Part I, Madoc in Wales: XVI

Now hath the Lord of Ocean once again
Set foot in Mona. Llaian there receives
Sisterly greeting from the royal maid,
Who, while she tempers to the public eye
Her welcome, safely to the boy indulged
In fond endearments of instinctive love.
When the first flow of joy was overpast,
How went the equipment on, the Prince enquired.
Nay, brother, quoth Goervyl, ask thou that
Of Urien; . . it hath been his sole employ
Daily, from cock-crow until even-song,
That he hath laid aside all other thoughts,
Forgetful even of me! She said, and smiled
Playful reproach u pon the good old man,
Who, in such chiding as affection loves,
Dallying with terms of wrong, returned rebuke.
There, Madoc! pointing to the shore, he cried,
There are they moored ; six gallant barks, as trim
And worthy of the sea, as ever yet
Gave canvass to the gale. The mariners
Flock to thy banner, and the call hath roused
Many a brave spirit. Soon as Spring shall serve,
There need be no delay. I should depart
Without one wish that lingers, could we bear
Ririd from hence, and break poor Rodri's chains,
Thy lion-hearted brother; . . and that boy,
If he were with us, Madoc! that dear boy
Llewelyn !

Sister, said the Prince at that,
How sped the Queen ?

Oh Madoc! she replied,
A hard and unrelenting heart hath he.
The gentle Emma told me she had failed,
And that was all she told ; but in her eye
I could see sorrow struggling. She complains not,
And yet, I know, in bitterness laments
The hour, which brought her as a victim here.

Then I will seek the Monarch, Madoc cried ;
And forth he went. Cold welcome David gave,
Such as might chill a suppliant; but the Prince
Fearless began. I found at Dinevawr
Our brother Ririd, and he made his suit
That he might follow me, a banished man.
He waits thy answer at the court of Rhys.
Now I beseech thee, David, say to him
His father's hall is open!

Then the king
Replied, I told thee, Madoc, thy request
Displeased me heretofore ; I warned thee, too,
To shun the rebel; yet my messenger
Tells me, the guests at Dinevawr, who sate
At board with Rhys, and drank of his own cup,
Were Madoc and Lord Ririd. .. Was this well,
This open disobedience to my will,
And my express command ?

Madoc subdued
His rising wrath. If I should tell thee, Sire,
He answered, by what chance it so fell out,
I should of disobedience stand excused,
Had that here a crime. Yet think again,
David, and let thy better mind prevail !
I am his surety here ; he comes alone; -
The strength of yonder armament is mine ;
And when did I deceive thee? . . I did hope,
For natural love and public decency,
That ye would part in friendship . . . let that pass !
He may remain, and join me in the hour
Of embarkation. But, for thine own sake,
Cast off these vile suspicions, and the fear
That makes its danger! Call to mind, my brother,
The rampart that we were to Owen's throne !
Are there no moments when the thoughts and loves
Of other days return? . . Let Rodri loose !
Restore him to his birth-right ! .. Why wouldst thou
Hold him in chains, when benefits would bind
His noble spirit ?

Leave me! cried the King ;
Thou knowest the theme is hateful to my ear.
I have the mastery now, and idle words,
Madoc, shall never thrust me from the throne,
Which this right arm in battle hardly won.
There must he lie till Nature set him free,
And so deliver both. Trespass no more !

A little yet bear with me, Madoc cried.
I leave this land for ever ; let me first
Behold my brother Rodri, lest he think
My summer love be withered, and in wrath
Remember me hereafter.

Leave me, Madoc !
Speedily, ere indulgence grow a fault,
Exclaimed the Monarch. Do not tempt my wrath.
Thou knowest me!

Aye! the Ocean Prince replied,
I know thee, David, and I pity thee,
Thou poor, suspicious, miserable man !
Friend hast thou none, except thy country's foe,
That hateful Saxon, he whose bloody hand
Plucked out thy brethren's eyes ; and for thy kin,
Them hast thou made thy perilous enemies.
What if the Lion Rodri were abroad ?
What if Llewelyn's banner were displayed ?
The sword of England could not save thee then.
Frown not, and menace not! for what am I,
That I should fear thine anger? .. And with that
He turned indignant from the wrathful King.