Hoel; A Cambrian Tale, in Three Cantos (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1835 Excerpt: ... While deep in Snowdon's craggy vales, The martial sons of conquering Wales Triumphant pass'd the joyous day, In solitary silence lay The ruins of Montgomm'ry's hold, In smoking piles of ashes roll'd. But when, low bending towards the west, In dazzling robes of glory dress'd, The sun appeared; a Cambrian sage, Still vig'rous in declining age, Approached the spot, where lately soared The standard of the Norman lord, Whose truncheon late, in regal pride, Throughout that fertile region wide, On Britain's tribes imposed the yoke, And long their stubborn spirits broke; Full well the stranger's mien proclaimed A bard, in tuneful science famed; The silver beard and forehead high, His visage stamped with dignity, While o'er his reverend shoulders slung, A graceful harp unheeded hung. Along the swampy banks of sedge, By reedy Severn's sloping edge, Unconscious of the scene he viewed; Wandering he gazed upon the flood, Till on the lofty mound he stood, Where late De Clifford's castle rose, The stronghold of his country's foes. II. Here first his course the poet stayed, And with triumphant glance, surveyed That pile of architecture vast, Beneath his feet disjointed cast; Though, blended with his joy, the trace Of sorrow, on his aged face, Was graven deep: his harp on earth He placed; then found his accents birth; While, rising in harmonious chime, Rang from the chords his strains sublime. SONG. Hail, magnificent scene to my infancy dear, When the spirit of Morgan was light as the breeze Which, at eventide, curls through the firmament clear, Soft waving the foliage that muffles yon trees. Never then had the warriors of Albion appeared On the wilds of Plynlymmon, with shield and with glaive; Never then had the tyrant his pennon upreared, --Of cravens the terror--the scou..