Part 4 (2/2)

There is a legend of this kind attached to a pear, preserved in a silver box at Coalstoun, the seat of the Earl of Dalhousie, near Haddington; and there is or was, a gla.s.s cap at Muncaster castle, given by Henry VI.

to Sir John Pennington, which, from the general opinion of the King's sanct.i.ty, and that he entailed with the gift a blessing on the family, was called ”the Luck of Muncaster.”

The initials, I. H. S., are marked upon the case containing the goblet at Eden Hall, sufficiently showing the sacred uses to which it was originally appropriated. Philip, Duke of Wharton, alludes to it in his ballad, called--

THE DRINKING MATCH OF EDEN HALL.

”G.o.d prosper long, from being broke, The 'Luck of Eden Hall!'

A doleful drinking bout I sing, There lately did befal.

To chase the spleen with cup and cann, Duke Philip took his way; Babes yet unborn shall never see The like of such a day.

The stout and ever-thirsty duke A vow to G.o.d did make; His pleasure within c.u.mberland Those live-long nights to take.

Sir Musgrave, too, of Martindale, A true and worthy knight; Estoon with him a bargain made In drinking to delight.

The b.u.mpers swiftly pa.s.s about, Six in an hand went round; And, with their calling for more wine, They made the hall resound.

Now, when these merry tidings reach'd The Earl of Harold's ears, And am I, quoth he, with an oath, Thus slighted by my peers?

Saddle my steed, bring forth my boots, I'll be with them right quick, And, master sheriff, come you too, We'll know this scurvy trick.

Lo, yonder doth Earl Harold come, Did one at table say: 'Tis well, reply'd the mettl'd Duke, How will he get away?

When thus the Earl began:--Great Duke, I'll know how this did chance, Without inviting me:--sure this You did not learn in France.

One of us two, for this offence, Under the board shall lie: I know thee well; a Duke thou art, So some years hence shall I.

But trust me, Wharton, pity 'twere So much good wine to spill, As those companions here may drink, Ere they have had their fill.

Let thou and I, in b.u.mpers full, This grand affair decide, Accurs'd be he, Duke Wharton said, By whom it is deny'd.

To Andrews, and to Hotham fair, Then many a pint went round: And many a gallant gentleman Lay sick upon the ground.

When, at the last, the Duke found out He had the Earl secure, He ply'd him with a full pint-gla.s.s, Which laid him on the floor.

Who never spake more words than these, After he downwards sunk; My worthy friends, revenge my fall, Duke Wharton sees me drunk.

Then, with a groan, Duke Philip held The sick man by the joint; And said, Earl Harold, stead of thee, Would I had drank this pint.

Alack, my very heart doth bleed, And doth within me sink!

For surely a more sober Earl Did never swallow drink.

With that the sheriff, in a rage, To see the Earl so smit, Vow'd to revenge the dead-drunk peer Upon renowned St. Kitt.

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