[Footnote 9:
[Footnote 10:
Winter 2005 no. 55
fortune, even when chained by the middle to a
tree, with the prospect of ending his days in that
ignominious and unpleasant position. He has
borne all this and a great deal more, seven years
and a fortnight have
elapsed, and, at last, on the mere mention of the
fair young lady, he falls into a perfect phrenzy, and
breaks his sword, the faithful partner and
companion of his glory, into three splinters.
Antiquarians differ respecting the intent and
meaning of this ceremony, which has been
construed and interpreted in many different ways.
The strong probability is that it was done "for
luck;" and yet Lord Bateman should have been
superior to the prejudices of the vulgar.]
If my own Sophia.
So called doubtless from the mosque of St. Sophia,
at Constantinople; her father having professed the
Mahomedan religion.]
Then up and spoke this young bride's mother,
Who never vos heerd to speak so free._
This is an exquisite touch of nature, which most
married men, whether of noble or plebeian blood,
will quickly recognise. During the whole of her
daughter's courtship, the good old lady had
scarcely spoken, save by expressive smiles and
looks of approval. But now that her object is
gained, and her daughter fast married (as she
thinks), she suddenly assumes quite a new tone,
"and never was heerd to speak so free." It would
be difficult for poetry to comprehend any thing
more strictly true and life-like than this.]
[Footnote 11:
With both their hearts so full of glee._
If any thing could add to the grace and beauty of
the poem, it would be this most satisfactory and
agreeable conclusion. At the time of the foreign
lady's arrival on the shores of England, we find
Lord Bateman in the disagreeable dilemma of
having contracted another marriage; to which step
his lordship has doubtless been impelled by
despair of ever recovering his lost Sophia, and a
natural anxiety not to die without leaving an heir
to his estate. The ceremony has been performed,
the Church has done its office, the bride and her
mamma have taken possession of the castle, when
the lost Sophia suddenly presents herself. An
ordinary man would have been overwhelmed by
such a complication of perplexities-not so Lord
Bateman.
Master of the human heart, he appeals to feminine
ambition and love of display; and, reminding the
young lady that she came to him on a saddle horse
(with her revered parent following no doubt on
foot behind), offers to bestow upon her a coach
and three. The young lady closes with the
proposition; her august mother, having brought it
about by her freedom of
speech, makes no objection; Lord Bateman, being
a nobleman of great power, and having plenty of
superfluous wealth to bestow upon the Church,
orders another marriage, and boldly declares the
first one to be a nullity.
Thereupon "another marriage" is immediately
prepared, and the piece closes with a picture of
general happiness and hilarity.]
-F
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The Dutch Dickensian Volume XXV
