The Loving Ballad of Lord Bateman | Page 4

which he appears to have borne in the
family.]
[Footnote 8:
And broke his sword in splinters three.
Exemplifying, in a highly poetical and striking manner, the force of
Lord Bateman's love, which he would seem to have kept strong as his
"wow." We have beheld him patient in confinement, descending to no
base murmurings against fortune, even when chained by the middle to a
tree, with the prospect of ending his days in that ignominious and
unpleasant position. He has borne all this and a great deal more, seven
years and a fortnight have elapsed, and, at last, on the mere mention of
the fair young lady, he falls into a perfect phrenzy, and breaks his
sword, the faithful partner and companion of his glory, into three
splinters. Antiquarians differ respecting the intent and meaning of this
ceremony, which has been construed and interpreted in many different
ways. The strong probability is that it was done "for luck;" and yet
Lord Bateman should have been superior to the prejudices of the
vulgar.]
[Footnote 9:
If my own Sophia.
So called doubtless from the mosque of St. Sophia, at Constantinople;
her father having professed the Mahomedan religion.]
[Footnote 10:

_Then up and spoke this young bride's mother,
Who never vos heerd
to speak so free._
This is an exquisite touch of nature, which most married men, whether
of noble or plebeian blood, will quickly recognise. During the whole of
her daughter's courtship, the good old lady had scarcely spoken, save
by expressive smiles and looks of approval. But now that her object is
gained, and her daughter fast married (as she thinks), she suddenly
assumes quite a new tone, "and never was heerd to speak so free." It
would be difficult for poetry to comprehend any thing more strictly true
and life-like than this.]
[Footnote 11:
With both their hearts so full of glee.
If any thing could add to the grace and beauty of the poem, it would be
this most satisfactory and agreeable conclusion. At the time of the
foreign lady's arrival on the shores of England, we find Lord Bateman
in the disagreeable dilemma of having contracted another marriage; to
which step his lordship has doubtless been impelled by despair of ever
recovering his lost Sophia, and a natural anxiety not to die without
leaving an heir to his estate. The ceremony has been performed, the
Church has done its office, the bride and her mamma have taken
possession of the castle, when the lost Sophia suddenly presents herself.
An ordinary man would have been overwhelmed by such a
complication of perplexities--not so Lord Bateman. Master of the
human heart, he appeals to feminine ambition and love of display; and,
reminding the young lady that she came to him on a saddle horse (with
her revered parent following no doubt on foot behind), offers to bestow
upon her a coach and three. The young lady closes with the proposition;
her august mother, having brought it about by her freedom of speech,
makes no objection; Lord Bateman, being a nobleman of great power,
and having plenty of superfluous wealth to bestow upon the Church,
orders another marriage, and boldly declares the first one to be a nullity.
Thereupon "another marriage" is immediately prepared, and the piece
closes with a picture of general happiness and hilarity.]

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