Th' Earth o' the grave hath stopt his hearing, Sir; OLD PLAY. THE GARTER. A ROMANCE OF ENGLISH HISTORY. "Honi soit qui Mal y pense." ENGLAND resumed her ascendancy over Scotland soon after Edward the Third had commenced that brilliant reign which was destined to attract the eyes of all Europe towards him. Nature and Fortune seemed to have concurred in distinguishing this Prince from all other monarchs. He was very tall, but well shaped; and of so noble and majestic an aspect, that his very looks commanded esteem and veneration. His conversation was easy, and always accompanied with gravity and discretion. He was affable and obliging, benevolent and condescending; and although the most renowned Prince, Warrior, and Statesman, of the age in which he lived, his manners and conduct were courteous, unaffected, and even humble. His heart, filled with visions of glory, was as yet ignorant of a passion with which few men know how to combat ; and which is equally the source of the greater part of all the virtues, and vices, of humanity: young Edward was unacquainted with love. He only aspired to resume those conquests, which had escaped from the feeble grasp of his unhappy Father. He burned with the desire of subjecting a neighbouring kingdom, the conquest of which had ever been a favourite project of England. Robert Bruce was in his grave; and his successor, although he inherited his courage, did but hasten the destruction of the Scottish monarchy. The English Monarch was served by men who were worthy of their master. William Montacute had fought with distinction and success, against the French and Scots, and raised by the king to the rank of Earl of Salisbury, he desired nothing but the continuance of his Sovereign's favour; which Edward confirmed, by engaging the Baron de Grandison, one of his Ministers, to give his eldest daughter to him in marriage. Katharine de Grandison had not yet appeared at Court, but lived in seclusion and solitude at her Father's castle in Gloucestershire. To a tall and stately form, and a majestic gait, she added the most sylph-like grace, and lightness of figure. Her features were of that classical symmetry, and faultless beauty, which we so often see in the Greek statues, and sigh over as if they were only the dreams of the inspired. Her face was exquisitely fair; her eyes of an intense blue; and her voice surpassingly rich, powerful, and melodious. The accomplishments, both mental and acquired, with which she was endowed, were of as high an order as those of her person; and to both, she united a sweetness and gentleness of disposition, which made her the idol of all who were acquainted with her. Her Father, the Lord de Grandison, was of a lofty and imperious character. Neither very mild, or, what has been in modern times called amiable, he had a stern and inflexible spirit of justice, and probity. Incapable of sycophancy, although he resided at Court, and adoring his Sovereign without being able to degrade himself to the rank of a flatterer, he would gladly have sacrificed his life for the King, but his honour was dearer to him even than Edward. Next to the Monarch, and the state, the object to which he was most attached was his daughter; and he lost no time in acquainting Katharine with the wishes of his Master, who demanded her hand for the Earl of Salisbury. The Father did not observe the Daughter's emo tion, but retired, convinced that he should be obeyed, and that she knew no other law than her parent's will. He had, however, not long quitted the apartment before her younger sister Alice entered it, and found her bathed in tears. "Sweet Sister," said Alice, "what mean these tears?" "Alas!" returned the lady Katharine, “ I am no longer to be mistress of myself. Thy love, and my Father's protection, were all I wished to form my happiness; and I am now about to pass under the yoke of a husband, whom I have never seen, nor ever wish to see." It was in vain that Alice endeavoured to impress upon her Sister's mind the advantages which would attend her union with King Edward's favourite. "It is true," she replied, "that the Earl of Salisbury stands high in the favour of the greatest Monarch in Europe. But hast thou ever seen the King, Alice? Is he not worthy of the homage of all mankind? Lives there any one who can so irresistibly command our respect, our veneration, our love? I beheld him but once, at an entertainment to which my Father accompanied me: but one glance was sufficient! Oh! how happy will that Princess be who calls him husband!" At these words the young lady paused, and blushed; yet notwithstanding such very unpromising |