Past and Present Times, by a Lady details from bookadda

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1831. Excerpt: ... "Stern Denmark's ravens o'er the seas Their gloomy black wings spread, And o'er Britannia's hills and leas Their dreadful squadrons sped." Miceli. About two miles from the beautiful town of Reading, in Berkshire, is the lovely village of Caversham, where may still be seen the remains of an ancient cavern, supposed to have been excavated long before the invasion of the Danes, respecting which tradition has preserved the following legend. Amongst the lofty hills which surround Caversham, arose the stately castle of the Baron Fitzwalter. He was one of the principal courtiers of Alfred, and felt, in common with his countrymen, an inveterate hatred to the Danes. The situation, however, in which the Baron had fixed his residence, was one less molested by the enemy than the more maritime parts of the country. Some considerable time had elapsed since the invaders had made their appearance, and Fitzwalter was devoted to the enjoyment of domestic felicity, in the society of his lovely daughter, the Lady Eva. She had been early deprived of her maternal parent; but had grown up to womanhood under the care of her doting father. While he was engaged at court, or in the desultory wars of the period, she would wander through the lovely valleys with her companion Sabina, --pace the ramparts with her lute, --or bend her way to the village, and witness with delight the humble gaiety of her vassals. But war and desolation were renewed. The Danes had even reached London, and the castle of Fitzwalter was strongly fortified, and prepared for a stubborn defence. His services could at present be of little avail to his sovereign, as Alfred had been compelled to seek safety in flight, and his nobles now cared only for their own security. Eva was of course confined to the castle; but ...