Page:The Poetical Works of Thomas Parnell (1833).djvu/43

Rh Then (twilight dreams) would fabling fancy tell Of the dark talisman, the potent spell, And dwarfs, an elfin crew, around the sorcerer's cell; Of fragrant groves, with mystic garlands hung, Of viewless harps on high (tales yet unsung), Tall steeds caparison'd, and knights afield, The glittering scutcheon, and the emblazon'd shield, The trumpet wailing o'er the warrior slain; (Like him who fell on Fontarabia's plain; The peerless chief long wept in many a poet's strain.) There the rich doors their ivory valves unfold, Forth issuing many a knight and emir old, And broider'd caftans shine, and garments stiff with gold. Crossing the sunny cove, with glancing sail, There flits the fairy pinnace down the gale. Round the tall prow the sparkling waves behold, The silken cordage, and the cloth of gold. Child of the sea! — the mantle and the ring, And the bright sword proclaim the Armoric king! There, touch'd with light the rich pavilion gleams, Where the green forest's pensile foliage streams. Stretch'd on the ground the weary falconers lie, Gaze-hound, and horn, and bleeding quarry nigh; And mantling on his perch, the hooded hawk on high. Sweet forms were seen, and voices down the glade, Tapestry and lute, on moss and wild flowers laid,