The poetical works of Sir Walter Scott, with memoir of the author.

CANTO I.] HAROLD THE DAUNTLESS.

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That stern old heathen his head he raised,
And on the good prelate he steadfastly gazed;
" Give me broad lands on the Wear and the Tyne,
My faith I will leave, and I'll cleave unto thine."
VI.
Broad lands he gave him on Tyne and Wear,
To be held of the church by bridle and spear;
Part of Monkwearmouth, of Tynedale part,
To better his will, and to soften his heart:
Count Witikind was a joyful man,
Less for the faith than the lands that he wan.
The high church of Durham is dress'd for the day,
The clergy are rank'd in their solemn array:
There came the Count, in a bear-skin warm,
Leaning on Hilda his concubine's arm.
Ho kneel'd before Saint Cuthbert's shrine,
With patience unwonted at rites divine;
He abjured the gods of heathen race,
And he bent his head at the font of grace.
But such was the grisly old proselyte's look,
That the priest who baptized him grew pale and
shook;
And the old monks mutter'd beneath their hood,
"' Of a stem so stubborn can never spring good!"
VII.
Up then arose that grim convertite,
Homeward he hied him when ended the rite;
The prelate in honour will with him ride,
And feast in his castle on Tyne's fair side.