BOOK THE FIFTH.
169
Along the pleasant borders of the Loire,
Late throng'd with multitudes, now feel the hand
Of Ruin. These preventive Care destroys,[1]
Lest England, shelter'd by the friendly walls,
Securely should approach. The monasteries 210
Fell in the general waste. The holy Monks
Unwillingly their long-accustom'd haunts
Abandon, haunts where every gloomy nook
Call'd to awakened Memory some trace
Of vision seen, or sound miraculous. 215
Trembling and terrified, their noiseless cells
For the rude uproar of a world unknown,
The Nuns desert. Their Abbess, more composed,
Collects her maids around, and tells her beads,
And pours the timid prayer of piety. 220
The citizens with strong and ceaseless stroke
Dug up the violated earth, to impede
Late throng'd with multitudes, now feel the hand
Of Ruin. These preventive Care destroys,[1]
Lest England, shelter'd by the friendly walls,
Securely should approach. The monasteries 210
Fell in the general waste. The holy Monks
Unwillingly their long-accustom'd haunts
Abandon, haunts where every gloomy nook
Call'd to awakened Memory some trace
Of vision seen, or sound miraculous. 215
Trembling and terrified, their noiseless cells
For the rude uproar of a world unknown,
The Nuns desert. Their Abbess, more composed,
Collects her maids around, and tells her beads,
And pours the timid prayer of piety. 220
The citizens with strong and ceaseless stroke
Dug up the violated earth, to impede
"The
- ↑ Line 208. "They pulled down all the most considerable buildings in the suburbs, and among the rest twelve churches and several monasteries; that the English might not make use of them in carrying on the siege." Rapin. Monstrellet.
