The gathered storm is ripe; the big drops fall; And the full flocks are driving o'er the plain ; And the hot fiery steam in the wide flame-lowe2 dies. 3 List! now the thunder's rattling clamouring sound And the full clouds are burst at once in stormy showers. Spurring his palfrey o'er the watery plain, The Abbot of Saint Godwyn's convent came; 4 With the poor alms-craver near to the holm to bide. His cope was all of Lincoln cloth so fine, With a gold button fastened near his chin; And his peak'd shoe a lordling's might have been; 1 Here Chatterton's text-word is 'flott,' and his gloss 'fly.' seems more appropriate. 2. 'Gush' 3 Clymmynge,' noisy.-Chatterton. Clamouring' is adopted as nearer in sound to his text-word. To signify cursing.'-Chatterton. 'A loose white robe worn by priests.'-Chatterton. Steevens, being in Bristol in 1776, saw horse-milliner' inscribed over a shop door, outside which stood a wooden horse decked with ribbons. 'An alms, Sir Priest!' the drooping pilgrim said, 'Varlet,' replied the Abbot, 'cease your din; This is no season alms and prayers to give ; My porter never lets a beggar in; None touch my ring who not in honour live.' And now the sun with the black clouds did strive, And shot upon the ground his glaring ray: The Abbot spurred his steed, and eftsoons rode away. Once more the sky was black, the thunder roll'd: Not dight full proud nor buttoned up in gold ; And from the pathway side then turnèd he, Where the poor beggar lay beneath the holmen tree. 'An alms, Sir Priest,' the drooping pilgrim said, 'For sweet Saint Mary and your order's sake!' The Limitour then loosened his pouch-thread And did thereout a groat of silver take; The needy pilgrim did for gladness shake. 'Here, take this silver, it may ease thy care; We are God's stewards all,-nought of our own we bear. 'But ah! unhappy pilgrim, learn of me, Scarce any give a rentroll to their Lord: Here, take my semicope,-thou'rt bare, I see; 1 'Cross, crucifix.'-Chatterton. 2 A short surplice worn by friars of inferior class.-Chatterton. A licensed begging friar.-Chatterton, 'Tis thine; the Saints will give me my reward!' He left the pilgrim and his way aborde'. Virgin and holy Saints who sit in gloure2, Or give the mighty will, or give the good man power! ECLOGUE THE FIRST. 3 When England, reeking from her deadly wound, (Mighty they fell,-'twas Honour led the fray,) Then in a dale, by eve's dark surcote grey, Two lonely shepherds did abrodden fly, 4 (The rustling leaf doth their white hearts affray,) And with the owlet trembled and did cry. First Robert Neatherd his sore bosom stroke, Robert. 'Ah, Ralph! if thus the hours do come along, Nor will our pace swift as our danger go. My life I have, but have escaped so That life itself my senses doth affray. O Ralph! come list, and hear my gloomy' tale, Ralph. Say to me nought; I ken thy woe in mine, 6 Oh! I've a tale that Sathanas might tell! Sweet flowerets, mantled meadows, forests fine,Groves far-off-kenn'd around the Hermit's cell, The sweet-strung viol' dinning in the dell,The joyous dancing in the hostel-court, Eke the high song and every joy,—farewell! Impestering trouble on my head doth come :- Oh! I could wail my kingcup-deckèd leas, My parker's-grange far spreading to the sight, Inured unto the pain, I let no salt tear flow. Here will I still abide till Death appear; Oh! I would slay his murderer joyously, 6 Robert. Our woes alike, alike our doom shall be, My son, mine only son, all death-cold is! Here will I stay and end my life with thee,— A life like mine a burden is, I wis. 1 'Swote ribible,' sweet violin.-Chatter:on. 'Hantend,' accustomed.-Chatterton. 2 Marygold.-Chatterton Soe wille I, fyxed unto thys piace, gre.'- Chatterton. Oh! joicous I hys mortherer would slea.'-Chatterton. Portcullis.-Chatterton. 76 Ystorven,' dead-Chatterton. Even from the cot flown now is happiness: Minsters alone can boast the holy Saint: Now doth our England' wear a bloody dress, And with her champions' gore her visage paint. Peace fled, Disorder shows her face dark-brow'd, And through the air doth fly in garments stained with blood. ECLOGUE THE THIRD. A Man; a Woman; Sir Roger. Wouldst thou ken Nature in her better part? In them you see the naked form of kind. Would it hear phrase of vulgar from the hind, Man. But whither, fair maid, do ye go? I will know whither you go, I will not be answered nay. Woman. To Robin and Nell, all down in the dell, Man. Sir Roger, the parson, hath hired me there; Come, come, let us trip it away: We'll work, and we'll sing, and we'll drink of strong beer, 'Doeth Englonde.'-Chatterton. 2 Peace fledde, disorder sheweth her dark rode.' ('Rode,' complexion.) -Chatterton. |