Then Artegal thus spake: "I only sought Within this realm a place of safe retreat; Beware of rousing an ambitious thought; Beware of kindling hopes for me unmeet! 165 Thou art reputed wise, but in my mind

Art pitiably blind :

Full soon this generous purpose thou may'st

rue,

When that which has been done no wishes can undo.

Who, when a crown is fixed upon his head, 170 Would balance claim with claim, and right

with right?

But thou-I know not how inspired, how ledWouldst change the course of things in all

men's sight!

And this for one who cannot imitate

Thy virtue, who may hate:

175

For, if, by such strange sacrifice restored,
He reign, thou still must be his king, and

sovereign lord;

Lifted in magnanimity above

Aught that my feeble nature could perform,
Or even conceive; surpassing me in love
Far as in power the eagle doth the worm:
I, Brother! only should be king in name,

180

And govern to my shame;

A shadow in a hated land, while all

Of glad or willing service to thy share would

fall."

"Believe it not," said Elidure; "respect
Awaits on virtuous life, and ever most
Attends on goodness with dominion decked,
Which stands the universal empire's boast;

185

This can thy own experience testify :
Nor shall thy foes deny

190

That, in the gracious opening of thy reign, Our father's spirit seemed in thee to breathe

again.

194

And what if o'er that bright unbosoming
Clouds of disgrace and envious fortune past!
Have we not seen the glories of the spring
By veil of noontide darkness overcast?
The frith that glittered like a warrior's shield,

199

The sky, the gay green field, Are vanished; gladness ceases in the groves, And trepidation strikes the blackened moun

tain-coves.

But is that gloom dissolved? how passing clear Seems the wide world, far brighter than before! Even so thy latent worth will re-appear, Gladdening the people's heart from shore to

shore;

205

For youthful faults ripe virtues shall atone;
Re-seated on thy throne,
Proof shalt thou furnish that misfortune, pain,
And sorrow, have confirmed thy native right to

reign.

211

But, not to overlook what thou may'st know,
Thy enemies are neither weak nor few;
And circumspect must be our course, and slow,
Or from my purpose ruin may ensue.
Dismiss thy followers; - let them calmly wait

Such change in thy estate

215

As I already have in thought devised; And which, with caution due, may soon be realized."

The Story tells what courses were pursued,
Until king Elidure, with full consent
Of all his peers, before the multitude,
Rose, and, to consummate this just intent,
Did place upon his brother's head the crown,

Relinquished by his own;

220

Then to his people cried, "Receive your lord, Gorbonian's first-born son, your rightful king

restored!"

225

The people answered with a loud acclaim :
Yet more;-heart-smitten by the heroic deed,
The reinstated Artegal became
Earth's noblest penitent; from bondage freed
Of vice-thenceforth unable to subvert

230

Or shake his high desert. Long did he reign; and, when he died, the tear Of universal grief bedewed his honoured bier.

Thus was a Brother by a Brother saved;
With whom a crown (temptation that hath set
Discord in hearts of men till they have braved
Their nearest kin with deadly purpose met)
'Gainst duty weighed, and faithful love, did

234

seem

A thing of no esteem;

And, from this triumph of affection pure,

240

He bore the lasting name of "pious Elidure!"

III.

TO A BUTTERFLY.

I 'VE watched you now a full half-hour,
Self-poised upon that yellow flower;

And, little Butterfly! indeed
I know not if you sleep or feed.
How motionless! - not frozen seas

5

More motionless! and then

What joy awaits you, when the breeze
Hath found you out among the trees,

And calls you forth again!

This plot of orchard-ground is ours;

10

My trees they are, my Sister's flowers; Here rest your wings when they are weary;

Here lodge as in a sanctuary!

Come often to us, fear no wrong;

Sit near us on the bough!

15

We 'll talk of sunshine and of song,
And summer days, when we were young;
Sweet childish days, that were as long

As twenty days are now.

April 20, 1802.

IV.

A FAREWELL.

FAREWELL, thou little Nook of mountain

ground,

Thou rocky corner in the lowest stair
Of that magnificent temple which doth bound
One side of our whole vale with grandeur rare

5

Sweet garden-orchard, eminently fair,
The loveliest spot that man hath ever found,
Farewell! we leave thee to Heaven's peaceful

care,

Thee, and the Cottage which thou dost surround.

10

Our boat is safely anchored by the shore,
And there will safely ride when we are gone;
The flowering shrubs that deck our humble door
Will prosper, though untended and alone:
Fields, goods, and far-off chattels we have none:
These narrow bounds contain our private store
Of things earth makes, and sun doth shine

upon;

15

Here are they in our sight-we have no more.

Sunshine and shower be with you, bud and bell!
For two months now in vain we shall be sought;
We leave you here in solitude to dwell
With these our latest gifts of tender thought;
Thou, like the morning, in thy saffron coat, 21
Bright gowan, and marsh-marigold, farewell!
Whom from the borders of the Lake we brought,
And placed together near our rocky Well.

25

We go for One to whom ye will be dear;
And she will prize this Bower, this Indian shed,
Our own contrivance, Building without peer!
-A gentle Maid, whose heart is lowly bred,
Whose pleasures are in wild fields gatherèd,
With joyousness, and with a thoughtful cheer,
Will come to you; to you herself will wed; 31

And love the blessed life that we lead here.

Dear Spot! which we have watched with tender

heed, Bringing thee chosen plants and blossoms blown Among the distant mountains, flower and weed,