[90] A monk of Ely, who wrote a History of the Church (circa 1166), records a fragment of song, said to have been composed by Canute when on his way to a church festival. He told his rowers to proceed slowly, and near the shore, that he might hear the chanting of the Psalter by the monks, and he then composed a song himself. Merie sangen the Muneches binnen Ely, Tha Cnut ching reu therby: Roweth cnites ner the land And here ye thes Muneches sang.--ED. [91] 1827. ... was still, 1822. [92] 1827. ... a memorial Rhyme. 1822. [93] Which is still extant.--W. W. 1822. See last note.--ED. XXXI THE NORMAN CONQUEST The woman-hearted Confessor prepares[94] The evanescence of the Saxon line. Hark! 'tis the tolling Curfew!--the stars shine;[95] But of the lights that cherish household cares And festive gladness, burns not one that dares 5 To twinkle after that dull stroke of thine, Emblem and instrument, from Thames to Tyne, Of force that daunts, and cunning that ensnares! Yet as the terrors of the lordly bell, That quench, from hut to palace, lamps and fires,[96] 10 Touch not the tapers of the sacred quires; Even so a thraldom, studious to expel Old laws, and ancient customs to derange, To Creed or Ritual brings no fatal change.[97] FOOTNOTES: [94] Edward the Confessor (1042-1066).--"There was something shadowlike in the thin form, the delicate complexion, the transparent womanly hands, that contrasted with the blue eyes and golden hair of his race; and it is almost as a shadow that he glides over the political stage. The work of government was done by sterner hands." (Green's _Short History of the English People_, chap. ii. sec. 2.)--ED. XXXII "COLDLY WE SPAKE. THE SAXONS, OVERPOWERED" Published 1837 Coldly we spake. The Saxons, overpowered By wrong triumphant through its own excess, From fields laid waste, from house and home devoured By flames, look up to heaven and crave redress From God's eternal justice. Pitiless 5 Though men be, there are angels that can feel For wounds that death alone has power to heal, For penitent guilt, and innocent distress. And has a Champion risen in arms to try His Country's virtue, fought, and breathes no more; 10 Him in their hearts the people canonize; And far above the mine's most precious ore The least small pittance of bare mould they prize Scooped from the sacred earth where his dear relics lie. FOOTNOTES: [95] 1827. Hark! 'tis the Curfew's knell! the stars may shine; 1822. [96] The introduction of the curfew-bell (_couvre-feu_, cover fire) into England is ascribed to the Conqueror, but the custom was common in Europe long before his time.--ED. [97] 1837. Brings to Religion no injurious change. 1822. XXXIII THE COUNCIL OF CLERMONT