1

Gab.

I beheld his features Gab. I know not that even now-but will approve
As I see yours—but yours they were not, though The second. I have still a further shield.
Resembling them-behold them in Count Ulric's! I did not enter Prague alone ; and should I
Distinci, as I bebeld them, though the expression Be put to rest with Stralenheim, there are
Is not now what it then was ;—but it was so

Some tongues without will wag in my behalf.
When I first charged him with the crime—so lately. Be brief in your decision !!
Sieg. This is som

(end ! Sieg.

I will be so.Gab. (interrupling him.) Nay—but hear me to the My word is sacred and irrevocable | Now you must do so.-I conceived myself

Within these walls, but it extends no further. Betray'd by you and him (for now I saw

Gab. I'll take it for so much. There was some tio between you) into this

Sieg. (points to Ulric's sabre still upon the ground.) Pretended deu of refuge, to become

Take also that| The victim of your guilt; and my first thought I saw you eye it eagerly, and him Was vengeance: but though arm'd with a short Distrust fully. poniard

Gab. (takes up the sabre.) I will; and so provide ¡Having left my sword without) I was no match To sell my life—not cheaply. For him at any time, as had been proved

(Gabor goes into the turret, which SIEGENDORF That mornut-either in address or force.

closcs. I tund, and fled-i' the dark : chance rather than Sieg. (advances to Ulric.) Now, Count Ulric! Skill made me gain the secret door of the hall,

For son I dare not call theo-What say'st thou? And thence the chamber where you slept: if I

Ulr. His tale is true. Had found you waking, Heaven alone can tell

Sieg.

True, monster! | What vengeance and suspicion might have prompted; Ulr.

Most true, father! Bat we'er slept guilt as Werner slept that night. And you did well to listen to it: what Sg. And yet I had horrid dreams! and such We know, we can provide against. He must brief sleep,

Be silenced. The stars had not gone down when I awoke.

Sieg. Ay, with half of my domains; Why didst thou spare me? I dreamt of my father And with the other half, could he and thou And now my dreain is out!

Unsay this villany. Gab. "T'is not my fault.

Ulr.

It is no time If I have read it.-Well! I fled and hid me

For trifling or dissembling. I have said Chance led me here after so many inoons

His story's true; and he too must be silenced. Aud show d me Werner in Count Siegendorf!

Sieg. How so? Werner, whom I had sought iu huts in vain,

Ulr.

As Stralenheim is. Are you so dull Inhubited the palace of a sovereign!

As never to have hit on this before?
You sought me and have found me—now you know When we met in the garden, what except
My secret, and may weigh its worth.

Discovery in the act could make me know
Sieg. after a pause.).

Indeed!

His death? Or had the prince's household been Gab. Is it revenge or justice which inspires

Then summond, would the cry for the police
Your meditation?

Been left to such a stranger ? Or should I
Sieg.
Neither-I was weighing

Have loiter'd on the way? Or could you, Werner, The value of your secret.

The object of the barou's hate and fears,
Gab.
You shall know it

Have fled, unless by many an hour before
At once :- When you were poor, and I, though poor, Suspicion woke? I songht and fathom’d you,
Rich enough to relieve such poverty

Doubting if you were false or feeble: I
As might have envied mine, I offer'd you

Perceived you were the latter; and yet so
My purse-you would not share it :- I'll be franker Confiding have I found you, that I doubted
With you: you are wealthy, noble, trusted by At times your weakness.
The imperial powers-you understand me?

Sieg.

Parricide! no less Sirg.

Yes. Than common stabber! What deed of my life, i Gab. Not quite. You think me venal, and scarce Or thought of mine, could make you deem me fit true :

For your accomplice ? *Tis no less true, however, that my fortunes

Ulr.

Father, do not raise Flave made me both at present. You shall aid mo; The devil you cannot lay between us. This I would have aided you—and also have

Is time for union and for action, not Been somewhat damaged in my name to save For family disputes. While you were tortured, Yours and your son's. Weigh well what I have said. Could I be calm? Think you that I have heard

Sirg. Dare you await the event of a few minutes' This fellow's tale without some feeling ? - You Dehberation ?

Have taught me feeling for you and myself; Gab. (rasts his eyes on ULRIC, who is leaning For whom or what else did you ever teach it? against a pillar.) If I should do so?

Sieg. Oh! my dead father's curse! 'tis working Sieg. I pledge my life for yours. Withdraw into Tuis lower.

(Opens a turret door. Ulr. Let it work on the grave will keep it down! Gab. (hesitatingly.) This is the second safe asylum Ashes are feeble foes: it is more easy You have offer'd me.

To baffle such, thau countermine a mole, Sieg

And was not the first so? Which winds its blind but living path beneath you.

now.

**** Cab, I have yet an additional security,I did not enter Prague a solitary individual ; and there are tongues without that will speak for me, although I should even share the fate

of Stralenheim. Let your deliberation be short."_" Sieg. My promise is soleinn, sacred, irrevocable: it exienus not however, beyond these walls."-LEE.]

Yet hear me still !—If you condemn me, yet

Gab.

What am I to do Remember who hath taught me once too often

With these ? To listen to him! Who proclaim'd to me

Sieg. Whate'er you will: sell them, or board, That there were crimes made venial by the occasion ? And prosper; but delay not, or you are lost! That passion was our nature ? that the goods

Gab. You pledged your honor for my safety! Of Heaven waited on the goods of fortune ?

Sieg.

And Who show'd me his humanity secured

Must thus redeem it. Fly! I am not master, By his nerves only? Who deprived me of

It seems, of my own castle-of my own All power to vindicate myself and race

Retainers—nay, even of these very walls, In open day? By his disgrace which stamp'd Or I would bid them fall and crushi me! Fly! (It might be) bastardy on me, and on

Or you will be slain by Himself—a felon's brand! The man who is

Gab.

Is it even so ? At once both warm and weak invites to deeds

Farewell, then! Recollect, however, Count, He longs to do, but dare not.

Is it strange

You sought this fatal interview! That I should act what you could think? We have Sieg.

I did: done

Let it not be more fatal still !-Begone! With right and wrong; and now must only ponder Gab. By the same path I enter'd? Upon effects, not causes. Stralenheim,

Sieg.

Yes; that's sale still : Whose life I saved from impulse, as, unknown, But loiter not in Prague ;-you do not know I would have saved a peasant's or a dog's, I slew With whom you have to deal. Known as our foe-but not from vengeance. He Gab.

I know too well Was a rock in our way which I cut through,

And know it ere yourself, unhappy sire! As doth the bolt, because it stood between us

Farewell.

[Erit GABOR. And our true destination—but not idly.

Sieg. (solus and listening.) He hath clear'd the As stranger I preserved him, and he owed me

staircase. Ah! I hear His life : when due, I but resumed the debt.

The door sound loud behind him! He is safe! He, you, and I stood o'er a gulf wherein

Safe !-Oh, my father's spirit !-I am faintI have plunged our enemy. You kindled first

(He leans down upon a stone seat, near the wall The torch-you show'd the path ; now trace me that of the tower, in a drooping posture. Of safety-or let me! Sieg. I have done with life!

Enter Ulric, with others armed, and with weapons Ulr. Let us have done with that which cankers

drawn. life

Ulr. Dispatch She's there! Familiar feuds and vain recriminations

Lud.

The count, my lord ! Of things which cannot be undone. We have

Ulr. (recognising SIEGENDORF.) You here, sir! No more to learn or hide : I know no fear,

Sieg. Yes : if you want another victim, strike! And have within these very walls men who

Ulr. (seeing him stripped of his jewels.) Where is (Although you know them not) dare venture all

the ruthan who hath plunder'd you? things.

Vassals, dispatch in search of him! You see You stand high with the state ; what passes hero 'Twas as I said—the wretch hath stripp'd my father Will not excite her too great curiosity:

Of jewels which might form a prince's heirloom! Keep your own secret, keep a steady eye,

Away! I'll follow you forth with. Stir not, and speak not ;-leave the rest to me;

[Exeunt all but SiegeNDORF and ULRIC We must have no third babblers thrust between us.

What's this? (Exit Ulric. Where is the villain ? Sieg. (solus.) Am I awake? are these my father's Sieg.

There are two, sir: which halls?

Are you in quest of ? And yon—my son ? My son! mine! who have ever

Ulr.

Let us hear no more Abhorr'd both mystery and blood, and yet

Of this: he must be found. You have not let him Am plunged into the deepest hell of both !

Escape ? I must be speedy, or more will be shed

Sieg. He's gone. The Hungariau's !-Ulric-he hath partisans,

Ulr.

With your connivance ? It seems: I might have guess'd as much. Oh fool! Sieg.

With Wolves prowl in company. He hath the key My fullest, freest aid. (As I too) of the opposite door which leads

Ulr.

Then fare you well! Into the turret. Now then! or once more

[Ulric is going To be the father of fresh crimes, no less

Sieg. Stop! I command—entreat-implore! Oh. Than of the criminal! Ho! Gabor! Gabor!

Ulric! (Exit into the turret, closing the door after him. Will you then leave me?

Ulr.

What! remain to be

Denounced—dragg’d, it may be, in chains; and all
SCENE

By your inherent weakness, half-humanity,
The Interior of the Turret.

Selfish
remorse,

and temporizing pity,

That sacrifices your whole race to save
GABOR and SIEGENDORF.

A wretch to profit by our ruin! No, count,
Gab. Who calls ?

Henceforth you have no son ! Sieg. I-Siegendorf! Take these, and Ay! Sieg.

I never had one ; Lose not a moment!

And would you ne'er had borne the useless name! [Tears off a diamond star and other jewels, and Where will you go? I would not send you forth thrusts them into Gabor's hand.

Without protection.

II.

Ul.
Leave that unto me.
Jos.

What
I ain not alone ; nor merely the vain heir

Means my good lord ! Of your domains; a thousand, ay, ten thousand

Sieg.

That you have given birth Swords, hearts, and hands, are mine.

To a demon! | Sieg.

The foresters! Ida. (taking Ulric's hand.) Who shall dare say With whom the Hungarian found you first at Frank

this of Ulric? 1 fort!

(tell Sieg. Ida, beware! there's blood upon that hand. Ulr. Yes-men-who are worthy of the name! Go Ida. (stooping to kiss it.) I'd kiss it off, though it Your senators that they look well to Prague ;

were mine. | Their feast of peace was early for the times;

Sieg.

It is so! There are more spirits abroad than have been laid Ulr. Away! it is your father's ! [Exit ULRIC. With Wallenstein!

Ida.

Oh, great God!

And I have loved this man !
Enter JOSEPHINE and Ida.

[Ida falls senseless—JOSEPHINE stands speech

less with horror. Jos. What is't we hear? My Siegendorf! Sieg.

The wretch hath slain Thank Hear'n, I see you safe!

Them both - My Josephine! we are now alone! Sieg

Safe!

Would we had ever been so ! -All is over
Ida.

Yes, dear father! For me!-Now open wide, my sire, thy gravo;
Sieg. No, no; I have no children: never more Thy curse hath dug it deeper for thy son
Call me by that worst name of parent.

In mine !—The race of Siegendorf is past !

HOURS OF IDLENESS:

A SERIES OF POEMS, ORIGINAL AND TRANSLATED.'

Virginibus puerisque canto.--Horace, lib. iii. Ode 1.
Már' đo je pál' alvee, uņTE Ti veikal.-HOMER, Ihiad, x. 249
He whistled as he went, for want of thought.-DRYDEN.

ΤΟ

THE RIGHT HONORABLE FREDERICK, EARL OF CARLISLE,

KNIGHT OF THE GARTER, ETC. ETC.

THE SECOND EDITION OF THESE POEMS IS INSCRIBED,
BY HIS OBLIGED WARD AND AFFECTIONATE KINSMAN,"

THE AUTHOR.

PREFACE.

illness and depression of spirits : under the former in

fluence, “Childish RECOLLECTIONS,” in particular, Is submitting to the public eye the following collec were composed. This consideration, though it cannot tion, I have not only to combat the difficulties that excite the voice of praise, may at least arrest the arm Writers of verse generally encounter, but may incur of censure. A considerable portion of these poems the charge of presumption for obtruding myself on the has been privately printed, at the request and for the World, when, without doubt, I might be, at my age, perusal of my friends. I am sensible that the partial more usefully employed.

and frequently injudicious admiration of a social circle ! These productions are the fruits of the lighter hours is not the criterion by which poetical genius is to be of a young man who has lately completed his nine- estimated, yet,“ to do greatly," we must “ dare greatteenth

As they bear the internal evidence of a ly;" and I have hazarded my reputation and feelings I borish mind, this is, perhaps, unnecessary information. in publishing this volume. “I have passed the Ru! Soras few were written during the disadvantages of bicon,” and must stand or fall by the cast of the

year.

(First published in 1807 1 * [ Isabella, the daughter of William, fourth Lord Byron, great-great uncle of the Poet,) became, in 1742, the wife of Henry, fourth Earl of Carlisle, and was the mother of the fifth Earl, to whom this dedication was addressed. This

lady was a poetess in her way. The Fairy's Answer to Mrs. Greville's Prayer of Indifference,” in Pearch's Collection, is usually ascribed to her.]

3 [This Preface was omitted in the second edition.)

die." In the latter event, I shall submit without a first and last attempt. To the dictates of young am. murmur; for, though not without solicitude for the bition may be ascribed many actions more criminal fate of these effusions, my expectations are by no and equally absurd. To a few of my own age the means sanguine. It is probable that I may have contents may afford amusement: I trust they will. dared much and done little ; for, in the words of itt least, be found harmless. It is highly improbable, Cowper, “it is one thing to write what may please from my situation and pursuits hereafter, that I shou'd our friends, who, because they are such, are apt to ever obtrude myself a second time on the public; be a little biased in our favor, and another to write nor, even, in the very doubtful event of present what may please everybody ; because they who have indulgence, shall I be tempted to commit a future no connection, or even knowledge of the author, will trespass of the same nature. The opinion of Dr. be sure to find fault if they can.” To the truth of Johnson on the Poems of a noble relation of mine. this, however, I do not wholly subscribe : on the con " That when a man of rank appeared in the character trary, I feel convinced that these trifles will not be of an author, he deserved to have his merit handsometreated with injustice. Their merit, if they possess ly allowed," can have little weight with verbal, and any, will be liberally allowed: their numerous faults, still less with periodical censors; but were it otherwise, on the other hand, cannot expect that favor which has I should be loth to avail myself of the privilege, and been denied to others of maturer years, decided char- would rather incur the bitterest censure of anonymous acter, and far greater ability.

criticism, than triumph in honors granted solely to a I have not aimed at exclusive originality, still less title. have I studied any particular model for imitation : some translations are given, of which many are paraphrastic. In the original pieces there may appear a casual coiucidence with authors whose works I have been accustomed to read; but I have not been guilty

HOURS OF IDLENESS. of intentional plagiarism. To produce any thing entirely new, in an age so fertile in rhyme, would be an Herculean task, as every subject has already been treated to its utmost extent. Poetry, however, is

ON THE DEATH OF A YOUNG LADY, not my primary vocation; to divert the dull moments of indisposition, or the monotony of a vacant hour, COUSIN TO THE AUTHOR, AND VERY DEAR TO HIM urged me “to this sin :" little can be expected from so unpromising a muse. My wreath, scanty as it Husu'd are the winds, and still the evening gloom, must be, is all I shall derive from these productions ; Not e'en a zephyr wanders through the grove, and I shall never attempt to replace its fading leaves, Whilst I return, to view my Margaret's tomb, or pluck a single additional sprig from groves where And scatter flowers on the dust I love. I am, at best, an intruder. Though accustomed, in my younger days, to rove a careless mountaineer on Within this varrow cell reclines her clay, the Highlands of Scotland, I have not, of lato years, That clay, where once such animation beam'd: had the benefit of such pure air, or so elevated a The King of Terrors seized her as his prey; residence, as might enable me to enter the lists with Not worth, nor beauty, have her life redeem d. genuine bards, who have enjoyed both these advantages. But they derive considerable fame, and a Oh! could that King of Terrors pity feel, few not less profit, from their productions; while I Or Heaven reverse the dread decrees of fate! shall expiate my rashness as an interloper, certainly Not here the mourner would his grief reveal, without the latter, and in all probability with a very Not here the muse her virtues would relate. slight share of the former. I leave to others “ virum volitare per ora.” I look to the few who will hear But wherefore weep? Her matchless spirit soars with patience " dulce est desipere in loco.” To the Beyond where splendid shines the orb of day; former worthies I resign, without repining, the hope And weeping angels lead her to those bowers of immortality, and content myself with the not very Where endless pleasures virtue's deeds repay. magnificent prospect of ranking amongst “the mob of gentlemeu who write ;"--my readers must deter- | And shall presumptuous mortals Heaven arraigo, mine whether I dare say “with ease," or the honor And, madly, godlike Providence accuse? of a posthumous page in " The Catalogue of Royal | Ah! no, far fly from me attempts so vain ;and Noble Authors,” -a work to which the Peerage I'll ne'er submission to my God refuse. is under infinite obligations, inasmuch as many names of cousiderable length, sound, and antiquity, are there- | Yet is remembrance of those virtues dear, by rescued from the obscurity which unluckily over Yet fresh the memory of that beauteous face ; shadows several voluminous productions of their il- Still they call forth my warm affection's tear, lustrious bearers.

Still in my heart retain their wouted place. With slight hopes, and some fears, I publish this

1 The Earl of Carlisle, whose works have long received the meed of public applause, to which, by their intrinsic worth, they were well entitled.

2. [The passage referred to by Lord Byron occurs in Bos. well's Life of Johnson, vol. viii. p. 91, ed. 1835. Dr. Johnson's letter to Mrs. Chapone, criticising, on the whole favorably, the Earl's trage ly of " The Father's Revenge," is inserted in the same volume, p. 242.)

3 The author claims the indulgence of the reader more for this piece than, perhaps, any other in the collection ; but as it was written at an earlier period than the rest, being con posed at the age of fourteen,) and his first essay, be patien ferred submitting it to the indulgence of his friends in its present state, to making either addition or alteration.

* ("My first dash into poetry was as early as 1990. It was the ebullition of a passion for my first cousin, Margaret Parker