(Such it may seem) if I thy crown have borne, Thy royal mantle worn:

I was their natural guardian; and 't is just That now I should restore what hath been held in trust."

Awhile the astonished Artegal stood mute,
Then thus exclaimed: "To me, of titles shorn,
And stripped of power! me, feeble, destitute,
To me a kingdom! Spare the bitter scorn:
If justice ruled the breast of foreign kings,
Then, on the wide-spread wings

Of war, had I returned to claim my right;
This will I here avow, not dreading thy despite."

"I do not blame thee," Elidure replied;
"But, if my looks did with my words agree,
I should at once be trusted, not defied,

And thou from all disquietude be free.
May the unsullied Goddess of the chase,
Who to this blessed place

At this blest moment led me, if I speak
With insincere intent, on me her vengeance wreak!

"Were this same spear which in my hand I grasp
The British sceptre, here would I to thee
The symbol yield; and would undo this clasp,
If it confined the robe of sovereignty.

Odious to me the pomp of regal court,

And joyless sylvan sport,

While thou art roving, wretched and forlorn, Thy couch the dewy earth, thy roof the forest thorn!"

Then Artegal thus spake: "I only sought
Within this realm a place of safe retreat :
Beware of rousing an ambitious thought;
Beware of kindling hopes, for me unmeet !
Thou art reputed wise, but in my mind
Art pitiably blind:

Full soon this generous purpose thou mayst rue,
When that which has been done no wishes can

undo.

"Who, when a crown is fixed upon his head, Would balance claim with claim, and right with

right?

But thou - I know not how inspired, how led— Wouldst change the course of things in all men's

sight!

And this for one who cannot imitate

Thy virtue, who may hate :

For, if, by such strange sacrifice restored,

He reign, thou still must be his king, and sovereign lord;

"Lifted in magnanimity above

Aught that my feeble nature could perform,
Or even conceive; surpassing me in love
Far as in power the eagle doth the worm:

I, Brother! only should be king in name,

And govern to my shame;

A shadow in a hated land, while all

Of glad or willing service to thy share would fall."

"Believe it not," said Elidure; “respect
Awaits on virtuous life, and ever most

Attends on goodness with dominion decked,
Which stands the universal empire's boast;
This can thy own experience testify:
Nor shall thy foes deny

That, in the gracious opening of thy reign,
Our father's spirit seemed in thee to breathe again.

"And what if o'er that bright unbosoming
Clouds of disgrace and envious fortune passed!
Have we not seen the glories of the spring
By veil of noontide darkness overcast?
The frith that glittered like a warrior's shield,
The sky, the gay green field,

Are vanished; gladness ceases in the groves,
And trepidation strikes the blackened mountain-

coves.

"But is that gloom dissolved? how passing clear Seems the wide world, far brighter than before! Even so thy latent worth will reappear, Gladdening the people's heart from shore to shore; For youthful faults ripe virtues shall atone; Reseated on thy throne,

Proof shalt thou furnish that misfortune, pain, And sorrow have confirmed thy native right to reign.

"But, not to overlook what thou mayst know,
Thy enemies are neither weak nor few;
And circumspect must be our course, and slow,
Or from my purpose ruin may ensue.

Dismiss thy followers; - let them calmly wait
Such change in thy estate

As I already have in thought devised;

And which, with caution due, may soon be realized."

The story tells what courses were pursued,
Until King Elidure, with full consent
Of all his peers, before the multitude,
Rose, and, to consummate this just intent,
Did place upon his brother's head the crown,
Relinquished by his own;

Then to his people cried, "Receive your lord,
Gorbonian's first-born son, your rightful king re-

stored!"

The people answered with a loud acclaim:
Yet more; - heart-smitten by the heroic deed,
The reinstated Artegal became

Earth's noblest penitent; from bondage freed
Of vice,

- thenceforth unable to subvert

Or shake his high desert.

Long did he reign; and when he died, the tear
Of universal grief bedewed his honored bier.

Thus was a Brother by a Brother saved;
With whom a crown (temptation that hath set
Discord in hearts of men, till they have braved
Their nearest kin with deadly purpose met)
'Gainst duty weighed, and faithful love, did seem
A thing of no esteem;

And, from this triumph of affection pure,
He bore the lasting name of "pious Elidure"!

III.

1815.

TO A BUTTERFLY.

I'VE watched you now a full half-hour
Self-poised upon that yellow flower;
And, little Butterfly! indeed

I know not if you sleep or feed.

How motionless! - not frozen seas

-

More motionless! - and then

What joy awaits you, when the breeze
Hath found you out among the trees,
And calls you forth again!

This plot of orchard-ground is ours;
My trees they are, my Sister's flowers:
Here rest your wings when they are weary;
Here lodge as in a sanctuary!