FOOTNOTES:
[90] Part of the abbey remains; but there is no trace of the tomb, which was of gray marble. That portion of the edifice is entirely destroyed.
[91] The river Lea, near which the abbey called Waltham Holy Cross was founded.
[92] There is a quaint epitaph in Speed, describing him as having been buried in a convent at Lewes. I have so far adhered to historical tradition, as to represent him under the character and in the habit of a religious order. The abbey founded by his father seemed more appropriate than a convent or cell at Lewes. The wife of Harold is not introduced at the funeral, as she had fled to a convent.
[93] Altered from the real name for the sake of euphony. I have also taken the liberty of representing the "religious" at Waltham Abbey as monks, although they were in fact canons.
[94] Spurnhead, at the entrance to the Humber.
[95] Fratres Helenæ.
[96] This town and castle have vanished, but the name has often been recorded in English history.
[97] A comet appeared at the time of Harold's coronation.
[98] Hardrada of Norway had invaded England a short time before the arrival of William. Harold defeated him with immense slaughter in the north, and was called from thence to a more desperate and fatal struggle.
[99] One family only was saved in the massacre of the Normans at York.
[100] Harold's banner had the device of an armed knight.
[101] Robert of Normandy.
[102] William Rufus, called the Red King.
[103] It is a singular fact, that the name of Editha Pulcherrima occurs in Domesday (see Turner).
[104] This temple Camden places at Delgovitia.
[105] William took the field in spring
[106] In some accounts it is said the only inscription on the tomb was, "Infelix Harold."
[107] The Saxon line was restored through the sister of Atheling.
[108] A daughter of Harold married Waldimir of Russia.
[109] The picture is taken from an original, preserved in Drake, in which William and his barons are thus represented. He is shown in the act of presenting his nephew Alain with the forfeited lands of Earl Edwin.
[110] Waltham is, literally, the Ham in the Wold.
[111] For this epitaph, see Speed.
ST JOHN IN PATMOS.
ADVERTISEMENT.
This poem was first published under the name of "One of the Living Poets of Great Britain." I have thought it best to revise and publish it in my own name, and as it is the last written by me, and the last I may ever live to write, I have added, from volumes long out of print, some selected verses of my earliest days of song.[112]
Since these were written, I have lived to hear the sounds of other harps, whose masters have struck far more sublime chords, and died. I have lived to see among them females[113] of the highest poetical rank, and many illustrious masters of the lyre, whose names I need not specify, crowned with younger and more verdant laurels, which they yet gracefully wear. Some who now rank high in the poet's art have acknowledged that their feelings were first excited by these youthful strains, which I have now, with melancholy feelings, revised for the last time.
It is a consolation that, from youth to age, I have found no line I wished to blot, or departed a moment from the severer taste which I imbibed from the simplest and purest models of classical composition.
Time—Four days.
Characters.—St John—Mysterious Stranger—Præfect of the Roman Guard—Robber of Mount Carmel, converted—Grecian Girl and Dying Libertine—Elders of Ephesus—Visions.