XXXIX.

:

Beneath the hollow waters is her home, Upbuilt with arched waves of crystal cold, Where never wight of mortal seed should come.

Yet did she there the beauteous infant hold, And train'd in knightly lore and pastimes bold; But luckless Helen, dame disconsolate,

When late her loss returning reason told,

Sought the sad shelter of a convent grate,

And wept with live-long grief her boy's untimely fate.

XL.

Him, when his vigorous youth was ripe for war, And downy cheek was cloth'd in darker shade, On airy wheels and dragon-yoked car,

To Arthur's court his elfin nurse convey'd,

In polish'd arms of maiden white array'd, And silver shield as princely youth became ;

Who since untam'd, unrivall'd, undismay'd In tourney strife and war's illustrious game,

Has borne from every knight the foremost meed of fame."

XLI.

"All otherwise I deem," Ganora cried,

"Nor him account the best and bravest knight
Who, wrapt in sordid gain or warrior pride,
Is dead to ladies' pain and love's delight."
"Ah who," said Gwendolen, "shall read aright
The close-kept secret of a hero's love!

Yet some have said, in magic beauty bright,
His elfin dame has power his mind to move,
And urge his pensive steps along the twilight grove."

XLII.

A livid blush the queen's pale face o'erspread,

“Yet, yet aread, where is that faëry's wan? "Ah who shall tell her haunt," the maiden said, "Who in the desart water dwells alone,

Or under hollow hill or cavern'd stone? Yet beauteous Derwent claims her chiefest grace.' Ganora heard, but answer made she none, And with her kerchief shrouding close her face, Broke from th' unfinish'd tale and sadly left the place.

FRAGMENTS

OF

THE MASQUE OF GWENDOLEN.

Enter two Goblins bearing a casket.

Gwendolen. What forms are these?

Goblin.

Spirits of nether earth

Are we, and servants to the mighty Merlin,

From whom we bear these treasures to his bride.

Or ere the raven twice hath flapt her wing

He will himself be here.

Gwendolen.

Good angels guard me!

Enter two Sylphs and two Sea Nymphs.

SONG.

Nymphs of air and ancient sea,
Bridal gifts we bring to thee!
Lo these plumes of rich device,
Pluck'd from birds of paradise!

Lo, these drops of essence rare,

Shook from a wand'ring meteor's hair!
Nymphs of air and ancient sea,
Such the gifts we bring to thee!

Take these shells, approach them near,
And they shall murmur in thine ear
Tunes that lull the slumbering sea
More than mermaid's harmony!
Take these pearls, no diving-slave
Drags their like from ocean cave,—
Nymphs of air and ancient sea,
Such can only bring to thee.

Enter two Genii of Fire with a vase.

First Genius. Loveliest of mortal mould! distant we

kneel,

Lest our hot breath should mar thy snowy skin,

Or scorch thy raven locks! We are of fire
The swarthy ministers, whose active heat

Is as the soul of earth and sea and air;

Its

Who sow the seeds of gold, who give the diamond
of flame, and wake the carbuncle
To rival day. Of such strange alchemy

eye

We bring thee tokens; and before thy feet
Bow down our crisped heads, and in the dust
Abase our terrors!

*

Merlin.

Am I proud, who lay

Mine empire at thy feet? All thou hast seen
Are but the least of wonders. Toiling fiends
Shall sweat to work thy bidding, and their claws
Rend from the greedy earth its buried treasure,
And drag the deep for thee. The sylphs of air
Shall fan thy slumber, and their viewless harps
Pour on thy waking ear strange melody.
The elfin nations, with fresh herbs and flowers,
Shall in thy chambers keep perennial spring;
And the wild mermaid sleek, with coral comb
Thy dark and perfumed tresses. Seek'st thou more?
More is in Merlin's power! Be thou my bride,
And I will place thee on a regal throne

Of solid adamant, hill above hill,

Ten furlongs high, to match whose altitude
Plinlimmon fails, and Idris' stony chair
Sinks like an infant's bauble; there, enshrin'd
A queen and goddess, shall the elements
Wait on thee, and the countless multitude
Of Genii worship thee supreme in hell!
I pause for thy reply.

Thy power I know not, but thine art I know
For most unholy, and thy person hateful!

I own my folly, with remorse I own it,

Which play'd with such a visitor; but mine ears
Drank in thy wisdom,-and it soothed my pride
To see the powers of magic tax'd for me,
And the strong features of a face like thine
Relaxing in my presence! This forgive me!