Part 20 (2/2)

Forth on my journey I depart, Oppressed with grief and woe: And tow'rds my brother's distant court, With breaking heart, I go.

Long time thro' sundry foreign lands We slowly pace along: At length, within a forest wild, I fell in labour strong:

And while the knight for succour sought, And left me there forlorn, My childbed pains so fast increas'd Two lovely boys were born.

The eldest fair and smooth as snow That tips the mountain h.o.a.r; The younger's little body rough With hairs was cover'd o'er.

But here afresh begin my woes: While tender care I took To s.h.i.+eld my eldest from the cold, And wrap him in my cloak,

A prowling bear burst from the wood, And seiz'd my younger son: Affection lent my weakness wings, And after them I run.

But all forwearied, weak, and spent, I quickly swoon'd away; And there beneath the greenwood shade Long time I lifeless lay.

At length the knight brought me relief, And rais'd me from the ground: But neither of my pretty babes Could ever more be found.

And, while in search we wander'd far, We met that giant grim; Who ruthless slew my trusty knight, And bare me off with him.

But charm'd by heav'n, or else my griefs, He offer'd me no wrong; Save that within these lonely walls I've been immur'd so long.

Now surely, said the youthful knight, You are Lady Ballisance, Wife to the Grecian Emperor: Your brother's king of France.

For in your royal brother's court Myself my breeding had; Where oft the story of your woes Hath made my bosom sad.

If so, know your accuser's dead, And dying own'd his crime; And long your lord hath sought you out Thro' every foreign clime.

And when no tidings he could learn Of his much wronged wife, He vow'd thenceforth within his court To lead a hermit's life.

Now heaven is kind! the lady said; And dropped a joyful tear: Shall I once more behold my lord?

That lord I love so dear?

But, madam, said sir Valentine, And knelt upon his knee; Know you the cloak that wrapt your babe, If you the same should see?

And pulling forth the cloth of gold, In which himself was found; The lady gave a sudden shriek, And fainted on the ground.

But by his pious care reviv'd, His tale she heard anon; And soon by other tokens found, He was indeed her son.

But who's this hairy youth? she said; He much resembles thee: The bear devour'd my younger son, Or sure that son were he.

Madam, this youth with bears was bred, And rear'd within their den.

But recollect ye any mark To know your son again?

Upon his little side, quoth she, Was stamped a b.l.o.o.d.y rose.

Here, lady, see the crimson mark Upon his body grows!

Then clasping both her new-found sons She bath'd their cheeks with tears: And soon towards her brother's court Her joyful course she steers.

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