THE NOBLE-WHO ARE THEY?

Nor they alone, who dwell in lofty hall,
And tread with regal port the mazy dance;
While gaudy lamps light up the carnival-
While Midnight wings his way with swift advance,
And Beauty's beaming smile and love-lit glance
Thrill through the soul with their bewildering power,
Radiant with love that needs no utterance-
Not they alone have gained Heaven's choicest dower,
Paying an untold price for one brief, rapturous hour.

The rustic boy who stares with wonder high,
To view the glitter of the crowded mart,
Though mean his garb, and shrinks his timid eye,
Yet may he have a pure and noble heart ;
While wealth's proud minions standing far apart-
Their dainty limbs in fashion's trickery clad,
Calm their uneasy souls with outward art.
Ah! cumb'rous mirth! dissimulation sad!
Ye cannot quench the fires that prey upon the bad!

Oh! evermore, upon the brow of heaven,
The stars shine forth with their immortal ray !
But not to us their holy light is given,

Till sable eve assumes her solemn sway,
Chasing from earth the garish glare of day.
So virtue lives undying, though unknown,
Till the false pomp of life shall pass away—
Its bashful worth-its deeds of goodness done,

Shall meet with honor high before the eternal throne.

N. R. N.

ARTHUR, DUKE OF BRITTANY.

THE sun never rose in unclouded splendor, on a more beautiful scene, than that which greeted his appearance on a midsummer's morning, of the year 1203, where our tale commences. His earliest rays were just beginning to gild the turrets of the strong castle of Mirebeau, in Poictou, and reveal the beauty of the natural scenery, by which it was surrounded; and no one who upon that morning gazed upon the glorious scene, deemed it connected with one of the foulest crimes recorded on the page of history. Situated on a gentle eminence, amid a vast extent

of forest, above which its lofty pinnacles towered in gloomy majesty, like some tall giant, it seemed the guardian of the place. Around it, on every side, for the distance of half a mile, the wood had been cleared, for preventing the sudden approach of foes, under cover of the trees, and for giving space for those favorite jousts in arms, which distinguished that chivalrous age. The castle itself was one of those vast piles, deemed almost impregnable, which, during the feudal ages, were so numerous throughout Europe, and became the receptacles of crime and licentiousness. Its projecting battlements, frowning at the distance of an hundred feet from the ground, its closed portcullis, doubly secured postern and draw-bridge, drawn closely up, which was the only means of crossing the wide, deep moat, that encompassed the whole building, plainly indicated, that the fortress was one of the strongest of its kind; and also, that it was in a state of siege. The broad folds of a snow-white banner, emblazoned with the arms of England, floated from the loftiest tower, while from a smaller eminence streamed the knight's pennon of William, Earl of Salisbury, one of the bravest of England's warlike peers, and so much celebrated in the history of those troublous times. The rays of the ascending sun flashed brightly from the steel weapons and corslets of the men-at-arms on the towers, and ever and anon, the gallant knight himself could be distinguished by his towering form and polished helmet, giving his directions, and casting keen and anxious glances over the battlements, towards the plain in front of the castle, as if in expectation of, and eager for an attack.

The scene upon which the earl cast his eyes, was, indeed, such an one as a tried soldier of that warlike age loved to behold. At the extremity of the cleared space, and just in the skirting of the wood, were pitched some fifty or sixty tents, some of which were in advance of the others, and before each of the latter was planted the banner of the knight who occupied it. That occupying the centre being of larger dimensions and more richly ornamented than the others, evidently belonged to the chief of the small party now beleaguering the strong castle of Mirebeau. It required but a glance to show who it was that thus dared to raise the standard of revolt, and lay siege to a place within which was the mother and the brother of the King of England. For the gay banner in front of the centre tent, quartered with the arms of England, Normandy, Poictou, and Brittany, declared that Arthur Plantagenet, with a spirit worthy of his chivalrous sires, had donned the armor of a knight, even in his boyhood, and was now in the field, eager to contest with his usurping uncle the right to the crown of England.

The justice of his cause-his youth and brilliant qualities,

both of body and mind, so favorable, when contrasted with the mean and infamous characteristics of his uncle John, had drawn around his standard many of the chivalrous spirits in which the age abounded. Eager to adventure forth their prowess against the usurper's force of English and Normans, not only had the military chieftains of the disputed provinces come forward en masse to his aid, but the flower of the chivalry of France, with their sovereign, Philip Augustus, the great rival in glory of Richard Cœur de Lion, had also, with their natural enthusiasm, espoused the cause of the youthful duke. With a gallant and numerous army, the King of France and Duke of Brittany had invaded Normandy, and carrying every thing before them, soon bid fair to overrun the whole of that large province; while John, with an army equal in numbers if not in force, was wasting his time in inaction and debauchery in Rouen. The allied armies had laid siege to Arques, in Normandy, which was prosecuted with great spirit and vigor, when, hearing that his grandmother, Queen Eleanor, was in the castle of Mirebeau, Arthur determined to possess himself of her person, and, if possible, induce her to support his cause. In pursuance of this design, he selected a few of his most devoted friends, with their vassals, and advanced upon the castle upon the afternoon previous to the commencement of our tale.

It was said that William of Salisbury looked anxiously from the battlements of Mirebeau, in the direction of the hostile band; and well he might, for at that instant all were in activity there, preparing for the assault. A blast of the trumpets had already given the signal for preparation-the flashing of helmets and corslets-the waving of pennons and plumes were already seen, the men-at-arms and Brabançois had ranged themselves in their columns, and the knights, with their mounted followers, each with hand upon the saddle bow, stood beside their pawing war horses, waiting for the signal to mount. Instantly a second blast of the trumpet, and every saddle excepting three was filled; the latter belonged to the prince and his noble friends, the Count de la Marche and Geoffrey of Lusignan, who were at that moment in the tent of the former, consulting upon the plan of attack. In a space of time, less, perhaps, than has been occupied in the narration of the foregoing particulars, they issued forth and stood beside their gallant steeds.

"My Lords of Marche and Lusignan," exclaimed Arthur, as he vaulted at a single bound, and without the use of his stirrup, into his saddle, "what think ye? will our noble kinsman of Salisbury be able to withstand the assault of so noble a company as ours? or will he throw himself upon our knightly faith and courtesy? Methinks 'twere madness in him, with his small

band of men-at-arms, to oppose so many gallant knights with their followers."

"Not so, beau sire," answered he of Lusignan; "I know William Longsword well, a stalwart knight and worthy brother of Cœur de Lion; he would sooner lay lance in rest against a thousand knights, than yield a field without a blow. In yon castle he deems himself so well defended by his walls, he would still hope to defend himself against a force triple our numbers, for, in truth, it is a strong defense."

"William of Salisbury must be a strong knight, indeed," said de la Marche, " if, with a hundred men-at-arms, he can keep yon castle against the attack of this good company. But why wait we here, my lords, when we should be hacking at the shields and helmets of these island mastiffs, and slaves of a perjured master?"

"Well said, my noble friend," replied the prince, "not a moment is to be lost; for should my usurping uncle gain tidings of his mother's danger, no doubt but he would leave his wine cups and the light virtued damsels of Rouën, and charge upon us with his whole force. If report speaks truth, he likes not to venture forth his goodly figure, except it be with some thousands to defend it. But enough of this; to you, my Lord de la Marche, I enjoin the duty of providing beams of wood, with which to cross the moat. Meanwhile, with you, de Thours and Lusignan, we'll e'en take a glance at yon castle gate and battlements, within which, if these good knights but do their devoir, we hope to dine to-day with our noble kinsman of Salisbury and the Queen Eleanor, as guests."

Thus speaking, and plunging the rowels into his charger, he sped away towards the castle, followed by the two knights. Dashing onward, even the Earl of Salisbury's heart swelled with pride, at beholding the gallant bearing of his nephew. For he was, indeed, as noble a youth as ever laid lance in rest, in defense of the peerless beauty of his lady love. Clad in the rich armor presented to him by Philip of France, when he first took upon him the vows of knighthood, and mounted upon a superb war horse, that seemed conscious of his noble burden, and disdained to tread the ground over which he appeared to fly, he recklessly pressed onward, nor checked his headlong speed till he arrived at the moat, and within arrow shot of the archers on the walls. Being rejoined by his lords, and after surveying the fortress upon every side, to mark its weakest points of defense, it was resolved, that while a small detachment made a feint upon a small tower abutting the northern side, the principal assault should be made on the gate and barbacan.

"And now, my lords," said Arthur, with his visor up and his

handsome countenance flushed with joy and hope, “we will hasten back to our gallant band, which I see is impatient for the fray, and trust with their good service, to do a deed to-day that shall carry terror to the heart of the tyrant." Scarcely had he spoken, when a shaft from the cross-bow of one of the archers on the wall, struck fair upon the bars of his visor, and within an inch of his exposed eye.

"Well aimed, I' faith," he exclaimed, reigning in his horse, which had curveted at the sound; 66 we deemed not that we were within reach of the cloth yard shafts of England's archery. We'll cut their bowstrings ere long, and use their vaunted arrows to drive them from the battlements. But first, my lords, that our good uncle may not charge us with lack of courtesy, we will summon him by herald, to yield himself and followers to his rightful sovereign."

With a high heart and eager expectation he spurred back to his little army, and seeing them in full array and anxiously awaiting the signal to advance, his heart swelled high with pride and confidence in view of his anticipated triumph, and in imagination his views were only bounded by the throne of England and the entire sovereignty over its powerful lords. Victory had hitherto perched upon his banner in every contest, and never, as yet, had defeat taught him to moderate the exuberant feelings of youth. The hope of distinguishing himself in the approaching conflict, and the firm assurance of victory, animated every word and action, until the feeling became contagious. "Methinks," exclaimed the youthful Duke D'Eu, the early friend and companion of Arthur, "methinks could we but batter down yon gate, 'twould need but the couching of a lance, or the swing of a battle-axe, to bring those burly English to our feet; and then, my liege, for Rouen. I fain would see what cheer John of Anjou keeps for uninvited guests. 'Tis said he's somewhat churlish to his friends, and would rather attack an army of demoiselles, than meet one noble knight in armor. He's no Plantagenet, my lord, he's traitor to the blood."

"Be that as it may, my young knight," said the veteran de Thours, gravely, "thou'lt find one Plantagenet to-day to deal with, whose arm is none the lightest, and should'st thou cross thy sword with his, he'll make thine iron harness ring till thy very bones ache."

"Say'st thou so, my Lord de Thours?" returned the duke; "I deemed thee all too valiant to be frightened at the name of Longsword; and if good fortune give me to meet this dreaded knight to-day, thou'lt find the chivalry of France will suffer nought from one of its youngest knights."

"And now, fair gentlemen and friends," exclaimed the prince,