The original of the annexed Cut is a lithograph frontispiece to
_Framlingham_: a Narrative of _the Castle_--a poem of very
considerable merit, by Mr. James Bird, of Yoxford: the introduction to
which furnishes the following impassioned apostrophe to Framlingham
and its decaying Castle:--
Heir of Antiquity!--fair castled Town,
Rare spot of beauty, grandeur, and renown,
Seat of East-Anglian kings!--proud child of fame,
Hallowed by time, illustrious Framlinghame!
I touch my lyre delighted, thus to bring
To thee my heart's full homage while I sing!
And thou, old Castle!--thy bold turrets high,
Have shed their deep enchantment on mine eye,
Though years have changed thee, I have gazed intent
In silent joy, on tower and battlement,
When all thy time-worn glories met my sight;
Thou have I felt such rapture, such delight,
That, had the splendour of thy days of yore
Flashed on my view, I had not loved thee more!
Scene of immortal deeds! thy walls have rung
To pealing shouts from many a warrior's tongue;
When first thy founder, Redwald of the spear,
Manned thy high towers, defied his foemen near,
When, girt with strength, East-Anglia's king of old,
The sainted Edmund, sought thy sheltering hold,
When the proud _Dane_, fierce Hinguar, in his ire
Besieged the king, and wrapped thy walls in fire,
While Edmund fled, but left thee with his name
Linked, and for ever, to the chain of fame:
Then wast thou great! and long, in after years
Thy grandeur shone--thy portraiture appears
From history's pencil like a summer-night,
With much of shadow, but with more of light!
Pile of departed days!--my verse records,
Thy time of glory, thy illustrious Lords,
The fearless Bigods--Brotherton--De Vere,
And Kings, who held thee in their pride, or fear,
And gallant Howards, 'neath whose ducal sway
Proud rose thy towers, thy rugged heights were gay
With glittering banners, costly trophies rent
From men in war, or tilt, or tournament,
With all the pomp and splendour that could grace
The name, and honours of that warlike race.
Howards! the rich! the noble! and the great!
Most brave! most happy! most unfortunate!
Kings were thy courtiers!--Queens have sued to share
Thy wealth, thy triumphs--e'en thy _name_ to bear!
Tyrants have bowed thy children to the dust,
Some for their worth--and some who broke their trust!
And there was _one_ among thy race, who died
To Henry's shame!--his country's boast and pride:
Immortal Surrey!--Offspring of the Muse!
Bold as the lion, gentle as the dews
That fall on flowers to 'wake their odorous breath,
And shield their blossoms from the touch of death,
Surrey!--thy fate was wept by countless eyes,
A nation's woe assailed the pitying skies,
When thy pure spirit left this scene of strife,
And soared to him who breathed it into life:
Thy funeral knell pealed o'er the world!--thy fall
Was mourned by hearts that loved thee, mourned by all--
All, save thy murderers!--thou hast won thy crown:
And _thou_, fair Framlinghame! a bright renown,
Yes! thy rich temple holds the stately tomb,
Where sleeps the Poet in his lasting home,
Lamented Surrey!--hero, bard divine,
Pride, grace, and glory of brave Norfolk's line.
Departed spirit!--Oh! I love to hold
Communion sweet with lofty minds of old,
To catch a spark of that celestial fire
Which glows and kindles in thy rapturous lyre;
Though varying themes demand my future lays,
Yet thus my soul a willing homage pays
To that bright glory which illumes thy name,
Though naught can raise the splendour of thy fame!
Mr. Bird is also advantageously known as the author of the Vale of
Slaughden; Poetical Memoirs; Dunwich, a tale of the Splendid City; and
other poems, which abound with vivid imagery, life-breathing
incidents, and interesting narrative; though it is but late justice to
recommend his _Framlingham_ to the admirers of fervid verse.
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