400: ending in 1282 with Llywelyn son of Gruffydd.
_The scorn-diadem'd head_; On finding whom he had slain, Frankton carried
Llywelyn's head to Edward at Rhuddlan, who, with a barbarity unworthy of
himself, set it over the Tower of London, wreathed in mockery of a
prediction (ascribed to Merlin) upon the coronation of a Welsh Prince in
London.
_Rhodri and Owain_; Rhodri Mawr, (843), who united under his supremacy
the other Welsh principalities, Powys and Dinefawr; Owain Gwynedd,
(1137),--are among the most conspicuous of Llywelyn's royal predecessors.
THE REJOICING OF THE LAND
1295
So the land had rest! and the cloud of that heart-sore struggle and pain
Rose from her ancient hills, and peace shone o'er her again,
Sunlike chasing the plagues wherewith the land was defiled;
And the leprosy fled, and her flesh came again, as the flesh of a child.
--They were stern and stark, the three children of Rolf, the first from
Anjou:
For their own sake loving the land, mayhap, but loving her true;
France the wife, and England the handmaid; yet over the realm
Their eyes were in every place, their hands gripp'd firm on the helm.
Villein and earl, the cowl and the plume, they were bridled alike;
One law for all, but arm'd law,--not swifter to aid than to strike.
Lo, in the twilight transept, the holy places of God,
Not with sunset the steps of the altar are dyed, but with scarlet of
blood!
Clang of iron-shod feet, and sheep for their shepherd who cry;
Curses and swords that flash, and the victim proffer'd to die!
--Bare thy own back to the smiter, O king, at the shrine of the dead:
Thy friend thou hast slain in thy folly; the blood of the Saint on thy
head:
Proud and priestly, thou say'st;--yet tender and faithful and pure;
True man, and so, true saint;--the crown of his martyrdom sure:--
As friend with his friend, he could brave thee and warn; thou hast
silenced the voice,
Ne'er to be heard again:--nor again will Henry rejoice!
Green Erin may yield her, fair Scotland submit; but his sunshine is o'er;
The tooth of the serpent, the child of his bosom, has smote him so sore:--
Like a wolf from the hounds he dragg'd off to his lair, not turning to
bay:--
Crying 'shame on a conquer'd king!'--the grim ghost fled sullen away.
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