The Waverley novels, by Sir Walter Scott, complete in 12 vol., printed from the latest English ed., embracing the author's last corrections, prefaces & notes.

WOODSTOCK. 285
"O Loid, sir," cried Phoebe, "I shall'never live another peter-I will
open the spring."
" Do as thou wilt," said Sir Henry; " it shall profit them but little."
Whether from real agitation, or from a desire to gain time, Phoebe was
some minutes ere she could get the spring to open; it was indeed secured
with art, and the machinery on which it acted was concealed in the frame
of the portrait. The whole, when fastened, appeared quite motionless, and
betrayed, as when examined by Colonel Everard, no external mark of its
being possible to remove it. It was now withdrawn, however, and showed
a narrow recess, with steps which ascended on one side into the thickness
of the wall. Cromwell was now like a greyhound slipped from the leash
with the prey in full view, - " Up," he cried, " Pearson, thou art swifter
than I -Up thou next, corporal." With more agility than could have been
expected from his person or years, which were past the meridian of life,
and exclaiming, "Before, those with the torches!" he followed the party,
like an eager huntsman in the rear of his hounds, to encourage at once and
direct them, as they penetrated into the labyrinth described by Dr. Rochecliffe in the "Wonders of Woodstock."
(Klaphtr tllt 0Xir ti(-niu rtl
The King, therefore, for his defence
Against the furious Queen,
At Woodstock builded such a bower,
As never yet was seen.
Most curiously that bower was built,
Of stone and timber strong;
An hundred and fifty doors
Did to this bower belong;
And they so cunningly contrived,
With turnings round about,
That none but with a clew of thread
Could enter in or out.
BALLAD OF FAIR ROSAMOND.
THE tradition of the country, as well as some historical evidence, confirmed the opinion that there existed, within the old Royal Lodge at Woodstock, a labyrinth, or connected series of subterranean passages, built chiefly
by Henry II., for the security of his mistress, Rosamond Clifford, from the
jealousy of his Queen, the celebrated Eleanor. Dr. Rochecliffe, indeed, in
one of those fits of contradiction with which antiquaries are sometimes
seized, was bold enough to dispute the alleged purpose of the perplexed
maze of rooms and passages, with which the walls of the ancient palace
were perforated; but the fact was undeniable, that in raising the fabric
some Norman architect had exerted the utmost of the complicated art, which
they have often shown elsewhere, in creating secret passages, and chambers
of retreat and concealment. There were stairs, which were ascended
merely, as it seemed, for the purpose of descending again-passages, which,
after turning and winding for a considerable way, returned to the place
where they set out -there were trapdoors and hatchways, panels and portcullises. Although Oliver was assisted by a sort of ground-plan, made out
and transmitted by Joseph Tomkins, whose former employment in Dr. Rochecliffe's service had made him fully acquainted with the place, it was found
imperfect; and, moreover, the most serious obstacles to their progress
occurred in the shape of strong doors, party-walls, and iron-grates-so that
the party blundered on in the dark, uncertain whether they were not going