188 Stonehenge and its Barrows. 



Betwixt the Mercian's rule and the West Saxons reign. 

 And therefore of his place himself he proudly hare) 

 Had very oft been heard with Stonendge to compare; 

 Whom for a paltry ditch, when Stonendge pleased t^upbraid. 

 The old man taking heart, thus to that trophy said : 

 'Dull heap, that thus thy head above the rest dost rear. 

 Precisely yet not know'st who first did place thee there ; 

 But traytor basely turned, to Merlin's skill dost fly. 

 And with his magicks dost thy maker's truth bely; 

 Conspirator with time, now grown so mean and poor 

 Comparing these his spirits with those that went before ; 

 Yet rather art content thy builder's praise to lose, 

 Than passed greatness should thy present wants disclose. 

 Ill did those mighty men to trust thee with their story. 

 That hast forgot their names, who rear'd thee for their glory: 

 For all their wondrous cost, thou hast serv'd them so. 

 What 'tis to trust to tombs, by thee we eas'ly know.' " 



Spenser, in the second book, tenth canto, of the "Faerie Queene," 

 speaking of Hengist's treacherous attack on the three hundred lords 

 " all setting at his bord," adds : — 



" Whose dolefuU moniments who list to rew, 

 Th' eternall marks of treason may at Stoneheng vew ; " 



and of Aurelius that he 



" peaceably did rayne. 

 Till that through poyson stopped was his breath. 

 So now entombed lies at Stoneheng by the heath." 



The following sonnet is by Dr. Thomas Warton : — 



Thou noblest monument of Albion's isle, 

 Whether by Merlin's aid, from Scythia's shore 

 To Amber's fatal plain, Pendragon bore. 

 Huge frame of giant hands the mighty pile, 

 T'entomb his Britons, slain by Hengist's guile : 

 Or Druid priests, sprinkled with human gore. 



