us life again
Illum'd those once stern eyes,
With rays serene,
Now mildly placid as the azure skies,
On which one grateful turns from sun's fierce sheen;
Refreshing, too, his milder tones as summer rain.

Father and Child.

"Rowena, Harold, Eric, friends, forgive!
And could I hear her say
'Dear father mine,
We all forgive'--I would no longer pray
For life; but to atone my all resign
To those I've wronged: for this alone I fain would live."

"They live, Sir Guy, and ere the sun has set
Will hither come!" they said.
He crossed his hands
While o'er his face a smile complacent spread
And docile as a child to their commands
To sleep he yields his eyes with gracious tear-drops wet.

Rowena's kiss, yet sweeter far the sound
She breathed of 'Father mine'
The knight awoke;
Another moment and their arms entwine.
She checked the word ere from his lips it broke
'Forgive'! Father and child long-lost, again were found.

Reconciliation.

His outstretched hands did next forgiveness seek
Of one who long had prayed
This hour to see.
With hands close clasp'd, no words the knight essayed;
In tears he quenched a life-long enmity.
Thus did the Saxon's love triumphant vengeance wreak!

Then last, though not the least who'd borne the cross
And bravely gone to die
In flower of youth,
Young Eric caught the knight's atoning sigh,
Who joined his hands with those of faithful Ruth
Thus triumphed faith and love o'er pain and death and loss.

And what of him whose kind and skilful care
Had saved the life of three?
Forget they him?
Not so! a gracious pardon, full and free,
With thankful joy they bear to dungeons grim;
And one more doomed to die from death's fierce grip they tear.

A Royal Visitor.

Unfurl the banner, let it court the breeze
Once more, on Ragnor's Towers.
A wedding peal
Now ring. Come virgins, strew with flowers
Their bridal path, whose woes this day will heal!
Look bright, ye frowning cliffs and laugh ye moaning seas!

What means that wild commotion an the strand?
A stately vessel nears
Old Ragnor's port!
"King Richard comes!" Sir Guy with terror hears.
"Haste, Harold, pay our sovereign royal court;
Crave pardon for me! Say, I lie at death's command!"