THE WHITE DOE OF RYLSTONE; OR, THE FATE OF THE NORTONS. ADVERTISEMENT. During the Summer of 1807 I visited, for the first time, the beautiful country that surrounds Bolton Priory in Yorkshire; and the Poem of "The White Doe," founded upon a Tradition connected with that place, was composed at the close of the same year. DEDICATION. IN trellised shed with clustering roses gay, The gentle Una, of celestial birth, To seek her Knight went wandering o'er the earth. 5 Ah, then, Beloved! pleasing was the smart, 10 For Her, who, pierced by sorrow's thrilling dart, The milk-white Lamb which in a line she led,- 15 Like the brave Lion slain in her defence. Notes could we hear as of a faery shell Attuned to words with sacred wisdom fraught; Free Fancy prized each specious miracle, We by a lamentable change were taught For us the stream of fiction ceased to flow, 20 25 -But, as soft gales dissolve the dreary snow, Heaven's breathing influence failed not to bestow It soothed us-it beguiled us-then, to hear All that she suffered for her dear Lord's sake. Then, too, this Song of mine once more could please, Where anguish, strange as dreams of restless sleep, Is tempered and allayed by sympathies Aloft ascending, and descending deep, Even to the inferior Kinds; whom forest-trees 30 35 40 45 Of the sharp winds;-fair Creatures!-to whom Heaven This tragic Story cheered us; for it speaks Needful when o'er wide realms the tempest breaks, Hence not for them unfitted who would bless He serves the Muses erringly and ill, 50 55 55 The comprehensive mandate which they give- 60 Vain aspiration of an earnest will! Yet in this moral Strain a power may live, Beloved Wife! such solace to impart "Action is transitory-a step, a blow, The motion of a muscle-this way or that"Tis done; and in the after-vacancy We wonder at ourselves like men betrayed: Suffering is permanent, obscure and dark, And has the nature of infinity. Yet through that darkness (infinite though it seem And irremoveable) gracious openings lie, By which the soul-with patient steps of thought Now toiling, wafted now on wings of prayerMay pass in hope, and, though from mortal bonds Yet undelivered, rise with sure ascent Even to the fountain-head of peace divine." They that deny a God destroy Man's nobility: for certainly Man is of kin to the Beast by his Body, and if he be not of kin to God by his Spirit, he is a base ignoble Creature. It destroys likewise Magnanimity, and the raising of humane Nature: for take an example of a Dog, and mark what a generosity and courage he will put on, when he finds himself maintained by a Man, who to him is instead of a God, or Melior Natura. Which courage is manifestly such as that Creature without that confidence of a better Nature than his own could never attain. So Man, when he resteth and assureth himself upon Divine protection and favour, gathereth a force and faith which human Nature in itself could not obtain." LORD BACON. CANTO FIRST. FROM Bolton's old monastic tower |