"I used to see along the stream The white sail sailing down, That wafted food in better times To yonder peaceful town. Henry! I never now behold The white sail sailing down; Famine, Disease, and Death, and Thou Destroy that wretched town. "I used to hear the traveller's voice As here he past along, Or maiden as she loiter'd home Singing her even song. "No traveller's voice may now be heard, In fear he hastens by, But I have heard the village maid "I used to see the youths row down As pleasantly their viol's tones "King Henry, many a blacken'd corpse I now see floating down! Thou bloody man! repent in time "I shall go on," King Henry cried, "And conquer this good land, Seest thou not, Hermit, that the Lord Hath given it to my hand ?" The Hermit heard King Henry speak, And angrily look'd down;.. His face was gentle, and for that More solemn was his frown. "What if no miracle from heaven The murderer's arm controul, Think you for that the weight of blood "Thou conqueror King, repent in time For, Henry, thou hast heard the threat, King Henry forced a careless smile, But Henry soon remember'd him Upon his dying day. 1798. A BALLAD, OF A YOUNG MAN THAT WOULD READ UNLAWFUL BOOKS, AND HOW HE WAS PUNISHED. VERY PITHY AND PROFITABLE. CORNELIUS Agrippa went out one day, "And if any one ask my Study to see, There lived a young man in the house, who in vain On the Study-table a book there lay, Which Agrippa himself had been reading that day, The letters were written with blood within, And the leaves were made of dead men's skin. And these horrible leaves of magic between The young man, he began to read He knew not what, but he would proceed, And more and more the knocking grew, The young man knew not what to do; Till the door was broke, and the Devil came in. |