LADY OF THE LAKE

A Silence, calm as are my waters, meet Your raised attentions, while my silver fee Touch on the richer shore; and to this seat Vow my new duties and mine old repeat. Lest any yet should doubt, or might mistake What Nymph I am; behold the ample lake Of which I am stiled; and near it MERLINS tomb Grave of his cunning, as of mine the womb. By this it will not ask me to proclaim More of my self, whose actions, and whose name Were so full feigned in British ARTHURS court; No more then it will fit me to report What hath before been trusted to our squire Of me, my knight, his fate, and my desire To meet, if not prevent his destiny And style him to the court of Britanny ; Now when the Island hath regained her fame Entire, and perfect, in the ancient name, And that a monarch equal good and great, Wise, temperate, joust, and stout claims ARTHURS seat. Did I say equal? Oh too prodigal wrong Of my or'c-thirstie, and unequal tongue! How brighter far, then when our ARTHUR lived, Are all the glories of this place reuin'd! What riches do I see; what beauty's here! What awe! what love! what reverence! joy! and fear! What ornaments of counsel as of court! All that is high and great, or can comport Unto the style of majesty, that knows No rival, but it self, this place here shows. Only the house of Chivalry (how ere The inner parts and store be full, yet here In that which gentry should sustain) decayed Or rather ruined seems; her buildings laid