2 How sunk the scene, where cloister'd Leisure mused! Where war-worn Edward paid his awful vow; And, lavish of magnificence, diffused

His crowded spires o'er the broad mountain's brow!

3 The golden fans, that o'er the turrets strewn,
Quick-glancing to the sun, wild music made,
Are reft, and every battlement o'ergrown
With knotted thorns, and the tall sapling's shade.

4 The prickly thistle sheds its plumy crest,
And matted nettles shade the crumbling mass,
Where shone the pavement's surface smooth, imprest
With rich reflection of the storied glass.

5 Here hardy chieftains slept in proud repose,
Sublimely shrined in gorgeous imagery;

And through the lessening aisles, in radiant rows,
Their consecrated banners hung on high.

6 There oxen browse, and there the sable yew
Through the dun void displays its baleful glooms;
And sheds in lingering drops ungenial dew
O'er the forgotten graves and scatter'd tombs.

7 By the slow clock, in stately-measured chime,
That from the massy tower tremendous toll'd,
No more the ploughman counts the tedious time,
Nor distant shepherd pens his twilight fold.

It was

in danger of being shipwrecked during his return from a crusade. first founded at Dernhall in the same county in the year 1270, fifty-fourth of the reign of Henry III. But afterwards, Edward I., in the twenty-seventh year of his own reign, translated it to a place on the river Wever, not far distant, to which he on this occasion gave the name of The Vale-royal, and granted to the abbot and convent several parishes, lands, &c., adjoining.

8 High o'er the trackless heath at midnight seen,
No more the windows, ranged in long array
(Where the tall shaft and fretted nook between
Thick ivy twines), the taper'd rites betray.

9 Even now, amid the wavering ivy-wreaths (While kindred thoughts the pensive sounds inspire), When the weak breeze in many a whisper breathes, I seem to listen to the chanting quire.

10 As o'er these shatter'd towers intent we muse,
Though rear'd by Charity's capricious zeal,
Yet can our breasts soft Pity's sigh refuse,
Or conscious Candour's modest plea conceal?

11 For though the sorceress, Superstition blind,
Amid the pomp of dreadful sacrifice,

O'er the dim roofs, to cheat the tranced mind,
Oft bade her visionary gleams arise :

12 Though the vain hours unsocial Sloth beguiled, While the still cloister's gate Oblivion lock'd; And through the chambers pale, to slumbers mild Wan Indolence her drowsy cradle rock'd:

13 Yet hence, enthroned in venerable state,
Proud Hospitality dispensed her store :
Ah, see, beneath yon tower's unvaulted gate,
Forlorn she sits upon the brambled floor!

14 Her ponderous vase, with Gothic portraiture Emboss'd, no more with balmy moisture flows; Mid the mix'd shards o'erwhelm'd in dust obscure, No more, as erst, the golden goblet glows.

15 Sore beat by storms in Glory's arduous way,
Here might Ambition muse, a pilgrim sage;
Here raptured see Religion's evening ray
Gild the calm walks of his reposing age.

16 Here ancient Art her dædal fancies play'd
In the quaint mazes of the crisped roof;
In mellow glooms the speaking pane array'd,
And ranged the cluster'd column, massy proof.

17 Here Learning, guarded from a barbarous age, Hover'd awhile, nor dared attempt the day; But patient traced upon the pictured page The holy legend, or heroic lay.

18 Hither the solitary minstrel came

An honour'd guest, while the grim evening sky
Hung lowering, and around the social flame
Tuned his bold harp to tales of chivalry.

19 Thus sings the Muse, all pensive and alone;
Nor scorns, within the deep fane's inmost cell,
To pluck the gray moss from the mantled stone,
Some holy founder's mouldering name to spell.

20 Thus sings the Muse :-yet partial as she sings,
With fond regret surveys these ruin'd piles :
And with fair images of ancient things
The captive bard's obsequious mind beguiles.

21 But much we pardon to th' ingenuous Muse; Her fairy shapes are trick'd by Fancy's pen: Severer Reason forms far other views,

And scans the scene with philosophic ken.

22 From these deserted domes new glories rise;
More useful institutes, adorning man,
Manners enlarged, and new civilities,
On fresh foundations build the social plan.

23 Science, on ampler plume, a bolder flight

Essays, escaped from Superstition's shrine;
While freed Religion, like primeval light
Bursting from chaos, spreads her warmth divine.

ODE TO SOLITUDE,

AT AN INN.

OFT upon the twilight plain,
Circled with thy shadowy train,

While the dove at distance coo'd,

Have I met thee, Solitude!

Then was loneliless to me

Best and true society.

But ah! how alter'd is thy mien
In this sad deserted scene!
Here all thy classic pleasures cease,
Musing mild, and thoughtful peace :
Here thou comest in sullen mood,
Not with thy fantastic brood
Of magic shapes and visions airy
Beckon'd from the land of Faery:
'Mid the melancholy void
Not a pensive charm enjoy'd!
No poetic being here

Strikes with airy sounds mine ear;

10

No converse here to Fancy cold
With many a fleeting form I hold,
Here all inelegant and rude
Thy presence is, sweet Solitude.

19

ODE SENT TO MR UPTON,

ON HIS EDITION OF THE “FAERIE QUEENE."

1 As oft, reclined on Cherwell's shelving shore,
I traced romantic Spenser's moral page,
And soothed my sorrows with the dulcet lore
Which Fancy fabled in her elfin age;

2 Much would I grieve, that envious Time so soon
O'er the loved strain had cast his dim disguise;
As lowering clouds, in April's brightest noon,
Mar the pure splendours of the purple skies.

3 Sage Upton came, from every mystic tale
To chase the gloom that hung o'er fairy ground:
His wizard hand unlocks each guarded vale,
And opes each flowery forest's magic bound.

4 Thus, never knight with mortal arms essay'd
The castle of proud Busyrane to quell,
Till Britomart her beamy shield display'd,
And broke with golden spear the mighty spell :

5 The dauntless maid with hardy step explored
Each room, array'd in glistering imagery;
And through th' enchanted chamber, richly stored,
Saw Cupid's stately mask come sweeping by.1

See Faerie Queene,' iii. 2, 5.