161 



For shelter to the tangled reeda 



Ten thousand fugitives repair ; 

 The grebes are diving in the weeds 



Herns shriek, and wild swans whistle there. 



Returning from King Henry's court, 

 Prince Gruffydd sought tlie wide domain, 



Which homage, by subjection taught. 

 Preserved of his extensive reign. 



Earl Milo, old Brechelniog'.s lord, 

 And Ewyas' chief of Norman l)lood. 



Friends of the royal heart and board. 

 Beside the pensive Britain rede : 



And tauntingly Earl Milo smiled, 

 And spoke, as near the brink they drew ; 



And all tlie surface vast and wild, 

 Serenely noble, lay in view. 



" It is a legend of the Lake, 



That when the Lord of Wales shall say— 

 ' Ye birds your herald songs awake !' 



These birds his bidding will obey.'' 



" Then be it yours," the Welshman said, 

 " Who hold dominion o'er the land ; 



Lords of the castle and the blade, 

 To issue forth the high command I" 



They paused. Earl Milo's thundering voice. 

 Which oft had moved the ranks of war. 



Now pealed a solitary noise. 

 Whose echoes rang from shore to sliore. 



Tlien Payn-Fitz-John with angry speech 

 Adjures the magic Lake in vain. 



While smiling retinues impeach. 

 In whispered words the Norman reign. 



Prince Gruffydd knew misfortune's place, 

 Yet scorned the petty sneer of pride : 



Nor chose that his illustrious race 

 llis prosperous foeman should deride. 



Dismovinting towards the east he kneels, 

 As champions ere they meet the foe ; 



His gesture silently reveals 

 A heart in supplication low. 



At length he rose, with solemn air. 

 Then crossed his forehead and his breast. 



And looking upward thus in prayer. 

 Aloud his fathers' God addressed : — 



" Oh, let thy providence and power 

 The line of British sovereigns own. 



And vocal birds proclaim this hoar 

 The heir of southern Cambria's throne !" 



He spoke, the smitten Lake grew bright, 

 AVith flash of many a humid wing ; 



In solemn notes that breathe delight, 

 Obedient birds their anthem sing. 



