  A LEGENDARY TALE OF WHITBY ABBEY. By William Watkins. Oswy, king of Northumberland, being engaged in war with Penda, the Pagan king of Mercia, he vowed that, should he come off victorious, his daughter should dedicate herself to the service of God by a life of celibacy, and that he would give twelve of his mansions for the erection of monasteries. Being successful, Oswy, in order to fulfil his vow, placed his daughter Ethelfleda, then scarcely a year old, as a nun in the monastery called Hertesie (Stag Island), of which Lady Hilda, niece of Edwin, first Christian king of Northumberland, was abbess; and having procured ten hides of land, in the place called Streanshalle (Whitby), built there in 657, a monastery for men and women of the Benedictine order, which was dedicated to St. Peter, and Lady Hilda appointed the first abbess. This lady was so famous for her sanctity that she attained the name of St. Hilda, and the monastery, though dedicated to St. Peter, is generally called after her. This abbey continued to flourish till about the year 867, when a party of Danes, under Hinguar and Hubba, landed at Dunsley Bay, the Dunus Sinus of Ptolemy, plundered the country around, and amongst other depredations entirely destroyed the monastery. About this period the tale is supposed to commence; the succeeding incidents are all fictitious, and were dictated to the author, in some measure, by the romantic situation of the abbey, (magnificent in ruin,) which is exceedingly proper for such events. This monastery lay in ruins till after the conquest, when king William assigned Whitby to Hugh de Abrincis, who disposed of the place to William de Percy, by whom the monastery was refounded about 1074, and dedicated to St. Peter and St. Hilda. In the reign of Henry VIII. this house shared the fate of the other monastic establishments; and its yearly revenues, according to Dugdale, were £437 2s. 9d.; and £505 9s. 1d., according to Speed. "Here mayst thou rest, my sister dear, Securely here abide; Here royal Edelfleda lived, Here pious Hilda died. "Here peace and quiet ever dwell: Here fear no rude alarms; Nor here is heard the trumpet's sound, Nor here the din of arms!" With voice compos'd and look serene, (Whilst her soft hand he press'd,) The maid, who trembled on his arm, Young Edwy thus address'd. Blue gleam'd the steel in Edwy's hand, The warrior's vest he bore: For now the Danes, by Hubba led, Had ravaged half the shore. His summons at the abbey gate The ready porter hears; And soon, in veil and holy garb, The abbess kind appears. "O take this virgin to thy care, Good angels be your guard; And may the saints in heaven above That pious care reward. "For we by fierce barbarian hands Are driven from our home; And three long days and nights forlorn, The dreary waste we roam. "But I must go—these towers to save; Beneath the evening shade, I haste to seek Earl Osrick's pow'r, And call Lord Redwald's aid." He said—and turn'd his ready foot; The abbess nought replies; But, with a look that spoke her grief, To heaven upcast her eyes. Then, turning to the stranger dame, "O welcome to this place; For never Whitby's holy fane Did fairer maiden grace." And true she said—for on her cheek Was seen young beauty's bloom, Though grief, with slow and wasting stealth, Did then her prime consume. Her shape was all that thought can frame, Of elegance and grace; And heav'n the beauties of her mind Reflected in her face. "My daughter, lay aside thy fears," Again the matron cry'd, "No Danish ravishers come here—" —Again the virgin sigh'd. The abbess saw, the abbess knew, 'Twas love that shook her breast; And thus, in accents soft and mild, The mournful maid addrest, "My daughter dear, as to thy friend Be all thy care confest; I see 'tis love disturbs thy mind, And wish to give thee rest. "But hark! I hear the vesper bell, Now summons us to prayer; That duty done, with needful food Thy wasted strength repair." But now the pitying mournful muse Of Edwy's hap shall tell; And what amid his nightly walk That gallant youth befell. For journeying by the bank of Esk He took his lonely way; And now through showers of driving rain His erring footsteps stray. At length, from far, a glimmering light Trembled among the trees: And entering soon a moss-built hut, A holy man he sees. "O father, deign a luckless youth This night with thee to shield; I am no robber, though my arm This deadly weapon wield." "I fear no robber, stranger, here, For I have nought to lose; And thou mayst safely through the night In this poor cell repose. "And thou art welcome to my hut," The holy man replied; "Still welcome here is he whom fate Has left without a guide. "Whence and what art thou, gentle youth?" The noble Edwy said, "I go to rouse Earl Osrick's power, And seek Lord Redwald's aid. "My father is a wealthy lord, Who now with Alfred stays; And me he left to guard his seat, Whilst he his duty pays. "But vain the hope—in dead of night The cruel spoiler came; And o'er each neighb'ring castle threw The wide-devouring flame. "To shun its rage, at early dawn, I with my sister fled; And Whitby's abbey now affords A shelter to her head. "Whilst I, to hasten promised aids, Range wildly through the night, And, with impatient mind, expect The morning's friendly light." Thus Edwy spoke; and wondering, gazed Upon his hermit host, For in his form beam'd manly grace, Untouch'd by age's frost. The hermit sigh'd and thus he said;— "Know, there was once a day, This tale of thine would fire my heart, And bid me join thy way. "But luckless love dejects my soul, And casts my spirits down; Thou seest the wretch of woman's pride, Of follies not my own. "I once amid my sovereign's train Was a distinguish'd youth, But blighted is my former fame, By Sorrow's cankering tooth. "When Ethelred the crown did hold, I to this district came; And then a fair and matchless maid First raised in me a flame. "Her father was a noble lord Of an illustrious race, Who join'd to rustic honesty The courtier's gentle race. "'Twas then I told my artless tale, By love alone inspired; For never was my honest speech In flattering guise attired. "At first she heard, or seem'd to hear, The voice of tender love; But soon, the ficklest of her sex, Did she deceitful prove. "She drove me scornful from her sight, Rejected and disdain'd; In vain did words for pity plead, In vain my looks complain'd. "How could that breast which pity fill'd, Ever relentless be? How could that face which smiled on all, Have ever frowns for me? "Since that fell hour, I in this cell Have lived recluse from man; And twice ten months have pass'd since I The hermit's life began." "O stain to honour!" Edwy cry'd; "O foul disgrace to arms! What, when thy country claims thy aid, And shakes with war's alarms! "Canst thou, inglorious, here remain, And strive thyself to hide; Assume the monkish coward life, All for a woman's pride?" With louder voice and warmer look, His hermit host rejoin'd; "Think'st thou, vain youth, the chains of fear Could here a warrior bind? "Know, boy, thou seest Hermanrick here; Well vers'd in war's alarms; A name once not unknown to fame, Nor unrenown'd in arms. "O, Athelgiva! (yet too dear) Did I thy danger know: Yet would I fly to thy relief, And crush th' invading foe." With fluster'd cheek, young Edwy turn'd, At Athelgiva's name; And, "Gracious powers! it must be he!" He cries, "it is the same! "I know full well, I have not now More of thy tale to learn; I heard this morn, ere from the wave You could the sun discern. "My sister loves thee, gallant youth, By all the saints on high! She wept last night, when thy hard fate She told with many a sigh. "Forgive her, then, and in her cause Thy limbs with steel infold: Was it not Ardolph's daughter, say, Who late thy heart did hold?" "It was, it was!" Hermanrick cry'd; "I heard her brother's name; "Tis said he was a gallant youth, Who sought abroad for fame." Then Edwy sprang to his embrace, And clasp'd him to his breast; "And thou shalt be my brother, too," He said and look'd the rest. "But now let honour fill thy mind, Be love's soft laws obey'd; 'Tis Athelgiva claims thy sword, 'Tis she demands thy aid. "She, with impatient anxious heart, Expects my quick return; And till again she sees me safe, The hapless maid will mourn. "Then let us fly to seek these chiefs, Who promised aid to send; Earl Osrick was my father's guest, Lord Redwald is my friend." Hermanrick said, "First let us go To cheer yon drooping maid; Again I'll wear my canker'd arms, Again I'll draw my blade." Then from a corner of the cell His clashing arms appear; But when he mark'd the growing rust, The warrior dropt a tear. Then forth they went—Hermanrick knew Each pathway of the wood; And safe before the abbey gate At break of day they stood. Now sleep the wearied maiden's eyes At length had kindly seal'd, When at the gate the wandering knights Returning day reveal'd. "Quick call the abbess," Edwy said, To him who kept the door, Who watch'd and pray'd the live-long night, A pious priest and poor. The abbess came, with instant haste; Th' alarming bell was rung; And from their matted homely beds The fainted virgins sprung. Fair Athelgiva first the dame, Soft speaking, thus addrest; "My daughter, an important call Commands me break thy rest. "Thy brother at the abbey gate, Appears with features glad; And with him comes a stranger knight, In war-worn armour clad." With falt'ring step and bloodless cheek, Young Athelgiva went: Confusion, shame, surprise and joy, At once her bosom rent, When in the stranger knight she saw Hermanrick's much-lov'd face; Whilst he, by gen'rous love impell'd, Rush'd to her fond embrace. Vain would the muse attempt to paint What joy the lover knew, Who found his long-disdainful maid At once fair, kind, and true. Then Edwy, while entranc'd in bliss The happy pair remain'd, Recounted o'er the tale, how he Hermanrick lost regain'd. But soon, alas! too soon, was heard, To damp their new-form'd joys, The groan of death, the shout of war, And battle's mingled noise. For up the hill, with eager haste, A breathless courier came; He cries, "Prepare for dire alarms, And shun th' approaching flame." "Fierce Hubba, landing on the beach, Now drives our feeble band; Who, far too few to stop his force, Fly o'er the crimson'd sand." What anguish fill'd the maiden's breast, What rage the lover knew, When looking down the steepy hill, They found the tale was true. Each warlike youth then grasp'd his spear, The trembling damsel said, "O where is now Earl Osrick's power, And where Lord Redwald's aid?" "Alas, alas!" the abbess cries, "Far as my sight is borne, I cannot see the ruddy cross, Nor hear Earl Osrick's horn." Stern Hubba now to direful deeds Impell'd his savage crew; And o'er the blood-empurpled strand The golden raven flew. "Behold," he cries, and waves his lance, "Where yon proud turrets rise; Of those who prove war's glorious toil, Let beauty be the prize. "There gold and beauty both are found, Then follow where I lead; And quickly know you have not fought For honour's empty meed." He said: and press'd to gain the hill, His shouting train pursue; And, fir'd by hopes of brutal joys, Behold the prize in view. Young Edwy mark'd their near approach, And rush'd t' oppose their way; Nor did, with equal ardour fir'd, Behind Hermanrick stay. Like mountain boars, the brother chiefs On Denmark's warriors flew; And those who held the foremost ranks, Their fury overthrew. Soon, pierc'd by Edwy's fatal lance, Lay valiant Turkil here, There Hardicanute bit the dust, Beneath Hermanrick's spear. But vain is courage, strength, or skill, Where two oppose an host; A dart, with sure and deadly aim, At Edwy Hubba tost. His sister, who, o'erpower'd by grief, Had fainted on the floor, Recover'd by the matron's care, Now sought the abbey door. When on the fated carnag'd spot, She cast her weeping eyes; "O blessed Mary!" cries the maid, "My brother bleeds and dies." Then forth she ran and gain'd the place; Where, press'd by crowds of foes, Hermanrick stood—the shades of death Her brother's eyelids close. The furious Dane nor pity knew Nor stay'd his vengeful arm; Nor aught avails that heavenly face, Which might a tiger charm. First on th' unguarded chief he rush'd, And bore him to the ground; The helpless damsel's plaint of woe, In war's loud shout is drown'd. She saw Hermanrick's quiv'ring lips, She mark'd his rolling eye; She faints, she falls; before her sight Death's visions dimly fly. "And, O thou dear and much-lov'd youth," The dying virgin cried; "Howe'er in life I wrong'd thy truth, Yet true with thee I died." She spoke no more—e'en Hubba felt The force of love sincere; Then first his breast confess'd the sigh, Then first his cheek the tear. "And, O my friends, the rage of war," He cries, "awhile forbear; And to their weeping kindred straight These breathless bodies bear. "Or fear the wrath of Powers Divine—" Nor could he further say; But quickly with disorder'd march, Bent to his ships his way. For now was heard Earl Osrick's horn, Shrill sounding through the dale; And now Lord Redwald's ruddy cross Was waving to the gale. His tardy aid Earl Osrick brought Too late, alas! to save; And far beyond th' avenging sword The Dane now rode the wave. Grief seized the warrior's heart, to see In dust young Edwy laid; And stretch'd by brave Hermanrick's side Fair Athelgiva dead. But on the holy cross he swore A brave revenge to take, On Denmark's proud and bloody sons, For Athelgiva's sake. This vow in Kenwurth's glorious field The gallant earl did pay; When Alfred's better star prevail'd, And England had her day. That day the Dane full dearly paid The price of lovers' blood: That day in Hubba's cloven helm The Saxon javelin stood. The bodies of the hapless three A single grave contains; And in the choir, with dirges due, Are laid their cold remains. Lord Ardolph on his children's tomb Inscribed th' applauding verse; And long the monks, in gothic rhyme, Their story did rehearse. And often pointing to the skies, The cloister'd maids would cry, "To those bright realms, in bloom of youth, Did Athelgiva fly." |
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