"Proud of such prescience, on I went;-- The youthful monarch was content. 'Edgar de Langton, take this ring-- No! hither the young Minstrel bring: Ourself can better still dispense The honour and the recompence.' I came, and, trembling, bent my knee. He wonder'd that my looks were meek, That blushes burnt upon my cheek! 'We would our little songstress see! Remove those tresses! raise thy head! Say, where is former courage fled, 'That all must now thy face infold? At distance they were backward roll'd. Whence, then, this most unfounded fear? Are we so strange, so hateful here?' "I strove in vain to lift my eyes, And made some indistinct replies; When one, more courteous and more kind, Stepp'd forth to save my fainting mind. 'My liege, have pity! for, in truth, It is too hard upon her youth. Though so alert and fleet in song, The strain was high, the race was long; And she before has never seen A monarch, save the fairy queen: But does the lure of thought obey As falcons their appointed way; Train'd to one end, and wild as those If aught they know not interpose. Vain then is strength, and skill is vain, Either to lead them or restrain. The eye-lid closes, and the heart, Low-sinking, plays a traitor's part; While wings, of late so firmly spread, Hang flagg'd and powerless as the dead! With courts familiar from our birth, Is it fit subject for our mirth, That thus awakening from her theme, Where she through air and sea pursues, And all things governs, all subdues, (Like fetter'd captive in a dream,) Blindly to tread on unknown land, Without a guide or helping hand, No previous usage to befriend, (As well we might an infant lend Our eyes' experience, ear, or touch!) Can we in reason wonder much, Her steps are tottering and unsure Where we have learnt to walk secure? Is it not true, what I have told?' Her paus'd, my features to behold-- Earl William paus'd: across his mien A strong and sudden change was seen, The courtier bend, protecting tone. And smile of sympathy, were gone. Abrupt his native accents broke, And his lips trembled as he spoke.