Love has converted the tender girl into a majestic heroine; she cannot only make “a wow,” but she can “keep it strong;” she feels all the dignity of truth and love swelling in her bosom.  With the view of possessing herself of the real state of Lord Bateman’s affections, and with no sordid or mercenary motives, she has enquired of that nobleman what are his means of subsistence, and whether all Northumberland belongs to him.  His Lordship has rejoined, with a noble regard for truth, that half Northumberland is his, and that he will give it freely to the fair young lady who will release him from his dungeon.  She, being thus assured of his regard and esteem, rejects all idea of pecuniary reward, and offers to be a party to a solemn wow—­to be kept strong on both sides—­that, if for seven years he will remain a bachelor, she, for the like period, will remain a maid.  The contract is made, and the lovers are solemnly contracted.]

[Footnote 5: 

    Now sevin long years is gone and past,
    And fourteen days vell known to me.

In this may be recognised, though in a minor degree, the same gifted hand that portrayed the Mussulman, the pirate, the father, and the bigot, in two words.  The time is gone, the historian knows it, and that is enough for the reader.  This is the dignity of history very strikingly exemplified.]

[Footnote 6: 

    Avay and avay vent this proud young porter,
    Avay and avay and avay vent he.

Nothing perhaps could be more ingeniously contrived to express the vastness of Lord Bateman’s family mansion than this remarkable passage.  The proud young porter had to thread courts, corridors, galleries, and staircases innumerable, before he could penetrate to those exquisite apartments in which Lord Bateman was wont to solace his leisure hours, with the most refined pleasures of his time.  We behold him hastening to the presence of his lord:  the repetition of the word “avay” causes us to feel the speed with which he hastens—­at length he arrives.  Does he appear before the chief with indecent haste?  Is he described as rushing madly into his presence to impart his message?  No! a different atmosphere surrounds that remarkable man.  Even this proud young porter is checked in his impetuous career which lasted only

    Until he came to Lord Bateman’s chamber,
    Vere he vent down on his bended knee.

Lord Bateman’s eye is upon him, and he quails.]

[Footnote 7: 

    Vot news! vot news! my proud young porter?

A pleasant condescension on the part of his lordship, showing that he recognised the stately youth, and no less stately pride of office which characterized his follower, and that he was acquainted with the distinguishing appellation which he appears to have borne in the family.]

[Footnote 8: 

    And broke his sword in splinters three.