The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-02-25

bell 70 mathis ring" and IL seems as II
| the bell said to him, TELL on man
what thee befell." Thus encouraged he
writes OF his sad life until he tires. then
the poem proceeds in this way-only |
have put some Of the oldest words into
modern form:
"Bewaiing In my chamber thus alone.
Despaired or all Joy and remedy,
Tired out OF my thoughts and woebe-
gone;
Then to the window gan I walk on by.
To see the world and the folk that went
forby;
As for the time, though 1 of gay mirths
Might have no more, to look It did me
good.
Now there was made fast by the tower
wall
garden fair, and in the corner set
An harbor. green with trellis long ana
small.
Rallied about. and so. with bushes set,
Was all the place and hawthorn hedges
knet.
"That life was none walking there forby,
That might within scarce any wight espy.
The little sweet nightingale. and sung
So loud and clear, the hymns consecrate.
OF lovers use, now soft, now loud
among;
That all the gardens and the walls rung,
Right Of her song"
Then followed the birds song and the
poets sad questioning what offence he
has committed to be held "thralr' so
long. Soon he returns TO the window 70
muse. and then comes the climax Of his
story:
"And herewith cast 1 down mine eye
again,
Where as l saw walking under the tower,
Full secretly new coming her to plain,
The fairest and the freshest young
flower
That ever 1 saw. methought. before thar
hour.
"Ahl sweet. are We a worldly creature,
OR heavenly thing in likeness Of nature?
cor are ye god Cupids own princess.
And coming are 10 loose me OUT OF band?
or are ye very Nature the goddess
That have depainted with your heavenly
hand,
This garden full OF flowers as they stand
What shall 1 think? Alas, what reverence
Shall l offer 10 your excellence?'
He then described her fine array and
her beauty. and implores the nightingale
10 sing her sweetest. now that his hearts
queen has come 10 listen. All the birds
forthwith salute her with delightful
melody, and the concert lasts till ii pleascs
the lady 10 withdraw That night the
prisoner has Il most wonderful dream,
and is encouraged in his love by Venus
and 10y d message written IN gold upon
the leaves OF a stalk OF gilyflowers. which
a dove bears 10 him in his tower room.
lie does not tell us just how his wishes
are brought to pass; but IL IS matter
of history that. after the death OF Henry
v. the duke OF Bedford, being Protector
of England. entered into a treaty for the
liberation OF the Scotch king and APP
proved his marriage TO the Lady JOAN as
it might help TO keep the two countries
upon friendly terms
As soon as he was married James and
his wife went TO Scotland where he set
about the difficult task or bringing order
out Of anarchy. lie WAS 50 great a. states
man that il is said Of him: This king
made that people nation but he was !
a severe judge, and, having condemned |
10 death some rebel lords, their kindred |
formed a plot against his life. In the |
thirteenth year Of his reign James, with |
his household. held festival at the house |
Of the Black Friars at Perth: and. having |
been warned, at the close Of the feast /
he called for the Voidee-cup a draucht |
from which pledged the guests TO fidelity. /
All drank. friends and traitors alike, and |
at midnight the queen with her favorite !
women withdrew 10 the royal apartment |
I'm a lonely wing of the house. Soon the |
king entered, but as he stood talking by |
the FIRE the tramp Of armed men was |
heard coming toward his chamber. Catbe-
rine Douglas tender and true" sprang I
TO the door: but bolts and bars had been
removed by the murderers, and locks
broken. The brave girl without hesitation
thrust her arm through the stanchion
holds TO gain a few moments for her king
and gained also a name for all time. After
that dreadful night she was known as
Catherine Barlass, and her descendants
bear proudly for their crest u broken
arm. Meantime. the queen and her women
had torn plank from the floor and forced
the unarmed James into the court below.
II was all OF no avail-Catherine' poor
arm hung helpless. and the King was
dragged from his hiding place, and
though he fought hard for life soon lay
dead stabbed sixteen times in the breast
The Queen made a terrible VOW that his
body should not be laid IN earth till all
his slayers were dead They were all
tortured according 10 the inhuman usage
OF the times. and so was the Kings death
avenged. The poem which he made for |
his devoted wife will never die as long
as our speech shall be spoken. and Il IS |
truly a royal gift. better than Jewels
or gold. II Le had not worn a crown
we might have had more poems, and go
we must needs exclaim with the Queen:
"Alas for the woeful thing.
That poet true and friend OF man,
IN desperate days OF bale and ban,
Should needs be born a king"