Page:Elfrida, a Dramatic Poem - Mason (1752).djvu/31

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That reddens in the eye-ball of the wolf.Let us entreat———
ORGAR.Know, Virgins, I was bornTo ample property of lands and flocks,On this side Tweeda's stream. My youth and vigorAtchiev'd full many a feat of martial prowess:Nor was my skill in chivalry unnoted,In the fair volume of my sov'reign's love;Who ever held me in his best esteem,And closest to his person. When he paid,What all must pay, to fate; and short-liv'd EdwyMounted the vacant throne, which now his brotherFills (as loud Fame reports) right royally;I then, unfit for pageantry and courts,Retir'd me with a set of chosen vassalsTo my paternal seat. But ah! not longHad I enjoy'd the sweets of that recess,Ere by the savage inroads of base hinds,That sallied frequent from the Scottish heights,My lands were all laid waste, my people murder'd;And I, thro' impotence of age unfitTo quell their brutal rage, was forc'd to dragMy mis'ries thro' the land, a friendless wand'rer.
CHORUS.We pity and condole thy wretched state,But we can do no more; which, on thy part,
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