Letters that claimed disloyal aid, And proved King Henry's cause betrayed. He strove to clear, by spear and shield ;- XXII. "His squire, who now De Wilton saw As recreant doomed to suffer law, Repentant owned in vain, That, while he had the scrolls in care, A stranger maiden, passing fair, Had drenched him with a beverage rare ; His words no faith could gain. With Clare.alone he credence won, Who, rather than wed Marmion, Did to Saint Hilda's shrine repair, The impulse from the earth was given, Only one trace of earthly strain, That for her lover's loss She cherishes a sorrow vain, And murmurs at the cross. And then her heritage ;—it goes Deep fields of grain the reaper mows, Should do a deadly sin; Her temple spoiled before mine eyes, Yet hath our boisterous monarch sworn, Such mandate doth Lord Marmion bear. XXIII. "Now, prisoner, helpless, and betrayed And by the Church of God. And with his squire forged letters laid, She was, alas! that sinful maid, By whom the deed was done,— O! shame and horror to be said, She was a perjured nun!. No clerk in all the land, like her, Traced quaint and varying character. (For such vile thing she was,) should scheme Her lover's nuptial hour; But o'er him thus she hoped to gain, As privy to his honour's stain, Illimitable power : For this she secretly retained Each proof that might the plot reveal, Instructions with his hand and seal; And thus Saint Hilda deigned, Through sinner's perfidy impure, Her house's glory to secure, And Clare's immortal weal. XXIV. “'Twere long, and needless, here to tell, How to my hand these papers fell; With me they must not stay. Saint Hilda keep her Abbess true! I venturous leave thy calm domain, Deep penance may I pay !— Now, saintly Palmer, mark my prayer : For thee to stop they will not dare; |