340 SOME PASSAGES IN THE LIFE OF WILLIAM GREEN, MARINER.

rate, and had even been expelled for taking part against them. He set forth how I had been found at Sea, and had produced the Jewel, which belonged to one of the murdered ladies, as testified by her husband, and concluded by demanding heavy damages against the calumniator. My case was proved by evidence, as to the words spoken, which were not indeed denied, and as to the other points they were authenticated by part of the Nancy's crew, and copies of depositions taken magisterially. The defendant's counsel rested his case on my own deposition, and going over it word by word, said it was a complete confession of piracy, but most especially, that if I had at any time wished to relinquish my most disreputable calling, and an opportunity had occurred at Madeira, which had been neglected, simply because the deposition did not exist. As to my being found at sea, the learned counsel suggested, that so far from its being a circumstance in my favor, he would rather conclude that I had committed some disgraceful act, unworthy even of the name of a pirate, and had been ignominiously spurned by thieves more honorable than myself.

This last deatribe nearly expended the little stock of patience I had left. I determined however to listen calmly to the summing up of the learned Judge. It was much in my favor, and stated that my declaration of my stay with the pirates was the only foundation of the calumny against me, and that it should be taken as declared; because that had I chosen to conceal it, there could not have been the tittle of proof or charge against me and that such declaration was a proof of innocence rather than of guilt. The verdict of the Jury was speedily given in my favor, with damages against Sir Simon of a hundred pounds, and the by standers too rejoiced at the discomfiture of my busy-body enemy. I was once more re-established in good opinion, and perhaps not the less so, that I distributed the damages to the poor of the parish and the neighbouring hospitals. It was not until sometime after the happy termination of this suit, that through Providence, I was enabled to make an extensive and fortunate discovery of the villains, who had first and last formed the bane of my life, by having led me unwillingly into scenes at which my heart revolted. As long as they, or the principals of them remained unpunished, there was blood which cried aloud to Heaven for retribution and vengeance. Truly vengeance is with the Lord, and he will repay; and although for some wise and inscrutable purpose, it may be more slow than appears consistent with our weak notions of justice, it is not less true. The relation of this I shall reserve for another Chapter. R.

GATHERING DEW.

A ROUNDEL FOR MAY.

I.

May dew! May dew!-the Fairies brew

Their wizard wine of the fresh May dew;

And the drops, which their breaths have breathed upon, Ere lipped by the kiss of the sultry sun,

Cosmetic spell and influence own

To fix bright beauty on its throne !

Oh! the Ladye looks well, in her silken vest,

When the zone of gold clips her heaving breast,

When the costly gems of her proud tiar

Sparkle, more bright than the brightest star,-
And the burnished gloss of her raven hair
Gleams, in the blaze of the revel there,-

But better she looks in her morning attire,

When she glides forth to list to the woodbird's quire,Better she looks, to the lover's view,

Gathering dew!

II.

May dew! May dew!-the Fairies strew
A philtre-powder over you,

That lends to the cheek a richer glow,
And adds a grace to the living snow!-
The Baron asks for his favorite child,-
"Where hath she sped, in her frolic wild?
"Thegarden hath roses,-hath she gone there
"To cull a braid for her radiant hair?-

"The orchard hath fruits-all ripe and red,

"Hath she stolen there from her downy bed?

"Her minion fawn hath fled to the wood,

my

6

יין

my blood

"Where the foe of my house and the bane of
"Hath built him a hunting bower so gay,~
"Forefend that child hath
that way
gone
'Oh! no!' cried a page, 'tis the month of May,
And down in the mead, where the urchins play,
She busies herself, whilst the day is new,
Gathering dew!

III.

May dew! May dew!-a moon for you,
And a moon for a lover's task will do!-
And every morn of the month of May,
Gathering dew by the early day,
Was seen the Ladye Isabelle,

Tended by one who loved her well!—

The Baron was lame,-so he could not walk,-
The Ladye was loved,- -so none would talk,-

The Baron was blind, and he could not tell,

That the gallant knight with fair Isabelle

Was the foe of his house and the bane of his blood;

And the wily page, that by him stood,

Said aye and anon with a laughing mien,

""Tis old nurse Alice, in coif of green,

"Who walks with our Ladye, faithful and true, Gathering dew!"

60

IV.

May dew! May dew!-a month for you,
And a month for the lover to win and woo!-
"Tis a morn of June,-and the beldam nurse
Is turned to a stalwart Knight and horse ;-
And the coif of green is a helmet bright,-
And the Ladye hath mounted her palfrey white!
And long ere the Baron his page had asked
For his morning posset, the Abbot was tasked
To bind the knot that binds for life,
And make fair Isabelle a wife!

Oh! ye fathers old, whose eyes are dim,
Whom age hath struck in lithe and limb,
Beware of love's own month of May,-
Of a wily page, and a beldam grey;—
And let not your daughters seek the wood
Where the Fairies' philtre hath been strewed,
For love may be seen, though not by you,
Gathering dew!

Secundrabad.

R. CALDER CAMPBELL.

AURUNGABAD.

Aurungabad is a city of considerable note, founded by the Emperor Aurungzebe, from whom it derives its name, and contains many curiosities. Aurungabad belongs to the Nizam, and is the seat of a branch of his highness's government, forming a subordinate settlement. The state affairs under this division of the Nizam's dominions are administered by Rajah Govind Bux, a younger brother of Rajah Chundoo Lal, the minister at Hydrabad, which is the principal seat of government. As at Hydrabad, there is a British Resident with a large subsidiary force attached to maintain political relations between the Nizam and the British, and secure the latter's interests, so a subordinate Residency and a small subsidiary force are also fixed at Aurungabad for the same purpose. All important business, whether connected with the internal administration of justice, or the regulation of public matters, must be transacted with the knowledge at least, often with the sanction, of the British authority.

There is no native power, which is known to be more under British subserviency than that of Hydrabad. This may probably be owing to the moral and political weakness of the Nizam's government. Inefficiency and incompetency pervade every branch of its establishment. Such is the desperate situation into which maladministration has involved the country that very frequently some high-minded and powerful Zemindars have attempted to throw off the Nizam's yoke and declare themselves independent. The forces employed from time to time to subdue these refrac tory chieftains and bring them back to a sense of their duty have been found too feeble in amount and discipline to be able to make a successful stand against them; and it was not until assistance was afforded by the British on some occasions, and the employment of the Russell Brigade since its formation on others that the rebels were brought into subjection.

According to the popular opinion, the administration of Govind Bux is more vigorous and active than that of Chundoo Lal. This efficiency arises from the firmness and resolution of the former's character, which is quite the reverse of that of the latter, distinguished as it is, in a remarkable degree, for imbecility and want of steadiness. Though it is admitted that Govind Bux owes his elevation to Chundoo Lal, who, from the moment he was raised to the ministerial office by the exertion of British interest and influence, used every means in his power to secure a like post for his brother Govind Bux at Aurungabad, the lat

ter seems little anxious to acknowledge the obligation. This want of gratitude is manifested by him towards Chundoo Lal on every occasion; and with respect to the administration of public affairs, he is too independent to permit any interference with them on the part of Chundoo Lal. The recommendation of the latter in behalf of any individual to a vacant post is always treated with a degree of contempt bordering on insult and indignity. Chundoo Lal too invariably retaliates in the same manner on Govind Bux. To such a degree is their hostility sometimes carried that, forgetting what is due to their character, they descend to absolute abuse, sparing neither father nor mother, neither sister, wife, nor daughter, though they are the offsprings of the same parents.

It is thought that if any thing was to happen to Chundoo Lal, who is far advanced in age, and very weak and infirm in health, Govind Bux, from the activity and shrewdness he has always shown in the management of the reins of government, would certainly succeed Chundoo Lal. The general opinion, regarding Govind Bux's diplomatic qualifications is favorable to his pretensions, for he has long had an eye to his elder brother's post. He is said to possess every requisite calculated to make him an abler and more efficient Premier. There is no doubt that he will try to obtain that high and responsible post; but whatever claims he may have to the situation on the score of merit and capability, his success will depend entirely on the disposition which the British Government may entertain towards him, for without their support, he will assuredly fail, since they will favor the views of, and afford their countenance to, only that individual who will manifest an inclination to study the British interests chiefly and do his utmost to promote them even at the expence of those of his legitimate master. He will be the nominal servant of the latter; but in reality the willing creature of the former. Such has always been, and such will ever continue to be the distinctive feature of British policy in this country; and considering the relation they bear to it, it cannot be expected to be otherwise. The native states are associated with each other by all the ties of nationality, and they have moreover one common interest at heart, that of consolidating and advancing their own power and influence, which cannot be maintained while British predominance shall exist; and how could the British secure their pre-eminence in a land where they are strangers; where they are surrounded with enemies, who could not preserve their consequence without their expulsion; and where, in short, they could never maintain a firm footing without the authority of the native states being necessarily weakened. Sympathy for the degradation of the