>Of glory shot, and fir’d his dreams.</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_63'>63</span>You fann’d his patriot bosom’s glow;</div> + <div class='line'>You tun’d his harp; you trimm’d his bow.<a id='r48'></a><a href='#f48' class='c008'><sup>[48]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>He imag’d in your wolves his foes;</div> + <div class='line'>And practis’d Vengeance keener rose.</div> + <div class='line'>Your proud oaks lean’d<a id='r49'></a><a href='#f49' class='c008'><sup>[49]</sup></a> to court the hand,</div> + <div class='line'>Which England’s conquering navy plann’d.</div> + <div class='line'>Your song-birds<a id='r50'></a><a href='#f50' class='c008'><sup>[50]</sup></a> taught him to convey</div> + <div class='line'>Mild manners in attractive lay;</div> + <div class='line'>While Liberty, the nymph you love,<a id='r51'></a><a href='#f51' class='c008'><sup>[51]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>Braided the silken bands he wove.</div> + <div class='line'>On circled lawns, in secret glade,</div> + <div class='line'>You marshall’d thousands to his aid,</div> + <div class='line'>Then gave him from your woods to shine</div> + <div class='line'>A Cæsar and an Antonine.</div> + <div class='line'>There the bright wreaths of Victory grew;</div> + <div class='line'>And Themis pluck’d her wand from you.</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_64'>64</span>Rouz’d vigorous by the morning air,</div> + <div class='line'>So quits the monarch stag his lair;<a id='r52'></a><a href='#f52' class='c008'><sup>[52]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>With fresh fray’d beams his rival seeks;<a id='r53'></a><a href='#f53' class='c008'><sup>[53]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>His meditated vengeance wreaks;</div> + <div class='line'>And, stamping on the mountain’s brow,</div> + <div class='line'>Claims homage from the vale below.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>On yonder castled cliff of old,<a id='r54'></a><a href='#f54' class='c008'><sup>[54]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>Needwood, how throng’d thy archers bold,</div> + <div class='line'>When there, for deeds of arms array’d,</div> + <div class='line'>His banner princely Gaunt display’d!</div> + <div class='line'>And fill’d they not his chosen ranks<a id='r55'></a><a href='#f55' class='c008'><sup>[55]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>On distant Ebro’s oliv’d banks?</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_65'>65</span>Spain’s boasted slingers! soon ye fled<a id='r56'></a><a href='#f56' class='c008'><sup>[56]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>From English bowmen, Forest-bred.</div> + <div class='line'>Fame stak’d her dearest honours there:</div> + <div class='line'>And won not Needwood’s sons their share?</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Illustrious History, bear me back</div> + <div class='line'>Up golden Time’s recorded track,</div> + <div class='line'>And bring from thy illumin’d page</div> + <div class='line'>The heroes of that martial age,</div> + <div class='line'>When knightly valour’s own right hand</div> + <div class='line'>Sought fame, and spoil, and high command!</div> + <div class='line'>Say, as they pass in bright review,</div> + <div class='line'>What favourite takes precedence due!</div> + <div class='line'>They come—the pride and pomp of war</div> + <div class='line'>Mark their disastrous course afar.</div> + <div class='line'>Ah, while the mad’ning trumpet brays,</div> + <div class='line'>Fields reek with blood and cities blaze;</div> + <div class='line'>Fell cries for glory or a crown</div> + <div class='line'>The skrieks of wives and orphans drown.</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_66'>66</span>See English Richard’s crest advance!—</div> + <div class='line'>Back from the lightning of his lance!</div> + <div class='line'>Hark! nations hail in loud accord<a id='r57'></a><a href='#f57' class='c008'><sup>[57]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>His lion heart and victor sword.</div> + <div class='line'>Cease, cease thy boasting, clarion vain!</div> + <div class='line'>Truth gives my lyre a purer strain.</div> + <div class='line'>Blush, as thy people, haughty king,</div> + <div class='line'>Shout for the man thy Minstrels bring,<a id='r58'></a><a href='#f58' class='c008'><sup>[58]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>And offer, with less guilty claim,</div> + <div class='line'>A Forest Yeoman’s humble name!</div> + <div class='line'>How sweetly pours that bugle shrill</div> + <div class='line'>It’s mellow tones o’er dale and hill,</div> + <div class='line'>As Sherwood’s Hero, down the glade,<a id='r59'></a><a href='#f59' class='c008'><sup>[59]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>Steps with his bow and bright brown blade,<a id='r60'></a><a href='#f60' class='c008'><sup>[60]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_67'>67</span>His feather’d arrows, broad and keen,</div> + <div class='line'>Hung lightly o’er his gown of green!</div> + <div class='line'>A robber! say’st thou? Thy harsh laws,</div> + <div class='line'>Oppressor, and the poor man’s cause</div> + <div class='line'>Led him, indignant, to the wood,</div> + <div class='line'>With bold pretence of rights withstood.</div> + <div class='line'>Churls, with no feeling but for self,</div> + <div class='line'>Yield to his better hands your pelf!</div> + <div class='line'>Such trespass Fear disdains to hide;</div> + <div class='line'>And hoodwink’d Justice peeps aside.</div> + <div class='line'>The liberal air his freeborn soul</div> + <div class='line'>Lifts high, in scorn of base controul.</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_68'>68</span>In fellowship and fealty bound,</div> + <div class='line'>Firm as the knights of Table Round,</div> + <div class='line'>Him and his hundred, tall and fleet,</div> + <div class='line'>Not twice two hundred care to meet.</div> + <div class='line'>Minions, oppose not his career!</div> + <div class='line'>He seeks no slaughter, but of deer.</div> + <div class='line'>Yet will he pass unquestion’d by:</div> + <div class='line'>Raise but your weapons and ye die!</div> + <div class='line'>Start not fair maids! your path pursue</div> + <div class='line'>Unharm’d; he guards its peace for you;</div> + <div class='line'>And cheers, on each occasion kind,</div> + <div class='line'>In age or want, the hamlet hind.</div> + <div class='line'>Here, warriors, to the Forest turn,</div> + <div class='line'>True courage and its use to learn!</div> + <div class='line'>Here, nobles, to the wood resort,</div> + <div class='line'>For courtesy unknown at court!—</div> + <div class='line'>Needwood, this brave man was thy guest;<a id='r61'></a><a href='#f61' class='c008'><sup>[61]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>Love crown’d the day, and Mirth the feast.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'><span class='pageno' id='Page_69'>69</span>Region, where all delights were found,</div> + <div class='line'>How look’st thou now? a burial ground!</div> + <div class='line'>With sad memorials, here and there,</div> + <div class='line'>Of what was noble, free, and fair.</div> + <div class='line'>King’s-standing, with a tortur’d frown,<a id='r62'></a><a href='#f62' class='c008'><sup>[62]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>Marks its own splendour overthrown.</div> + <div class='line'>Whate’er of wood or lawn could please,</div> + <div class='line'>Whate’er of hills that rang’d with ease,</div> + <div class='line'>In grand assemblage broad display’d,</div> + <div class='line'>This far commanding mount survey’d.</div> + <div class='line'>How chang’d! those oaks, that tower’d so high,</div> + <div class='line'>Dismember’d, stript, extended, lie;</div> + <div class='line'>On the stain’d turf their wrecks are pil’d,<a id='r63'></a><a href='#f63' class='c008'><sup>[63]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>Where thousand Summers bask’d and smil’d;</div> + <div class='line'>In smouldering heaps their limbs consume;<a id='r64'></a><a href='#f64' class='c008'><sup>[64]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>The dark smoke marks their casual tomb;</div> + <div class='line'>From blacken’d brakes,<a id='r65'></a><a href='#f65' class='c008'><sup>[65]</sup></a> the choak’d winds toss</div> + <div class='line'>The ashes of the golden goss;</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_70'>70</span>While great with power, yon Wretch<a id='r66'></a><a href='#f66' class='c008'><sup>[66]</sup></a> derides</div> + <div class='line'>And boasts the mischief, which he guides.</div> + <div class='line'>Thus, when, in unsuspecting peace,</div> + <div class='line'>Rush’d Scythia’s hordes on fertile Greece,</div> + <div class='line'>Mars, their grim god, whom heaven abhors,</div> + <div class='line'>Urg’d with fell taunts to wasteful wars.</div> + <div class='line in2'>Valley! where Marebrook, all unveil’d,<a id='r67'></a><a href='#f67' class='c008'><sup>[67]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>Her slender line, far shining, trail’d,</div> + <div class='line'>With frequent curves thy slopes between,</div> + <div class='line'>As loth to quit the enticing scene;</div> + <div class='line'>Or turning with young fawns to play,</div> + <div class='line'>Wily and volatile as they;</div> + <div class='line'>Alluring, with her tinkling sweet,</div> + <div class='line'>From bank to bank their timid feet;</div> + <div class='line'>Lov’d Valley! now no charm invites</div> + <div class='line'>My steps to rove these injur’d heights;</div> + <div class='line'>Thy wavy knolls the fence arrests;</div> + <div class='line'>The rude spade wounds thy swelling breasts;</div> + <div class='line'>Rent her fair locks and mantle rich,</div> + <div class='line'>Forlorn along that hateful ditch</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_71'>71</span>Thy violated Naiad steals,</div> + <div class='line'>And in foul streams her shame conceals.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>These broad roots bore a secret grove,</div> + <div class='line'>Where I was wont at eve to rove;</div> + <div class='line'>And, while low-thoughted cares retired,</div> + <div class='line'>Wrapp’d in fond musings, Fancy-fir’d,</div> + <div class='line'>Saw what alone the mind’s eye sees;</div> + <div class='line'>Heard other whisperings than the breeze;</div> + <div class='line'>And knights and dames, and dwarfs portray’d,<a id='r68'></a><a href='#f68' class='c008'><sup>[68]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>And bright arms gleaming down the glade;</div> + <div class='line'>Drew Magic, muttering powerful spell;</div> + <div class='line'>And Witchcraft with demoniac yell.</div> + <div class='line'>Hark! the last trunk that axe assails;</div> + <div class='line'>See! the plough tears the writhing vales;</div> + <div class='line'>Stop, thoughtless clown! nor dare to bring</div> + <div class='line'>Destruction on that Fairy-Ring,</div> + <div class='line'>Imprinted deep with stainless green,</div> + <div class='line'>And lasting beauty, seldom seen.</div> + <div class='line'>E’en Winter paus’d that turf to spare;</div> + <div class='line'>Nor look’d the fiery Dog-star there.</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_72'>72</span>And once more may Titania come,</div> + <div class='line'>With farewell, to her ancient home;</div> + <div class='line'>But, for the bee bird’s gaudy plume,<a id='r69'></a><a href='#f69' class='c008'><sup>[69]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>Wav’d o’er her neck in quivering bloom,</div> + <div class='line'>Funereal spray of dismal hue,</div> + <div class='line'>Of cypress, or the baleful yew,</div> + <div class='line'>Join’d with the nightshade’s deadly flow’r,</div> + <div class='line'>Shall darkly o’er her forehead low’r.</div> + <div class='line'>Attendant Fays, in mournful throng,</div> + <div class='line'>Nor trace the dance, nor raise the song;</div> + <div class='line'>While, for the shrill reed’s cheerful sound,</div> + <div class='line'>That led them lightly tripping round,</div> + <div class='line'>Beetles and drones, with hummings low,</div> + <div class='line'>Measure their footfalls sad and slow.—</div> + <div class='line'>Alas, no gentle sprite remains!</div> + <div class='line'>But foul fiends scour th’ affrighted plains,</div> + <div class='line'>Rob of their honours hills and lawns,</div> + <div class='line'>Trace the mean ditch that greedy yawns,</div> + <div class='line'>And teach the reptile hedge to crawl;</div> + <div class='line'>Twin pests, confederate, seizing all.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'><span class='pageno' id='Page_73'>73</span>What old man with his gray dog sits,</div> + <div class='line'>What blind man, by those sandy pits?</div> + <div class='line'>’Tis Manuel!<a id='r70'></a><a href='#f70' class='c008'><sup>[70]</sup></a>—and he rests him, where</div> + <div class='line'>My fox-earth was his nightly care.—</div> + <div class='line'>Ah, come not now to scenes so drear,</div> + <div class='line'>Gay hunters! scenes ye cannot cheer.</div> + <div class='line'>Ah venture not their threats to brave;</div> + <div class='line'>Nor trample on your Needwood’s grave!—</div> + <div class='line'>’Tis Manuel! and he knows my voice:</div> + <div class='line'>His tears, tho’ not his eyes, rejoice:</div> + <div class='line'>Reduc’d by age and loss of sight</div> + <div class='line'>To beggary and the parish mite,</div> + <div class='line'>That dog his only guide, he picks,</div> + <div class='line'>Groping in fear, those wretched sticks.</div> + <div class='line'>But soon will such small gleanings end.—</div> + <div class='line'>Thou, Needwood, wast the poor man’s friend!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Garden of Nature! on whose face</div> + <div class='line'>Contended fragrance, bloom, and grace;</div> + <div class='line'>Kind nurse of her abundant good</div> + <div class='line'>To human wants, from herb or wood,</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_74'>74</span>Tho’ seem the withering winds less rude</div> + <div class='line'>Than thoughtless man’s ingratitude;</div> + <div class='line'>Not all thy children droop forlorn,</div> + <div class='line'>Hurl’d from magnificence to scorn.</div> + <div class='line'>You, fox-gloves, through the varying year<a id='r71'></a><a href='#f71' class='c008'><sup>[71]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>Fresh, vigorous and countless here,</div> + <div class='line'>You, happy fox-gloves, as you fell,</div> + <div class='line'>In triumph clos’d each purple bell;</div> + <div class='line'>Proud that the bark of fam’d Peru</div> + <div class='line'>Was rival’d, British plant, by you.</div> + <div class='line'>Philosophy and Science rare</div> + <div class='line'>Had pitied Dropsy’s sad despair,</div> + <div class='line'>And pour’d your healing treasure forth;</div> + <div class='line'>While their own Bard extoll’d your worth;</div> + <div class='line'>Poet and Sage: hence doubly shine</div> + <div class='line'>Your honours on Hygiea’s shrine,</div> + <div class='line'>Where pleas’d Apollo stoop’d to yield</div> + <div class='line'>To Darwin’s hand his lyre and shield.<a id='r72'></a><a href='#f72' class='c008'><sup>[72]</sup></a></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'><span class='pageno' id='Page_75'>75</span>Again, to save this fair domain,<a id='r73'></a><a href='#f73' class='c008'><sup>[73]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>A Vernon strove, but strove in vain;</div> + <div class='line'>And many a noble heart was warm<a id='r74'></a><a href='#f74' class='c008'><sup>[74]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>The fell devourer’s rage to charm;</div> + <div class='line'>But mean Self-interest lit the flame,</div> + <div class='line'>Blind Furies fann’d; and Ruin came.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Yet Limbrook prattles, in her pride,<a id='r75'></a><a href='#f75' class='c008'><sup>[75]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>Of ancient scenery on her side,</div> + <div class='line'>Calls, where her beauties still prevail,</div> + <div class='line'>To Byrkley Bowers and Yoxall Dale,</div> + <div class='line'>Boasts of deep shades and allies green,</div> + <div class='line'>And bids me mark that Forest mien,</div> + <div class='line'>Pleas’d, in this circlet, to secure</div> + <div class='line'>Her injur’d parents’ miniature;</div> + <div class='line'>And fain would cheer me, as she leads</div> + <div class='line'>By cultur’d banks to verdant meads;</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_76'>76</span>And spreads her mirrors to reflect</div> + <div class='line'>How Nature’s hand-maid, Art, hath deck’d</div> + <div class='line'>The matron here, with choicest bloom;—</div> + <div class='line'>Ah, garlands now for Needwood’s tomb!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Limbrook! protected child and heir,</div> + <div class='line'>Enjoy thy patrimony fair;</div> + <div class='line'>And ever, in thy favour’d bound,<a id='r76'></a><a href='#f76' class='c008'><sup>[76]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>Prosperity and Peace be found.</div> + <div class='line'>Yet long wilt thou lament the change</div> + <div class='line'>Of herds and flocks, that near thee range,</div> + <div class='line'>More loudly to thy rushes chide,</div> + <div class='line'>Since comes no doe her fawn to hide;</div> + <div class='line'>And long thy murmuring stream will shrink,</div> + <div class='line'>When stoops the stranger ewe to drink;<a id='r77'></a><a href='#f77' class='c008'><sup>[77]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>And long those oaks, Destruction spar’d,</div> + <div class='line'>Grieve for the greatness, once they shar’d,</div> + <div class='line'>And sigh, while, ages hence, appear</div> + <div class='line'>The tracks of their remember’d deer,<a id='r78'></a><a href='#f78' class='c008'><sup>[78]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_77'>77</span>And scatter, careless, to the wind,</div> + <div class='line'>Fruits, for their Autumn feast design’d.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Thus, when that monster of the world<a id='r79'></a><a href='#f79' class='c008'><sup>[79]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>Thy nobles from their honours hurl’d,</div> + <div class='line'>Oh France! a few, to fate resign’d,</div> + <div class='line'>All lost, but dignity of mind,</div> + <div class='line'>Still on the general wreck abide,</div> + <div class='line'>Terror and Tyranny beside,</div> + <div class='line'>And privileg’d in fall’n estate,</div> + <div class='line'>Walk humbly with the power they hate,</div> + <div class='line'>Regretful of their happier times,</div> + <div class='line'>And sighing o’er a nation’s crimes.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Yet Byrkley Bowers, your Emma’s art<a id='r80'></a><a href='#f80' class='c008'><sup>[80]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>Such sweet delusion can impart,</div> + <div class='line'>Such truth her curious pencil gives,</div> + <div class='line'>That Needwood in its magic lives.</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_78'>78</span>O, haste to catch, ingenious maid,</div> + <div class='line'>His remnant beauties ere they fade:</div> + <div class='line'>So to th’ admiring world be shown</div> + <div class='line'>Fair forms, accomplish’d like your own!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Though aptly might these dells retain</div> + <div class='line'>Wild Fancy and her sylvan train,</div> + <div class='line'>I ask no fabled nymph to lend</div> + <div class='line'>Her idle aid, as I descend;</div> + <div class='line'>I seek not such attendants here;</div> + <div class='line'>But hail your presence and revere,</div> + <div class='line'>Truth, Genius, Science!—Yoxall Dale,</div> + <div class='line'>’Mong Forest Walks distinguish’d, hail!</div> + <div class='line'>Enough, that future times will say:</div> + <div class='line'>“Here Gisborne penn’d his moral lay,<a id='r81'></a><a href='#f81' class='c008'><sup>[81]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>“Practis’d the duties he enjoin’d,</div> + <div class='line'>“Led and instructed human kind,</div> + <div class='line'>“Here the high paths of Nature trod,</div> + <div class='line'>“And saw and glorified her God.”</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'><span class='pageno' id='Page_79'>79</span>Gigantic hollies!<a id='r82'></a><a href='#f82' class='c008'><sup>[82]</sup></a> many a year</div> + <div class='line'>Your lopp’d limbs fed the pining deer;</div> + <div class='line'>And many a year, your growth renew’d,</div> + <div class='line'>In venerable solitude,</div> + <div class='line'>With arch and column, here you stood,</div> + <div class='line'>As once the Temple of the Wood.</div> + <div class='line'>The seasons wrought not on your form;</div> + <div class='line'>You bent not to the battering storm;</div> + <div class='line'>Arrested on each shrouded brow,</div> + <div class='line'>No wanton sunbeams pry’d below.—</div> + <div class='line'>Respected veterans! favourite glade!</div> + <div class='line'>Oft, as I pac’d your pensive shade,</div> + <div class='line'>Rapt Meditation mus’d in prayer;</div> + <div class='line'>Or self-indulgence soften’d care.—</div> + <div class='line'>These, Needwood, thy destroyers saw</div> + <div class='line'>And seiz’d, uncheck’d by shame or awe!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Fair Virgin! in that hallow’d gloom,<a id='r83'></a><a href='#f83' class='c008'><sup>[83]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>While the bell knoll’d thee to thy tomb,</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_80'>80</span>I chose a polish’d trunk to mark</div> + <div class='line'>Thy memory on its yielding bark:</div> + <div class='line'>As held in reverence profound,</div> + <div class='line'>The grove was motionless around,</div> + <div class='line'>Save that an ivy’s stragling leaf</div> + <div class='line'>Shook in the breathings of my grief;</div> + <div class='line'>Watch’d Pity through her starting tears,</div> + <div class='line'>Numbering too soon thy transient years;</div> + <div class='line'>Lorn Loves, that knew thee well, were by;</div> + <div class='line'>And Sorrow with reverted eye.</div> + <div class='line'>Yes; “thou wast all that youth admires,</div> + <div class='line'>A parent seeks, or friend desires!”</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Ah, if yet spar’d, to that lone shrine</div> + <div class='line'>Direct me, some remaining sign!</div> + <div class='line'>Or whispering airs instruct to find,</div> + <div class='line'>Soft as ye kiss the swelling rind!</div> + <div class='line'>Or gentle red-breast hop before!—</div> + <div class='line'>No; those retirements are no more.—</div> + <div class='line'>See the griev’d wood-dove on her flight!</div> + <div class='line'>And the scar’d owlet lost in light!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'><span class='pageno' id='Page_81'>81</span>Hark! the same bell!—take, sister bier,<a id='r84'></a><a href='#f84' class='c008'><sup>[84]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>Affection’s sigh and friendship’s tear!</div> + <div class='line'>These for ourselves:—for thee, blest shade!</div> + <div class='line'>Amply thy debt of life was paid;</div> + <div class='line'>And gentle, as that life, thy fall;—</div> + <div class='line'>Rest honour’d, as belov’d by all!</div> + <div class='line'>Rest, while the parting Virtues bear</div> + <div class='line'>For heaven’s approof, thy record fair!</div> + <div class='line'>In yonder cloud that lowers above,</div> + <div class='line'>Darkening the cheerful face of Dove,</div> + <div class='line'>Their white plumes glimmer to the eye,</div> + <div class='line'>And radiant arms extend on high.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Yes, Holly-Bush!<a id='r85'></a><a href='#f85' class='c008'><sup>[85]</sup></a>—endeared spot!</div> + <div class='line'>Forsaken long, but ne’er forgot!</div> + <div class='line'>Yes, Holly-Bush! through all disguise</div> + <div class='line'>I know thee, but with watery eyes!</div> + <div class='line'>With thee what warm emotions start!</div> + <div class='line'>What passions press upon my heart!</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_82'>82</span>Quick rushes my own change to view;</div> + <div class='line'>And wounds, yet tender, bleed anew.</div> + <div class='line'>I come not now to treasur’d sweets;</div> + <div class='line'>Blank my approach; no welcome greets;</div> + <div class='line'>No lifted sash, no smiling face</div> + <div class='line'>Salutes me, joyous from the chase;</div> + <div class='line'>No ready grooms my call await;</div> + <div class='line'>Leaps on its hinge no friendly gate;</div> + <div class='line'>Not for my meal that kitchen’s blaze;</div> + <div class='line'>Thy people on a stranger gaze;</div> + <div class='line'>And, for the fox-hound cow’ring bland,</div> + <div class='line'>Bays the fierce house-dog at his stand.</div> + <div class='line'>Yet, as my doubtful step withdraws,</div> + <div class='line'>Fresh memories plead for longer pause;</div> + <div class='line'>While mixes with each faint farewell</div> + <div class='line'>What only struggling sighs can tell.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Yes, Holly-Bush!—here fled too fast</div> + <div class='line'>Fair hours, most valued now they’re past.</div> + <div class='line'>But not, in my regard, import</div> + <div class='line'>These structures of a prouder sort;</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_83'>83</span>And former fondness ill can brook</div> + <div class='line'>This order’d dress and inland look;<a id='r86'></a><a href='#f86' class='c008'><sup>[86]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>Thy flowery copse and bowers make room</div> + <div class='line'>For alien shrubs and new perfume;</div> + <div class='line'>Thy meek rill swells with glaring brim;</div> + <div class='line'>Thy rude paths march through gardens trim;</div> + <div class='line'>Ah, here no unambitious brow,<a id='r87'></a><a href='#f87' class='c008'><sup>[87]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>Nor my contented dwelling now!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>But thou remainest, favourite Tree!</div> + <div class='line'>Extend thy friendly canopy!</div> + <div class='line'>Ah! know me, sooth me, in my age,</div> + <div class='line'>And cheer this mournful pilgrimage!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Hall! whose kind arm is stretch’d between<a id='r88'></a><a href='#f88' class='c008'><sup>[88]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>The spoiler and yon Forest scene,</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_84'>84</span>Its green vale with its wooded banks,</div> + <div class='line'>(And Needwood’s honour owes thee thanks)</div> + <div class='line'>Save too this suppliant at thy door,</div> + <div class='line'>O save my spreading Sycamore!</div> + <div class='line'>It gave my window breezes sweet,</div> + <div class='line'>And shelter when the tempest beat;</div> + <div class='line'>When wild bees humm’d its boughs among,</div> + <div class='line'>Or cooing stock-dove watch’d her young,</div> + <div class='line'>Oft have I sat beneath its shade,</div> + <div class='line'>And bless’d my children, as they play’d.</div> + <div class='line'>Ah! let not Taste, with upstart pride,</div> + <div class='line'>This old domestic thrust aside;</div> + <div class='line'>This relic, generous owner! spare</div> + <div class='line'>To Needwood’s earliest poet’s prayer:</div> + <div class='line'>So prosper here thy fair designs;</div> + <div class='line'>So Beauty lend thee her own lines;</div> + <div class='line'>So here all social Pleasures throng;</div> + <div class='line'>And sweet Enjoyment flourish long.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Revered Swilcar!<a id='r89'></a><a href='#f89' class='c008'><sup>[89]</sup></a> kingly Oak!</div> + <div class='line'>Ill spar’d from thee th’ assassin’s stroke.</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_85'>85</span>How brilliant was thy sylvan court!</div> + <div class='line'>Of sons and subjects proud resort;</div> + <div class='line'>Here stately rang’d in close array;</div> + <div class='line'>There lightly group’d on carpets gay;</div> + <div class='line'>Attendant hollies glow’d beneath,</div> + <div class='line'>All arm’d; their crest a woodbine wreath.</div> + <div class='line'>In safety skipp’d the dappled herds;</div> + <div class='line'>Securely perch’d the choiring birds;</div> + <div class='line'>O’er charter’d ground thy broad shade spread;</div> + <div class='line'>In freedom wav’d thy sacred head,</div> + <div class='line'>Where age had whiten’d many a stem,</div> + <div class='line'>And plac’d an antler’d diadem.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Horrid!—I see thee far<a id='r90'></a><a href='#f90' class='c008'><sup>[90]</sup></a>—defac’d—</div> + <div class='line'>In fetters on a dreary waste,</div> + <div class='line'>With outstretch’d arms and bosom bare,</div> + <div class='line'>Appealing to the troubled air;</div> + <div class='line'>Yet taxing not the pelting storm;</div> + <div class='line'>But those, more cruel, who deform</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_86'>86</span>Thy rich retreats, thy turf defile</div> + <div class='line'>With fence, and road, and uses vile;</div> + <div class='line'>Nor of the whole, which Nature gave,</div> + <div class='line'>Leave thee enough to make thy grave,</div> + <div class='line'>When comes, as come it must, thy fall,</div> + <div class='line'><em>Lear</em> of the Forest, robb’d of all!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Enough; and from my trembling hand</div> + <div class='line'>Drops the sad lyre.—Abused Land,</div> + <div class='line'>Take my last strains! in happier days</div> + <div class='line'>I tun’d my rude horn to thy praise;</div> + <div class='line'>And (all I wish’d) the friends I lov’d</div> + <div class='line'>Those unassuming notes approv’d;</div> + <div class='line'>And some, with strength beyond its own,<a id='r91'></a><a href='#f91' class='c008'><sup>[91]</sup></a></div> + <div class='line'>In sweeter echoes cheer’d the tone;</div> + <div class='line'>To swell <em>this</em> tear, which sorrow drew,</div> + <div class='line'>Do <em>they</em> remain?—alas how few!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Swilcar! from thee a wither’d bough</div> + <div class='line'>Will best become my temples now.</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_87'>87</span>And pendent here my shell I leave</div> + <div class='line'>Mournfully mute; save when, at eve,</div> + <div class='line'>While Silence lists on brooding wings,</div> + <div class='line'>Soft airs shall brush the murmuring strings:</div> + <div class='line'>So still be fond complaint preferr’d,</div> + <div class='line'>Its master’s voice no longer heard!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Then haply some, who wander near</div> + <div class='line'>Musing, may lend a partial ear;</div> + <div class='line'>And if thy venerable age,</div> + <div class='line'>And awful size their hearts engage,</div> + <div class='line'>If Nature’s wood-wild walks they love,</div> + <div class='line'>If violated grandeur move,</div> + <div class='line'>Ah, will not indignation rise,</div> + <div class='line'>As Fancy views with weeping eyes,</div> + <div class='line'>Nymphs, Satyrs, Fauns, in cheerless row,</div> + <div class='line'>And Dian with a broken bow;</div> + <div class='line'>Hears Druid’s groan and Dryad’s shriek</div> + <div class='line'>Oft through the moonlight stillness break,</div> + <div class='line'>Yon prison’d cliffs<a id='r92'></a><a href='#f92' class='c008'><sup>[92]</sup></a> their griefs repeat,</div> + <div class='line'>Dove howling hoarsely at their feet?</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'><span class='pageno' id='Page_88'>88</span>Region!—I lov’d thee at my heart—</div> + <div class='line'>Farewell!—for ever now we part.</div> + <div class='line'>Forest farewell!—delighted Time</div> + <div class='line'>Thee would have spar’d in endless prime;</div> + <div class='line'>Me, as he shakes my ebbing sands,</div> + <div class='line'>While MORTAL LIFE her roll expands,</div> + <div class='line'>Me, feebly bending o’er thy tomb,</div> + <div class='line'>He beckons to her COMMON HOME.—</div> + <div class='line'>Ah, human weakness! may a name,</div> + <div class='line'>Aspiring to no splendid fame,</div> + <div class='line'>Live, yet a little, in my SONGS</div> + <div class='line'>Of NEEDWOOD’S PRAISE and NEEDWOOD’S WRONGS!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_89'>89</span> + <h2 class='c004'>MY GRAND CLIMACTERIC. 1802.</h2> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c010'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>As one, who journeys over unknown lands,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Ere yet the sun withdraws his western ray,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Stops on some mountain’s brow, whose site commands</div> + <div class='line in2'>The shifting scenes and labyrinths of the way;</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>With fond reverted look his thoughts retrace,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Where flowers their sweets, and wild-birds gave their song,</div> + <div class='line in2'>And dwell, long dwell! on many a favourite space,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Where prodigal of time he loiter’d long;</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Lovers and friends in bright perspective rise,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Companions of his morn, on yon blue hill;</div> + <div class='line in2'>Down that blank plain he drops a look, and sighs,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Whence seem their parting words to reach him still;</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'><span class='pageno' id='Page_90'>90</span>Here his pain’d eyes unkindly districts mark,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Where faint heats smote him or fierce storms o’ertook;</div> + <div class='line in2'>There strain o’er deep’ning woods at noonday dark,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Where his false steps their destin’d course forsook;</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Pond’ring the change and chances of the day,</div> + <div class='line in2'>As warning eve prepares her veil to close,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Serious, he now proceeds with short survey,</div> + <div class='line'>Expecting night’s dark hour, and hoping calm repose:</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>So I look back on more than sixty years,</div> + <div class='line in2'>In life’s sequester’d walks obscurely spent,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Where tho’ its trophied head no column rears,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Inscrib’d with mighty deed, or proud event,</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Yet, on some few small eminencies, glow</div> + <div class='line in2'>The heart’s rejoicing-lights of self-applause;</div> + <div class='line in2'>Some generous claims surmount the gloom below,</div> + <div class='line in2'>And shame and sharp regrets a moment pause;</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'><span class='pageno' id='Page_91'>91</span>Yet these prevail—ah! might my wish prevail</div> + <div class='line in2'>That Time would turn my near exhausted glass;</div> + <div class='line in2'>Then not a grain should of its harvest fail;—</div> + <div class='line in2'>Seeds are but sands when unimprov’d they pass.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Vain wish! vain promise! what dost thou presume,</div> + <div class='line in2'>O weak Humanity? thyself but dust!</div> + <div class='line in2'>Since from the cradle, hourly, to the tomb,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Toil, trifle, err and grieve, frail thing! thou must.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>But pleasures, passions lose their dangerous force;</div> + <div class='line in2'>And the world’s business shrinks as age descends:</div> + <div class='line in2'>O spare Adversity! my evening course;</div> + <div class='line'>My little part is play’d, my small importance ends.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_92'>92</span> + <h2 class='c004'><span class='large'><em>To F. N. C. MUNDY, Esq.</em></span><br> <span class='small'>ON HIS POEM</span><br> THE FALL OF NEEDWOOD.</h2> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c010'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Poet of Needwood, much my heart approves</div> + <div class='line'>This thy ow’d duty to his ravag’d groves,</div> + <div class='line'>The lost! the lovely! who in better days</div> + <div class='line'>View’d their each grace reflected in thy lays;</div> + <div class='line'>And O! when many a future Age has pass’d,</div> + <div class='line'>Rolling oblivious o’er his nameless Waste,</div> + <div class='line'>Its sometime beauties shall again revive,</div> + <div class='line'>And in thy pictur’d strains for <span class='fss'>EVER</span> live.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Come, pensive listening, ye once jocund Throng,</div> + <div class='line'>Whilome that rov’d those forest-haunts along;</div> + <div class='line'>Explor’d, with pleasure brightening in your air,</div> + <div class='line'>Each coy, green labyrinth and each turfy lair,</div> + <div class='line'>Still, as in pride of youth, the wanton Spring</div> + <div class='line'>Expanded to the Sun her showery wing,</div> + <div class='line'>And cliffs, illustrious in their golden bloom,</div> + <div class='line'>Rose o’er the glades of light-besprinkled gloom.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'><span class='pageno' id='Page_93'>93</span>Nor absent ye when Summer’s fervid Hours</div> + <div class='line'>Dropt more luxuriant curtains on the Bowers,</div> + <div class='line'>And the vast Oak’s writh’d arms of dusky green</div> + <div class='line'>Shadow’d the dappled Tenants of the Scene,</div> + <div class='line'>With rival Elm, whose mossy trunk appears</div> + <div class='line'>Out-numbering far the lonely Eagle’s years.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Nor when the Months consummate, left their vales</div> + <div class='line'>To Suns less ardent, less benignant gales,</div> + <div class='line'>And Autumn painted, with his tawny hand,</div> + <div class='line'>The shrinking foliage, and in colours bland</div> + <div class='line'>Streak’d the pale red with purple, faint and brief,</div> + <div class='line'>And tipt with tarnish’d gold each trembling leaf.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Nor e’en when Phœbus’ Steeds, no longer fleet,</div> + <div class='line'>With mane dishevel’d streaming to their feet,</div> + <div class='line'>Struggling thro’ clouds, th’ hybernal Solstice gain,</div> + <div class='line'>Their necks bedropt with globes of freezing rain,</div> + <div class='line'>And the loud Tyrant of the dying Year</div> + <div class='line'>Stript <span class='fss'>OTHER</span> Groves, made <span class='fss'>OTHER</span> Forests fear;</div> + <div class='line'>For Needwood to his sway disdain’d to yield;</div> + <div class='line'>His polish’d umbrage an unfailing shield,</div> + <div class='line'>Those numerous hollies on his breast and brow,</div> + <div class='line'>That thrust their scarlet clusters thro’ the snow,</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_94'>94</span>Or spread their glossy leaves to transient rays</div> + <div class='line'>The rebel Glory of the icy days.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Nor if, ere yet arisen, dim Morning heard</div> + <div class='line'>Your lightheel’d Coursers paw the dewy swerd,</div> + <div class='line'>When the sly Prowler stole adown the wind,</div> + <div class='line'>And hop’d he left no tell-tale scent behind.</div> + <div class='line'>Vain hope! your swift staunch hounds the search began,</div> + <div class='line'>To right and left their hurrying numbers ran,</div> + <div class='line'>Till found the taint, in streaming files they hie,</div> + <div class='line'>And in one shrill, continuous, clamouring cry,</div> + <div class='line'>To which th’ accordant Forest joyous rings,</div> + <div class='line'>Hang on his rear, while o’er the vale he springs,</div> + <div class='line'>Dash through the rhimy glades, and round the hills</div> + <div class='line'>As when receiving tribute brooks and rills</div> + <div class='line'>O’er flinty bed a River foams and roars,</div> + <div class='line'>Loud and impatient of meandering shores;</div> + <div class='line'>Or, deepen’d, shews the Sun his mirror’d face,</div> + <div class='line'>Or zones with silver light the mountain’s base.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Now come, with Mundy, where the Ruin lowers!</div> + <div class='line'>He hymns the dirge of the devasted Bowers.</div> + <div class='line'>Echo his wailings o’er their fallen state,</div> + <div class='line'>Whom Centuries hail’d irregularly great.</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_95'>95</span>Come, execrate the Edict that destroy’d,</div> + <div class='line'>Leaving Time-hallow’d Needwood bare and void!</div> + <div class='line'>There fell Imagination’s rural fane!</div> + <div class='line'>Thence fled fair-shafted Dian’s votive Train,</div> + <div class='line'>All which the Bard, entranc’d, in forest sees,</div> + <div class='line'>Satyrs and Fauns and leaf-crown’d Dryades.</div> + <div class='line'>They fled when Avarice, with rapacious frown,</div> + <div class='line'>From Mercia’s temples struck her sylvan crown.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>Yet, gentle Minstrel, they whose raptur’d ears</div> + <div class='line'>Drank thy sweet Song in the departed years;</div> + <div class='line'>Saw oaken wreaths thy auburn brows entwine,</div> + <div class='line'>The well-won meed at Needwood’s shadowy shrine,</div> + <div class='line'>Shall find thy Gratulation’s vivid glow</div> + <div class='line'>Match’d by thy Requiem in its mournful flow;</div> + <div class='line'>The orb of Mundy’s Muse-illumin’d day</div> + <div class='line'>Setting with rival tho’ with milder ray;</div> + <div class='line'>Pleas’d shall compare the evening with the noon,</div> + <div class='line'>And feel, in equal power, the Cypress Garland won.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in32'>ANNA SEWARD.<a id='r93'></a><a href='#f93' class='c008'><sup>[93]</sup></a></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_96'>96</span> + <h2 class='c004'>IMPROMPTU.<br> <span class='small'>TO THE AUTHOR OF THE NEW POEM, ENTITLED</span><br> THE FALL OF NEEDWOOD.</h2> +</div> +<div class='c012'>OCTOBER, 1808.</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c010'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>When Poesy, the Child of Zeal,</div> + <div class='line'>Who soothes each Pang, that Earth can feel,</div> + <div class='line'>Beheld, at wounded Nature’s call,</div> + <div class='line'>That Scene of Horror, Needwood’s Fall!</div> + <div class='line'>She said, in haste to yield Relief,</div> + <div class='line'>And calm the Mighty Mother’s Grief:</div> + <div class='line in2'>“Nature! dear Parent! Power divine!</div> + <div class='line'>Whose Joys and Griefs are truly mine!</div> + <div class='line'>To you my sympathy devotes</div> + <div class='line'>My chearful, and my plaintive Notes:</div> + <div class='line'>With Feelings not to be supprest,</div> + <div class='line'>I view your lacerated Breast;</div> + <div class='line'>This Waste of Ravages! where stood</div> + <div class='line'>Your Sylvan Wealth! your graceful Wood!</div> + <div class='line'>I cannot from the rifled Earth</div> + <div class='line'>Call into sudden, second Birth</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_97'>97</span>The Forest, vanished from your sight,</div> + <div class='line'>Tho’ once your Pride! and my Delight!</div> + <div class='line'>But I can raise, in your Distress,</div> + <div class='line'>A Charm, that scarce will soothe you less;</div> + <div class='line'>Behold this Proof of my Regard,</div> + <div class='line'>In Needwood’s fascinating Bard!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'>He, whom our blended Gifts engage</div> + <div class='line'>To sing, with youthful Fire, in age,</div> + <div class='line'>He, Needwood! by whose Breath you live,</div> + <div class='line'>Gives you, whatever Verse can give;</div> + <div class='line'>He makes immortal, in his Songs,</div> + <div class='line'>Your Beauties all, and all your Wrongs:</div> + <div class='line'>His Verse displays a deathless Charm,</div> + <div class='line'>That foils the Force of Havoc’s Arm;</div> + <div class='line'>Age after Age, while Nymphs are found</div> + <div class='line'>To breathe Delight on English Ground,</div> + <div class='line'>The grateful Dryads will admire</div> + <div class='line'>The Magic of their Mundy’s Lyre;</div> + <div class='line'>And boast the Wood, he lov’d to praise,</div> + <div class='line'>For ever verdant in his Lays.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in32'>W. HAYLEY.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<hr class='c013'> +<div class='footnote' id='f1'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r1'>1</a>. [<span class='sc'>Dove</span>, <em>etc.</em>] The river <em>Dove</em>.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f2'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r2'>2</a>. [<em>And bids his hollies, etc.</em>] The numerous groves and clumps of hollies give uncommon +beauty to the winter-scenes of <em>Needwood Forest</em>.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f3'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r3'>3</a>. [<span class='sc'>Emes</span>, <em>etc.</em>] Mr. <span class='sc'>Emes</span>, who ornamented <em>Beaudesart</em>, the seat of Ld. <span class='sc'>Paget</span>, which +is seen from the Forest, and who has obtained great reputation for his Taste in ornamental +Gardening, has frequently assured the Author, that he took his best hints from +the scenes of <em>Needwood</em>.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f4'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r4'>4</a>. [<em>Maim’d the staunch hound, etc.</em>] Alludes to the Order for <em>Lawing</em>, or cutting off a claw +of all Dogs kept within the purlieus of the royal forests, to prevent their destroying +the Deer.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f5'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r5'>5</a>. [<em>Here with fair peace, etc.</em>] The Author rents his house, upon the verge of the forest, +of Sir <span class='sc'>Wm. Bagot</span>. It was built and inhabited by two gentlemen of the <span class='sc'>Bagot</span> +family.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f6'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r6'>6</a>. [<em>And</em> <span class='sc'>Arden</span> <em>boasts, etc.</em>] See <span class='sc'>Shakespear’s</span> <cite>As you like it</cite>.—Scene Forest of Arden.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f7'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r7'>7</a>. [<em>The wandering Wood, etc.</em>] Fairy Queen, Book 1st. chap. 1st. stanza 13th. +<em>This is the wandering Wood, this Errors den.</em></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f8'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r8'>8</a>. [<em>And bears away, etc.</em>] B. 1st. c. 2d. The Shield inscribed <em>Sans Foy</em>.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f9'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r9'>9</a>. [<em>A gaudy bee-bird’s, etc.</em>] The Humming Bird.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f10'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r10'>10</a>. [<em>And there in gothic arches, etc.</em>] Dr. Warburton observes the gothic architecture +originally imitated the groves, which were in earlier times consecrated to religious +worship.</p> + +<div class='c015'><span class='sc'>Divine Legation.</span></div> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f11'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r11'>11</a>. [<em>One like a sexton, etc.</em>] Earth-stopper.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f12'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r12'>12</a>. [<em>Where this gay mount, etc.</em>] A beautiful eminence called <span class='sc'>King’s-Standing</span>.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f13'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r13'>13</a>. [<em>And</em> <span class='sc'>Lichfield’s</span> <em>bower, etc.</em>] <span class='sc'>Lichfield</span> Bower is supposed to be the tumulus of +three Saxon Kings slain in battle near that spot.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f14'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r14'>14</a>. [<em>British Nile, etc.</em>] Dr. <span class='sc'>Plott</span> calls the <span class='sc'>Dove</span> the Nile of England, and attributes the +fertility of its floods to the sheep dung washed from the hills in the Moorlands.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f15'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r15'>15</a>. [<span class='sc'>Brown</span>, <em>etc.</em>] <span class='sc'>Hawkins Brown</span> Esq; of <em>Foston upon Dove</em>.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f16'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r16'>16</a>. [<span class='sc'>C’andish</span>, <em>etc.</em>] <em>Doveridge</em>, the seat of <span class='sc'>C’andish, Esq</span>;</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f17'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r17'>17</a>. [<span class='sc'>Fitzherbert</span>, <em>etc.</em>] <span class='sc'>Richard Fitzherbert, Esq</span>; of <em>Sommershall</em>.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f18'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r18'>18</a>. [<em>The social flag, etc.</em>] Messrs. <span class='sc'>Adderley</span> and <span class='sc'>Scott</span> have pitched a tent upon a fine +hill above <em>Coton</em>, from whence a flag flies when they are at home, as a signal to their +friends.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f19'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r19'>19</a>. [<em>Outlaw, etc.</em>] A Deer-stealer refusing to surrender was here slain by a Keeper.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f20'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r20'>20</a>. [<em>Where life a gentler breast, etc.</em>] This unfortunate young man being sent on an errand +by the Author of this Poem, died on his return; was found next morning in the forest +within a mile of his home, his dog standing by him. He was a weaver, supported his +father and mother; was engaged on the night of his death to meet his sweetheart at a +Christmas feast in the neighbourhood.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f21'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r21'>21</a>. [<em>Yon cliff, etc.</em>] <span class='sc'>Tutbury Castle.</span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f22'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r22'>22</a>. [<span class='sc'>Ferrers</span>, <em>etc.</em>] <span class='sc'>Robert de Ferrers</span> joining a rebellion against <span class='sc'>Henry</span> 3d. forfeited +the possession of <em>Tutbury</em>.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f23'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r23'>23</a>. [<em>Castle-guard, etc.</em>] A service imposed upon those to whom Castles and Estates adjoining +were granted.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f24'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r24'>24</a>. [<span class='sc'>Mary</span>, <em>etc.</em>] <span class='sc'>Mary</span> Queen of <em>Scots</em> was a prisoner in <em>Tutbury</em> Castle at the time +of the Duke of <span class='sc'>Norfolk</span>’s intrigues: she listened to his proposals of marriage, as +the only means of obtaining her liberty, declaring herself otherwise averse to farther +matrimonial connections.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f25'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r25'>25</a>. [<em>While minstrels, etc.</em>] The minstrels formerly crowded to <em>Tutbury</em> Castle, then a place +of festivity and hospitality, in such numbers, as to require regulations of order and +precedence amongst them, the person appointed for this purpose was called <em>King</em> of the +<em>Minstrels</em>.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f26'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r26'>26</a>. [<em>In the rude sport, etc.</em>] The annual Bull-running.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f27'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r27'>27</a>. [<em>Yon hill, etc.</em>] <span class='sc'>Hound-hill</span>, the ancient seat of the <span class='sc'>Vernon’s</span>.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f28'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r28'>28</a>. [<em>Beside me lies, etc.</em>] The situation of <span class='sc'>Needwood</span> is high, and its banks, descending +from the plain of the forest to the country below, are in many places a mile deep; +they consist of alternate cliffs and dingles, and are entirely covered with trees and +rough copses.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f29'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r29'>29</a>. [<em>Yes</em>, <span class='sc'>Eaton-Banks</span>, <em>etc.</em>] <span class='sc'>Eaton-Wood</span>, seen from the Forest, was the property +of the late <span class='sc'>Godfry Bagnell Clarke, Esquire</span>.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f30'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r30'>30</a>. [<span class='sc'>Henry</span>, <em>etc.</em>] The Hon. <span class='sc'>Henry Vernon</span>.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f31'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r31'>31</a>. [<em>On breezy wings, etc.</em>] A Deer when hunted runs against the Wind.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f32'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r32'>32</a>. [<em>No shrite-cock, etc.</em>] The Shrite-cock or Missel Thrush.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f33'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r33'>33</a>. [<em>Destruction’s arm, etc.</em>] By order from the Dutchy Court of <span class='sc'>Lancaster</span>, to which +the forest of <span class='sc'>Needwood</span> belongs, the timber is now felling under the direction of +an officer of that Court.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f34'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r34'>34</a>. [<em>Huge</em> <span class='sc'>Swilcar</span>, <em>etc.</em>] <span class='sc'>Swilcar</span> Oak stands singly upon a beautiful small lawn surrounded +with extensive woods,—it is of remarkable size, and supposed to be six +hundred years old.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f35'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r35'>35</a>. [<em>Accursed</em> <span class='sc'>Julius</span>, <em>etc.</em>] <span class='sc'>Cæsar</span> cuts down a consecrated grove. <span class='sc'>Lucan</span>, lib. 3.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f36'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r36'>36</a>. [<em>In freedom’s dearest days, etc.</em>] The charter of <span class='sc'>Hen.</span> 3. confirms the privilege to Lords +of parliament of killing a Deer or two in any of the royal forests in their way to or +from parliament, in the presence of the keeper, or on blowing a horn in his absence.—’tis +about six hundred years since that king reigned.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f37'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r37'>37</a>. [<em>Yet, yet, fond Hope, etc.</em>] Upon the above order from the Dutchy Court, Ld. <span class='sc'>Vernon</span> +proposed an inclosure of some parts of the forest, for the preservation of the young +timber, and the beauty of the place.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f38'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r38'>38</a>. [<em>Flake of snow, etc.</em>] Flake-white.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f39'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r39'>39</a>. [<em>Lakes, etc.</em>] Carnation Colours.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f40'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r40'>40</a>. [<em>Where Desolation, etc.</em>] The trees in some parts have been so injudiciously fallen, that the tillage +of the ground is extremely difficult, or quite at a stand.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f41'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r41'>41</a>. [<em>Long Mercia sat beside enthron’d</em>;] The magnificent site of the castle at Tutbury, no doubt was +occupied by a considerable fort in or before the time of the Saxon heptarchy when it +was the residence of the Kings and Earls of Mercia, who might alternately enjoy hence +the pleasures of the chase in their adjoining forest of Needwood, or the satisfaction of +security against an enemy.—Shaw’s <cite>History of Staffordshire</cite>.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f42'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r42'>42</a>. [<em>And prouder crowns its honours own’d.</em>] See Needwood Forest, p. 23, of King’s-Standing.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f43'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r43'>43</a>. [<em>Loos’d Uproar &c.</em>] The day of disafforesting presented an extraordinary scene of riot and disturbance, +in consequence of the pursuit of the remaining deer by mobs from all parts.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f44'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r44'>44</a>. [<em>Repentant claimants &c.</em>] It is believed that the freeholders now very generally regret the Inclosure.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f45'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r45'>45</a>. [<em>How far the foremost and the best</em>,] Though formerly the yeomanry of this kingdom were every +where trained to the use of the long-bow, and excelled all other nations in the art of +shooting, it may be reasonably presumed that the best archers were to be found in and +near the forests.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f46'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r46'>46</a>. [<em>You in your secret labyrinths &c.</em>] Those scenes (forests in Somersetshire) will ever be famous in +British history, while the remembrance continues of Alfred the Great. Frequent inundations +of Danes and repeated losses had driven him from the management of affairs. +But he retired before the enemies of his country only to attack them with more advantage. +Seeing the time ripe for action he emerged from his retreat where he had been concealed, +but not inactive during a twelvemonth; called his friends together in the forest of Selwood, +which sheltered him and his numbers. Here arranging his followers, he burst +from the forest like a torrent upon the Danes, and totally defeated them.—<cite>Gilpin’s +Forest Scenery, Hume, &c.</cite></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f47'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r47'>47</a>. [<em>Your hush’d leaves &c.</em>] Alfred on the night of his retirement from the Danes, it is said, had a +vision of St. Cuthbert, comforting and assuring him he should be a great King.—<cite>Camden’s +Britannia.</cite></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f48'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r48'>48</a>. [<em>You tun’d his harp, you trimm’d his bow.</em>] He was skilful in the use of both.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f49'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r49'>49</a>. [<em>Your proud oaks lean’d</em>] He provided himself with a naval power, which though the most natural +defence of an island, had hitherto been totally neglected by the English.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f50'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r50'>50</a>. [<em>Your song-birds</em>] He endeavoured to convey his morality to his subjects by apologues, parables, +stories, and apothegms couch’d in poetry.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f51'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r51'>51</a>. [<em>While Liberty &c.</em>] Amidst the necessary rigor of justice this great Prince preserved the most +sacred regard to the liberty of his people.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f52'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r52'>52</a>. [<em>Lair</em>] The couch or harbour of a wild beast. <em>Milton.</em></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f53'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r53'>53</a>. [<em>With fresh fray’d beams &c.</em>] As soon as the new horns (or beams) of a stag have acquired their +full dimensions and solidity, he rubs them against the trees in order to clear them of a +skin with which they are covered.—<cite>Buffon.</cite> To fray (<em>frayer</em>, <em>Fr.</em>) is the hunting term +for this operation.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f54'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r54'>54</a>. [<em>On yonder castled cliff &c.</em>] Tutbury castle, the residence of John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f55'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r55'>55</a>. [<em>And fill’d they not &c.</em>] The Duke of Lancaster greatly distinguished himself in a battle fought +between Najara and Navarete near the Ebro in Spain in 1367. He commanded the +1st battalion of the English army.—<cite>Johnes’s Froissart.</cite></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f56'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r56'>56</a>. [<em>Spain’s boasted slingers &c.</em>] The Spanish commonalty made use of slings, to which they were accustomed, +& from which they threw large stones which at first much annoyed the English: +but when their first cast was over, and they felt the sharpness of the English arrows, +they kept no longer any order.—<cite>Johnes’s Froissart.</cite></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f57'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r57'>57</a>. [<em>Hark! nations hail &c.</em>] Alluding to his prowess and fame in the Crusades.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f58'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r58'>58</a>. [<em>The man thy Minstrels bring</em>,] As the subject of their historic ballads. The minstrels were +much encouraged in this King’s reign.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f59'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r59'>59</a>. [<em>As Sherwood’s Hero, &c.</em>] The severity of those tyrannical forest-laws that were introduced by our +Norman Kings, and the great temptation of breaking them by such as lived near the +royal forests, must constantly have occasioned great numbers of outlaws, and especially +of such as were the best marksmen. These naturally fled to the woods for shelter, and +forming into troops endeavoured by their numbers to protect themselves from the dreadful +penalties of their delinquency. This will easily account for the troops of banditti, which +formerly lurked in the Royal forests, and from their superior skill in archery and knowledge +of the recesses of those unfrequented solitudes, found it no difficult matter to resist +or elude the civil power. Among those, none was ever more famous than Robin +Hood, the Hero of Sherwood forest; of whom Stow’s account is briefly thus.—“In +this time (about the year 1190, in the reign of Richard 1st) were many robbers and outlaws, +among the which Robin Hood and Little John, renowned thieves, continued in woods +despoyling and robbing the goods of the rich. They killed none but such as would invade +them, or by resistance for their own defence. The saide Robert entertained an +hundred tall men and good archers with such spoiles and thefts as he got, upon whom +four hundred (were they ever so strong) durst not give the onset. He suffered no woman +to be oppressed, violated, or otherwise molested: poor mens goods he spared abundantlie, +relieving them with that, which by theft he got from Abbeys and the houses of rich +Carles.” The personal courage of this celebrated outlaw, his skill in archery, his humanity, +and especially his levelling principle of taking from the rich and giving to the +poor, have in all ages rendered him the favourite of the common people. He was in +early times the favourite subject of popular songs.—<cite>Percy’s Reliques of antient English +Poetry, 1st vol.</cite></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f60'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r60'>60</a>. [<em>Bright brown blade, broad arrows, gown of green</em>,] is the language of the ballads.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f61'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r61'>61</a>. [<em>Needwood, this brave man &c.</em>] See in Robin Hood’s garland a ballad, (quoted in Shaw’s History +of Staffordshire) giving an account of Robin Hood’s visit to Tutbury; and of his +marriage there with Clorinda.________ The relation of the forest to Tutbury +will probably admit of this consideration of them as one and the same.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f62'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r62'>62</a>. [<em>King’s-standing, &c.</em>] See Needwood Forest, page 23.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f63'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r63'>63</a>. [<em>On the stain’d turf their wrecks are pil’d</em>,] Bark-ranges.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f64'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r64'>64</a>. [<em>In smouldering heaps, &c.</em>] Making charcoal.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f65'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r65'>65</a>. [<em>From blacken’d brakes</em>,] Burning the furze-brakes.—Goss.—<cite>Bailey’s Dictionary.</cite></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f66'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r66'>66</a>. [<em>Yon Wretch</em>] Surveyor or overlooker.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f67'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r67'>67</a>. [<em>Valley! where Marebrook, all unveil’d</em>,] This Valley nearly bisected the Forest in beautifully +varied windings, though without trees of any kind on its sides, or on the verge of its +little stream, Marebrook, the course of which was remarkably flexuous; but is now +actually turned down the straight fence-ditch.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f68'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r68'>68</a>. [<em>And knights and dames, and dwarfs portray’d, &c.</em>] Needwood Forest, p. 16.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f69'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r69'>69</a>. [<em>But for the bee bird’s gaudy plume, &c.</em>] See Needwood Forest, p. 16.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f70'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r70'>70</a>. [<em>Manuel.</em>] The Forest earth-stopper in the hunting days of the author.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f71'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r71'>71</a>. [<em>You fox-gloves, &c.</em>] <em>See</em> <em>Digitalis—Loves of the plants, p. 78.</em></p> + +<p class='c014'>“The effect of this plant (the fresh leaves of which may be had at all seasons of the year) in +that kind of Dropsy which is termed anasarca is truly astonishing.”</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f72'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r72'>72</a>. [<em>Lyre and shield.</em>] As the God of Medicine, giving health and safety, Apollo is sometimes +described with a shield, as well as a lyre.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f73'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r73'>73</a>. [<em>Again to save &c.</em>] See Needwood Forest, p. 43.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f74'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r74'>74</a>. [<em>And many a noble heart &c.</em>] Alluding to the opposition to the Inclosure.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f75'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r75'>75</a>. [<em>Yet Limbrook, &c.</em>] This rivulet rises on the late Forest and takes its course through an extensive +valley on the brow of which stands Byrkley Lodge, and proceeds downwards by Yoxall +Lodge: some beautiful Forest scenes have been added to the old Inclosures of these +Lodges, where are shrubberies and sheets of water.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f76'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r76'>76</a>. [<em>And ever, in thy favour’d bound</em>,] Applying the whole scenery around these lodges to Limbrook.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f77'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r77'>77</a>. [<em>When stoops the stranger ewe to drink</em>;] Sheep were not depastur’d on the Forest.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f78'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r78'>78</a>. [<em>The tracks of their remember’d deer</em>,] It is said that the Wolf-tracks may yet be seen in some +parts which those animals frequented, in Ireland, centuries ago.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f79'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r79'>79</a>. [<em>Monster of the world</em>] French Revolution.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f80'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r80'>80</a>. [<em>Emma’s art</em>] Miss Emma Sneyd, of Byrkley Lodge, has produced some beautiful landscapes +and drawings of the Forest scenes.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f81'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r81'>81</a>. [“<em>Here Gisborne penn’d his moral lay</em>] The character and writings both in verse and prose of +the Rev. Thomas Gisborne, of Yoxall Lodge, are equally well known and admired: the +public has lately called for a seventh edition of his “Walks in a Forest.”</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f82'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r82'>82</a>. [<em>Gigantic hollies!</em>] Particular groups of hollies of great age and size are here alluded to, as in +<em>Needwood Forest p. 19</em>. Having been lopped for the deer in winter, (the upper part of +their remaining trunks and branches being again cloathed with their fresh ever-green +shoots) they had somewhat the appearance of ruins.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f83'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r83'>83</a>. [<em>Fair Virgin!</em>] The Hon. Catharine Venables Vernon died in the summer of 1775.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f84'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r84'>84</a>. [<em>Hark the same bell!—take, sister bier</em>,] The Hon. Martha Venables Vernon died while the +Author was writing this poem.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f85'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r85'>85</a>. [<em>Yes, Holly-Bush!</em>] Formerly the residence of the Author, where many alterations have since +been made and are making.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f86'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r86'>86</a>. [<em>Inland look</em>;] In contradistinction to its former forest character, in which sense this word is repeatedly +used by Shakespear in “As you like it,” though there applied to persons.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f87'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r87'>87</a>. [<em>Unambitious brow &c.</em>] Needwood Forest p. 8.——[<em>Favourite Tree Sycamore</em>;] Needwood +Forest p. 10.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f88'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r88'>88</a>. [<em>Hall, whose kind arm &c.</em>] T. K. Hall, Esq. has purchased Holly Bush with a considerable portion +of the adjacent Forest land, the scenery of which he intends to preserve.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f89'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r89'>89</a>. [<em>Revered Swilcar</em>;] Needwood Forest p. 41, 42. &c.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f90'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r90'>90</a>. [<em>Horrid!—I see thee far!</em>] The present appearance of Swilcar oak over a broad and hitherto +uncultivated part of the late Forest, where not another tree remains, is very striking. +He is fenced off from a new road.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f91'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r91'>91</a>. [<em>And some, with strength &c.</em>] Alluding to the complimentary verses printed with Needwood +Forest, and others afterwards sent to the author.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f92'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r92'>92</a>. [<em>Yon prison’d cliffs</em>] The banks and cliffs of the Forest, hanging towards the river Dove, are now +fenced in, though otherwise left in their former state.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f93'> +<p class='c014'><a href='#r93'>93</a>. Milton, in Comus, makes Naiades the plural of Naiad, “amid the flowery-kirtled Naiades.”</p> +</div> + +<div class='pbb'> + <hr class='pb c003'> +</div> +<div class='tnotes x-ebookmaker'> + +<div class='chapter ph2'> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c011'> + <div>TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES</div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> + + <ul class='ul_1 c002'> + <li>Typos fixed; non-standard spelling and dialect retained. + + </li> + <li>Used numbers for footnotes, placing them all at the end of the last chapter. + </li> + </ul> + +</div> + +<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75378 ***</div> + </body> + <!-- created with ppgen.py 3.57e (with regex) on 2025-02-14 23:37:30 GMT --> +</html> + diff --git a/75378-h/images/cover.jpg b/75378-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9ecfb6d --- /dev/null +++ b/75378-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/75378-h/images/i_052.jpg b/75378-h/images/i_052.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..bb5f6cb --- /dev/null +++ b/75378-h/images/i_052.jpg diff --git a/75378-h/images/i_053.jpg b/75378-h/images/i_053.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9b69c52 --- /dev/null +++ b/75378-h/images/i_053.jpg diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. 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