94 2TJK Nut-2Tm of Mogamonli's (Sra&e. 



to rest in that open grave ; and when the bishop died, 

 they gathered her bones from out the place of their in- 

 terment into a bag, which they inclosed in a leather 

 case, and tenderly deposited before the altar. 



The altar has long since been broken, and the place 

 wherein the memorial tent, with its pall of fair white 

 silk, was stationed, is roofless now. Instead of tapers 

 burning round, and emblazoned banners waving over, 

 springs up a solitary nut-tree the Nut-tree of Rosa- 

 mond's grave. It bears a profusion of nuts, but without 

 kernels, empty as the deceptive pleasures of this world's 

 pageants. * 



And silent too, sad, vacant, and unpeopled, is the 

 mound on which once stood the castle of William 

 Longespe, poor Rosamond's eldest son. It was a drear 

 and treeless elevation, rising over the wide extent of 

 downs, that were seen spreading far as the eye could 

 reach ; yet there were glad hearts within, young children 

 and cheerful voices, the lady Ela and William Longespe, 

 with their visitors and dependants, and those who came 

 and went, making that stately castle to seem a royal 

 residence. 



William Longespe was distinguished for his chivalry 

 and feats of arms, the lady Ela for her mild and benig- 

 nant virtues. They had married in early life, and her 

 estates and honours, according to the customs of the 

 feudal ages, had served to enoble a brave and deserving 

 * Southey's visit to Godstow nunnery. CAMDEN. 



