Far tow’ring seen, a lofty palace rose, Where stately cedars thick embow’ring grew; A spot that some fell wizard would have chose, So hid it was to gaze of public view; At least the bustling world scarce of it knew, And yet I ween it was a lovely spot; The site once known it all enticed drew, Whose blandishments made mortals bless their lot,-- More like to Arcady, fabled of old, I wot. III. Straight issued forth from yonder postern gate, Mounted on dappled steed that paw’d the ground, A strange, fantastic varlet, clad in state, Big with importance, and with look profound, While at his back there slung a horn to sound; Part herald seem’d he in his gold attire, And Mercury liken to as glanced he round; A Sir Knight more to wonder than admire, And yet his bearing showed no post in sooth stood higher. IV. Eftsoons, he ’gan his clarion loud to blow, That bade with startling sound the welkin ring; Anon a tide of gaping folk did flow, With wonder filled, all eager hastening; In troth it was a goodly gathering That soon around Sir Herald forced their way; Yet ere his mandate speech essayed to bring, He waited for the crowd’s rude noise to stay, Then blew again his horn, he brooked no more delay. V. “Ye toiling race, whose careworn visage tell Of nights and days your wasted life hath led, Know that I come with message to dispel The gloomy dulness that seems on ye shed, Whose scanty pittance makes ye poorly fed; Dan Fantasy, my lord, in clemency, Hath sped me to announce both board and bed, With gracious ingress sent to all, and free To range his spacious bounds, that ye may happy be. VI. “Yet one injunction I must first enforce, Ere I admit you to my lord’s domain, That you no outbreak wilful have recourse, And from disorder you must needs refrain, If ye for entrance hope without restrain; Though ye at large may stray, free as the wind, Be not too lavish when ye freedom gain, For though Dan Fantasy’s indulgent kind, You will, if ye transgress, a stinging scorpion find.” VII. Thus warned, Sir Herald turned his palfrey’s head, His high behest accomplished, and fair speech; Through postern way the panting crowd he led, That did essay the entrance proud to reach, Whose clamour loud enforced him silence preach. And to their noisy mirth give some restrain; Though little heeded they what he did teach, ’Till yonder marble porch was seen full plain, When discord ceased, lest they should no admittance gain. VIII.