ABSTRACT
Earl Mortaign will not yield; and his resistance Kindles fresh flames each Hour in William’s breast.
C h e s t e r . O that the brighter light of liberal justice Would burst through these dense mists of shallow policy! Then would they see, that large extent of Empire Is but large labour; and that never yet Did Man devise a task so refractory 20 As ruling Man, — a Creature prone to struggle With restless skill, ’gainst every thing - but self! There, all facility, he yields supine To his each wish, slave of his own caprice,
So early rank’d himself with William’s foes ’Twas his, allied to both, to reconcile Our England’s King with Normandy’s brave Duke. But Robert has his Heart; and from yon Citadel, Beseig’d as yet in vain, he fights his Cause, 30 And vows to fight relentless, till the Duke, His elder Nephew, sits on England’s Throne.
