With a thousand Moors surrounded, Cold at length the warrior lay. Near him fighting great Alonzo Furious press the hostile squadron, Where yon rock the plain o'ershadows, * * ALCANZOR AND ZAYDA, A MOORISH TALE. IMITATED FROM THE SPANISH. SOFTLY blow the evening breezes, In yon palace lives fair Zaida, Waiting for the appointed minute, Sometimes quick, and sometimes slow. A few stanzas, which seemed to be of inferior merit, were not translated. Hope and fear alternate teize him, Lovely seems the moon's fair lustre Lovely seems the sun's full glory But a thousand times more lovely Tip-toe stands the anxious lover, Tell me, am I doom'd to die? Is it true the dreadful story, An old lord from Antiquera Thy stern father brings along; If 'tis true now plainly tell me, Deeply sigh'd the conscious maiden, 1 Alla is the Mahometan name of God. Our fond friendship is discover'd, Threats, reproaches, fears surround me; Ancient wounds of hostile fury Long have rent our house and thine; Why then did thy shining merit Win this tender heart of mine? Well thou know'st how dear I lov'd thee Well thou know'st what cruel chidings I no longer may resist them; All, to force my hand combine; And to-morrow to thy rival This weak frame I must resign. Yet think not thy faithful Zaida Soon, lov'd youth, some worthier maiden To him all amaz'd, confounded, Canst thou think I thus will lose thee? Canst thou, wilt thou yield thus to them? This fond heart shall bleed to save thee, These fond arms shall shelter thee. 'Tis in vain, in vain, Alcanzor, Spies surround me, bars secure : Hark, I hear my father storming! END OF SERIES THE FIRST. SERIES THE SECOND. Book E. RICHARD OF ALMAIGNE, FROM a very ancient MS. (Harl. MSS. 2253 s. 23) in the British Museum, and supposed to be not later than the time of Richard II. The ballad was "made by one of the adherents of Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester, soon after the battle of Lewes, May 14th, 1264." Α few words will explain this antique libel. The battle followed the failure of the Barons to procure a peace by a payment of 30,000l. to the brother of Henry III. The King, Prince Edward his son, his brother Richard, and many of his friends fell into the hands of their enemies; while two great Barons of the king's party, John Earl of Warren, and Hugh Bigot, the king's Justiciary, escaped into France. This Ballad is said to have been a chief cause of the law made in the third year of Edward I., “Against slanderous reports or tales, to cause discord betwixt king and people." In the first stanza the sum of 30,000l., as the demand of the king's brother, is misrepresented. In the second stanza the reader is to remember that Richard, with the Earldom of Cornwall, had the honours of Wallingford and Eyre confirmed to him, on his marriage with Sanchia, daughter of the Count of Provence, in 1243. The third stanza refers to the flight of Richard, who took refuge in a windmill which he defended for some time, but in the evening was obliged to surrender. The fourth stanza is explained by the clamour against the attendants whom Richard was about to bring over from Italy in 1259. In the fifth stanza the writer regrets the escape of the Earl of Warren; and in the sixth and seventh stanzas, he intimates the peril of the Earl of Warren and Sir Hugh Bigot, in the event of their capture. This allusion fixes the date of the Ballad; for in 1265 they landed in South Wales, and the Royal party soon afterwards gained the upper hand. SITTETH' alle stille, ant herkneth to me; Ant so he dude more. Richard, thah" thou be ever trichard," 1 Sitteth, &c.-Sit ye all still, and hearken unto me. 2 Alemaigne-Germany. 5 Thah-though. 3 Leaute-loyalty. Trichard-treacherous. • Pees-peace. 7 Trichthen-deceive. |