Wyseby

14 wyseby: a legend
King Alexander he bent his way. He was kindly
and courteously received by the heroic monarch.
His tender of services was accepted, and from that
day fame spoke of Brian de Esecal. The lands of
Burdock rewarded his services. He built a stately
castle thereon, and bequeathed to his son wealth,
power, and that which in intrinsic value surpasses
all, nobility of soul. The Esecals grew in glory,
in splendour, and in strength.
Of Sir Esecal de Esecal we will speak, my child.
His name darkens in our history. The wild child of
crime, — the powerless possessor of mighty powers.
Not the thunderbolt, rushing from the cloud of
secret council — irresistible — striking where afore-
thought had determined, but red lightning scattered
on many winds; — a billow rising from a mighty
ocean, fierce, terrible in its writhing magnificence,
but impotent in its foaming splendours.
In youth, the inarticulate but soul -audible cry of
his heart was glory : but glory other than the
glory of his age. Through the pomp of the mimic
fight his soul pierced, and found — nothingness.
Through the terrible splendours, the horrid magni-
ficence of the real battle, it pierced, and found — the
demon of awful retribution. His spirit was vexed.
The rude men of those days found happiness in ac-
tion. The chase — the tourney — the battle filled
their souls. The secret of happiness, that filling of
the soul. Action shook his spirit, but it did not
occupy it. Action was not all to him. He made
companions of unutterable thoughts. The great,
the good, lay before him, dimly revealed. The
true, the real, prest upon him. Love — love was in
his heart, making all things beautiful. He was an