Page:History of fair Rosamond (1).pdf/6

6 on upon bis heart, and all the passion of his boyhood gushed over his soul. She whom he loved, was at this time at the manor of her father, and Henry did not wish to encounter Lord Clifford: he waited, therefore, for a chance of meeting her, in her rambles.

Whilst Henry was wandering near the nunnery of Godstow, the mansion of Lord Clifford was the scene of festivity and merriment, for Baron Fitzwarren, a young nobleman of riches and noble birth, came as a suitor to our heroine. The Baron was the son of one of the earliest projectors of the Crusade; and he inherited his father's fame and valour. His gigantic person, his courteous manners, caused him to be observed of all. A finer or a braver youth never raised a lance.

"I would willingly," said he, addressing Lord Clifford, "awhile lay by my sword; and taste of the joys of peace, of home, and lead thy beauteous daughter to grace the halls my father left me; but my good Lord she turns an icy ear to my warmest vows, and seems to woo the cloister.

"My noble Lord," replied the father, 'the maid who yields at once is lightly gained and scarcely worth the conquest,