The Works of Lord Byron Volume I Part 37

Soon a new Morn's restoring beams dispel The clouds of Anarchy from Britain's skies; The fierce Usurper seeks his native h.e.l.l, And Nature triumphs, as the Tyrant dies.

27.

With storms she welcomes his expiring groans; Whirlwinds, responsive, greet his labouring breath; Earth shudders, as her caves receive his bones, Loathing [12] the offering of so dark a death.

28.

The legal Ruler [13] now resumes the helm, He guides through gentle seas, the prow of state; Hope cheers, with wonted smiles, the peaceful realm, And heals the bleeding wounds of wearied Hate.

29.

The gloomy tenants, Newstead! of thy cells, Howling, resign their violated nest; [iv]

Again, the Master on his tenure dwells, Enjoy'd, from absence, with enraptured zest.

30.

Va.s.sals, within thy hospitable pale, Loudly carousing, bless their Lord's return; Culture, again, adorns the gladdening vale, And matrons, once lamenting, cease to mourn.

31.

A thousand songs, on tuneful echo, float, Unwonted foliage mantles o'er the trees; And, hark! the horns proclaim a mellow note, The hunters' cry hangs lengthening on the breeze.

32.

Beneath their coursers' hoofs the valleys shake; What fears! what anxious hopes! attend the chase!

The dying stag seeks refuge in the lake; Exulting shouts announce the finish'd race.

33.

Ah happy days! too happy to endure!

Such simple sports our plain forefathers knew: No splendid vices glitter'd to allure; Their joys were many, as their cares were few.

34.

From these descending, Sons to Sires succeed; Time steals along, and Death uprears his dart; Another Chief impels the foaming steed, Another Crowd pursue the panting hart.

35.

Newstead! what saddening change of scene is thine!

Thy yawning arch betokens slow decay; The last and youngest of a n.o.ble line, Now holds thy mouldering turrets in his sway.

36.

Deserted now, he scans thy gray worn towers; Thy vaults, where dead of feudal ages sleep; Thy cloisters, pervious to the wintry showers; These, these he views, and views them but to weep.

37.

Yet are his tears no emblem of regret: Cherish'd Affection only bids them flow; Pride, Hope, and Love, forbid him to forget, But warm his bosom, with impa.s.sion'd glow.

38.

Yet he prefers thee, to the gilded domes, [14]

Or gewgaw grottos, of the vainly great; Yet lingers 'mid thy damp and mossy tombs, Nor breathes a murmur 'gainst the will of Fate.

39.

Haply thy sun, emerging, yet, may s.h.i.+ne, Thee to irradiate with meridian ray; Hours, splendid as the past, may still be thine, And bless thy future, as thy former day. [v]

[Footnote 1: As one poem on this subject is already printed, the author had, originally, no intention of inserting the following. It is now added at the particular request of some friends.]

[Footnote 2: Henry II. founded Newstead soon after the murder of Thomas a Becket.]

[Footnote 3: This word is used by Walter Scott, in his poem, 'The Wild Huntsman', as synonymous with "va.s.sal."]

[Footnote 4: The red cross was the badge of the Crusaders.]

[Footnote 5: As "gloaming," the Scottish word for twilight, is far more poetical, and has been recommended by many eminent literary men, particularly by Dr. Moore in his Letters to Burns, I have ventured to use it on account of its harmony.]

[Footnote 6: The priory was dedicated to the Virgin.--['Hours of Idleness'.]]

[Footnote 7: At the dissolution of the monasteries, Henry VIII. bestowed Newstead Abbey on Sir John Byron.]

[Footnote 8: During the lifetime of Lord Byron's predecessor in the t.i.tle there was found in the lake a large bra.s.s eagle, in the body of which were concealed a number of ancient deeds and doc.u.ments. This eagle is supposed to have been thrown into the lake by the retreating monks.--'Life', p. 2, note. It is now a lectern in Southwell Minster.]

[Footnote 9: Newstead sustained a considerable siege in the war between Charles I. and his parliament.]

[Footnote 10: Lord Byron and his brother Sir William held high commands in the royal army. The former was general-in-chief in Ireland, lieutenant of the Tower, and governor to James, Duke of York, afterwards the unhappy James II; the latter had a princ.i.p.al share in many actions.

['Vide ante', p. 3, 'note' 1.]]

[Footnote 11: Lucius Cary, Lord Viscount Falkland, the most accomplished man of his age, was killed at the Battle of Newbury, charging in the ranks of Lord Byron's regiment of cavalry.]

[Footnote 12: This is an historical fact. A violent tempest occurred immediately subsequent to the death or interment of Cromwell, which occasioned many disputes between his partisans and the cavaliers: both interpreted the circ.u.mstance into divine interposition; but whether as approbation or condemnation, we leave to the casuists of that age to decide. I have made such use of the occurrence as suited the subject of my poem.]

[Footnote 13: Charles II.]