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KENILWORTH - Penn State University

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Sir Walter Scott“Why, Tressilian,” said the younger man, “art thou not wedded,and beyond these flaws of fortune, that drive folks outto sea when their bark bears fairest for the haven?— What hasbecome of the lovely Indamira that was to match my Amoretfor truth and beauty?”“Speak not of her!” said Tressilian, averting his face.“Ay, stands it so with you?” said the youth, taking his handvery affectionately; “then, fear not I will again touch the greenwound. But it is strange as well as sad news. Are none of ourfair and merry fellowship to escape shipwreck of fortune andhappiness in this sudden tempest? I had hoped thou wert inharbour, at least, my dear Edmund. But truly says anotherdear friend of thy name,‘What man that sees the ever whirling wheelOf Chance, the which all mortal things doth sway,But that thereby doth find and plainly feel,How Mutability in them doth playHer cruel sports to many men’s decay.’”The elder gentleman had risen from his bench, and waspacing the hall with some impatience, while the youth, withmuch earnestness and feeling, recited these lines. When hehad done, the other wrapped himself in his cloak, and againstretched himself down, saying, “I marvel, Tressilian, you willfeed the lad in this silly humour. If there were ought to drawa judgment upon a virtuous and honourable household likemy lord’s, renounce me if I think not it were this piping,whining, childish trick of poetry, that came among us withMaster Walter Wittypate here and his comrades, twisting intoall manner of uncouth and incomprehensible forms of speech,the honest plain English phrase which God gave us to expressour meaning withal.”“Blount believes,” said his comrade, laughing, “the devilwoo’d Eve in rhyme, and that the mystic meaning of the Treeof Knowledge refers solely to the art of clashing rhymes andmeting out hexameters.” [See Note 4. Sir Walter Raleigh.]At this moment the Earl’s chamberlain entered, and informedTressilian that his lord required to speak with him.He found Lord Sussex dressed, but unbraced, and lying onhis couch, and was shocked at the alteration disease had madein his person. The Earl received him with the most friendly165

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