Nor did he (such heaven's will) in vain
His solitary course maintain;

Not vainly struggled in the might

Of duty seeing with clear sight;

He was their comfort to the last,
Their joy till every pang was past.

"I witnessed when to York they came What, Lady, if their feet were tied ! They might deserve a good Man's blame; But, marks of infamy and shame,

These were their triumph, these their pride. Lo Francis comes,' the people cried,

'A Prisoner once, but now set free!

'Tis well, for he the worst defied

For sake of natural Piety;

He rose not in this quarrel, he

His Father and his Brothers wooed,

Both for their own and Country's good,

To rest in peace- he did divide,

He parted from them; but at their side
Now walks in unanimity -

Then peace to cruelty and scorn,

While to the prison they are borne,

Peace, peace to all indignity!'

"And so in Prison were they laid Oh hear me, hear me, gentle Maid For I am come with power to bless,

By scattering gleams, through your distress, Of a redeeming happiness.

Me did a reverent pity move

And privilege of ancient love;

And, in your service, I made bold —
And entrance gained to that strong-hold.

"Your Father gave me cordial greeting; But to his purposes, that burned Within him, instantly returned — He was commanding and entreating, And said, 'We need not stop, my Son! But I will end what is begun;

'Tis matter which I do not fear To entrust to any living ear.'

And so to Francis he renewed?

His words, more calmly thus pursued.

66

Might this our enterprize have sped, Change wide and deep the Land had seen, A renovation from the dead,

A spring-tide of immortal green :

The darksome Altars would have blazed
Like stars when clouds are rolled away;
Salvation to all eyes that gazed,

Once more the Rood had been upraised
To spread its arms, and stand for aye.
Then, then, had I survived to see
New life in Bolton Priory; '

The voice restored, the eye of truth
Re-opened that inspired my youth;
To see her in her pomp arrayed;
This Banner (for such vow I made)
Should on the consecrated breast
Of that same Temple have found rest:
I would myself have hung it high,
Glad offering of glad victory!

"A shadow of such thought remains To chear this sad and pensive time; A solemn fancy yet sustains

One feeble Being — bids me climb

Even to the last one effort more

To attest my Faith, if not restore.

"Hear then," said he, "while I impart,

My Son, the last wish of my heart.

The Banner strive thou to regain;
And, if the endeavour be not vain,
Bear it-to whom if not to thee
Shall I this lonely thought consign? -
Bear it to Bolton Priory,

And lay it on Saint Mary's shrine,
To wither in the sun and breeze
Mid those decaying Sanctities.
There let at least the gift be laid,
The testimony there displayed;
Bold proof that with no selfish aim,
But for lost Faith and Christ's dear name,
I helmeted a brow though white,
And took a place in all men's sight;
Yea offered up this beauteous Brood,
This fair unrivalled Brotherhood,
And turned away from thee, my Son!
And left-but be the rest unsaid,
The name untouched, the tear unshed,
My wish is known and I have done :
Now promise, grant this one request,
This dying prayer, and be thou blest!"

"Then Francis answered fervently, 'If God so will, the same shall be."".

66

Immediately, this solemn word

Thus scarcely given, a noise was heard,
And Officers appeared in state

To lead the Prisoners to their fate.
They rose, oh! wherefore should I fear
To tell, or, Lady, you to hear?

They rose - embraces none were given —

They stood like trees when earth and heaven
Are calm; they knew each other's worth,
And reverently the Band went forth.
They met, when they had reached the door,
The Banner which a Soldier bore,

One marshalled thus with base intent
That he in scorn might go before,
And, holding up this monument,
Conduct them to their punishment;
So cruel Sussex, unrestrained
By human feeling, had ordained:
The unhappy Banner Francis saw,
And, with a look of calm command
Inspiring universal awe,

He took it from the Soldier's hand;
And all the People that were round
Confirmed the deed in peace profound.