USTACE, I said, did blithely mark But soon their mood was changed; แ Some clamour'd loud for armour lost; Some brawl'd and wrangled with the host; “I fear, By Becket's bones,” cried one, יי! Young Blount, Lord Marmion's second squire, To Marmion who the plight dare tell, With that cursed Palmer for our guide? Been lantern-led by Friar Rush."1 Alias, "Will o' the Wisp." This personage is a strolling demon, or esprit follet, who, once upon a time, got admittance into a monastery as a scullion, and played the monks many pranks. He was also a sort of Robin Goodfellow, and Jack o' Lanthern. It is in allusion to this mischievous demon that Milton's clown speaks, 66 "She was pinched, and pull'd, she said, And he by Friar's lanthern led.” The History of Friar Rush" is of extreme rarity, and, for some time, even the existence of such a book was doubted, although it is expressly alluded to by Reginald Scot, in his " Discovery of Witchcraft." I have perused a copy in the valuable library of my friend Mr. Heber; and I observe, from Mr. Beloe's "Anecdotes of Literature," that there is one in the excellent collection of the Marquis of Stafford. II. Fitz-Eustace, who the cause but guess'd, His comrades' clamorous plaints suppress'd; Him, ere he issued forth, he sought, And found deep plunged in gloomy thought, And did his tale display Simply, as if he knew of nought To cause such disarray. Lord Marmion gave attention cold, And bade his clarions sound to horse. III. Young Henry Blount, meanwhile, the cost And, as the charge he cast and paid, And left him in a foam! I trust, that soon a conjuring band, To their infernal home: For in this haunted den, I trow, All night they trampled to and fro." The laughing host look'd on the hire,- be blest, Sharp be the brand, and sure the blow, And short the pang to undergo." Here stay'd their talk,-for Marmion Gave now the signal to set on. the way, They journey'd all the morning-day. IV. The green-sward way was smooth and good, Through Humbie's and through Saltoun's wood; A forest glade, which, varying still, Here gave a view of dale and hill, There narrower closed, till over head A vaulted screen the branches made. A pleasant path," Fitz-Eustace said; |