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and have passed over a large part； written in the allegorical vein； so
much cultivated at that day。 The language； of course； is quaint and
antiquated； so that the beauty of many of its golden phrases will
scarcely be perceived at the present day； but it is impossible not
to be charmed with the genuine sentiment； the delightful artlessness
and urbanity； which prevail throughout it。 The descriptions of
nature too； with which it is embellished； are given with a truth； a
discrimination； and a freshness； worthy of the most cultivated periods
of the art。
As an amatory poem； it is edifying in these days of coarser
thinking； to notice the nature； refinement； and exquisite delicacy
which pervade it； banishing every gross thought or immodest
expression； and presenting female loveliness； clothed in all its
chivalrous attributes of almost supernatural purity and grace。
James flourished nearly about the time of Chaucer and Gower； and was
evidently an admirer and studier of their writings。 Indeed； in one
of his stanzas he acknowledges them as his masters； and； in some parts
of his poem； we find traces of similarity to their productions； more
especially to those of Chaucer。 There are always； however； general
features of resemblance in the works of contemporary authors； which
are not so much borrowed from each other as from the times。 Writers；
like bees； toll their sweets in the wide world； they incorporate
with their own conceptions the anecdotes and thoughts current in
society； and thus each generation has some features in common；
characteristic of the age in which it lived。
James belongs to one of the most brilliant eras of our literary
history； and establishes the claims of his country to a
participation in its primitive honors。 Whilst a small cluster of
English writers are constantly cited as the fathers of our verse；
the name of their great Scottish compeer is apt to be passed over in
silence； but he is evidently worthy of being enrolled in that little
constellation of remote but never…failing luminaries； who shine in the
highest firmament of literature； and who； like morning stars； sang
together at the bright dawning of British poesy。
Such of my readers as may not be familiar with Scottish history
（though the manner in which it has of late been woven with captivating
fiction has made it a universal study）； may be curious to learn
something of the subsequent history of James； and the fortunes of
his love。 His passion for the Lady Jane； as it was the solace of his
captivity； so it facilitated his release； it being imagined by the
court that a connection with the blood royal of England would attach
him to its own interests。 He was ultimately restored to his liberty
and crown； having previously espoused the Lady Jane； who accompanied
him to Scotland； and made him a most tender and devoted wife。
He found his kingdom in great confusion； the feudal chieftains
having taken advantage of the troubles and irregularities of a long
interregnum to strengthen themselves in their possessions； and place
themselves above the power of the laws。 James sought to found the
basis of his power in the affections of his people。 He attached the
lower orders to him by the reformation of abuses； the temperate and
equable administration of justice； the encouragement of the arts of
peace； and the promotion of every thing that could diffuse comfort；
competency； and innocent enjoyment through the humblest ranks of
society。 He mingled occasionally among the common people in
disguise； visited their firesides； entered into their cares； their
pursuits； and their amusements； informed himself of the mechanical
arts； and how they could best be patronized and improved； and was thus
an all…pervading spirit； watching with a benevolent eye over the
meanest of his subjects。 Having in this generous manner made himself
strong in the hearts of the common people； he turned himself to curb
the power of the factious nobility； to strip them of those dangerous
immunities which they had usurped； to punish such as had been guilty
of flagrant offences； and to bring the whole into proper obedience
to the crown。 For some time they bore this with outward submission；
but with secret impatience and brooding resentment。 A conspiracy was
at length formed against his life； at the head of which was his own
uncle； Robert Stewart； Earl of Athol； who； being too old himself for
the perpetration of the deed of blood； instigated his grandson Sir
Robert Stewart； together with Sir Robert Graham； and others of less
note； to commit the deed。 They broke into his bedchamber at the
Dominican Convent near Perth； where he was residing； and barbarously
murdered him by oft…repeated wounds。 His faithful queen； rushing to
throw her tender body between him and the sword； was twice wounded
in the ineffectual attempt to shield him from the assassin； and it was
not until she had been forcibly torn from his person； that the
murder was accomplished。
It was the recollection of this romantic tale of former times； and
of the golden little poem which had its birthplace in this Tower； that
made me visit the old pile with more than common interest。 The suit of
armor hanging up in the hall； richly gilt and embellished； as if to
figure in the tournay； brought the image of the gallant and romantic
prince vividly before my imagination。 I paced the deserted chambers
where he had composed his poem； I leaned upon the window； and
endeavored to persuade myself it was the very one where he had been
visited by his vision； I looked out upon the spot where he had first
seen the Lady Jane。 It was the same genial and joyous month； the birds
were again vying with each other in strains of liquid melody； every
thing was bursting into vegetation； and budding forth the tender
promise of the year。 Time； which delights to obliterate the sterner
memorials of human pride； seems to have passed lightly over this
little scene of poetry and love； and to have withheld his desolating
hand。 Several centuries have gone by； yet the garden still
flourishes at the foot of the Tower。 It occupies what was once the
moat of the Keep； and though some parts have been separated by
dividing walls； yet others have still their arbors and shaded walks；
as in the days of James； and the whole is sheltered； blooming； and
retired。 There is a charm about a spot that has been printed by the
footsteps of departed beauty； and consecrated by the inspirations of
the poet； which is heightened； rather than impaired； by the lapse of
ages。 It is； indeed； the gift of poetry to hallow every place in which
it moves； to breathe around nature an odor more exquisite than the
perfume of the rose； and to shed over it a tint more magical than
the blush of morning。
Others may dwell on the illustrious deeds of James as a warrior
and a legislator； but I have delighted to view him merely as the
companion of his fellow…men； the benefactor of the human heart；
stooping from his high estate to sow the sweet flowers of poetry and
song in the paths of common life。 He was the first to cul