Frected during the reign of Henry Vill, afterwards the Inson of Charles 1"

But, daughter, thou art good and kind, And I will tell thee true,"

He paused for o'er his forehead came Large drops, like chilling dew.

"When civil war, with countless ills,
This suffering land dismayed,
All reckless of her woes I lived,
And plied my savage trade;
Full many a high and gallant head
My axe hath shred away,

And I was boisterous in my cups,

When there was need to pray!

"Once, on a bitter, wintry time,

Five weeks from Christmas tide, When in Rosemary lane we lived, Ere your poor mother died,Stout Axtell drew me from my home, Stern man he was and grim,And with a heavy golden bribe Urged me to wend with him.

"A butcher's coat, a sable mask, Did form and face enshrine,

And well such hideous garb beseemed A deed so foul as mine;

To Whitehall's stately dome he led,
And at that palace fair,

Strange sight!-a scaffold rudely frowned,
And axe and block were there.

"Then from that fair and princely hall,
Where oft the feast was spread,
He came, the anointing oil who bore
Upon his royal head:

As noble was his lofty brow,

As clear his dauntless tone,

As when a sceptred hand he raised
Upon his father's throne.

"A single prelate, bathed in tears,
A friend in sorrow tried,

A soldier with uncovered head,*
Alone, were near his side,-
While all around a countless throng
Like blackening cloud did lower,
That erst, with pæans loud and long,
Would laud his day of power.

"His hour had come-I bowed me down,

There on that fatal spot,

To crave the pardon of my king,

But he forgave me not!

*Bishop Juxson, Sir Thomas Herbert, and Colonel Tomlinson.