XXII. THE FORCE OF PRAYER;1 OR, THE FOUNDING OF BOLTON PRIORY. A TRADITION. “What is good for a bootless bene?” With these dark words begins my Tale; And their meaning is, whence can comfort spring When Prayer is of no avail? "What is good for a bootless bene? The Falconer to the Lady said; 66 And she made answer ENDLESS SORROW!" She knew it by the Falconer's words, -Young Romilly through Barden woods And holds a greyhound in a leash, To let slip upon buck or doe. The pair have reached that fearful chasm, For lordly Wharf is there pent in With rocks on either side. The striding-place is called THE STRID, 1 See "The White Doe of Rylstone." 5 10 15 20 A thousand years hath it borne that name, And hither is young Romilly come, That he, perhaps for the hundredth time, 25 He sprang in glee,-for what cared he But the greyhound in the leash hung back, The Boy is in the arms of Wharf, And strangled by a merciless force; For never more was young Romilly seen Now there is stillness in the vale, If for a Lover the Lady wept, From death, and from the passion of death:- She weeps not for the wedding-day Her hope was a further-looking hope, 30 35 40 45 He was a tree that stood alone, And the root of this delightful tree And proudly did its branches wave; 50 Long, long in darkness did she sit, A stately Priory!" The stately Priory was reared; And the Lady prayed in heaviness But slowly did her succour come, Oh! there is never sorrow of heart If but to God we turn, and ask 1807. 55 60 65 XXIII. A FACT, AND AN IMAGINATION; OR, CANUTE AND ALFRED, ON THE SEA-SHORE. THE Danish Conqueror, on his royal chair, where 5 Your Master's throne is set."-Deaf was the Sea; Her waves rolled on, respecting his decree Less than they heed a breath of wanton air. II Deserves the name (this truth the billows preach) Whose everlasting laws, sea, earth, and heaven obey." This just reproof the prosperous Dane Drew from the influx of the main, 15 For some whose rugged northern mouths would strain At oriental flattery; And Canute (fact more worthy to be known) From that time forth did for his brows disown The ostentatious symbol of a crown; Esteeming earthly royalty Contemptible as vain. Now hear what one of elder days, Rich theme of England's fondest praise, Her darling Alfred, might have spoken; To cheer the remnant of his host 21 25 When he was driven from coast to coast, Distressed and harassed, but with mind un 66 broken: My faithful followers, lo! the tide is spent That rose, and steadily advanced to fill 31 The shores and channels, working Nature's will Among the mazy streams that backward went, And in the sluggish pools where ships are pent: And now, his task performed, the flood stands still, At the green base of many an inland hill, 35 Such the repose that sage and hero find; Such measured rest the sedulous and good Of Ocean, press right on; or gently wind, 40 Until they reach the bounds by Heaven assigned." 1816. XXIV. “A LITTLE onward lend thy guiding hand To these dark steps, a little further on!” -What trick of memory to my voice hath brought This mournful iteration? For though Time, The Conqueror, crowns the Conquered, on this brow Planting his favourite silver diadem, intent 5 To run before him, hath enrolled me yet, Though not unmenaced, among those who lean Upon a living staff, with borrowed sight. O my own Dora, my beloved child! ΙΟ Should that day come-but hark! the birds salute 15 The cheerful dawn, brightening for me the east; 20 Along the loose rocks, or the slippery verge |