THE BENDED BOW.

It is supposed that war was anciently proclaimed in Britain by sending messengers in different directions through the land, each bearing a bended bow; and that peace was in like manner announced by a bow unstrung, and therefore straight. the Cambrian Antiquities.

THERE was heard the sound of a coming foe,
There was sent through Britain a bended bow;
And a voice was pour'd on the free winds far,
As the land rose up at the sign of war.

66 Heard you not the battle-horn?
Reaper! leave thy golden corn!
Leave it for the birds of heaven,
Swords must flash, and spears be riven!
Leave it for the winds to shed-

Arm! ere Britain's turf grow red!"

And the reaper arm'd, like a freeman's son;
And the bended bow and the voice pass'd on.

"Hunter! leave the mountain-chase!
Take the falchion from its place!

Let the wolf go free to-day,
Leave him for a nobler prey!

Let the deer ungall'd sweep by,

Arm thee! Britain's foes are nigh!"

And the hunter arm'd ere the chase was done;
And the bended bow and the voice pass'd on.

See

"Chieftain! quit the joyous feast!
Stay not till the song hath ceased:
Though the mead be foaming bright,
Though the fires give ruddy light,

Leave the hearth, and leave the hall-
Arm thee! Britain's foes must fall.”

And the chieftain arm'd, and the horn was blown; And the bended bow and the voice pass'd on.

"Prince! thy father's deeds are told,
In the bower and in the hold!
Where the goatherd's lay is sung,
Where the minstrel's harp is strung!
Foes are on thy native sea

Give our bards a tale of thee!"

And the prince came arm'd, like a leader's son; And the bended bow and the voice pass'd on.

"Mother! stay thou not thy boy!
He must learn the battle's joy.
Sister! bring the sword and spear,
Give thy brother words of cheer!
Maiden! bid thy lover part,

Britain calls the strong in heart!"

And the bended bow and the voice pass'd on;

And the bards made song for a battle won.

HE NEVER SMILED AGAIN.

It is recorded of Henry the First, that after the death of his son, Prince William, who perished in a shipwreck off the coast of Normandy, he was never seen to smile.

THE bark that held a prince went down,
The sweeping waves roll'd on ;

And what was England's glorious crown
To him that wept a son?

He lived-for life may long be borne

Ere sorrow break its chain;

Why comes not death to those who mourn ?
He never smiled again!

There stood proud forms around his throne,
The stately and the brave;

But which could fill the place of one,
That one beneath the wave?

Before him pass'd the young and fair,

In pleasure's reckless train;

But seas dash'd o'er his son's bright hair-
He never smiled again!

He sat where festal bowls went round,
He heard the minstrel sing,

He saw the tourney's victor crown'd,
Amidst the knightly ring:

A murmur of the restless deep

Was blent with every strain,

A voice of winds that would not sleep

He never smiled again.

Hearts, in that time, closed o'er the trace

Of vows once fondly pour'd,

And strangers took the kinsman's place
At many a joyous board;

Graves, which true love had bathed with tears,
Were left to heaven's bright rain,
Fresh hopes were born for other years-
He never smiled again!

COEUR DE LION AT THE BIER OF HIS
FATHER.

The body of Henry the Second lay in state in the abbey-church of Fontevraud, where it was visited by Richard Cœur de Lion, who, on beholding it, was struck with horror and remorse, and bitterly reproached himself for that rebellious conduct which had been the means of bringing his father to an untimely grave.

TORCHES were blazing clear,

Hymns pealing deep and slow, Where a king lay stately on his bier

In the church of Fontevraud.

Banners of battle o'er him hung,

And warriors slept beneath,

And light, as noon's broad light was flung

On the settled face of death.

On the settled face of death

A strong and ruddy glare,

Though dimm'd at times by the censer's breath, Yet it fell still brightest there:

As if each deeply furrow'd trace
Of earthly years to show,—
Alas! that sceptred mortal's race
Had surely closed in woe!

The marble floor was swept
By many a long dark stole,
As the kneeling priests, round him that slept,
Sang mass for the parted soul:

And solemn were the strains they pour'd
Through the stillness of the night,

With the cross above, and the crown and sword,
And the silent king in sight.

There was heard a heavy clang,
As of steel-girt men the tread,

And the tombs and the hollow pavement rang
With a sounding thrill of dread;

And the holy chant was hush'd awhile
As, by the torch's flame,

A gleam of arms up the sweeping aisle,
With a mail-clad leader came.

He came with haughty look,

An eagle-glance and clear;

But his proud heart through its breastplate shook, When he stood beside the bier!

He stood there still with a drooping brow,

And clasp'd hands o'er it raised ;

For his father lay before him low,

It was Cœur de Lion gazed!