The Vow of the Peacock and Other Poems

by Letitia Elizabeth Landon

THE

VOW OF THE PEACOCK.




LONDON:
PRINTED BY JAMES MOYES,
Castle Street, Leicester Square.

London, Published 1835, by Saunders & Otley.

THE

VOW OF THE PEACOCK,

AND

OTHER POEMS.

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BY

L. E. L.

AUTHOR OF
"THE IMPROVISATRICE," "THE GOLDEN VIOLET," &c.

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LONDON:

SAUNDERS AND OTLEY, CONDUIT STREET.

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1835.

INTRODUCTION.

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The idea of the following Poem was taken from a Picture by Mr. M'Clise, called "The Vow of the Peacock," exhibited this year at Somerset House. I have attempted to attach a narrative to the brilliant scene represented by the painting.

The fact of a lady in distress applying to some renowned knight for assistance, belongs as much to the history of chivalry as to its romance. Vows on the heron, the pheasant, and the peacock, to do some deed of arms, were common in the olden time. My story, founded on this picturesque custom, is entirely fanciful, though its scenes and manners are strictly historical.

L. E. L.

Contents.
		PAGE
	THE VOW OF THE PEACOCK	1
	SECOND CANTO	64
	CLASSICAL SKETCHES
	SAPPHO	115
	BACCHUS AND ARIADNE	121
	UNKNOWN FEMALE HEAD	131
	LEANDER AND HERO	133
	HEAD OF ARIADNE	143
	A NEREID FLOATING ON A SHELL	146
	THE THESSALIAN FOUNTAIN	149
	AN OLD MAN OVER THE BODY OF HIS SON	152
	L’AMORE DOMINATORE	154
	A SERIES OF TALES
	THE CASTILIAN NUPTUALS	162
	THE LOVER’S ROCK	175
	THE PAINTER	184
	A VILLAGE TALE	194
	THE SISTERS	208
	THE KNIGHT’S TALE	216
	FUGITIVE PIECES
	THE FACTORY	231
	APRIL	238
	GLENCOE	242

	FUGITIVE PIECES.	PAGE
	THE WRECK	249
	THE MOON	254
	THE FROZEN SHIP	256
	THE MINSTREL’S MONITOR	261
	THE SPIRIT AND THE ANGEL OF DEATH	264
	THE LOST STAR	271
	THE DANISH WARRIOR’S DEATH SONG	274
	THE CHANGE	277
	THE ASPEN-TREE	280
	THE VIOLET	283
	THE LITTLE SHROUD	287
	THE CHURCHYARD	291
	CHANGE	296
	THE THREE BROTHERS	299
	EDITH	306
	THE FORGOTTEN ONE	309
	THE ALTERED RIVER	316
	THE CITY OF THE DEAD	319
	ADMIRAL COLLINGWOOD	324
	THE FIRST GRAVE	329
	THE FEAST OF LIFE	334
	FOLLOW ME!	336
	THE LEGACY OF THE LUTE	338
	THE FESTIVAL	341
	THE MIDDLE TEMPLE GARDENS	348