Imogen | Page 7

and
more athletic than the throng, grasped each others arms with an eager
hand, and struggled for the victory. Now with manly vigour the one
shook the sinewy frame of the other; now they bended together almost
to the earth, and now with double force they reared again their gigantic
stature. At one time they held each other at the greatest possible
distance; and again, their arms, their legs and their whole bodies
entwined, they seemed as if they had grown together. When the weaker
or less skilful was overthrown, he tumbled like a vast and mountain oak,
that for ages had resisted the tumult of the winds; and the whole plain
resounded at his fall. Such as were unengaged formed a circle round the
wrestlers, and by their shouts and applause animated by turns the
flagging courage of either.
And now the sun had gained his meridian height, and, fatigued with
labour and heat, they seated themselves upon the grass to partake of
their plain and rural feast. The parched wheat was set out in baskets,
and the new cheeses were heaped together. The blushing apple, the
golden pear, the shining plum, and the rough-coated chesnut were
scattered in attractive confusion. Here were the polished cherry and the
downy peach; and here the eager gooseberry, and the rich and
plenteous clusters of the purple grape. The neighbouring fountain
afforded them a cool and sparkling beverage, and the lowing herds
supplied the copious bowl with white and foaming draughts of milk.
The meaner bards accompanied the artless luxury of the feast with the
symphony of their harps.
The repast being finished, the company now engaged in those less
active sports, that exercise the subtility of the wit, more than the agility
or strength of the body. Their untutored minds delighted themselves in
the sly enigma, and the quaint conundrum. Much was their laughter at
the wild guesses of the thoughtless and the giddy; and great the triumph
of the swain who penetrated the mystery, and successfully removed the
abstruseness of the problem. Many were the feats of skill exhibited by
the dextrous shepherd, and infinite were the wonder and admiration of

the gazing spectators. The whole scene indeed was calculated to display
the triumph of stratagem and invention. A thousand deceits were
practised upon the simple and unsuspecting, and while he looked round
to discover the object of the general mirth, it was increased into bursts
of merriment, and convulsive gaiety. At length they rose from the
verdant green, and chased each other in mock pursuit. Many flew
towards the adjoining grove; the pursued concealed himself behind the
dark and impervious thicket, or the broad trunk of the oak, while the
pursuers ran this way and that, and cast their wary eyes on every side.
Carefully they explored the bushes, and surveyed each clump of tufted
trees. And now the neighbouring echoes repeated the universal shout,
and proclaimed to the plain below, that the object of their search was
found. Fatigue however, in spite of the gaiety of spirit with which their
sports were pursued, began to assert his empire, and they longed for
that tranquility and repose which were destined to succeed.
At this instant the united sound of the lofty harp, the melodious rebec,
and the chearful pipe, summoned them once again to the plain. From
every side they hastened to the lawn, and surrounded, with ardent eyes,
and panting expectation, the honoured troop of the bards, crowned with
laurel and sacred mistletoe. And now they seated themselves upon the
tender herb; and now all was stilness and solemn silence. Not one
whisper floated on the breeze; not a murmur was heard. The
tumultuous winds were hushed, and all was placid composure, save
where the gentle zephyr fanned the leaves. The tinkling rill babbled at
their feet; the feathered choristers warbled in the grove; and the deep
lowings of the distant herds died away upon the ear. The solemn
prelude began from a full concert of the various instruments. It
awakened attention in the thoughtless, and composed the frolic and the
gay into unbroken heedfulness. The air was oppressed with
symphonious sounds, and the ear filled with a tumult of harmony.
On a sudden the chorus ceased: Those instruments which had united
their force to fill the echoes of every grove, and of every hill, were
silent. And now a bard, of youthful appearance, but who was treated
with every mark of honour and distinction, and seated on the left hand
of the hoary Llewelyn, the prince of song, struck the lyre with a lofty
and daring hand. His eye sparkled with poetic rapture, and his
countenance beamed with the sublime smile of luxuriant fancy and

heaven-born inspiration. He sung of the wanton shepherd, that followed,
with ungenerous perseverance, the