The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-02-25
TIE CROWN OF SONG.
Bite of History Entertainingiy rar.
rated.

rated.
There was once a king who was a true
| poet. Not an idle rhymster like Rich
ard Occur de Lion and many another
crowned head. but a man born to feel
deeply. to see beauty I'm all created
things. and TO tell his thoughts I'm music.
Nineteen long years he spent in cap
tiyity ana then went home 10 n fate so
strange and tragic that there is nO:hins
like II in all the sad stories Of the death
OF kings. But I'm his short life he had
made for his queen an immortal crown
and I think the story IS worthy of or
telling. You will read part of it some
day. | hope. as The Kings Tragedy"
told by another true poet OF our own day.
who best could follow good old-fashion
I'm verse ard meantime YOU must Try 10
like old poetry, for IL is we'll worth while.
When Prince James Stuart. the first
Of his Christian. name who Inherited
Scotland's throne was about eleven years
Old. he set sail for France 10 finish his
education. That was the reason King
Robert gave openly. but i'm his heart he
had fears for the life OF this son. since
HIS eldes- son had died under suspicious
circumstances while In the care OF his
uncle. the wicked Duke Of Albany. 10
was at the opening OF the fifteenth cen
fury. AMI affairs in Scotland were I'm
a very disturbed condition, owing TO the
great power in the hands OF a few law
less feudal barons The King OF France
stretched forth a protecting arm over the
young heir but unluckiy hc had 10 mower
over winds and waves. and so James
never reached his hospitablc shores. on
her way thithcr his ship was driven to-
ward the coast OF England and fell in
with n number Of English ships by which
it was easily robbed Of the royal trav-
eler. who was taken 10 Henry ~. as
prize of great worth. This sort OF piracy
was common enough IN those days and
if Henry had taken 90 good round sum 10
set the boy at liberty no one would have
felt it worthy Of comment. But the
great Lancastrian said with a grim smile
that III the Prince was TO learn French
he could learn il quite as well I'D nus
court as in France. FOR he himself kne"
French very we'll and refused TO CON
slider the question OF ransom as long
as he lived.
II so happened that the very next year
King Robert died and the Duke OF Alba
ny, as regent, had the government ~
his own hands. After him came his son,
while the real heir was still detained by
policy at the English court, where ne
met the rightful English heir, Edmund
Mortimer. Il prisoner and pupil Ike NM
sell. 10 do him justice II must be san
Henry ". provided them both with me
best teachers and with very agreeable
comnanions and entertained them llber-
aiIv enough. IL IS true that IN tho end
scotland paid q large sum for these adj
vantaces hut on the other hand James
obtoined n real knowledge and love or
letters such ass his native land could |
not have given him at any COST.
Chancer. the first great l-nehsn l"tN !
had died in 14o0 and people were begin
ming TO praise his Tales AS they always |
do after the poet can write no more. IL |
was before the time Of printed books |
but Chaucer had been Court poet and ms |
fame grew faster than would have been |
possible had not tho kings father John |
of Gaunt been his patron. OF certain
ty james soon learned that whoever would |
write good poetry must follow the great
master, ana he never forgot this part
OF his study. among the stories writ
ten by Chaucer is one Of two knights |
who, looking out Of their prison window.
behold a beautiful lady In a garden and
fan deeply in love with her. Strange
10 tell, this story now again came To
pass
After james had been in England some
years, Henry ". died. and was succeed
ed by his warrior son. who brought the
unfortunate captive from the lonely cas-
tie at nottingham TO the royal castle AT
Windsor Here he was lodged in the
famous Round Tower. from the top OF
which you get one OF the most charming
and interesting views in England. The
country all about is richly cultivated, the
Thames winds through delicious green
meadows and noble parks, the venerable
buildings Of Eton College rise near at
hand, while best Of all on clear day
you may see i'm the distance the ivy
covered church at Stoke Pogis. which is
OF worldwide fame. since Gray wrote
his "Ilcgy" in its quiet church-yard
No wonder that Windsor IS the Oldest
castle In Europe still used as royal
residence, for II has everything 10 make
IL delightful. James did not see the
buildings We now see, but as he looked
forth one perfect spring morning. he saw
the fair lady. Joan Beaufort. daughter
of the kings half-brother walking upon
the terrace. and straishtway became her
captive for life
He tells us this I'm the poem he wrote
I'm her honor. The poem is called the
kings QUAR- the last word being an
old Scotch word FOR book. IL begins by
telling us that the poet sad and weary.
from long captivity fell asleep while read
Ing an old Latin book upon the Con
solutions OF Philosophy" written BY a
man who had himself suffered an unjust
Imprisonment. Waking he hears the