Edith, (who, after marriage, took the name Matilda in compliment to
Henry's mother), daughter to Malcolm King of Scotland by Margaret,
granddaughter of Edmund Ironside, had been brought up by her aunt
Christina, and placed in Romsey Abbey for security against Norman
violence. But she had always refused to take the vows, and was hence, in
opposition to her aunt's wish, declared canonically free to marry by
Anselm; called here an _Italian priest_, as born at Aosta. Henry had
been long attached to the Princess, and married her shortly after his
accession.



A CRUSADER'S TOMB


1230

Unnamed, unknown:--his hands across his breast
Set in sepulchral rest,
In yon low cave-like niche the warrior lies,
--A shrine within a shrine,--
Full of gray peace, while day to darkness dies.

Then the forgotten dead at midnight come
And throng their chieftain's tomb,
Murmuring the toils o'er which they toil'd, alive,
The feats of sword and love;
And all the air thrills like a summer hive.

--How so, thou say'st!--This is the poet's right!