1"This ode is founded on a tradition current in Wales that Edward I, when he completed the conquest of that country, ordered all the bards that fell into his hands to be put to death." Gray. 2 Cambria, the ancient name of Wales. 3 Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Gloucester, who had conducted the war in South Wales before joining forces with the king. Edward de Mortimer, who co-operated with the king in North Wales. Probably Howel ab Owain, a bard of the latter 12th century. For many of the other bards, Gray appears simply to have selected appropriate national names, without having any specific Welsh poet in mind. i. e., on the coast of Carnarvonshire (Arvon = Carnarvon Caer-yn-Arvon, the camp in Arvon). Thy son is gone. He rests among the Dead. The Swarm, that in thy noontide beam were born? Gone to salute the rising Morn. 70 Fair laughs the Morn, and soft the Zephyr blows, While proudly riding o'er the azure realm In gallant trim the gilded Vessel goes; Youth on the prow, and Pleasure at the helm; Regardless of the sweeping Whirlwind's sway,75 That, hush'd in grim repose, expects his evening prey." II. 3 "Fill high the sparkling bowl, The rich repast prepare, Reft of a crown, he yet may share the feast: 7 The Severn flows near to Berkeley Castle, where Edward II was murdered. The French Princess, Isabelle, wife of Edward II. who allied herself with Mortimer to compass the ruin of her husband. Edward III. When music, heavenly maid, was young, 50 5 10 1 Lyre. The primitive lyre was supposed to have been made by stretching strings across the shell of a tortoise. Loose were her tresses seen, her zone unbound; And he, amidst his frolic play, As if he would the charming air repay, Shook thousand odours from his dewy wings. O music! sphere-descended maid, Devote to virtue, fancy, art? 95 100 Arise, as in that elder time,2 105 Warm, energic, chaste, sublime! Thy wonders, in that godlike age, Fill thy recording sister's page 'Tis said, and I believe the tale, ODE WRITTEN IN THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR 17461 How sleep the brave who sink to rest, By fairy hands their knell is rung; To dwell, a weeping hermit, there! SUNG DIRGE IN CYMBELINE1 5 10 BY GUIDERIUS AND ARVIRAGUS OVER (First published in The Gentleman's Magazine, for October, 1749) To fair Fidele's grassy tomb Soft maids and village hinds shall bring No wailing ghost shall dare appear When howling winds and beating rain, 5 10 15 The tender thought on thee shall dwell; 20 Each lonely scene shall thee restore; For thee the tear be duly shed; Beloved till life can charm no more, And mourned till pity's self be dead. Thomas Percy 1729-1811 THE FRIAR OF ORDERS GRAY It was a friar of orders gray, Clad in a pilgrim's weeds. 1 In this year England was at war both on the continent and in Scotland. The Jacobite victory of Falkirk was Jan. 17, 1746, and the crushing Jacobite defeat of Culloden, April 16th of the same year. IV. Cymbeline, Act IV, sc. ii. |