In meek humility; my soul is stirred
With loving wonder at the mighty Past.
And looking back through centuries, I see
What warm enthusiasm, zeal, and love
Have done, how much they have attained!
How each succeeding generation made
Sweet Learning its own mistress, framing thus
A scheme of evolution broad, and true,
And perfecting.

Thou city of religion, then, farewell!
Of realism, beauty, learning deep;
Of pleasure, labour; prejudices old,
Ideals new but ever shall these last
Strive hard and struggle; surely in the end
Their victory over ancient notions gain;
Which like old men all ready for the grave,
Shall gently pass away from ev'ry mind,
And only by the new and vig'rous be
Remembered long for their antiquity.

THE LOVE OF UTHER

OR, LEAVES FROM ANCIENT ANNALS

THE LOVE OF UTHER

OR, LEAVES FROM ANCIENT ANNALS

PART I

DEATH OF AURELIUS

UPON his royal couch Aurelius1 lay

All sick, and they who loved him, day by day
Soft whispered to each other-' Would that some
Deep learned man of healing art could come
And ease our king; for sorely straitened we
To see him peak and pine all helplessly

At such a troublous time. Those Saxons vile,
Led by Pascentius, invade our land, defile
The peaceful homes of Britain. Yet the bold,
Strong Uther, brother to the king, doth hold
The conduct of the war, and all valiantly
Will lead the army on to victory.'

1 Aurelius Ambrosius, King of Britain, A.D. 484.

So hoped the Britons; but the Saxons grew
More bold, and flattered they themselves anew;
That Fate had favoured them with fortune fair

To lay Aurelius low in time of war.

Then Eopa to the invaders came,

And spake,—'What the reward, and what the

name;

What will ye give if there be one who'll slay
The smitten king, and thus no more delay

The laurels that be yours?' Pascentius said—

Oh, that I could find a man inbred

With such brave resolution! I would give

A thousand pounds of silver; and while I live
Make him my friend; and if the crown I gain,
He shall centurion be, while I the king shall reign.'

To this the Saxon Eopa replied,—

'I am well skilled in Physic; but beside All this I know the manners-speech

Of Britons, and in their own tongue can reach The court and king. If thou wilt swear an oath

To well perform thy word, I give my troth

That I this part all faithful undertake.'