of praise, than the self-devotion of Field-Marshal Beresford, who was contented to undertake all the hazard of obloquy which might have been founded upon any miscarriage in the highly important experiment of training the Portugueze troops to as improved state of discipline. In exposing his military reputation to the censure of imprudence from the most moderate, and all manner of unutterable calumnies from the ignorant and malignant, he placed at stake the dearest pledge which a military man had to offer, and nothing but the deepest conviction of the high and essential importance attached to success can be supposed an adequate motive. How greatthe chance of miscarriage was supposed, may be estimated from the general opinion of officers of unquestioned talents and experience, possessed of every opportunity of information, how completely the experiment has succeeded, and how much the spirit and patriotism of our ancient allies had been under-rated, is evident, not only from those victories in which they have borne a distinguished share, but from the liberal and highly honourable manner in which these opinions have been retracted. The success of this plan, with all its important consequences, we owe to the indefatigable exertions of Field Marshal Beresford. a race renowned of old, Whose war-cry oft has waked the battle-swell.-St. XVII. p. 629. This stanza alludes to the various achievements of the warlike family of Græme, or Grahame. They are said by tradition to have descended from the Scottish chief under whose command his countrymen stormed the wall built by the Emperor Severus, between the firths of Forth and Clyde, the fragments of which are still popularly called Græme's Dyke. Sir John the Graham," the hardy wight, and wise," is well known as the friend of Sir William Wallace. Alderne, Kilsyth, and Tibbermuir, were scenes of the victories of the heroic Marquis of Montrose. The pass of Killie-crankie is famous for the action between King William's forces and the Highlanders in 1689, "Where glad Dundee in faint huzzas expired." It is seldom that one line can number so many heroes, and yet more rare when it can appeal to the glory of a living descendant in support of its ancient renown. The allusions to the private history and character of General Grahame may be illustrated by referring to the eloquent and affecting speech of Mr Sheridan, upon the vote of thanks to the Victor of Barosa. ORIGINAL POETRY. GARCI FERRANDEZ. BY ROBERT SOUTHEY, ESQ. 1. In an evil day and an hour of woe The Lady Argentine hath fled. She hath left the husband who loved her so, Garci Ferrandez was brave and young, The loveliest of the land; There was never a knight of Leon in the fight Who could meet the force of his matchless might, There was never a foe in the infidel band Who against his dreadful sword could stand; In an evil day and an hour of woe There was feasting and joy in Count Aymerique's bower, And for her dead mother she made her moan; Might have brought a bridegroom home. And Argentine with evil intent When for her mother she made her moan, She watches the pilgrims and poor who wait And long were the minutes that she must wait From the castle gate her handmaid came, And did his arms in them enfold He told his name to the damsel fair, He said that vengeance led him there; Now aid me, lady dear, quoth he, To smite the adultress in her pride; Your wrongs and mine avenged shall be, And I will take you for my bride. He pledged the word of a true knight, From out the weeds his hand he drew. She took the hand that Garci gave, And then she knew the tale was true, For she saw the warrior's hand so white, And she knew the fame of the beautiful Knight. 2. 'Tis the hour of noon, The bell of the convent hath done, And the Sexts are begun ; The Count and his Leman are gone to their meat. Count Aymerique looked on his daughter down, And next to the Lady Argentine The Lady Argentine the while I little thought that I should see Or hath she quell'd her pride? |