The Egyptian Maid; OR, The Romance of the Water Eily. [Composed 1830.-Published 1835.] For the names and persons in the following poem see the "History of the renowned Prince Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table; " for the rest the Author is answerable; only it may be proper to add that the Lotus, with the bust of the Goddess appearing to rise out of the full-blown flower, was suggested by the beautiful work of ancient art, once included among the Townley Marbles, and now in the British Museum. ΙΟ Grows from a little edge of light Upon this winged Shape so fair Was ever built with patient care; Or, at a touch, produced by happiest transformation. Now, though a Mechanist, whose skill Shames the degenerate grasp of modern science, Grave Merlin (and belike the more 20 A fairer than herself she bore, And, in her struggles, cast ashore; A lovely One, who nothing hears 65 Of wind or wave-a meek and guileless Maiden. Into a cave had Merlin fled "What boots," continued she, "to mourn? To expiate thy sin endeavour: From the bleak isle where she is laid, 99 From mischief, caused by spells himself Cold as she is, ere life be fled for ever. had muttered; The turmoil hushed, celestial springs 145 Of music opened, and there came a blending Of fragrance, underived from earth, With gleams that owed not to the sun their birth, The Birds with progress smooth and swift 185 And that soft rustling of invisible wings Which Angels make, on works of love As thought, when through bright regions memory ranges. Once more: but, if unchangeable her doom, If life departed be for ever gone, His brain will burn, his stout heart split Some blest assurance, from this cloud asunder. emerging, That very mantle on a day of glory, The day when he achieved that matchless feat, The marvel of the PERILOUS SEAT, Which whosoe'er approached of strength was shorn, 315 nowned in story. For tournament, his beaver vailed, cheer And high expectancy, no sign was Though King or Knight the most re granted. |