3 vols., in 1867; "The New England Tragedies," in 1868; and a complete edition of his Poetical Works," in 1869. In 1845 he published "The Poets and Poetry of Europe," the most complete and satisfactory work of the kind that has ever appeared in any language. The high finish, gracefulness, and vivid beauty of his style, and the moral purity and earnest humanity portrayed in his verse, excite the sympathy and reach the heart of the public.

SECTION VII.

I.

27. LORD WILLIAM.

1.

O eye beheld when William plunged young Edmund in the stream,

N°

No human ear but William's heard young Edmund's drowning scream.
Submissive all the vassals owned the murderer for their lord ;
And he as rightful heir possessed the house of Erlingford.

2.

The ancient house of Erlingford stood in a fair domain,

And Severn's' ample waters near rolled through the fertile plain.
And often the wayfaring man would love to linger there,
Forgetful of his onward road, to gaze on scenes so fair.

3.

But never could Lord William dare to gaze on Severn's stream;
In every wind that swept its waves he heard young Edmund's scream!
In vain at midnight's silent hour, sleep closed the murderer's eyes,
In every dream the murderer saw young Edmund's form arise!

4.

In vain by restless conscience driven Lord William left his home,
Far from the scenes that saw his guilt, in pilgrimage to roam;
To other climes the pilgrim fled, but could not fly despair;
He sought his home again, but peace was still a stranger there.

5.

Slow were the passing hours, yet swift the months appeared to roll;
And now the day returned that shook with terror William's soul.
A day that William never felt return without dismay,
For well had conscience calendared young Edmund's dying day.

'Sĕv' ern, one of the principal rivers of England and Wales.

6.

A fearful day was that! the rains fell fast with tempest rōar,
And the swollen tide of Severn spread far on the level shōre.
In vain Lord William sought the feast, in vain he quaffed the bowl,
And strove with noisy mirth to drown the anguish of his soul.

7.

The tempest, as its sudden swell in gusty howlings came,

With cold and death-like feelings seemed to thrill his shuddering frame
Reluctant now, as night came on, his lonely couch he pressed;
And, wearied out, he sunk to sleep-to sleep-but not to rest.

8.

Beside that couch, his brother's form, Lord Edmund, seemed to stand,
Such and so pale as when in death he grasped his brother's hand;
Such and so pale his face as when, with faint and faltering tongue,
To William's care, a dying charge, he left his orphan son.

9.

"I både thee with a father's love my orphan Edmund guard;—'
Well, William, hast thou kept thy charge! now, take thy due reward.
He started up, each limb convulsed with agonizing fear;
He only heard the storm of night-'twas music to his ear.

10.

When, lo! the voice of loud alarm his inmost soul appalls: "What ho! Lord William, rise in haste! the water saps thy walls!" He rose in haste, beneath the walls he saw the flood appear;

It hemmed him round, 'twas midnight now —no human aid was near.

11.

He heard a shout of joy! for now a boat approached the wall,
And eager to the welcome aid they crowd for safety all.
"My boat is small," the boatman cried, "'twill bear but one ǎwãy;
Come in, Lord William, and do ye in God's protection stay."

12.

Strange feelings filled them at his voice even in that hour of woe, That, save their lord, there was not one who wished with him to go. But William leapt into the boat, his terror was so sōre;

"Thou shalt have half my gold," he cried, "haste, haste, to yonder shōre!"

13.

The boatman plied the oar, the boat went light ǎlong the stream; Sudden Lord William heard a cry like Edmund's drowning scream. The boatman paused: "Methought I heard a child's distressful cry!"“"Twas but the howling wind of night,” Lord William made reply.

14.

"Haste-haste-ply swift and strong the oar; haste—haste ǎcross the

stream !"

Again Lord William heard a cry like Edmund's drowning scream! “I heard a child's distressful scream," the boatman cried again. "Nay, hästen on-the night is dark—and we should search in vain.”

15.

"O God! Lord William, dost thou know how dreadful 'tis to die? And canst thou without pity hear a child's expiring cry?

How horrible it is to sink beneath the closing stream,

To stretch the powerless arms in vain, in vain for help to scream!”

16.

The shrick again was heard: it came more deep, more piercing loud ; That instant o'er the flood the moon shōne through a broken cloud; And near them they beheld a child; upon a crag he stood—

A little crag, and all around was spread the rising flood.

17.

The boatman plied the oar, the boat approached his resting-place; The moonbeam shōne upon the child, and showed how pale his face. "Now reach thy hand," the boatman cried, "Lord William, reach

and save!"

The child stretched forth his little hands, to grasp the hand he gave.

18.

Then William shrieked: the hands he felt were cold and damp and dead!

He held young Edmund in his arms, a heavier weight than lead!

The boat sunk down--the murderer sunk beneath the avenging stream; He rose, he shrieked, no human ear heard William's drowning scream. SOUTHEY.

ROBERT SOUTHEY, an English author, was born at Bristol, August 12, 1774. From his 2d year he lived with his aunt, Miss Tyler, an eccentric lady, with a passion for the theater, to which he was constantly taken. At an early age, he was conversant with Shakspeare, Beaumont and Fletcher, Tasso, Spencer, and other poets. He was educated at Westminster School, and Baliol College, Oxford, which latter he left in 1794 to enter "the muster roll of authors," publishing the same year, in connection with Lovell, a volume of " Poems." He was one of the most indefatigable and voluminous of writers. Iis three best poems are "Thalaba, the Destroyer," in 1801; "The Curse of Kehama,” in 1810; and "Roderick, the Last of the Goths," in 1814. His finest ballads and minor pieces are "Lord William," "Mary the Maid of the Inn," "Queen Orica," "The Victory," ," "Youth and Age," "Elegy on a Favorite Dog," and "The Holly Tree." The most striking merit of his prose writings is their flowing, sprightly, and perspicuous style. His "Life of Nelson" is probably the best and most delightful of all his works. He died at Greta Hall-where he first established himself in 1804-March 21, 1843.