ΤΟ GEORGE ELLIS, ESQ.' Edinburgh. WHEN dark December glooms the day, And takes our autumn joys away; When short and scant the sunbeam throws, Upon the weary waste of snows, A cold and profitless regard, Like patron on a needy bard; When sylvan occupation's done, 1 [This accomplished gentleman, the well-known coadjutor of Mr. Canning and Mr. Frere in the "Antijacobin," and editor of "Specimens of Ancient English Romances," &c., died 10th April, 1815, aged 70 years; being succeeded in his estates by his brother, Charles Ellis, Esq., created, in 1827, Lord Seaford.-Ed.] Cumber our parlour's narrow floor; Not here need my desponding rhyme 1 See Introduction to canto ii. 2 The Old Town of Edinburgh was secured on the north side by a lake, now drained, and on the south by a wall, which there was some attempt to make defensible even so Within its steepy limits pent, late as 1745. The gates, and the greater part of the wall, have been pulled down, in the course of the late extensive and beautiful enlargement of the city. My ingenious and valued friend, Mr. Thomas Campbell, proposed to celebrate Edinburgh under the epithet here borrowed. But the "Queen of the North" has not been so fortunate as to receive from so eminent a pen the proposed distinction. 1 Since writing this line, I find I have inadvertently borrowed it almost verbatim, though with somewhat a different meaning, from a chorus in "Caractacus:" Thou gleam'st against the western ray Not she, the Championess of old, In Spenser's magic tale enroll'd, She for the charméd spear renown'd, Which forced each knight to kiss the ground,Not she more changed, when, placed at rest, What time she was Malbecco's guest,' She gave to flow her maiden vest; When from the corselet's grasp relieved, Free to the sight her bosom heaved; Sweet was her blue eye's modest smile, Erst hidden by the aventayle; And down her shoulders graceful roll❜d Her locks profuse, of paly gold. They who whilom, in midnight fight, Had marvell'd at her matchless might, No less her maiden charms approved, But looking liked, and liking loved.2 The sight could jealous pangs beguile, And charm Malbecco's cares a while; And he, the wandering Squire of Dames, Forgot his Columbella's claims, "Britain heard the descant bold, She flung her white arms o'er the sea, The freight of harmony." 1 See, "The Fairy Queen," book iii. canto ix. 2" Yet every one her liked, and every one her loved." SPENSER, as above. |