Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1894 edition. Excerpt: ... chapter iii the romantic revival phe whirligig of time had thus brought in his revenges, and Arthurian romances were reinstated in a position of interest and honour. And as the leaven of things new and old worked in the literary revival of the day, it came more and more to be seen not only that they claimed a scholarly veneration in their bygone forms, but that they were rich in suggestions for the imagination of the present. They awoke the enthusiasm of the rustic genius, John Leyden (1775-1811), whose twin gifts for poetry and for research, never, alas! to mature to perfect fulness, admirably qualified him to feel the inspiration of such legendary themes. The verses of his Scenes of Infancy, published in 1803, are mere poetical splinters of his many-sided activity, that perhaps might never have been gathered from his workshop but for the pressure of pecuniary need. But how bold and lofty a tone the memories of Arthur and his fate breathe into these celebrations of the scenery and folklore of Leyden's native border-land! 1 1 Poetical Works of John Leyden, 1875. "Such strains the harp of haunted Merlin threw, When from his dreams the mountain sprites withdrew; While trembling to the wires that warbled still, His apple-blossoms waved along the hill. Hark, how the mountain echoes still retain The memory of the prophet's boding strain! 'Once more begirt with many a martial peer Victorious Arthur shall hisstandard rear, In ancient1 pomp his mailed bands display While nations wondering mark their strange array, Their proud commanding port, their giant form, The spirit's stride that treads the northern storm. Where fate invites them to the dread repast, Dark Cheviot's eagles swarm on every blast; On Camlan bursts the sword's impatient roar, ...
