Page:Pleasant Memories of Pleasant Lands.djvu/106

 HOUSE OF STUART. 81

tors, was menaced by conspiracy, suffered the loss of his eldest son, and saw his daughter a crownless queen. Charles the First had his head struck off in front of his own palace. Charles the Second was compelled to fly from his country, and after twelve years banishment returned to an inglorious reign. James the Second abdicated his throne, lost three kingdoms, died an exile, and was the last of his race who inhabited the palace of Holyrood.

��Old Holyrood ! Edina s pride,

Where erst, in regal state arrayed,

The mitred abbots told their beads,

And chanted neath thy hallowed shade ;

And nobles, in thy palace courts, Revel, and dance, and pageant led,

And trump to tilt and tourney called, And royal hands the banquet spread ;

A lingering beauty still is thine,

Though age on age have o er thee rolled, Since good king David reared thy walls,

With turrets proud and tracery bold.

And still the Norman s pointed arch

Its interlacing blends sublime With Gothic columns clustered strength,

Where foliage starts and roses climb. 6

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