| |
| WHEN native Britons British lands possessed, | |
| Their glory freedom, and their blessing rest, | |
| A powerful chief this lofty seat surveyed, | |
| And here his mansion’s strong foundation laid: | |
| In his own ground the massy stone he sought, | 5 |
| From his own woods the rugged timbers brought; | |
| Rudeness and greatness in his work combined,— | |
| An humble taste with an aspiring mind. | |
| His herds the vale, his flocks the hills, o’erspread; | |
| Warriors and vassals at his table fed; | 10 |
| Sons, kindred, servants, waited on his will, | |
| And hailed his mansion on the mighty hill. | |
| |
| In a new age a Saxon lord appeared, | |
| And on the lofty base his dwelling reared: | |
| Then first the grand but threatening form was known, | 15 |
| And to the subject vale a castle shown, | |
| Where strength alone appeared,—the gloomy wall | |
| Enclosed the dark recess, the frowning hall; | |
| In chilling rooms the sullen fagot gleamed; | |
| On the rude board the common banquet steamed; | 20 |
| Astonished peasants feared the dreadful skill | |
| That placed such wonders on their favorite hill: | |
| The soldier praised it as he marched around, | |
| And the dark building o’er the valley frowned. | |
| |
| A Norman baron, in succeeding times, | 25 |
| Here, while the minstrel sang heroic rhymes, | |
| In feudal pomp appeared. It was his praise | |
| A loftier dome with happier skill to raise; | |
| His halls, still gloomy, yet with grandeur rose; | |
| Here friends were feasted, here confined were foes. | 30 |
| In distant chambers, with her female train, | |
| Dwelt the fair partner of his awful reign: | |
| Curbed by no laws, his vassal tribe he swayed,— | |
| The lord commanded and the slave obeyed: | |
| No softening arts in those fierce times were found, | 35 |
| But rival barons spread their terrors round; | |
| Each, in the fortress of his power secure, | |
| Of foes was fearless and of soldiers sure; | |
| And here the chieftain, for his prowess praised, | |
| Long held the castle that his might had raised. | 40 |
| |
| Came gentler times;—the barons ceased to strive | |
| With kingly power, yet felt their pomp survive; | |
| Impelled by softening arts, by honor charmed, | |
| Fair ladies studied and brave heroes armed. | |
| The Lord of Belvoir then his castle viewed, | 45 |
| Strong without form, and dignified but rude; | |
| The dark long passage, and the chambers small, | |
| Recess and secret hold, he banished all, | |
| Took the rude gloom and terror from the place, | |
| And bade it shine with majesty and grace. | 50 |
| |
| Then arras first o’er rugged walls appeared, | |
| Bright lamps at eve the vast apartment cheered; | |
| In each superior room were polished floors, | |
| Tall ponderous beds, and vast cathedral doors: | |
| All was improved within, and then below | 55 |
| Fruits of the hardier climes were taught to grow; | |
| The silver flagon on the table stood, | |
| And to the vassal left the horn and wood. | |
| Dressed in his liveries, of his honors vain, | |
| Came at the baron’s call a menial train; | 60 |
| Proud of their arms, his strength and their delight; | |
| Loud in the feast and fearless in the fight. * * * * * | |
| |
