The hermit sigh'd and thus he said;-- "Know, there was once a day, This tale of thine would fire my heart, And bid me join thy way. "But luckless love dejects my soul, And casts my spirits down; Thou seest the wretch of woman's pride, Of follies not my own. "I once amid my sovereign's train Was a distinguish'd youth, But blighted is my former fame, By Sorrow's cankering tooth. "When Ethelred the crown did hold, I to this district came; And then a fair and matchless maid First raised in me a flame. "Her father was a noble lord Of an illustrious race, Who join'd to rustic honesty The courtier's gentle race. "'Twas then I told my artless tale, By love alone inspired; For never was my honest speech In flattering guise attired. "At first she heard, or seem'd to hear, The voice of tender love; But soon, the ficklest of her sex, Did she deceitful prove. "She drove me scornful from her sight, Rejected and disdain'd; In vain did words for pity plead, In vain my looks complain'd. "How could that breast which pity fill'd, Ever relentless be? How could that face which smiled on all, Have ever frowns for me? "Since that fell hour, I in this cell Have lived recluse from man; And twice ten months have pass'd since I The hermit's life began." "O stain to honour!" Edwy cry'd; "O foul disgrace to arms! What, when thy country claims thy aid, And shakes with war's alarms! "Canst thou, inglorious, here remain, And strive thyself to hide; Assume the monkish coward life, All for a woman's pride?" With louder voice and warmer look, His hermit host rejoin'd; "Think'st thou, vain youth, the chains of fear Could here a warrior bind? "Know, boy, thou seest Hermanrick here; Well vers'd in war's alarms; A name once not unknown to fame, Nor unrenown'd in arms. "O, Athelgiva! (yet too dear) Did I thy danger know: Yet would I fly to thy relief, And crush th' invading foe." With fluster'd cheek, young Edwy turn'd, At Athelgiva's name; And, "Gracious powers! it must be he!" He cries, "it is the same! "I know full well, I have not now More of thy tale to learn; I heard this morn, ere from the wave You could the sun discern. "My sister loves thee, gallant youth, By all the saints on high! She wept last night, when thy hard fate She told with many a sigh. "Forgive her, then, and in her cause Thy limbs with steel infold: Was it not Ardolph's daughter, say, Who late thy heart did hold?" "It was, it was!" Hermanrick cry'd; "I heard her brother's name; "Tis said he was a gallant youth, Who sought abroad for fame." Then Edwy sprang to his embrace, And clasp'd him to his breast; "And thou shalt be my brother, too," He said and look'd the rest.