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). When music, heavenly maid, was young, 50 5 10 Lyre. The primitive lyre was supposed to have been made by stretching strings across the shell of a tortoise. Each (for madness ruled the hour) Amid the chords bewildered laid, In lightnings owned his secret stings: And swept, with hurried hand, the strings. With woful measures wan despair Low, sullen sounds his grief beguiled; A solemn, strange, and mingled air; 'Twas sad by fits, by starts 'twas wild. But thou, O hope, with eyes so fair, What was thy delightful measure? Still it whispered promised pleasure, 20 25 30 And bade the lovely scenes at distance hail! Still would her touch the strain prolong; And from the rocks, the woods, the vale, She called on echo still, through all the song; 35 And, where her sweetest theme she chose, A soft responsive voice was heard at every close, And hope enchanted smiled, and waved her golden hair. And longer had she sung;-but, with a frown, Revenge impatient rose: 40 He threw his blood-stained sword, in thunder, down; And with a withering look, The war-denouncing trumpet took, And blew a blast so loud and dread, Were ne'er prophetic sounds so full of woe! And, ever and anon, he beat The doubling drum, with furious heat; 45 And though sometimes, each dreary pause be ODE WRITTEN IN THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR 17461 How sleep the brave who sink to rest, 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 Each opening sweet of earliest bloom, And rifle all the breathing spring. 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. 1 V. Cymbeline, Act IV, sc. ii. |