The witchery of Jane Shore, the Rose of London : the romance of a royal mistress / by C.J.S. Thompson.

  • Charles Thompson
Date:
[1933]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The witchery of Jane Shore, the Rose of London : the romance of a royal mistress / by C.J.S. Thompson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    While fondly fearless of th’ impending blow, I feel, ere dread, the sudden burst of woe. Late, very late, you drag’d these guiltless feet, To where stern justice holds her awful seat, Good heavens! the black tribunal still appears! Still rings the dismal charge in fancy’s ears Still pause the solemn judges—horrid pause! Yet then did truth defend my righteous cause; Yet then did innocence diffuse her rays, And dazzled falsehood fled the powerful blaze, She fled amaz’d, abash’d—a virtuous breast, Smiles ev’n in tears and is in misery blest. Hea’vns, what a change! now, how my bosom bleeds! Guilt, horrid guilt to innocence suceeds! That guilt with pow’r too amply vengeful fraught, With anguish dwells each sadly-rising thought, Why then proceed to punish the dire flame? Ah! why proceed to punish whom you name, For at the word grief bursts my flowing eyes, I’m all dread sorrow and eternal sighs. Fair-handed hope, soft beaming grace are fled; No more these guests their saintly lustre shed; But feel remorse, that lives on sorrowing tears; The baleful glooms a wounded conscience wears; The false deceits that tim’rous fancy feigns To realm imaginary pains; These, these distract with ever-during woes, These wing the shafts that murders my repose. Now contrite pray’rs my lifted soul employ, Now rebel nature pants with lawless joy. [ 24! ] Q