175 Under the leaning willows 180 In the shadow of the hill. But oft the idle fisher Sits on the shadowy bank, And his dreams make marvellous pictures And still, in the summer twilights, Warm with the melted sun, 185 The weary mill-girl lingers Beside the charméd stream, 190 And the sky and the golden water Fair wave the sunset gardens, The rosy signals fly; Her homestead beckons from the cloud, V. BARCLAY OF URY. AMONG the earliest converts to the doctrines of Friends in Scotland was Barclay of Ury, an old and distinguished soldier, who had fought under Gustavus Adolphus in Germany. As a Quaker, he became the object of persecution and abuse at the hands of the magistrates and the populace. None bore the indignities of the mob with greater patience and nobleness of soul than this once proud gentleman and soldier. One of his friends, on an occasion of uncommon rudeness, lamented that he should be treated so harshly in his old age who had been so honored before. "I find more satis faction," said Barclay, as well as honor, in being thus insulted for my religious principles, than when, a few years ago, it was usual for the magistrates, as I passed the city of Aberdeen, to meet me on the road and conduct me to public entertainment in their hall, and then escort me out again, to gain my favor." Whittier. Up the streets of Aberdeen, Flouted him the drunken churl, Prompt to please her master; 15 Yet, with calm and stately mien, Came he slowly riding; And, to all he saw and heard Turning not for chiding. Came a troop with broadswords swinging, 20 Bits and bridles sharply ringing, Loose and free and froward; Quoth the foremost, "Ride him down! 25 But from out the thickening crowd 30 66 Barclay! Ho! a Barclay!" And the old man at his side Saw a comrade, battle tried, Scarred and sunburned darkly; Who with ready weapon bare, Cried aloud: "God save us, 66 Nay, I do not need thy sword, Comrade mine," said Ury's lord; "Put it up, I pray thee: 40 Passive to his holy will, Trust I in my Master still, Even though he slay me. 35. It was at Lützen, near Leipzig, that Gustavus Adolphus fell in 1632. He was the hero of Schiller's Wallenstein, which Carlyle calls "the greatest tragedy of the eighteenth century." 45 "Pledges of thy love and faith, Not by me are needed." Marvelled much that henchman bold, Now so meekly pleaded. "Woe's the day!" he sadly said, "Ury's honest lord reviled, 55 Speak the word, and, master mine, 60 And his Walloon lancers, Smiting through their midst we 'll teach To these boyish prancers!" "Marvel not, mine ancient friend, "Is the sinful servant more 65 Than his gracious Lord who bore "Give me joy that in His name 56. Count de Tilly was a fierce soldier under Wallenstein who in the Thirty Years' War laid siege to Magdeburg, and after two years took it and displayed great barbarity towarc the inhabitants. The phrase, "like old Tilly," is still heard sometimes in New England of any piece of special ferocity. 70 While for them He suffereth long, Shall I answer wrong with wrong, Scoffing with the scoffer? 75 “Happier I, with loss of all, With few friends to greet me, With bared heads to meet me. "When each good wife, o'er and o'er, 80 Blessed me as I passed her door; And the snooded daughter, Through her casement glancing down, 85" Hard to feel the stranger's scoff, 90 Warm and fresh and living. "Through this dark and stormy night Faith beholds a feeble light Up the blackness streaking; Knowing God's own time is best, 95 In a patient hope I rest For the full day-breaking!" So the Laird of Ury said, |