Part 115 (1/2)

The flight of the rhapsody is ever upheld by the strength of the wing, and while the reading discovered is enormous for a boy, the depth of feeling exhibited is equally extraordinary; and the clear, firm judgment which did not characterise his conduct, forms the root and the trunk of much of his poetry. It was said of his eyes that it seemed as if fire rolled under them; and it rolls still, and shall ever roll, below many of his verses.

BRISTOWE TRAGEDY.

1 The feathered songster, chanticleer, Hath wound his bugle-horn, And told the early villager The coming of the morn.

2 King Edward saw the ruddy streaks Of light eclipse the gray, And heard the raven's croaking throat Proclaim the fated day.

3 'Thou'rt right,' quoth he, 'for by the G.o.d That sits enthroned on high!

Charles Bawdin and his fellows twain To-day shall surely die.'

4 Then with a jug of nappy ale His knights did on him wait; 'Go tell the traitor that to-day He leaves this mortal state.'

5 Sir Canterlone then bended low, With heart brimful of woe; He journeyed to the castle-gate, And to Sir Charles did go.

6 But when he came, his children twain, And eke his loving wife, With briny tears did wet the floor, For good Sir Charles' life.

7 'O good Sir Charles!' said Canterlone, 'Bad tidings I do bring.'

'Speak boldly, man,' said brave Sir Charles; 'What says the traitor king?'

8 'I grieve to tell; before that sun Doth from the heaven fly, He hath upon his honour sworn, That thou shalt surely die.'

9 'We all must die,' quoth brave Sir Charles; 'Of that I'm not afeard; What boots to live a little s.p.a.ce?

Thank Jesus, I'm prepared:

10 'But tell thy king, for mine he's not, I'd sooner die to-day Than live his slave, as many are, Though I should live for aye.'

11 Then Canterlone he did go out, To tell the mayor straight To get all things in readiness For good Sir Charles' fate.

12 Then Master Canynge sought the king, And fell down on his knee; 'I'm come,' quoth he, 'unto your Grace To move your clemency.'

13 'Then,' quoth the king, 'your tale speak out; You have been much our friend; Whatever your request may be, We will to it attend.'

14 'My n.o.ble liege! all my request Is for a n.o.ble knight, Who, though perhaps he has done wrong, He thought it still was right:

15 'He has a spouse and children twain-- All ruined are for aye, If that you are resolved to let Charles Bawdin die to-day.'

16 'Speak not of such a traitor vile,'

The king in fury said; 'Before the evening star doth s.h.i.+ne, Bawdin shall lose his head:

17 'Justice does loudly for him call, And he shall have his meed; Speak, Master Canynge! what thing else At present do you need?'

18 'My n.o.ble liege!' good Canynge said, 'Leave justice to our G.o.d, And lay the iron rule aside;-- Be thine the olive rod.

19 'Was G.o.d to search our hearts and reins, The best were sinners great; Christ's vicar only knows no sin, In all this mortal state.

20 'Let mercy rule thine infant reign; 'Twill fix thy crown full sure; From race to race thy family All sovereigns shall endure:

21 'But if with blood and slaughter thou Begin thy infant reign, Thy crown upon thy children's brow Will never long remain.'