HISTORY. Thou chronicle of crimes! I read no more- Receive me from the court's polluted scenes, I spake when lo! She stood before me in her majesty, Clio, the strong-eyed Muse. Upon her brow Was it for this I made thy swelling heart Thy song, and it shall teach thee boy! to raise GORTHMUND, A TALE, in the Manner of OSSIAN. By WILLIAM CASE, Junr. "Rise ye warriors! lo the dewdrops "Glitter on the Thistle's beard, "See the gold-tress'd Son of Morning 66 Rising o'er the heights of Sweard. "Rise ye warriors! danger threatens ; "Rushing like a mountain torrent, "Lo! the Mercians press around; "Grasp your javelins, strike your bucklers, "Soon the foe shall bite the ground. "Ere the Star of Evening glimmer, Hush'd was the song of Bards. From tent to tent, * Reafan, or the Magic Banner, contained the figure of a Raven. Several miraculous Powers of Divination were attributed to this Bird; if it clapped its wings before à battle, the Danes imagined success would attend their arms; but if it hung down its head, it was a sure presage of their defeat. The Symbol of Woden, the Saxon God, was a Dragon. Tall as an oak in Arden's forest, slow As are the minutes of impatience, firm A frown of horror; his emblazon'd shield His glory in a robe of blood, and shades Of night hung brooding o'er the deathful plain. In valour equal, Centwin of the hill, A chosen band of archers to the fight; |