Osmond and Matilda, A Tale. Catherine Rebecca Grey, Lady Manners Alexander Huber Editor Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
Broad Street Oxford OX1 3BG UK
Eighteenth-Century Poetry Archive
Taylor Institution Library St Giles' Oxford OX1 3NA UK info@eighteenthcenturypoetry.org https://www.eighteenthcenturypoetry.org/
Oxford This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. T173070 Manners, Catherine Rebecca, Lady, 1766 or 1767-1852. Poems by Lady Manners. Second edition. London John Bell 1793 pp. [41]-63. 126p.

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Osmond and Matilda , A Tale . WHERE Avon rolls his winding flood , Where Clifton's summits rise , Whose rich expanse of lawn and wood Delights our wondering eyes , Earl Raymond's castle once arose , The glory of the plain — Raymond , the terror of his foes , Of countless conquests vain . There young Matilda's beauty bloom'd Unenvied , unadmir'd , Who ne'er the pride of courts assum'd , Or life of courts desir'd . Her brother in these peaceful bowers Had left the lovely maid , To pass her solitary hours , While he far distant stray'd — Where Superstition's stern command Call'd all her sons to arms , And bore to Judah's distant land Destruction and alarms — Where pure Religion's injur'd name Induc'd each hostile lord , In her defence , to seek for fame , And wield the vengeful sword . While Raymond hop'd , by blood and war , To gain eternal bliss , Matilda , from dissensions far , Made sure of happiness , By gentlest manners , purest truth , By piety refin'd ; For priestcraft ne'er misled her youth , Or sway'd her juster mind . She knew a dying Saviour bought Redemption by his blood : The hope which Mercy gave , she sought By mercy to make good . For she could injuries forgive , Could weep for fallen foes : Whate'er his faith , she could receive The stranger to repose . 'Mid Clifton's vales , her spotless life To contemplation given , Secure from public noise and strife , Her thoughts were fix'd on Heaven . Matilda , shall a breast like thine Feel Love's pernicious sway ? Canst thou that holy calm resign , Through Passion's wilds to stray ? Celestial Powers , unite to save Perfection like your own ! O let not Love that heart enslave , Where Reason fix'd her throne ! Ah , fruitless prayer ! No pitying power Averts Matilda's woes : They rather urge the fateful hour , That robs her of repose ! As near an ancient forest's bounds Matilda chanc'd to stray , The sprightly noise of horns and hounds Salutes the rising day . The virgin sees a glittering train With shouts attend the chase : So light their horses scour the plain , She scarce their steps can trace . One she beholds excel the rest In form and manly grace , Whose noble air , not splendid vest , Mark'd his distinguish'd race . While with delight Matilda view'd The stranger as he pass'd , While her pleas'd eyes his form pursu'd , And fear'd each look the last , She sees his horse no longer own Obedience to the rein : She sees the youthful hunter thrown Extended on the plain ! Though Prudence with contracted mind Advis'd her to retreat , With Admiration Pity join'd , Urg'd on her rapid feet To where the lately festive crowd In tears surround their lord , And beat their breasts , and cry aloud , While none relief afford . Matilda with compassion view'd The stranger as he lay : Softer sensations soon ensu'd , And made her breast their prey . For Pity's unsuspected charm Has oft seduc'd a heart , Where brightest beauty could not warm , Nor wisdom love impart . " Can Sorrow's ineffectual tear , " She cried , " to life restore ? " While yet his spirit lingers here , " Celestial aid implore . " Nor yet supinely wait , that Heaven " A miracle may grant ; " For seldom aid divine is given " When human effort's faint . " Imbosom'd in yon tow'ring wood " An ancient castle stands : " Earl Raymond there , the brave , the good , " Possess'd these happy lands . " But since from Britain's shore he's gone , " Through Asia's realms to stray , " These smiling lands I rule alone , " And all my power obey . " There men your dying master lead " With care along the plain ; " For never did Misfortune plead " At Raymond's gate in vain . " The tear of gratitude sincere From every eye-lid falls : Their lord his sad attendants bear Within the castle's walls . There soon Matilda's tender care His banish'd sense restor'd : But who to thee , incautious fair , Shall now relief afford ? For treacherous Passion every day Still deeper sunk the dart ; And , while she thought 'twas Pity's sway , Love reign'd o'er all her heart . At length the fatal truth was known ; The stranger own'd his flame : How great her joy ! How quickly flown , At hearing Osmond's name ! From her pale cheeks the roses fled , Tears trembled in her eye ; Pensive she hung her beauteous head , While sigh succeeded sigh . " Osmond , " she cried , " this love withstand ; " To other maids incline : " Nor fondly hope Matilda's hand " Shall e'er be join'd with thine . " Between our race the deadly strife , " O Osmond ! need I tell — " How by thy sire , in prime of life , " My hapless father fell ? " And can I swear eternal love " Where Raymond vows revenge ? " I might — but Raymond ne'er can prove , " In love or hate , a change . " Then cease to feed a fruitless flame " My heart must ne'er return ; " Nor of that heart the coldness blame — " For thine 'twill ever mourn . " " O fatal accents , " Osmond cries , " That blast my promis'd joys ! " Say not , Matilda , that you prize " The heart your scorn destroys . " Yet , if nor Pity's voice , nor Love , " Can change my stern decree , " Still Piety , perhaps , may move " That breast to feel for me . " We're taught how much by Power divine " We need to be forgiven ; " That , if to pardon we decline , " We lose our promis'd heaven . " Cold lies my father's honour'd clay : " With life resentment's fled : " Shall then Matilda's breast betray " Fix'd hatred for the dead ? " His closing eyes wept Seward's fate : " Be then thy pardon won ; " Nor in the crime he mourn'd too late " Involve his guiltless son . " When Passion courts the youthful ear , How weak is Reason's voice ! Delusion to the heart how dear , When it confirms its choice ! Matilda's passion was so strong , She wish'd to be deceiv'd ; And every word from Osmond's tongue Was instantly believ'd . But still she hid her fatal flame , Still urg'd a father's death ; When the sad news to Osmond came , That Edith's parting breath In dying accents call'd her son Her blessing to receive — And said , his presence could alone Take terror from the grave . His feeling heart in Edith's pain Entirely lost its own ; Her sufferings rack each filial vein , And all the lover's flown . He press'd Matilda's trembling hands , And scarcely bid adieu : Speechless and pale Matilda stands , Till he's no more in view . Then wild through Clifton's tufted groves She calls on Osmond's name ; Sighs to the gale their hapless loves — Those sighs but fan the flame . " No more , " she cries , " shall I behold " His eyes serenely gay ! " No more his hand my hand shall hold , " As through these vales I stray ! " Osmond , return , my mind from pride " And prejudice is free : " Though by thy father Seward died , " Matilda lives for thee . " In pity come , my peace restore , " For thee alone I prize : " Fruitless entreaties ! never more " Shall Osmond bless these eyes ! " Twelve times had Cynthia's silver beam Illumin'd Clifton's height ; Twelve times had shed on Avon's stream Its inoffensive light : Still victim of a hopeless fire , Matilda pin'd away ; The roses from her cheeks retire , Her health , her charms decay . Her heavy eyes , with fruitless care , Still turn'd towards the place , Where , fill'd with anguish and despair , She last saw Osmond's face . At length , upon the opening plain , Advancing from afar , She sees a weary , pallid train , Sad relics of the war . High o'er the rest , his towering form , His firm intrepid air , That seem'd to brave Misfortune's storm , Announc'd her brother near . Through dark affliction's chilling cloud A ray of pleasure warms : " Raymond's return'd ! " she cries aloud , And hastes into his arms . " Say , dearest brother , only friend ! " Shall Glory's voice no more " Call thee in wars thy youth to spend , " Far from thy native shore ? " Ah ! trust not Glory's dangerous charms , " Who smiles but to betray ; " But , free from tumults and alarms , " Enjoy life's fleeting day . " " Belov'd Matilda , never more " I'll tempt th' inconstant wave ; " No longer quit my native shore , " Or dearer sister leave . " For her shall Friendship's milder joys " Exert their winning power , " Whilst Hymen's more endearing ties " Shall gild her latest hour . — " " No , Raymond , never shall my tongue " Pronounce the solemn vow ; " Nor e'er , the sacred rites among , " At Hymen's shrine I'll bow . " From worldly joy , from worldly care , " Still may my mind be free ! " Still every hour , that Heaven can spare , " May I devote to thee ! " " A virtuous passion's spotless flame " Heaven ne'er can disapprove : " Your hand I've promis'd , and I claim " As token of your love . " When near Britannia's rocky shore " Wild rag'd the bursting storm , " Loud o'er the deck the billows roar , " While clouds the skies deform . " In vain the pilot's trembling hand " Attempts the stern to guide , " To turn us from the dangerous land , " And tempt once more the tide . " The winds blew high , the surges swell'd , " Our masts , our cordage lost ; " The shatter'd ship's at length impell'd " On Devon's hilly coast . " Scarce twenty of my faithful train " Escape the dangerous wave ; " The rest tir'd , struggling on the main , " Find there a watery grave . " With pain we climb the steepy height , " And reach a level mead , " When o'er the earth the dewy night " Had cast her sable shade . " Beneath a lime-tree's sheltering arms " Our weary limbs we lay ; " And hop'd secure from all alarms , " To wait the approach of day . " But vain our hopes ; for , when calm rest " Had seal'd each heavy eye , " And lull'd to peace each anxious breast , " A cruel band drew nigh . " They seiz'd our arms , they bound our hands , " Whilst fearless all repos'd ; " And soon in everlasting bands " Of sleep our eyes had clos'd , " Had not , by Mercy's high decree , " A stranger pass'd that way , " Endu'd with force to set us free , " And all our foes to slay . " My stubborn soul , which ne'er to power " Or sordid riches bow'd , " With humblest gratitude that hour " Its lavish thanks bestow'd . " Those thanks repeated o'er and o'er , " My lineage I declar'd , " And ask'd if Raymond's boundless store " Such service could reward . " A crimson blush at Raymond's name " The stranger's cheeks o'erspread , " And from his agitated frame " Its wonted vigour fled . " Raymond , " he cried , with faltering voice , " Thy riches I resign : " If in vain wealth I could rejoice , " Unnumber'd wealth is mine . " But all the wealth the sordid prize , " Or power the vain desire , " My towering wishes can despise , " And higher far aspire . " If to my pure , unsullied flame " You would Matilda grant , " No other riches shall I claim , " No greater treasure want . " " Pleas'd with the ardent , generous love , " Which , scorning meaner views , " Matilda only could approve , " Matilda only choose — " I promis'd , cre to-morrow's sun " Shall gild the evening tide , " Thou shouldst , by my entreaties won , " Consent to be his bride . " And cold indeed must be thy heart , " And blind must be thine eye , " Whene'er he shall his suit impart , " Couldst thou that suit deny . " Then drive , Matilda , from thy brow " Each vestige of despair ; " A brother's wish , a lover's vow , " To crown at once prepare . " To Raymond's harsh commands the maid Nor sigh nor tear return'd ; But , sorrowing , low she bow'd her head , And silently she mourn'd . Now Cynthia o'er the azure sky Her starry mantle throws ; Around the world light visions fly , To soften human woes . But no delusive , flattering dream , Which grants a short relief , Led by soft slumber , kindly came To sooth Matilda's grief . Supinely on her couch reclin'd , Prest by a weight of care , No more her weak , distemper'd mind Could comfort find in prayer . Affection , Duty , strongly plead Her constant heart to move : Firm in their cause that heart can bleed , But cannot cease to love . Now in the east with blushing pride The purple morning rose , And Health , with Labour by her side , Starts from a light repose . Matilda from her chamber hies , All spiritless and weak ; Despair sits lowering in her eyes , And sickens on her cheek . The mead and garden's rich perfume No more her steps delay , But through the forest's awful gloom She bends her devious way . There , as immers'd in grief profound Through pathless wilds she treads , The deadly nightshade all around Its baneful berries spreads . The fatal plant Matilda view'd , Then touch'd with trembling hand ; And Faith with Reason now subdued , Left Grief entire command . Now her pale lips the berries stain , Which eagerly she rends ; And now through every freezing vein Their poisonous juice descends . Raymond , who long with fruitless haste Sought the devoted fair , Now sees her in the desert waste , Reclin'd with pensive air . " Matilda , why this long delay ? " Why these dejected eyes ? " Why this disorder'd , loose array ? " Thy lover waits , " he cries . " Raymond , I haste , " the maid replied , " Thy promise to fulfil , " And follow wheresoe'er you guide , " Obedient to your will . " Now from the solitary wood With rapid steps they turn'd , To where an ancient chapel stood , Where Seward lay inurn'd . Before the venerable pile , With reverential fear And beating breasts , they paus'd awhile , And shed a filial tear . Now entering with averted eyes , This hated lord to meet , Matilda sees with wild surprise Her Osmond at her feet . Just then the poison's subtle power Invades its trembling prey ; She sinks upon the marble floor , Cold as her kindred clay . Osmond , with anguish and affright , Bends o'er the dying maid , And sees from all mat charm'd his sight The living lustre fade . " Matilda , 'tis thy Osmond calls , " O bless him with a smile ; " With one kind look , ere yet he falls , " His misery beguile . " At his lov'd name she op'd her eyes , And rais'd her languid head ; " Osmond , dear youth ! " she faintly cries , " I hasten to the dead . " A poison on my vitals preys , " And withers all my bloom ; " The rapid flood of life delays , " And calls me to the tomb . " Yet , Osmond , though we soon must part — " From other contracts free , " To the last gasp this lingering heart " Shall fondly dwell with thee . " More had she said , but envious Death Assum'd his iron sway : Faint , and more faint , her struggling breath Entirely dies away . Whilst Raymond , fill'd with vain remorse , To view his victim fears , Osmond bedews her senseless corse With unavailing tears . He cries , " Belov'd Matilda , wait , " Nor yet thy Osmond leave — " Who hastens to partake thy fate , " And join thee in the grave . " Now , Edith , to thy hapless son " Those mournful duties give , " You hop'd , when life's sad race was run , " From him you might receive . " May piety thy woes assuage ! " Nor let my early doom " Depress thy weak , declining age " Untimely to the tomb ! " While duty and afffection warm Thus his last thoughts inspir'd , He press'd Matilda's lifeless form , And , bow'd by grief , expir'd .