Stanza 26

But should the sun victorious glimmer forth, Far brighter seems the wide world than before: Such power is latent in thy native worth, To spread delight and joy from shore to shore: For past misdeeds how grateful to atone, Re-seated on thy throne, Give proof that long adversity, and pain, And sorrow have confirmed thy inborn right to reign.

From STANZA 28 to end

The story tells that Artegal away Was by his brother privily conveyed To a far distant city (at that day Alclwyd named), whose fortress undismayed By the hostility of mortals stood In sight of field and flood, Obnoxious only on the lofty Rock To the careering storm, and perilous lightning stroke.

When this impregnable retreat was gained, In prudent furtherance of his just intent, King Elidure a mortal illness feigned, And to his mightiest Lords a summons sent Softly, and one by one into the gloom, (As suits a sick man's room), The attendants introduced each potent peer, There, singly and alone, his sovereign will to hear.

Said Elidure, Behold our rightful King, The banished Artegal, before thee stands: Kneel, and renew to him the offering Of thy allegiance; justice this demands, Immortal justice, speaking through my voice, Accept him, and rejoice. ... he will prove Worthier than I have been of reverence and love.

If firm command and mild persuasion failed To change the temper of an adverse mind, With such by other engines he prevailed, Threatening to fling their bodies to the wind From the dread summit of the lonely block, That castle-crested Rock, Alclwyd then, but now Dunbarton named, A memorable crag through spacious Albion famed.

Departing thence, to York their way they bent, While the glad people flowers before them strewed, And then King Elidure with full consent Of all his peers, before the multitude Upon his brother's head he placed the crown, Relinquished by his own; Triumph of justice, and affection pure, Whence he the title gained of "pious Elidure."

The people answered with a loud acclaim, Through admiration of the heroic deed. The reinstated Artegal became Earth's noblest penitent; from bondage freed Of vice, henceforth unable to control The motions of his soul. {And when he died, the worthy and the brave } {Shed tears of fond regret upon his honoured grave.} {Long did he reign: and, when he died, the tear } {Of fond regret was shed upon his honoured bier. }

Thus was a Brother by a Brother saved. With whom a crown (temptation that hath set Discord in hearts of men till they have braved Their nearest kin in deadly battle met), With duty weighed, and faithful love did seem A thing of no esteem; And from this triumph of affection pure, He won the lasting name of "pious Elidure." ]