...
The far-seen groves around the hermit's cell,
The merry fiddle dinning up the dell,
The joyous dancing in the hostry court—
But now,
high song and every joy farewell,
Farewell the very shade of fair disport."
In the second Eclogue, a good son invokes blessings on his father, who is gone with the crusaders to Palestine. He describes with much animation the voyage, the landing in Syria, the warring Saracens, King Richard of lion's heart, and anticipates victory and the return to England.
"Thus Nigel said, when from the azure sea
The swollen sail did dance before his eyne.