Proportions.--Length of Chancel and Nave, 228 feet. Length of Transepts across, 150 “ Height of the Tower Arches, 70 “ Height of the lesser Arches, 30 “ ]
As a specimen of the marvellous connected with these ruins, we cannot resist introducing another characteristic
<g>Legend.</g>--A party of gentlemen--_horresco referens_--who had inspected the abbey, employed several labourers to dig in the orchard adjoining, in hopes of discovering some antiquities. Part of one day and the following night were spent in this employment, when at last they were successful, and two human skeletons were discovered. Next day the same party resolved to celebrate their discovery by a dinner in the abbey. But scarcely had they commenced their sacrilegious repast, when a thick darkness overspread the horizon; deep thunder raised its tremendous voice, and shook the surrounding hills; lightnings flashed
throughout the ruin in sheets of livid flame; hail, succeeded by torrents of rain, deluged the plain, and
“Peal on peal Crashed horrible, convulsing earth and heaven!”
During this sudden and tremendous visitation, the indignant spirit of <g>Strongbow</g>--accompanied by the spectral forms of many whose death-sleep had been thus wantonly disturbed--arose from the grave, and fixed his eyes upon the petrified strangers. Then raising his gauntleted hand, he pointed to the abbey door--which at the sight had mysteriously opened--and sternly beckoned the impious visitors to depart! The awful signal was instantly obeyed; and some crawling, others trembling--all pale and speechless, the daring adventurers rushed from his presence, they knew not how, and fled they knew not whither; while the savoury viands left behind them were instantly swept over the abbey walls in a whirlwind.
<g>The Engraved Views of Tinterne Abbey.</g>
I.--<g>The West Entrance</g>,[180] a beautiful specimen of Decorated Gothic; the principal feature of which is the great west window, of which all visitors and writers on this subject have expressed their unqualified admiration. The stonework of this magnificent feature is nearly entire; the five mullions, tall, slender, and elaborately moulded, retain their original forms; and, terminating in the rich flowing tracery that fills and completes the arch, appear as if they wanted nothing but the ancient painted glass to restore the window to its primitive splendour. The ivy inserting itself into every joint, and hanging in graceful festoons, seems more like artificial garlands woven in honour of a fête day, than as the sure emblem and evidence of dilapidation and decay. Beneath this window is the richly-carved double doorway leading into the nave. On the right hand is another window communicating with the southern aisle, surmounted by a window of three compartments, and two buttresses terminating in pinnacles, of which only one remains. On the left hand is the north aisle, in form and dimensions exactly corresponding with the former, but much less perfect. Closely adjoining this were the abbey cloisters, the remains of which have been noticed in a former page.