` conceive, that if the leader was once tempted to descend into the snare, an herd would follow." I cannot conclude without recommending to the notice of all lovers of beautiful scenery-Bolton Abbey and its neighbourhood. This enchanting spot belongs to the Duke of Devonshire; and the superintendance of it has for some years been entrusted to the Rev. William Carr, who has most skilfully opened out its features; and in whatever he has added, has done justice to the place by working with an invisible hand of art in the very spirit of nature. In the following Poem I have allowed myself no further deviations from the original than was necessary for the fluent reading, and instant understanding, of the Author: so much however is the language altered since Chaucer's time, especially in pronunciation, that much was to be removed, and its place supplied with as little incongruity as possible. The ancient accent has been retained in a few conjunctions, as in alsō and alwaỹ, from a conviction that such sprinklings of antiquity would be admitted, by persons of taste, to have a graceful accordance with the subject. THE PRIORESS'S TALE. "Call up him who left half told The story of Cambuscan bold." O LORD, our Lord! how wondrously (quoth she) Thy worship is performed and precious laud; Wherefore in praise, the worthiest that I may, Not that I may increase her honour's dower, Of goodness, next her Son our soul's best boot. O Mother Maid! O Maid and Mother free! O bush unburnt! burning in Moses' sight! Lady, thy goodness, thy magnificence, My knowledge is so weak, O blissful Queen! |