Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-05-24

body Of Henry the Second lay in state in the Abbey
Of Fontervaud, where il visited BY Richard
lie Lion, who, on behoding it, struck with horror
and approached himself bitterly for that rebel
onduct which had been the means of bringing his
to an untimely grave
Torches were blazing clear,
Hymns pealing deep and slow,
Where a King lay stately on his bier,
In the Church of Fontervaud;
Banners of battle Ger him hung,
And warriors slept beneath,
Aud light. moons broad light, was flung
On the settled face of Death.
On the settled face of Death,
strong and ruddy glare,
Though dimm'd at times by the censor's breath,
Yet it fell still brightest there:
IA if each dccply-furrow'd trace
vi eathly years to show
Alas! that sccptred uortars race
Had surely closed i'll woe.
The marble floor was swept
BY many long dark stole,
As the knccling priests round him that slept,
Sang mass for the departed soul.
And solemn were the strains they pour'd
In the stiffness of the night,
With the cross above, nd the crown and sword,
And the silent King in sight.
There was heard heavy clang,
As of steel-grt men the tread,
And the tombs and the hollow pavement rang
With sounding thrill of dread.
Aud the holy chaunt was hush'd awhile,
as by the torch's flame
CLEAN of arms, up the sweeping aisle,
With mail-clad leader came.
He came with naughty look,
dark glance high and clear.
Blu, his proud heart through its breast-plute shook
When he stood beside the bier.
He stood there still, with dropping brow
And 81 end ha n,Ic o'e II ra
For his Father lay before him low,
1t was C9ur de Lon gazed.
And silently he strove
With the workings of his breast;
But there's more in late repentant love
Than steel may keep Suppressed.
And his tears brake forth, ut last, like rain
Men held their breath in awe,
For his face by his warror-tr
And he reck'd not that they saw.
He looked upon the Dead,
Aud sorrow secm'd 10 lie.
A weight of sorrow, ev'n as lead,
Pale on the faSt-sliut eye.
lie stoop'd-and kiss d the frozen check,
Aud the hands of lfeless clay,
Till bursting words-yet all too weak
Gave his souls passion way.
"Oh, father. is it vain,
This late renIorSe and deep
Speak ~ me, Father! once again.!
tweep-behold, weep.
Alas! my guilty pride and ire:
Were but this work undone,
would give England's crown, my Sire.
To hear thee bless thy son.
"Speak TO me-mighty grief
Ere the dust hath stirr'd.
Hear me! but hear me. Father, Chief,
My King. must be heard
Hush d, hush d!--how is it that call,
Aud that thou answerest not?
When was it thus? Woe, woe for all
The love my soul forgot
"Thy silver hairs see,
So STILL so sadly bright!
And, Father, Father! but for me,
They had not been so white!
bore thee down, high heart! at last
n o longer couldst thou strive;-
Oh! for one moment of the past.
To kneel and say Forgive
Thou the noblest King,
On royal throne e'er secn;.l
And thou ddst wear, in knighty ring,
OF all, the stateliest niien;
And thou didst prove, where spears arc proved,
In war, the bravest heart
Oh!>ever The reliowu'd aud loved
Thou wert-and there thou art.
''Thou that my boyhood's guide
Didsttake fond JOY to bel
The times have sporcd at thy side.
And climb'd thy parent knee.
Aud there before tile blessed shrine,
My Sire, see thee lie,--
How will that sad still face of thine
Look OH till die"