44 JOHN LESPEEANCE : THE POETS OF CANADA. 



The subject of the poem is Bacchus' wooiug aud wiuniug of the maid, the accoiiut of 

 which is aglow with the poetry of passion. 



Launcelot and the Four Queens is another Tennysoniau reminiscence, but so exquisite is 

 the workmanship that a special charm pervades it all. See how Launcelot du Lac is 

 depicted asleep : 



" 'Neath the fruit-trees latticed shade 

 An errant knight at length is laid, 



In opiate noon's deep slumher sunk ; 

 His helm, well proved in conflict's stern. 

 Lies in a tuft of tender fern 



Against the mossy trunk. 



A robin on a branch above, 

 Nodding by his dreaming love, 



AVhere four blue eggs are hatched not yet. 

 Winks, and watches unconcerned 

 A spider o'er the helm upturned 



Weaving his careful net. 



The sleeper's hair falls curling fair 

 From off his forehead broad, and bare. 



Entangling violets faint and pale ; 

 Beside his cheek a primrose gleams, 

 And breathes her sweetness through his dreams. 



Till grown too sweet they fail." 



Four queens of great estate come riding by, aud very properly fall in love with the sleeping 

 knight. They weave a spell of witchery above his eyes, and bear him homeward on his 

 shield by the aid of their men-at-arms. He is locked up in a high chamber aud plied 

 with the wiles of the beautiful cjueens, but remains faithful to Guinevere, and is finally 

 rescued by one of the damsels of the court. Let the Royal Society send a word of greeting 

 to Mr. Roberts, and encourage him to go on cixltivating a talent which must inevitably 

 lead him to fame. 



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