II Artegal and Elidure

William Wordsworth

Ernest De Selincourt (ed.), The Poetical Works of William Wordsworth, Vol. 2: Poems Founded on the Affections; Poems on the Naming of Places; Poems of the Fancy; Poems of the Imagination (Second Edition)

Main Text

Editor’s Notepg 14Editor’s NoteIIARTEGAL AND ELIDURE

(see the chronicle of geoffrey of monmouth, and milton's history of England)

[Composed 1815.—Published 1820]

Critical Apparatus1Where be the temples which in Britain's Isle,

2For his paternal Gods, the Trojan raised?

3Gone like a morning dream, or like a pile

4Of clouds that in cerulean ether blazed!

5Ere Julius landed on her white-cliffed shore,

6    They sank, delivered o'er

7To fatal dissolution; and, I ween,

8No vestige then was left that such had ever been.

Critical Apparatus9Nathless, a British record (long concealed

10In old Armorica, whose secret springs

11No Gothic conqueror ever drank) revealed

Critical Apparatus12The marvellous current of forgotten things;

Editor’s Note13How Brutus came, by oracles impelled,

14    And Albion's giants quelled,

15A brood whom no civility could melt,

Editor’s Note16"Who never tasted grace, and goodness ne'er had felt."

17By brave Corineus aided, he subdued,

18And rooted out the intolerable kind;

19And this too-long-polluted land imbued

20With goodly arts and usages refined;

pg 1521Whence golden harvests, cities, warlike towers,

Critical Apparatus22    And pleasure's sumptuous bowers;

23Whence all the fixed delights of house and home,

24Friendships that will not break, and love that cannot roam.

25O, happy Britain! region all too fair

Critical Apparatus26For self-delighting fancy to endure

27That silence only should inhabit there,

28Wild beasts, or uncouth savages impure!

29But, intermingled with the generous seed,

Critical Apparatus30    Grew many a poisonous weed;

31Thus fares it still with all that takes its birth

32From human care, or grows upon the breast of earth.

Editor’s Note Critical Apparatus33Hence, and how soon! that war of vengeance waged

34By Guendolen against her faithless lord;

35Till she, in jealous fury unassuaged,

36Had slain his paramour with ruthless sword:

37Then into Severn hideously defiled,

38    She flung her blameless child,

39Sabrina,—vowing that the stream should bear

Critical Apparatus40That name through every age, her hatred to declare.

Critical Apparatus41So speaks the Chronicle, and tells of Lear

42By his ungrateful daughters turned adrift.

Critical Apparatus43Ye lightnings, hear his voice!—they cannot hear,

44Nor can the winds restore his simple gift.

45But One there is, a Child of nature meek,

46    Who comes her Sire to seek;

47And he, recovering sense, upon her breast

Critical Apparatus48Leans smilingly, and sinks into a perfect rest.

Critical Apparatus49There too we read of Spenser's fairy themes,

Editor’s Note50And those that Milton loved in youthful years;

51The sage enchanter Merlin's subtle schemes;

52The feats of Arthur and his knightly peers;

pg 1653Where England's Darling found a basis laid

54To those dread scenes which on the tragic stage

55To trembling multitudes his art displayed

Critical Apparatus56Of Arthur,—who, to upper light restored,

Critical Apparatus57    With that terrific sword

58Which yet he brandishes for future war,

59Shall lift his country's fame above the polar star!

60What wonder, then, if in such ample field

Critical Apparatus61Of old tradition, one particular flower

62Doth seemingly in vain its fragrance yield,

Critical Apparatus63And bloom unnoticed even to this late hour?

Critical Apparatus64Now, gentle Muses, your assistance grant,

65    While I this flower transplant

66Into a garden stored with Poesy;

67Where flowers and herbs unite, and haply some weeds be,

68That, wanting not wild grace, are from all mischief free!

69A King more worthy of respect and love

70Than wise Gorbonian ruled not in his day;

71And grateful Britain prospered far above

72All neighbouring countries through his righteous sway;

73He poured rewards and honours on the good;

74    The oppressor he withstood;

Critical Apparatus75And while he served the Gods with reverence due,

76Fields smiled, and temples rose, and towns and cities grew.

Critical Apparatus77He died, whom Artegal succeeds—his son;

78But how unworthy of that sire was he!

79A hopeful reign, auspiciously begun,

80Was darkened soon by foul iniquity.

81From crime to crime he mounted, till at length

82    The nobles leagued their strength

83With a vexed people, and the tyrant chased;

84And on the vacant throne his worthier Brother placed.

85And to that chronicle be praise decreed

86For this, that there we read

87Of Merlin's insight into future years

Critical Apparatus88And all the mighty feats of Arthur and his peers MS.

pg 17Critical Apparatus89From realm to realm the humbled Exile went,

Critical Apparatus90Suppliant for aid his kingdom to regain;

91In many a court, and many a warrior's tent,

Editor’s Note92He urged his persevering suit in vain.

93Him, in whose wretched heart ambition failed,

94    Dire poverty assailed;

95And, tired with slights his pride no more could brook,

96He towards his native country cast a longing look.

97Fair blew the wished-for wind—the voyage sped;

Critical Apparatus98He landed; and by many dangers scared,

99"Poorly provided, poorly followed,"

100To Calaterium's forest he repaired.

101How changed from him who, born to highest place,

102    Had swayed the royal mace,

103Flattered and feared, despised yet deified,

104In Troynovant, his seat by silver Thames's side!

Critical Apparatus105From that wild region where the crownless king

Critical Apparatus106Lay in concealment with his scanty train,

107Supporting life by water from the spring,

108And such chance food as outlaws can obtain,

Critical Apparatus109Unto the few whom he esteems his friends

110    A messenger he sends;

111And from their secret loyalty requires

112Shelter and daily bread,—the sum of his desires.

pg 18113While he the issue waits, at early morn

114Wandering by stealth abroad, he chanced to hear

115A startling outcry made by hound and horn,

116From which the tusky wild boar flies in fear;

117And, scouring toward him o'er the grassy plain,

118    Behold the hunter train!

119He bids his little company advance

120With seeming unconcern and steady countenance.

121The royal Elidure, who leads the chase,

122Hath checked his foaming courser:—can it be!

Critical Apparatus123Methinks that I should recognise that face,

124Though much disguised by long adversity!

125He gazed rejoicing, and again he gazed,

126    Confounded and amazed—

127"It is the king, my brother!" and, by sound

128Of his own voice confirmed, he leaps upon the ground.

129Long, strict, and tender was the embrace he gave,

Critical Apparatus130Feebly returned by daunted Artegal;

131Whose natural affection doubts enslave,

132And apprehensions dark and criminal.

133Loth to restrain the moving interview,

134The attendant lords withdrew;

135And, while they stood upon the plain apart,

136Thus Elidure, by words, relieved his struggling heart.

137"By heavenly Powers conducted, we have met;

138—O Brother! to my knowledge lost so long,

139But neither lost to love, nor to regret,

140Nor to my wishes lost;—forgive the wrong,

141(Such it may seem) if I thy crown have borne,

Critical Apparatus142    Thy royal mantle worn:

143I was their natural guardian; and 'tis just

144That now I should restore what hath been held in trust."

145A while the astonished Artegal stood mute,

146Then thus exclaimed: "To me, of titles shorn,

147And stripped of power! me, feeble, destitute,

148To me a kingdom! spare the bitter scorn:

pg 19149If justice ruled the breast of foreign kings,

Critical Apparatus150      Then, on the wide-spread wings

151Of war, had I returned to claim my right;

152This will I here avow, not dreading thy despite."

153"I do not blame thee," Elidure replied;

154"But, if my looks did with my words agree,

155I should at once be trusted, not defied,

156And thou from all disquietude be free.

157May the unsullied Goddess of the chase,

158    Who to this blessed place

159At this blest moment led me, if I speak

160With insincere intent, on me her vengeance wreak!

161"Were this same spear, which in my hand I grasp,

162The British sceptre, here would I to thee

163The symbol yield; and would undo this clasp,

164If it confined the robe of sovereignty.

165Odious to me the pomp of regal court,

Critical Apparatus166     And joyless sylvan sport,

167While thou art roving, wretched and forlorn,

168Thy couch the dewy earth, thy roof the forest thorn!"

169Then Artegal thus spake: "I only sought

170Within this realm a place of safe retreat;

171Beware of rousing an ambitious thought;

Critical Apparatus172Beware of kindling hopes, for me unmeet!

173Thou art reputed wise, but in my mind

174    Art pitiably blind:

175Full soon this generous purpose thou may'st rue,

176When that which has been done no wishes can undo.

177"Who, when a crown is fixed upon his head,

178Would balance claim with claim, and right with right?

179But thou—I know not how inspired, how led—

180Wouldst change the course of things in all men's sight!

181And this for one who cannot imitate

182    Thy virtue, who may hate:

183For, if, by such strange sacrifice restored,

184He reign, thou still must be his king, and sovereign lord;

pg 20185"Lifted in magnanimity above

186Aught that my feeble nature could perform,

187Or even conceive; surpassing me in love

188Far as in power the eagle doth the worm:

189I, Brother! only should be king in name,

190     And govern to my shame;

191A shadow in a hated land, while all

192Of glad or willing service to thy share would fall."

Critical Apparatus193"Believe it not," said Elidure; "respect

194Awaits on virtuous life, and ever most

Editor’s Note Critical Apparatus195Attends on goodness with dominion decked,

196Which stands the universal empire's boast;

Critical Apparatus197This can thy own experience testify:

198    Nor shall thy foes deny

199That, in the gracious opening of thy reign,

Critical Apparatus200Our father's spirit seemed in thee to breathe again.

201"And what if o'er that bright unbosoming

Critical Apparatus202Clouds of disgrace and envious fortune passed!

203Have we not seen the glories of the spring

204By veil of noontide darkness overcast?

205The frith that glittered like a warrior's shield,

206     The sky, the gay green field,

207Are vanished; gladness ceases in the groves,

Critical Apparatus208And trepidation strikes the blackened mountain-coves.

Critical Apparatus209"But is that gloom dissolved? how passing clear

210Seems the wide world, far brighter than before!

211Even so thy latent worth will re-appear,

212Gladdening the people's heart from shore to shore;

213For youthful faults ripe virtues shall atone;

214    Re-seated on thy throne,

215Proof shalt thou furnish that misfortune, pain,

216And sorrow, have confirmed thy native right to reign.

pg 21217"But, not to overlook what thou may'st know,

Editor’s Note Critical Apparatus218Thy enemies are neither weak nor few;

219And circumspect must be our course, and slow,

220Or from my purpose ruin may ensue.

221Dismiss thy followers;—let them calmly wait

222    Such change in thy estate

223As I already have in thought devised;

224And which, with caution due, may soon be realized."

225The Story tells what courses were pursued,

226Until king Elidure, with full consent

Critical Apparatus227Of all his peers, before the multitude,

228Rose,—and, to consummate this just intent,

Critical Apparatus229Did place upon his brother's head the crown,

230     Relinquished by his own;

231Then to his people cried, "Receive your lord,

232Gorbonian's first-born son, your rightful king restored!"

pg 22233The people answered with a loud acclaim:

234Yet more;—heart-smitten by the heroic deed,

235The reinstated Artegal became

236Earth's noblest penitent; from bondage freed

237Of vice—thenceforth unable to subvert

238     Or shake his high desert.

239Long did he reign; and, when he died, the tear

240Of universal grief bedewed his honoured bier.

241Thus was a Brother by a Brother saved;

242With whom a crown (temptation that hath set

243Discord in hearts of men till they have braved

244Their nearest kin with deadly purpose met)

245'Gainst duty weighed, and faithful love, did seem

246     A thing of no esteem;

247And, from this triumph of affection pure,

248He bore the lasting name of "pious Elidure!"

Notes Settings

Editor’s Note

p. 14. II. Artegal and Elidure. "Rydal Mount. This was written in the year 1815, as a token of affectionate respect for the memory of Milton. ''I have determined,' says he, in his preface to his History of England, 'to bestow the telling over even of these reputed tales, be it for nothing else but in favour of our English Poets and Rhetoricians, who by their art will know how to use them judiciously.'"—I. F. (The quotation comes not from the Preface, but Bk. I, end of paragraph 2. E. Q.'s copy of the I. F. note, the only one known to be extant, has "wit" for "art".) The "reputed tale" is thus told by Milton: "Gorbonian, the eldest of his [Morindus'] five sons, than whom a juster man lived not in his age, was a great builder of temples, and gave to all what was their due: to his gods, devout worship: to men of desert, honour and preferment: to the commons, encouragement in their labours and trades, defence and protection from injuries and oppressions: so that the land flourished above her neighbours: violence and wrong seldom were heard of. His death was a general loss: he was buried in Trinovant. "Archigallo, the second brother, followed not his example: but depressed the ancient nobility: and, by peeling the wealthier sort, stuffed his treasury, and took the right way to be deposed. "Elidure, the next brother, surnamed the Pious, was set up in his place: a mind so noble, and so moderate, as almost is incredible to have been ever found. For, having held the sceptre five years, hunting one day in the forest of Calater, he chanced to meet his deposed brother, wandering in a mean condition: who had been long in vain beyond the seas, importuning foreign aids to his restorement; and was now, in a poor habit, with only ten followers, privately returned to find subsistence among his secret friends. At the unexpected sight of him, Elidure himself also then but thinly accompanied, runs to him with open arms; and after many dear and sincere welcomings, conveys him to the city Alclud: there hides him in his own bedchamber. Afterwards feigning himself sick, summons all his peers, as about greatest affairs, where admitting them one by one, as if his weakness endured not the disturbance of more at once, causes them, willing or unwilling, once more to swear allegiance to Archigallo. Whom, after reconciliation made on all sides, he leads to York: and, from his head, places the crown on the head of his brother. Who thenceforth, vice itself dissolving in him, and forgetting her firmest hold, with the admiration of a deed so heroic, became a true converted man; ruled worthily ten years, died, and was buried in Caerleir. Thus was a brother saved by a brother, to whom love of a crown, the thing that so often dazzles and vitiates mortal men, for which thousands of nearest blood have destroyed each other, was in respect of brotherly dearness, a contemptible thing." The theme of "brotherly dearness" which attracted W. to the story, accounts for his placing the poem next to The Brothers.

Three MSS. of the poem are known to me; (1) an incomplete rough draft in W. W.'s hand, (2) one begun by S. H., but completed by W. W.; (3) by M. W. (probable date 1817).

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William Wordsworth

Ernest De Selincourt (ed.), The Poetical Works of William Wordsworth, Vol. 2: Poems Founded on the Affections; Poems on the Naming of Places; Poems of the Fancy; Poems of the Imagination (Second Edition)

Main Text

Editor’s Notepg 14Editor’s NoteIIARTEGAL AND ELIDURE

Notes