ROWENA.
155
nature of feudal tenure, till he painted the oppressions of Front de Boeuf, and the arbitrary rule supported by the Free Companies. But while a young and ardent spirit may well be permitted to kindle at the exploits of the "good knight and true," and to think highly of "marvels wrought by single hand;" yet the bane and antidote are both before us, and no one would seriously wish for that troubled and uncertain time again. No one who saw the evils, as depicted in Ivanhoe, attendant on the sway of sword and spear, would wish even their most brilliant hours back—no, not to be the victor of the tilted field, and lay his trophies at the feet of the Queen of Love and Beauty—his own chosen and fancied Rowena.
