Jsa Cheshire Enchanter

7/30/2019 Jsa Cheshire Enchanter

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THE

Cheshire Enchanter,

OR

The Legend

OF

The Iron Gates :CONTAINING

The Explanation

OF THE

SIGN OF THE PUBLIC HOUSE AT MONKS HEATH,

NEAR MACCLESFIELD.

_______________________________

Second Edition, with Additions,

Printed by G. INNES, Junr. BACK TURNER-STREET.


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INTRODUCTION

MAY I be allowed to dedicate thislittle Pamphlet to you ? The desire of many

friends to preserve the original tradition, as

nearly as possible, in the manner it was wont to

be related by the Reverend Gentleman, *

who professed to be the best acquainted

with it, induces me to collect the papers,

and to arrange them, so that they may gratify

not only these friends, but also any enquirer,

who, struck with the scene represented on the

Sign at Monks Heath, may make his

curiosity an excuse for calling to try the

strength of the Landlords ale. This Tradi-

tion was long held in high estimation and

credence by the peasantry of Alderley and

Mobberley, and although the belief in

Enchantment is extinguished by the gentle,

but sure flow of Religious Instruction, yet

*PARSON SHRIGLEY


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iv.

there are many who would take pleasure in

reading the tale of the powerful Wizard,

who once held sway in the very placethey now inhabit.

To you, then, let me tender this little

offering of grateful respect: and I feel per-

suaded that under the guardianship of such

Enchantresses, The Iron Gates will unfold

to me a source of treasure, at least the va-

lue of the good mans horse.

I am, with the truest respect,

My dear young Ladies most faithful

and obliged Servant.


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&c, &c

TO stamp the following tale with respectability , I

shall first observe, that it was related by no less a

personage than the Parson of the parish ; who with

the gravity attendant on his station, used to sit in the

corner, and having gained the attention of his audience

round the fireside, would give the Legend of The

Iron Gates in almost the same tone and manner he

used in his professional functions.

At the time in which the Reverend Gen-

tleman used thus to amuse his neighbours, I regret to

say, short-hand writers were much more scarce than inour present enlightened age, so that may be one reason

why I cannot boast the honour of giving the Tradition to

the curious in the narrators own words. I am obliged

to content myself with selecting from


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the mighty volume of literary scraps, which may

be supposed to have been left by such a

personage The Original Tradition of the

Cheshire Enchanter, as it was recited, andbelieved, by the Ancient Inhabitants of Alderley,

Mobberley, and all the country adjacent; and

which it would have been almost a sin to have

condemned, or discredited.

The Sun appeared to be struggling to pierce

the thick mists of an autumnal morning, and

though himself unseen, cast a red and awful glare

over the surrounding vapours, which , as they

ascended, assumed a variety of fantastic forms,

such as were calculated to establish in the mindsof credulity a belief in supernatural appearances.

A Farmer from Mobberley, mounted on a

milk-white steed, arrived on the Heath, which

skirts Alderley Edge. He was journeying to

Macclesfield, to dispose of the horse he then

rode at the fair. Deeply musing on his errand,

and reckoning on the advantages which might

arise from the sale of the animal, he stooped to

stroke its neck, and adjust the flowing mane,

which the rude wind of the morning hadderanged. On lifting up his head , he per-

Ceivedafigurebeforehim,ofmore than com-

mon height, clad in a sable vest, which enve-

loped his figure ; over his head he wore a cowl,

which bent over his ghastly visage, and screened

not hid, the eyes, that sunken and scowling,

were now fully bent upon the horseman ; in his

hand he held a staff of black wood, this he


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extended so as to prevent the horse from

proceeding until he had addressed the rider.

When he essayed to speak his countenance

became more spectre-like, and in a hollow yetcommanding voice, he said Listen, Cestrian ! I

know thee, whence thou comest, and what is thy

errand to yonder fair ! That errand shall

be fruitless ; thy steed is destined to fulfil a

nobler fate than that to which thou doomst him.

He shall be mine. Vainly thou wilt seek

to sell him ; yet go and make the trial. Seest

thou that Sun, whose beams just gild the

beacon tower ? When he shall have sunk

beneath the western hills, and the pale moon

has risen in his stead, be thou in this place !Nay, fear not ! no evil shall betide thee if thou

obey. Fare thee well ! till night shall close

again upon the world. ----Having said this, he

walked away. The Farmer , glad to be re-

leased from his presence, spurred his horse

and hastened to Macclesfield. Here nothing

awaited him but vexation and disappointment.

He boasted of the swiftness of his steed---the

High blood of his progenitors---his sweetness

Of temper and docility----the surety of his

footstep, and pleasantness of pace ; he rankedhim above all other animals around him,

but in vain---no purchaser appeared willing to

give the price required, he reduced it to the

half, but still the horse remained unsold.

He thought on the stranger, and his morning

salutation. He saw the western sky reflect

back the last golden ray of the setting sun.

He viewed the Moon rising above the horizon,

and mounting his milk-white steed, resolved,

at all events to obey the command of the

unknown. He hastened to the appointed spot,


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afraid to trust his mind to dwell on the idea

of the meeting. He reached the seven firs, and

condemned his eagerness when he saw

the same figure reclining on a rock beneath. Hechecked his rapid pace, and began seriously to

reflect on the probability of mischance. Who

the being was that had thus commanded his

presence !---who had thus foretold the events of

the day, he knew not ! If he were mortal ,

he strength and figure held a fearful superi-

ority over him, should his intention be to

ensnare him, or to take his life. Yet mortal

strength he feared not---he was brave, and had

learned the science of self-defence at the wakes

and fairs, where broils were very frequent. Heblamed his hesitation, and accused himself of

cowardice, muttering the local phrase. I defy

him ! I defy him! and again set forward at

his former pace. Presently he arrived on the

verge of the heath and then suddenly stopped.

The idea of the Stranger being an evil spirit,

seized upon his mind, and subdued his courage.

He gazed in trembling anxiety on him as

he sat on the projection before him. The calm

and apparently sleeping posture of the object

abated his terror : yet he took the precautionto repeat all he could remember of a

potent charm, taught him by his grandmothet,

to protect him from the influence of such as he

feared the Stranger to be (It might have been

St. Orans Rhyme, or St. Fillans prayer.

But the Legend does not mention by name

therefore I will not pretend to say what it was.)

He however, began to think of returning,

could he do it unperceived ; but at that moment

the Stranger rose and advanced towards him.

Tis well, he said, that thou art come.


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Follow me, and I will give thee the full price

for thine animal. He then turned down the

northern road, the horseman following in silent

apprehension. They cross the dreary heath, andenter the Wood---they soon reach the

Golden Stone----then by Stormy Point and

Saddle Bole they pass---arrived at this extrem-

ity, the horseman seemed ready to exclaim

Speak, I will go no farther. At that instant, from

beneath their feet issued distinctly the

neigh of a horse. The Stranger paused, again the

neigh of a horse was heard---he reared his

ebon wand, and hollow sounds, like the murmur-

ing of a distant multitude, mingled with the

horses neigh, which was again repeated. TheFarmer gazed in wild affright, on his guide, and

now first perceived that he was a Magician ;

to his terrified imagination, he, at that moment,

appeared to have increased in stature far be-

yond the height of mortal man---his mantle,

which now flowed loosely from his shoulders,

added to the commanding air of his figure, and,

with his arm and wand extended, he muttered a

spell---the earth was immediately in a con-

vulsive tremor, and before the Farmer could

recover his breath, which had been suspendedin his fright, the ground separated and disco-

vered a ponderous pair of Iron Gates. The

Magician again waved his wand, and with a

noise, as it were of an earthquake, the gates

unfold. The animal, terrified at the violent

concussion, reared and plunged, and threw his

rider to the ground. Soon as he recovered his

bewildered thoughts, he kneeled before the

Enchanter, and in piteous accents, besought him

to have mercy on him, and to remember


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his promise, that no evil should betide him if

he obeyed. Nor shall there, answered the

Enchanter, enter with me, and I will shew

thee what mortal eye hath never yet beheld.

The Farmer obeyed, and beheld a vast

cavern, extending farther than his eye could

reach ; enlightened only by what appeared to be

phosphoric vapours, its high arches were

adorned by the distillations from the earth

above , which had petrified into innumerable

points, and illuminated by the unsteady light of

the vapour, seemed, at one moment, to increase

in number and beauty, and the next to vanishor recede from the view.-----Ranged on each side

were horses, each the colour and figure of his

own, tied to stalls formed in the rock. ----Near

these lay soldiers, accoutred in the heavy chain

mail of the ancient warriors of England---these

seemed to increase in number as he advanced.

In chasms of the rock he saw large quantities

of ore, and piled in vast heaps, coins of various

sizes and denominations. In a recess, more

enveloped in gloom than the rest, stood a

chest; this the Enchanter opened, and took fromit the price of the horse, which the Farmer

received, and fear being lost in astonishment,

he exclaimed, What can this mean ? Why

are these here ? The Enchanter replied,

These are the Caverned Warriors, who are

doomedbythegood Genius of Britain, to remain

thus entombed until that eventful day, when

over-run by armies, and distracted by intestine

broils, England shall be lost and won three

times between sun-rise and eventide. Then


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we, awakening from our rest, shall rise to turn

the fate of Britain, and pour, with resistless

fury, on the vales of Cheshire. This shall be

when George, the son of George, shall reign---when the forests of Delamere shall wave their

long arms in despair, and groan over the

slaughtered sons of Albion. Then shall the Eagle

drink the blood of Princes from the headless

cross. But, no more. These words, and more

also, shall be spoken by a Cestrian---be re-

corded and be believed. Now, haste thee

home, for it is not in thy time, these things shall

be ! He obeyed and left the cavern; he

heard the Iron Gates close---he heard the bolts

descend---he turned to see them once again,but they were no longer visible ! He marked

the situation of the place, and with a quick step,

he pursued his way to Mobberley. He

related his adventure to his neighbours, and

about twenty of them agreed to accompany

him in search of the Iron Gates. They went----

they searched---but in vain ! No trace remained;

and though centuries have rolled away since

that night, no person has ever beheld the

Iron Gates.

The Sign which commemorates this Le

gend, represents a pair of large Iron Gates

thrown wide open, and discovers the entrance to

a cavern of very large extent, in which are several

military horses sleeping, and men, arms, &c.

Near the mouth of the cavern stands the

Enchanter, with a magic wand in his hand,

dressed in the antique mode of the 13th

or 14th


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century ; before him kneels a man habited in

the style of more modern times, and behind

him a grey horse flying back very much terri-

fied. The back ground of the painting repre-sents a view of Alderley-edge, which is an

eminence of considerable height, commanding

a beautiful and extensive prospect of the

surrounding country.


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THE

LEGEND

OF THE

IRON =GATES

THEwrithing mists of Autumns skyStill hid the heights of Alderley ;

In dragon forms the dun clouds past, And

scarlet leaves fell thick and fast ; And

scarce the sun in feeble ray Broke

through the gloom with tardy day;

Bowed to the breeze the Pine-Tree swung,

And dewdrops on each Blackthorn hung.Just such a scene as those appalling,

Who venturd in some home-bred calling ;

Some chance has brought to Heaths and Plains,

And plashing Moors and falling rains ;

Then Memory turns to smoke and strife,

And screaming bairns and scolding wife ;

And noise and strife seems fair and good,

Compared with such wild solitude ;----

But other thoughts employed the Mind

Of yon rough coated Cestrian Hind ;

He bred in scenes where Winter cold

Have early made each Urchin bold ;

Heeds not the blast ; the miry way ;

The falling leaf ; the sullen day.---

But eager posting to the Fair,

With armed-heels pricked on his mare ;

A flowing mane, his milk- white Steed,

Pride of his Grandsires favorite breed ;

Graced the smooth Neck and ample Chest,

And this his early care had drest ;

For tis the pride ; the Cestrians brag,

The bone and breeding of his Nag ;


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He lovd his Nag---yet sighed for gold.

He wished her kept; he wished her Sold.

So I have seen Temptation, even

Within thy Chapel-Wall, St. Stephen---Where some great patriot would retain

The Mobs laud plaudit, but for gain ;

Now much in doubt for glory burns,

And now towards the Premier turns ;

Conquered at last by love of Gold !

And like the Farmers Nag--- is Sold !---

Strong blew the breeze with drizzling rain,

And backward flows the ample Mane ;

His hat full flapping oer his face,

A moment checked the Farmers pace;

When right before his horses headA dark huge figure seemed to spread !

The Mare pricked up each startled ear ;

The Farmers hair stood up with fear ;

As straight before his purposed road,

He saw a form black huge and broad---

Above the human height it seemed,

Quick lightning from his eye-balls gleamed;

And from beneath his shadowy brow

A solemn voice spoke deep and low---

Stranger attend and Traveller hear !

I know what business brough thee here ;I know thine errand and full well ;

Thy sordid purpose can I tell ;--

Thoudst give thy favorite Mare for pelf,

And sell for little more thyself ;

But know thy horse is doomed to be

Heir to a nobler destiny.---

Sell as thou wilt that steed of thine,

Tis fated that the steed is mine !

Yet gotho I can neer deceive,

Thy stubbornness will neer believe ;

Mix with the Chapmen all, and try


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Who chaffers for her--- who will buy ;

A vain attempt---but be it so---

And to the purposed Market go ;

But mark me well---tis my behest ;That when the sun sinks in the west,

And eer the Moon with silver light

Shall make yon waving pine tree bright,

Return thou here, and bring thy steed.

Fear not if here ! else fear indeed !

Go ponder on my firm behest

But mark the hour ! and watch the west

The warning ceased. The Cestrians eye

Gazed; but it gazed on vacancy !

Nor man, nor seeming man was there,

All was dissolved and nought but AirAns Sky, and Hill and Heath and Wood,

Where late the Wizards form had stood.

He gasped for breath with terror cold ;

But soon aroused for he was bold

By nature--- and to such is light

The strongest image of affright.

To his good steed he gave the rein,

And swiftly scudding oer the plain ;

Reached in an hour the busy scene,

Where the crowd thickened on the green.

The village green---the gathering crowd,In festive mirth, or bickerings loud,

The tempting baits in order spread,

The husband gilt in gingerbread ;

The bleating calf in crowded pen ;

The Tiger roaring in his den ;

All that can pleaseamuse---amaze !

Broke on the Cestrians gladdened gaze ;

The swinging bush high hung in air,

Proclaimed good ale was selling there ;

High on a Booth with clattering din

Stood grinning Clown and Harlequin;


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And cunning men of fate full sure,

And quacks infallible to cure ;

Pleased, tho not wildered with the scene,

Thrift and pleasure placed between ;The Cestrian tho he liked it well,

Was come for profit and to sell ;

Up through the street the snow-white Mare

Sped her best pace---a trotter rare ;

Beneath her feet the pavement burned,

As in a gallop she returned ;

The standing up on rising ground,

Swift and sure, he warrants sound;

Some praised and some found fault--- the same,

For still no real bidder came ;

For Guineas, Pounds---Ill give one back,For road for harness or for hack ;

Yet still no buyer came---the Sun

Proclaimed his daily race was run ;

And now he thought of the behest,

By the gay gilding in the west ;

He must not pause, for now full soon

Will rise and shine the silver moon ;

He must obey ! bound by that spell,

He bade the noisy crowd farewell---

Returning with less eager pace,

Nor without fear regained the place ;The place where late the Phantom stood,

Half-way between the Hill and Wood ;

Oft his mind turned upon the cause,

Why nature broke her common laws ;

Why she allowed by day or night

To wander thus th imprisoned sprite ;

His cheek now flushed, now icy cold,

Timid by chance---by nature bold---

Seven lofty firs had marked the spot

Which Cestrian since have neer forgot ;

And there upon the thymy green

Reclined; the wizards form was seen ;


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Beneath a rock of summit steep

Lay the wrapt warner as in sleep ;

The rider pausd---with lightnd rein,

Viewd the strange sleeper oer again ;Taxed his own timid heart and said,

I have no sense of guilt; and dread

To guilt belongsmy arm is strong,

Then to the base such tears belong ;

Up and be bold and fairly boast

Thy first encounter with a ghost ;

He spurred his steed and nearer drew

But as he came more near in view

Of that same form of unknown evil,

That unsubstantial might-be devil ;

His fearful fit returned, and charmsHe thought on for all his Magic harms ;

Beads he had none---and little skill,

To muster up a prayer at will---

And once a sense of deep affright.

To ebbing courage counselled flight ;

But to cut short his Meditation,

The Phantom took his former station ;

And right before his horses head,

The giants form again was spread ;

Tis well he said, good man and true,

Now follow me and take thy due ;And down the sable Phantom trode,

With noiseless step the Northern road ;

The leafless wood they passed beneath,

And crossed upon the dreary heath ;

By stormy point where tempests roll

They pass, and next by saddle bole

The horseman paused and seemed to say

Here stand---no farther will I---stay !

Een at that instant from the ground

Forth issuing came a hollow sound ;

Now sunk indeed the Cestrians soul,


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Back on his heart his pulses roll ,

For now appeared his sable guide

In all the stern Magicians pride ;

And to the farmers startled sightHe seemed to rise in form and height ;

Loose from his form his garments flowd,

And with more fire and brighter glowd

His piercing eye---He breathed a spell,

Earth trembling yawned, a seeming hell,

With all the very worst of fates,

Stood opening by two Iron-Gates ;

He waved his wand and as he spake,

The very earth began to quake !---

Now plunged the steed, and on the ground

Soon the affrighted Rider found---Who kneeling at thEnchanters feet,

In piteous tone did thus entreat :

Oh mighty chief of Magic spell,

Are thou not pledged to treat me well ?

Didst thou not promise my return,

My safety from they charms should earn ?

It shall be so---be bold---proceed,

Ill stay thee at thy utmost need ;

Be bold and enter---feast thine eye,

With more than mortal scrutiny !

Een at that word a spreading caveSuch as the alpine Hermits have,

Appeared with opening wide.

Bright from the roof on evry side

Hung pendant chrystals icy bright,

Reflecting back phosphoric light ;

Unsteady vapours seemd to play

A kind of intermitting day---

Entered yet deeper; to the walls

Were fixed innumerable stalls,

Where milk-white steeds each side by side

Just like his own were careful tied;


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And close by evry steed was found

An armed-man in slumber bound ;

And more and more the number seemed

As up the vault the vapours gleamed---Bright was each steed from head to hoof,

Bright was each blade of temper proof;

And Mars himself with prideful eye

Had viewed such host of cavalry ;---

Farther they passed, in clifts of rock

Was stored bright gold a plenteous stock ;

But deeper hid within the gloom

There stood in this sepulchral room

A mighty chest of ponderous size

Bolted with bands of many dyes---

Up to this chest thEnchanter cameAnd brighter burned each Magic flame ;

And as he turned the massive lock,

The echo ran from rock to rock ;

The from the chest, with care, he told

To the bold Cestrian counted gold.

The steed is minebid wonder cease,

Receive thy gold--- depart in peace---

Nay tell me more, The Cestrian cried,

Why are those steeds in order tied ;

Why are those men all bright in arms,

And why prepared for wars alarms ; Say are they doomed to mortal toil,

Or destined to unearthly broil ? ---

On this the Wizard changed his face,

Assumed a mild and brighter grace ;

And to his tone was something given,

As from a Messenger from Heaven:

These are the Caverned-troops by fate,

Foredoomed the guardians of our state ;

Englands good genius here detains

These armed defenders of her plains ;

Doomed to remain till that fell day,


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When foemen marshalled in array ;

And feuds intestine shall combine

To seal the ruin of our line.

Thrice lost shall England be, thrice won, Twixt dawn of day and setting-sun !

Then we the wondrous caverned band,

These mailed martyrs for the land,

Shall rush resistless on the foe,

And they the power of Cestrian know ;

And this all-glorious day be won

By royal George, great Georges Son.

The bootless groans shall travellers hear

Who pass thy Forest DELAMERE ;

each dabbled wing shall ravens toss,

Perched on the blood-stained headless cross ; But peace may be another age,

Shall write these records on her page ;

Begone. Nor dared the Farmer wait,

He passed in haste the Iron-Gate ;

He heard the bolts descend and clash,

And the hills echo to the crash ;

He turned to gaze--- his seeking eye

Found nothing left but earth and sky ;

Wondring he stands ! but fears to stay,

Homewards in haste pursues his way ;

Soon was the strange adventure told,To what high fate his horse was sold :

The neighbours hasted to the spot,

Vainly they search, They find it not !

No trace remaind nor since that night

Hath mortal eye beheld the sight ;

And till the hour decreed by fate

None eer shall see the IRON GATE.

PRINTED BY G. INNES, junr. BACK TURNER STREET


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THIS VERSION OF

THE CHESHIRE ENCHANTER

WAS TRANSCRIBED

FROM THE COPY IN THE BRITISH

LIBRARY

BY JS ADAMSFOR THE MANCHESTER MUSEUM

ALDERLEY EDGE WEBSITE.

IT

RETAINS

THE

ORIGINAL LAYOUT, SPELLINGS,

TYPOGRAPHY,

AND WHERE POSSIBLE

APPROXIMATES TO THE ORIGINAL

TYPEFACES.

JSA

X1:VI:MM111

Jsa Cheshire Enchanter

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