FAIR being, glad as fair, thus moving free And sunny hearts, and lips, all that is sung By poets of beauty, liveth in thine eyes, And in thy bosom-beautiful, and young! I have not, when I gaze on thee, one thought Left for old Bacchus, and his mirth and wine; I see thee only, with thy clusters caught Fondly and freely from the blushing vine ; See thy glad graceful step, thy living eye, And wish thy life as radiant as thy sky CROMWELL-HOUSE: OR, Three Scenes IN THE LIFE OF A COMMONWEALTH'S MAN. ["Cromwell-house" is the appellation of a substantial old mansion of red brick, which still exists in good repair, at the top of the bank as you enter the village of Highgate by the Holloway road. It is known by tradition to have been, during the Commonwealth, the residence of General Ireton, Cromwell's son-in-law; and the military carvings and adornments with which its interior is decorated, afford additional evidence of the fact. It is chiefly interesting as a place in which some of the most distinguished men of that eventful period, Cromwell, Milton, Marvell, Ireton, &c. frequently assembled. On the opposite side of the road stands "Lauderdale House,"— now occupied as a boarding school, but about the period of the Restoration, the suburban villa of the crafty nobleman of that name. It is reported to have been for some time the residence of the celebrated Nell Gwyn. The house of Andrew Marvell also still exists in the same vicinity.] "That opportunity! lo! it comes yonder, Approaching with swift steeds --- then, with a swing Throw thyself up into the chariot seat, Seize with firm hands the reins. The moment comes -- The constellations stand victorious o'er thee-- The planets shoot good fortune in fair junctions, Coleridge's Wallenstein. A SPIRIT stirring scene did the quiet little village of Highgate display, one bright summer's morning in the memorable year 1642; for up the then steep side of its picturesque hill, and along its only road, toiled in long succession pikemen in plain iron caps and breastplates, bearing their tall pikes in glittering and bristling array,―matchlock men, in their quaintly jagged buffcoats, with belt, bandeliers, and bullet-pouch, the ponderous matchlock slung across the shoulder, and the touchwood match carried in readiness in the hand,and, lastly, a gallant array of well-mounted troopers, wearing half-armour, and trebly supplied with offensive weapons in the form of a pair of huge pistols, a large basket hilted sword, and a long dagger inserted in the girdle. A "goodly company" did they seem, as they slowly but proudly passed along with banners borne aloft, each with emblem and motto expressive of the final success of their cause; Skippon's, with the hand and sword, and its characteristic inscription, "Ora et pugna;" Haselrigge's, with the anchor in the clouds, and the words, "Only in Heaven;" and that flag, which eventually waved above the prostrate lions of the royal standard, with its sword and olive branch, and the motto, "Pax quæritur bello." It was indeed a spiritstirring scene; for these were no mercenary hirelings trafficking their blood for pay, still less were they the profligate opponents of all lawful rule, those worst enemies of freedom, "who licence mean, when they cry liberty;" but men, who deemed themselves called by Heaven to lift the sword, and "who being well fenced within by satisfaction of their own consciences, and without by good iron arms, would as one man stand firmly and charge desperately." "Who can sit idly at home, and see the good cause fought for at our very doors," cried a middle aged man, whose pale and worn looks seemed fairly to allow him that licence; 66 so, good cousin Heywood, take charge of my poor boy, and send him down to my brother; my purpose is fixed, and I will forthwith off to the Parliament army." 66 Cousin Mayhew, ye mean not so!" cried master Heywood; " 'twill shorten your life." "And what is life in comparison with this great cause?" cried the enthusiastic sick man; "it hath been borne in upon my mind that my time is short; and how better shall I spend that remnant than by lifting the sword of the Lord ?" Master Heywood drew back in amazement: “Good cousin, the Parliament may be in the right — heaven forbid I should not say so, seeing it is carrying things with so high a hand-but, had we not better wait for farther light? The king hath had store of plate sent to him at York, and there is talk of arms and troops from Holland what if affairs should turn again, and then we find that we have gone a warfare on our own charges?" "Affairs will not turn again," cried the enthusiast, to whom the ardent aspirations of an imaginative mind bore the impress of supernatural revelation; "this cause is of God, and it shall prevail!" "An answer—a manifest answer to our doubts and misgivings!" said an officer of the troop that had just passed, and who was then following slowly along with two or three of the company. "Thanks, good brother, for that comforting word. I have had not a few challenges as to our success, but this is a manifest answer." |