An early and constant subscriber to the Mirror is very much pleased with the view of Magna Charta Island, in No. 467; but there is something more attached to this spot than the Editor seems aware of.

About half a mile from Magna Charta Island, on the right bank of the river, in the parish of Wyrardisbury, is a farm house, for many years past in the occupation of a family of the name of "Groome," as tenants to the late Alderman Gill, holding an estate in the aforesaid parish. This farm house was a residence of King John, whose arms are beautifully, painted, or emblazoned, on stained glass in the windows of the house.

In the kitchen of this farm-house is, or has been, a table of antique manufacture, upon which the identical Magna Charta was signed, and upon which the writer hereof has written and sealed many a letter, and partaken of many a glass of home-brewed ale, and bread and cheese equally homely—that is, genuine. This table is considered as an heir loom in the family of Mr. Gill, and if removed at all, has been removed to the manor-house.

It is an erroneous idea that Magna Charta was signed on Runnymede: it was signed on Magna Charta Island, which goes a great way to prove the identity of the table. If reference is made to the signing of treaties generally, as well in ancient as in modern times, it will appear that they have been signed at a distance from the scene of action; each party (particularly in feudal times) being attended by an equal number of adherents, to prevent surprise or stratagem.

The writer hereof has caught many a trout and perch off the banks opposite to the island, and has passed many a contemplative hour on the events of former ages, which have rendered the spot particularly interesting.

Gray's Walk, Lambeth.

*** If the writer is not mistaken, Magna Charta Island is an appurtenant to the manor of Wyrardisbury, and adjoins an estate called Ankerwicke, upon the grounds of which are the remains of an ancient monastery, or priory.

THE WATER KING'S BRIDE

FROM THE GERMAN OF SCHILLER

(For the Mirror.)

Light o'er the water the sun's ray glanc'd, While the youths and maidens of Tubingen danc'd. A stranger youth of noble mien, Proffered his hand to the village queen. "Youth, say why is thine hand so white? The water knows not the daybeams light; Youth, oh why is so cold thine arm, Can it in Neckar's flood be warm?" He led her away from the lime-tree's shade; "Return my daughter," her mother said. He led her on to the stream so clear, "Oh youth let me go, for I tremble with fear." He danc'd till they reach'd the Neckar's bank, One shriek, one plunge, in the wave they sank. "Farewell, farewell, to thee, Tubingen's pride, Maiden, thou art the Water King's Bride."

WOMAN

(For the Mirror.)

The following curious compliment to the fair sex is extracted from an old play, entitled "Cupid's Whirligig:"—

"Who would abuse your sex that knows it? O Woman! were we not born of you?—should we not then honour you? Nursed by you, and not regard you? Made for you, and not seek you! And since we were made before you, should we not live and admire you as the last and most perfect work of Nature? Man was made when Nature was but an apprentice; but Woman when she was a skilful mistress of her art. By your love we live in double breath, even in our offspring after death. Are not all vices masculine, and virtues feminine? Are not the muses the loves of the learned? Do not all noble spirits follow the graces because they are women? There is but one phoenix, and she is a female. Was not the princess and foundress of good arts, Minerva, born of the brain of highest Jove, a woman? Has not woman the face of love, the tongue of persuasion, and the body of delight? O divine, perfectioned woman! If to be of thy sex is so excellent, what is it then to be a woman enriched by nature, made excellent by education, noble by birth, chaste by virtue, adorned by beauty!—a fair woman, which is the ornament of heaven, the grace of earth, the joy of life, and the delight of all sense, even the very summum bonum of man's existence."

Burns must have had somewhat of the same idea as that which I have underlined, when he wrote—

"Her 'prentice han' she tried on man, And then she made the lasses O!"

JAC-CO.

THE VICTORY OF THE CID

(For the Mirror.)

The subject of the following lines is mentioned in the traditional histories of Spain: that on one occasion, to insure victory in a nocturnal attack on the Moslem camp, the body of the Cid was taken from the tomb, and carried in complete armour to the field of battle.

Not a voice was heard at our hour of need, When we plac'd the corse on his barbed steed, Save one, that the blessing gave. Not a light beam'd on the charnel porch Save the glare which flash'd from the warrior's torch, O'er the death-pale face of the brave. We press'd the helm on his ghastly head, We bound a sword to the hand of the dead, When the Cid went forth to fight. Oh where was Castile's battle cry, The shout of St. James and victory, And the Christians stalwart might? The winds swept by with mournful blast, And sigh'd through the plumes of the dead as he past, Through troublous skies the clouds flitted fast, And the moon her pale beam faintly cast, Where the red cross banner stream'd, But each breeze bore the shouts of the Moslem throng, Each sigh was echoed by Paynim song; Where the silvery crescent beam'd. Undrawn was the rein, and his own good sword Ungrasp'd by the nerveless hand of its lord; His steed pac'd on with solemn tread, 'Neath the listless weight of the mighty deed. But each warrior's heart beat high, As he mark'd the beacon's wavering flash, And heard the Moorish cymbal clash, For he knew that the Cid was nigh. We bore him back to his silent bed, When his plumes with Paynim blood were red, And the mass was sung, and the prayer was said For the conqueror from the grave. We wrapp'd him again in his funeral vest, We placed his sword on the clay cold breast, And o'er the place of the hero's rest, Bade Castile's banner wave.

Страница 2 из 12

Назад 1 2 3…12 Далее

The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 17, No. 472, January 22, 1831

AI-разбор доступен после входа

О книге

Читать онлайн

MAGNA CHARTA ISLAND

(To the Editor.)

THE WATER KING'S BRIDE

FROM THE GERMAN OF SCHILLER

(For the Mirror.)

WOMAN

(For the Mirror.)

THE VICTORY OF THE CID

(For the Mirror.)

Вам также может понравиться

The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 10, No. 279, October 20, 1827

The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 10, No. 262, July 7, 1827

The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 10, No. 264, July 14, 1827

The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 10, No. 276, October 6, 1827

The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 14, No. 385, August 15, 1829

The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 14, No. 399, Supplementary Number

The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 10, No. 273, September 15, 1827

The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 20, No. 582, December 22, 1832

The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 10, No. 268, August 11, 1827

The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 12, No. 331, September 13, 1828

The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 12, No. 333, September 27, 1828

The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 13. Index to Volume 13