THE TWO WIZARDS 



XII 



Once again the maid, appearing, 

 After many a year had past, 



Prest his lip with kiss endearing. 

 Broke the spell of life at last. 



TIdc Two Wizards 



GIVE ear, ye who dwell in the Tarporley Vale, 

 While I tell you of Beeston a wonderful tale ; 

 Where its crag, castle-crown'd, overhanging the 



steep. 

 Noddles down like the head of an old man asleep, 

 A cavern is scoop'd, though unseen by the eye, 

 In the side of that rock, where it stands high and dry. 

 There has dwelt for long ages, and there dwelleth 



still, 

 A Magician — believe it or not, as you will ; 

 He was there when Earl Blundevill laid the first 



stone 

 Of those walls, now with ivy and moss overgrown ; 

 He was there when King Henry proclaim'd himself 



Lord, 

 When he belted his son with the Palatine sword ; 

 He to King Richard gave up this stronghold, 

 Therein to deposit his jewels and gold ; 

 He was there when the Puritans mounted the steep. 

 And defied the king's troops from its garrison'd keep ; 

 And there stood this Wizard to witness the fight. 

 When Rupert's good sword put those rebels to flight. 



u 153 



