And that all sorts of fractures, hurts, and bruises, Are as unreal as the patient chooses. XLIV. I know I'm lord of all that I survey,— The sun that cheers me with his winter ray, The woods that cool me with their summer shade; I made the dinner I shall eat to-day; I made the meadows where my childhood play'd; I made myself, and (tired of single life) I've half a mind to make myself a wife. XLV. And round her vision'd form, at my command, Whose looks are perfect Gerard '* and I long In my fond arms, with passionate love to strain herAnd-wish the vision was a little plainer. XLVI. And oft I listen, through the livelong night, And haply hear her, as she slumbereth, * Mine eye hath well examined his parts, King John, Act i. Sc. 1. Much longer in this style, 'twill be my death; So we'll return to Britain, and find out What Doctor Merlin's visit was about. XLVII. Of course he was admitted sans delay, Though the whole Palace was in sad confusion; Through crowds of gaping courtiers he made way To where the King, with dressing-gown and shoes on, Was gravely wasting, in great pomp, away;— He bow'd, and said he "hoped 'twas no intrusion, Though for so many months he had been absentBut a late vision, by his sister Mab sent, XLVIII. "Had told him that his Majesty was ill ; So he had come directly from Caer-Mardin, To offer the assistance of his skill, For (though he said it) there was nought so hard in The power of blister, bolus, draught, or pill, But he could cure it—and not charge a farthing. He begg❜d the Monarch would put out his tongueHow long had this disorder on him hung? XLIX. "What was his diet?-did he sleep at night? His pulse seem'd languid-how did he digest?— Had he retain'd his usual appetite ?— Pray did he feel a tightness at his chest?He thought 'twas want of exercise-he'd write A short prescription, which to him seem'd best"This fragment of it's extant-the style's eligible, And (like all Doctors' Latin) quite intelligible. L. Rex Arthurus, Diabolis Coeruleis Aeger, ob desiderium Gigantum Sal. matrimon. quotidie capiat quantum [Versus desideratur-unus tantùm] Rix. pulv. pil.-Fiat-auct. M. D. Merlino. LI. The meaning of the document is plain- That he should take unto himself a wife; LII. I'm sadly weary of this canto-well! I must make haste and end it-Arthur started At this advice, as though some sudden spell Had seized him, and, though far from chickenHis courage for a moment fairly fell— [hearted, "Twas the first time it ever had departed, Though he had seen strange sights-this sudden terror The wizard noticed, and produced a mirror. LIII. My liege," said he, "this wondrous glass, created By cunning spirits of my Father's breed, read (Which for such works is justly celebrated) Possesses such strange virtue, that you In it all future matters, which are fated To be or not to be; so in this need I've brought it, that your Majesty may view Some things of moment, which 'tis time you knew. LIV. * "'Tis the same glass which Lady Britomartis . Consulted, with success, some years ago,* And, I may say, has satisfied all parties— May I request your Majesty to throw One glance upon it? you shall see my art is Able some strange foreknowledge to bestow—” The King complied, and sullenly and slowly His head upraised from that deep melancholy : LV. But scarce upon the mirror had his eyes Rested, when thro' their orbs quick lightning shot, And, with a sudden flush, the blood did rise Into his sunken cheeks, and made them hot, Paining him through" with rapturous surprise; All the blue devils were at once forgot; And you might hear his pulses, as he gazed On the bright phantoms in the mirror raised. LVI. "The appearance instantaneously display'd" (I borrow that last line from the Excursion, And have not much improved it, I'm afraid, Fairy Queen, Book III. canto ii. By tipping it with rhyme, to fit my version) Was of a beauteous and majestic maid, In a fair garden taking her diversion, Like Emily in Chaucer, when her far sight Captured the captive Palamon and Arcite. LVII. ""Twas summer, and the Sun had mounted high ;' The Earth beneath his fiery kiss was panting, With close, quick throbs of murmurous ecstacy, (The last two lines which seem to me enchanting, Are copied, in great part, I can't deny, From Coleridge, whom I scorn to be supplanting In the world's favour) while on Arthur's soul Sweet sounds of whispering winds and musical waters stole. LVIII. And straight, within that mirror's charmed space, Rose a fair garden to his wondering eye; A still, secluded, and delicious place, With terraced walks, and trees upshooting high, And crystal streams, that ran a pleasant race, And fairy grottos, fashion'd curiously With shells and glittering spars, and odorous bowers Bright with all mingled hues of faintly-breathing flowers. LIX. And near a spacious fountain, which was flinging An everlasting dew into the shade Of sun-proof branches o'er its margin clinging, So that no flower in that sweet spot might fade, |