&utm of Itpsitone palace. 145 



King Edward enlivens with his presence ; from the 

 embattled parapets of which he can survey the smiling 

 and well-peopled landscape. 



A fine young oak grew on the west side of Clipstone 

 Palace in the days of John ; it was noticed at that time 

 for its girth and height, and was much admired by many 

 who resided within the park. Parties were assembled 

 occasionally beneath its shade, and the minstrel would 

 wake up his harp in a fine summer evening. Those 

 who loved his lays gathered around him, and while they 

 listened to the deep music that he poured forth, and to 

 the thrilling strains by which it was accompanied, the 

 sun often set below the horizon, and his beams shed a 

 purple light on the rising ground, while the plain country 

 and the woods were covered with the mists of evening. 

 Had the tree a voice, or could its leaves form words 

 when shaken by the wind, how much of ancient history 

 how many tales of loves and woes of human suffering 

 and human joys, would be unfolded ! The tree looks 

 not now as it did then ; somewhat of its grace has passed 

 away, but there is more of majesty ; the branches are 

 exceeding ample, and the stem is beginning to be slightly 

 furrowed. Knights and ladies still sit beneath its shade, 

 as in the days of John, and the minstrel's harp is awakened 

 at their bidding, while the same bright sun is setting in 

 his glory behind the hills, on which the inmates of the 

 palace looked in bygone days. The same hopes and 

 joys the same ties of family and of kindred, were 

 among them as among those of the present day. Modi- 



H 



