Here friends were feasted—here confined were foes. 30
In distant chambers, with her female train,
Dwelt the fair partner of his awful reign.
Curb’d by no laws, his vassal-tribe he sway’d—
The Lord commanded, and the slave obey’d.
No soft’ning arts in those fierce times were found,
But rival Barons spread their terrors round;
Each, in the fortress of his power, secure,
Of foes was fearless, and of soldiers sure;
And here the chieftain, for his prowess praised,