99 THE LADIES OF THE LAKE. WRITTEN ON VISITING NORMANSTON IN THE YEAR 1785. ["Normanston, a sweet little villa near Beccles, was one of the early resorts of Mr. Crabbe and Miss Elmy, in the days of their anxious affection. Here four or five spinsters of independent fortune had formed a sort of Protestant nunnery, the abbess being Miss Blacknell, who afterwards deserted it to become the wife of the late Admiral Sir Thomas Graves, a lady of distinguished elegance in her tastes and manners. Another of the sisterhood was Miss Waldron, late of Tamworth, dear, good-humoured, hearty, masculine Miss Waldron, who could sing a jovial song like a fox-hunter, and, like him, I had almost said, toss a glass; and yet there was such an air of high ton, and such intellect mingled with these manners, that the perfect lady was not veiled for a moment.' - Life of Crabbe, antè, Vol. I. p. 147. A lady of rank, in Norfolk, has lately written as follows to the Poet's biographer: -"The enjoyment of your Memoir was much increased by my knowledge of several of the parties mentioned in it. Miss Blacknell and Miss Waldron were the acquaintance of my early youth: a visit to Normanston was always a joyful event; and, notwithstanding the masculine deportment of Miss Waldron, her excellent sense and good nature caused her to be preferred, by many judges of character, to her more dignified and graceful companion. I have in my possession a copy of very appropriate verses, which Mr. Crabbe addressed to Miss B. and Miss W. in the year 1785.". SHALL I, who oft have woo'd the Muse So fair a theme as this refuse The Ladies of the Lake? Hail, happy pair! 't is yours to share The bliss of wealth without the care, To please, but not alone our eyes, Your taste, your goodness, charm the wise- The pleasant scenes that round you glow, Trees may be found, and lakes, as fair; But where again the Sister-pair Who animate the scene? Where sense of that superior kind, Folly, with wealth, may idly raise Her hopes to shine like you, Till she believes it true; But wealth no more can give that grace Than suminer's fiery sun can chase Their darkness from the blind. But drop, you'll say, the useless pen: Reluctant-I obey, Yet let me take it once again, If not to praise, to pray That you, with partial grace, may deign This poor attempt to take, And I may oft behold again INFANCY-A FRAGMENT. [Mr. Crabbe's father possessed a small sailing-boat, in which he delighted to navigate the river. The first event which was deeply impressed on the Poet's memory was a voyage in this vessel. A party of amateur sailors was formed the yacht club of Aldborough to try the new purchase; a jovial dinner prepared at Orford, and a merry return anticipated at night; and his fond mother obtained permission for George to be one of the company. Soon after sunrise, in a fine summer morning, they were seated in their respective vessels, and started in gallant trim, tacking and manoeuvring on the bosom of the flickering water, as it winds gently towards its junction with the sea. The freshness of the early dawn, the anticipation of amusements at an unknown place, and no little exultation in his father's crack vessel, "made it," he said, " a morning of exquisite delight." Among his MSS. are the following verses on this early incident. Life, antè, Vol. I. p. 14.] WHO on the new-born light can back return, Waked by some sweet maternal smile, no more |