foresters, gamekeepers, huntsmen, falconers, bowmen, armourers, priests, and quarterstaff-men, came hither in companies many of whom were entered to contend for the hand of the flower of Honeyforde. And then, ladies, who came on white palfreys, like spirits of air in burnished glory, with their attendant knights in pairs, and small bells jingling on their caparisons, rode into the courts, amid acclamation, and each fair damosel, relieved off her sprightly steed by her gallant in courtesy, was received complaisantly by Rose, though her eye was dim and red with weeping, and imploring her dear father to avert the decree, and cancel his oath by sacerdotal power; but he would not hear of her plea. He owed her his paternal love, but he owed the bull his unmanly hate,-which he determined to wreak on the animal he compared to that of Colchos, with throat of fire, and hoofs of gold and he swore again, as if to strengthen his resolve, that it should be effected, saying, "Thus can a 'squier don a gentle dede, As wel as can a knight withouten drede." Now, as the companies sat in the balcony, and the stage was piled by groups of spectators, the red bull was led into the ring, adorned with ribbons and flowers. His horns were tipped with gold, and his hoofs clean, and polished like ivory : but his strength of limb, and symetrical form, drew choral shouts of admiration. The 'squire took his station near the centre of the ring, below the balcony in which the ladies were chatting. His daughter was stationed over him, in a mournful attitude, and she often wiped her eye with one hand, as her cheek leaned against the other. Her old maiden aunt sat on her right, attired in a diverse and antique mode; and on the left stood the Lady de Courteney, the new bride of his lordship, in attendance at court. Music played in the hall, and bells proclaimed their doings in the air. A line of the combatants stood in readiness: first, several dogs, held by chains to their collars, were suffered in, singly, to stir the blood of the bull; but he tossed them out of the pale of feeling, with the utmost ease and coolness. "Fine sport, this," said the 'squire, as his sides shook with laughter; and he raised a horn, brimful of ale, to his mouth: then one of the men entered the ring, armed; but he retreated, with only his life: severally, others followed, in the order in which they were registered; but all were quickly vanquished with amazing intrepidity by the bull. The Nottingham butcher went in, but was doomed to retire. "Where's Joel?" several voices called, in the same moment-" where is he?" "Here's Joel-aye, here am I, as strong as a hammer; and I'll make the beast yield like a piece of hot iron," said the son of the smith. His arms were bared-his apron tied sideways round his waist-a deadly weapon, wrought at his own forge, of the ploughshare kind, was grasped by his right hand. He wore a sheet of iron before his breast, and his legs were wrapped with tan leather, upwards, over his knees; a badger skin was girt round his head: he sprung like a roe into the presence of the bull, sitting, and taking breath; and he teased it, by twisting its tail nearly in twain: he then pulled the hide, and bit out pieces of flesh. The bull roared most painfully, and the people rose, affrighted; but, as if in desert for Joel's cruelty, after many skirmishes, he, endeavouring to introduce the weapon, the infuriated creature took him up and threw him out, over the ring, like a lump of clay. Egad! this is famous work," said the 'squire; "for such another bout, I'd give all my lands. Heark'e, there, good fellows! are the others ready in gear?" They're so terrorstruck," answered the servingman, "one only is resolved to engage: he's but a stripling, in green, with a horn over his shoulder, and a simple shepherd's hat on his brow,—with a crimson flag, a dagger in his belt, and a Spanish rapier in its sheath: he is a good fencer, and he saith he lacketh not courage." Quickly bring him forth," demanded the 'squire, peremptorily, let the fellows have their fill, and I will keep my daughter." As the youth, with a firm step, came forth, he gracefully cast his eye to the balcony, and did gallant service to the ladies therein: they waved their laurels and nosegays, observing, "he had so comely an aspect, it was a pity so fine an entertainer should be hurt by the bull, even though he were to conquer ;" and they cherished Rose in this idea by their rivalling smiles, while he turned prettily from them, bowed to the impatient 'squire, entered the ring, and gave proofs of his astonishing skill in one of the finest rencontres ever witnessed in the west. The warfare lasted long, and the issue doubtful: the combatant and the bull stood panting at each other for minutes at a time-not a whisper obstructed the silence, so beautiful was the sight. The 'squire's heart was in his mouth, and his soul in his eyes. Hasten we now The youth's favourite position obtained, after great manœuvre and eminent cleverness, he caught the eye of the bull off his guard, and, availing himself of his practical lunge, he outfought the foe, after more than hour's parley. Though the 'squire was pleased with the honorable issue of his wishes, in the mastery now evinced; yet, when he beheld the favorite animal lying prostrate before him, he deeply sighed, and smote the tear from his eye; but he raised his head, and, taking the youth by the arm, said, in a tone of recognition, "young man, thou shalt not regret this adventure. into the hall; thou art one after my own heart-thou shalt inherit my estates, and secure my daughter's love." The youth returned thanks and acquiescence; when by this time the balcony was relieved of its charms, and the ladies all rushed in to witness the meeting between Rose and him who was destined to be her lord. As it might have been anticipated, this was Roger Woolthorpe, the shrieve's son, of whom Rose had received intimation, and who accepted his lady treasure to a mutual overflowing of feeling. Meanwhile, the scene without was boisterously merry. Joel, not much worsted, presided at the ale barrels with his friend, the host of the village inn. After suitable preparations, at the request of the villagers and their families, the red bull was roasted, and distributed generously to the claimants. The nuptials, also, gave life, and beauty, and harmony, to the spirits hospitably detained within doors, for a long season. But the 'squire, not forsaking his habitual passion for trying a new conquest with another of his bulls, was killed, shortly after, in one of his own granges. P. TO MARY. Though seas may divide us, dear girl, from each other, Though beauty may tempt, I can ne'er love another, Thy form in my breast is too deeply engraven, When thou art my own, though no splendor surround us, TO MISS W. "Fain would I climb, But that I fear to fall." Immortal Raleigh thus his queen address'd, Or was it love's sweet pow'r that did inspire? Love only could th' expressive words dictate They'd say how much thou art belov'd by me. Full oft I've gaz'd upon thy beauteous smile, But ah! I fear you would not heed my prayer; "I fear to fall," I must respond again, Possess'd of thee nought else would 1 desire; For to my heart all other thoughts are vain, Thee-only thee, sweet maid, can I admire. Sunderland. W. ALOYSIUS W. CHARLOTTE SMITH AND THE YOUTH. AN AUTHENTIC ANECDOTE. As I and my father journeyed from the Old Passage Thornbury side in our chaise to Bristol, the weather being very hot, we got out and walked up the hills, to give the willing but tired horse the ease of humanity. We overtook a lady, not less affected by the temperature,—she was reading as we came up to her: her eyes were of the most lovely look, and in so sweet a tone she replied to my father's request,-if she were going to Bristol, that he stopped the horse, and assisted her into the chaise. Her conversation so fascinated me that I found it a severe task, young as I was, to part from her, after we crossed the old bridge, and entered the inn; but when I gave her my hand and cheek, she promised to see me again, and wrote these lines with a pencil on the slip of a letter: I feel, like you, the sigh to part, But hope conveys it to each heart: Which feeling sheds in sorrow's sphere. I did see her again, but under such impressions of bereavement, that the scientific poetess, though her heart was yet unchanged, wore features of the deepest grief, and proved the utter recklessness of the claims which time has upon the growth of years and woe. J. R. P. STANZAS. She saw my pale and sunken cheek, And mark'd a tale of mis'ry speak She saw my young yet wasted form Yet deign'd not with her smile to warm |