The wheels composed of crickets' bones, For all her maidens much did fear, If Oberon had chanced to hear, That Mab his queen should have been there He would not have abode it. She mounts her chariot in a trice, But ran away herself alone; Which when they heard there was not one But hasted after to be gone, As she had been diswitted. Hop, and Mop, and Drap so clear, Her special maids of honour; Upon a grasshopper they got, A cobweb over them they threw, DRAYTON. CLVII LORD WILLIAM. No eye beheld when William plunged Young Edmund in the stream; No human ear but William's heard Young Edmund's drowning scream. Submissive all the vassals owned The ancient house of Erlingford And often the wayfaring man, But never could Lord William dare In every wind that swept its waves He heard young Edmund scream. In vain at midnight's silent hour Sleep closed the murderer's eyes; dream the murderer saw Young Edmund's form arise. In every In vain by restless conscience driven, To other climes the pilgrim fled, He sought his home again, but peace Each hour was tedious long, yet swift, A day that William never felt For well had conscience calendered Young Edmund's dying day. A fearful day was that! the rains And the swoln tide of Severn spread In vain Lord William sought the feast, The tempest, as its sudden swell With cold and death-like feelings seemed Reluctant now, as night came on, Beside that couch his brother's form, Such and so pale his face as when, -“I bade thee, with a father's love, My orphan Edmund guard; Well, William, hast thou kept thy charge! Now take thy due reward." He started up, each limb convulsed With agonizing fear; He only heard the storm of night— 'Twas music to his ear. When lo! the voice of loud alarm His inmost soul appals, "What ho! Lord William, rise in haste! The water saps thy walls! He rose in haste; beneath the walls It hemmed him round, 't was midnight now, No human ear was near. He heard the shout of joy, for now A boat approached the wall, And, eager to the welcome aid, They crowd for safety all. "My boat is small," the boatman cried, This dangerous haste forbear! Wait other aid; this little bark But one from hence can bear," |