s: And bent his angry bow at Pan, which made the piper trudge:


s: To plead my faith, where faith hath no reward,


s: To move remorse where favour is not borne,


s: To heap complaints where she doth not regard,


s: Were fruitless, bootless, vain, and yield but scorn.


s: I was refused of her that can love none,


s: And my vain hopes which far too high aspired


s: Forget my name since you have scorned my love,


s: Since for your sake I do all mischief prove,


s: Yet loved I not more than I now despair.


s: From THOMAS WEELKES' _Ballets and Madrigals_, 1598.


s: From JOHN DOWLAND's _Second Book of Songs and Airs_, 1600.


s: Toss not my soul, O Love, 'twixt hope and fear!


s: Show me some ground where I may firmly stand,


s: Or surely fall! I care not which appear,


s: When once of ill the uttermost is known;


s: The strength of sorrow quite is overthrown!


s: Take me, Assurance, to thy blissful hold!


s: Each hath full rest: the one, in joys enroll'd;


s: Th' other, in that he fears no more, is well.


s: When once the uttermost of ill is known,


s: The strength of sorrow quite is overthrown.


s: From THOMAS CAMPION's _Fourth Book of Airs_ (circ. 1613).


s: From THOMAS FORD's _Music of Sundry Kinds_, 1607.


s: To accept these vows, these tears I shed,


s: From THOMAS WEELKES' _Airs or Fantastic Spirits_, 1608.


s: And called his lambs their master's joy,


s: From WILLIAM BYRD's _Songs of Sundry Natures_, 1589.


s: The clouds called in their light, and heaven waxed dim,


s: And sighs did raise a tempest, causing fears;


s: The naked boy could not so wield his arms,


s: But that the waves were masters of his might,


s: And threatened him to work far greater harms


s: Then for a boat his quiver stood instead,


s: His bow unbent did serve him for a mast,


s: Whereby to sail his cloth of veil he spread,


s: His shafts for oars on either board he cast:


s: From shipwreck safe this wag got thus to shore,


s: And sware to bathe in lovers' tears no more.


s: From THOMAS CAMPION's _Second Book of Airs_ (circ. 1613).


s: Vain men! whose follies make a god of love;


s: Whose blindness, beauty doth immortal deem,


s: Praise not what you desire, but what you prove;


s: Count those things good that are, not those that seem.


s: I cannot call her true, that's false to me;


s: How fair an entrance breaks the way to love!


s: How rich the golden hope, and gay delight!


s: Who seeing clear day once will dream of night?


s: She seemed a saint, that brake her faith with me;


s: So bitter is their sweet that True Content


s: Ah! but _without_ them, none. Both must consent,


s: Else uncouth are the joys of either kind.


s: Let us then praise their good, forget their ill!


s: From FRANCIS PILKINGTON's _Second Set of Madrigals_, 1624.


s: Though with these outward forms we part,


s: From WILLIAM BYRD's _Psalms, Songs, and Sonnets_, 1611.


s: That bears the name of wise and yet is wilful.


s: For men to rule by will and not by reason.


s: From JOHN ROWLAND's _Third and Last Book of Songs or Airs_, 1603.


s: From JOHN MUNDY's _Songs and Psalms_, 1594.


s: Were I obscure, unknown should be my cares:


s: And were I dead, no thoughts should me torment,


s: Nor words, nor wrongs, nor loves, nor hopes, nor fears.


s: A doubtful choice, of three things one to crave;


s: From THOMAS CAMPION's _Third Book Of Airs_ (circ. 1613).


s: Were my heart as some men's are, thy errors would not move me,


s: But thy faults I curious find and speak because I love thee;


s: Patience is a thing divine, and far, I grant, above me.


s: Foes sometimes befriend us more, our blacker deeds objecting,


s: Than th' obsequious bosom-guest with false respect affecting;


s: Friendship is the Glass of Truth, our hidden stains detecting.


s: While I use of eyes enjoy and inward light of reason,


s: Thy observer will I be and censor, but in season;


s: Hidden mischief to conceal in state and love is treason.


s: And how to please her alack I do not know.


s: From morn to even her tongue ne'er lies,


s: Sometimes she brawls, sometimes she cries,


s: Yet I can scarce keep her talents from mine eyes.


s: "Sir knave," saith she, "Where have you been?"


s: And do I well or ill she claps me on the skin.


s: Where we are drest for this short comedy:


s: That sits and marks whoe'er doth act amiss:


s: Our graves, that hide us from the searching sun,


s: Are like drawn curtains when the play is done:


s: Thus march we playing to our latest rest,


s: Only we die in earnest,--that's no jest.


s: What needeth all this travail and turmoiling,


s: In those hot climates under Ph[oe]bus broiling?


s: O fools, can you not see a traffic nearer


s: In my sweet lady's face, where Nature showeth


s: Whatever treasure eye sees or heart knoweth?


s: Coral and ambergreece sweeter and dearer


s: Than which the South Seas or Moluccas lend us,


s: Or either Indies, East or West, do send us!


s: From WILLIAM BYRD's _Psalms, Sonnets, and Songs_, 1588.


s: From JOHN DOWLAND's _Third and Last Book of Songs or Airs_, 1603.


s: From THOMAS FORD's _Music of Sundry Kinds_, 1607.


s: Yielding least fruit where most is sown.


s: That which then flourish'd quickly dies;


s: From RICHARD CARLTON's _Madrigals_, 1601.


s: When Flora fair the pleasant tidings bringeth


s: Of summer sweet with herbs and flowers adornèd,


s: The nightingale upon the hawthorn singeth


s: And Boreas' blasts the birds and beasts have scornèd;


s: When fresh Aurora with her colours painted,


s: Mingled with spears of gold, the sun appearing,


s: Delights the hearts that are with love acquainted,


s: And maying maids have then their time of cheering;


s: All creatures then with summer are delighted,


s: The beasts, the birds, the fish with scale of silver;


s: Then stately dames by lovers are invited


s: No summer grows where love yet never smilèd.


s: From WILLIAM BYRD's _Songs of Sundry Natures_, 1589.


s: Fair words and smiles could have contented then,


s: But at the length experience made me wonder


s: That hearts and tongues did lodge so far asunder.


s: Look to the east but west keeps on the way;


s: My sovereign sweet her count'nance settled so,


s: To feed my hope while she her snares might lay:


s: And when she saw that I was in her danger,


s: Good God, how soon she provèd then a ranger!


s: I could not choose but laugh, although too late,


s: I love her still, but such conditions hate


s: Love whets the wits, whose pain is but a pleasure;


s: A toy, by fits to play withal at leisure.


s: From CAMPION and ROSSETER's _Book of Airs_, 1601.


s: When thou must home to shades of underground,


s: The beauteous spirits do engirt thee round,


s: To hear the stories of thy finished love


s: From that smooth tongue whose music hell can move;


s: Then wilt thou speak of banqueting delights,


s: Of masques and revels which sweet youth did make,


s: Of tourneys and great challenges of Knights,


s: And all these triumphs for thy beauty sake:


s: When thou hast told these honours done to thee,


s: Then tell, O tell, how thou didst murder me.


s: From WILLIAM BYRD's _Songs of Sundry Natures_, 1589.


s: {deinos Erôs, deinos; ti de to pleon, ên palin eipô,


s: kai palin, oimôzôn pollaki, deinos Erôs?}


s: When younglings first on Cupid fix their sight,


s: And see him naked, blindfold, and a boy,


s: Though bow and shafts and firebrand be his might,


s: Yet ween they he can work them none annoy;


s: And therefore with his purple wings they play,


s: For glorious seemeth love though light as feather,


s: And when they have done they ween to scape away,


s: For blind men, say they, shoot they know not whither.


s: But when by proof they find that he did see,


s: And that his wound did rather dim their sight,


s: Should be of such surpassing power and might.


s: But ants have galls, so hath the bee his sting:


s: Then shield me, heavens, from such a subtle thing!


s: From JOHN WILBYE's _Second Set of Madrigals_, 1609.


s: Where most my thoughts, there least mine eye is striking;


s: Where least I come there most my heart abideth;


s: Where most I love I never show my liking;


s: From what my mind doth hold my body slideth;


s: I show least care where most my care dependeth;


s: A coy regard where most my soul attendeth.


s: And in disdain myself from joy I banish.


s: These secret thoughts enwrap me so in anguish


s: That life, I hope, will soon from body vanish,


s: And to some rest will quickly be conveyèd


s: That on no joy, while so I lived, hath stayèd.


s: From MARTIN PEARSON's _Mottects or Grave Chamber-Music_, 1630.


s: Where shall a sorrow great enough be sought


s: For this sad ruin which the Fates have wrought,


s: Unless the Fates themselves should weep and wish


s: Their curbless power had been controlled in this?


s: For thy loss, worthiest Lord, no mourning eye


s: Enough expression to thy worth can lend;


s: No, though thy Sidney had survived his friend.


s: Dead, noble Brooke shall be to us a name


s: Of grief and honour still, whose deathless fame


s: Wailing an old man's fate as if in pride


s: From CAMPION and ROSSETER's _Book of Airs_, 1601.


s: From WILLIAM BYRD's _Songs of Sundry Natures_, 1589.


s: Scorchèd the fruits in vale and mountain,


s: Your mind is light, soon lost for new love.


s: I was your heart, your soul, your treasure;


s: Your mind is light, soon lost for new Love.


s: From THOMAS WEELKES' _Ballets and Madrigals_, 1598.


s: From JOHN DOWLAND's _Second Book of Songs or Airs_, 1600.


s: And their pride hath straight undone us.


s: From FRANCIS PILKINGTON's _First Book of Songs or Airs_, 1605.


s: Whither so fast? see how the kindly flowers


s: Perfume the air, and all to make thee stay:


s: The climbing wood-bine, clipping all these bowers,


s: Clips thee likewise for fear thou pass away;


s: Fortune our friend, our foe will not gainsay.


s: Stay but awhile, Ph[oe]be no tell-tale is;


s: She her Endymion, I'll my Ph[oe]be kiss.


s: Fear not, the ground seeks but to kiss thy feet;


s: Hark, hark, how Philomela sweetly sings!


s: Strike crotchet time amidst these crystal springs,


s: And Zephyrus amongst the leaves sweet murmur rings.


s: Though he himself long since be gone to bed,


s: Is not of force thine eye's bright beams to shun,


s: But with their warmth his goldy leaves unspread,


s: And on my knee invites thee rest thy head.


s: From WILLIAM BYRD's _Psalms, Sonnets, and Songs_, 1588.


s: From WILLIAM BYRD's _Songs of Sundry Natures_, 1589.


s: From THOMAS BATESON's _First Set of English Madrigals_, 1604.


s: From JOHN FARMER's _First Set of English Madrigals_, 1599.


s: Who would have thought that face of thine


s: Who would have thought of such a change?


s: From THOMAS WEELKES' _Madrigals of Five and Six Parts_, 1600.


s: From JOHN DOWLAND's _First Book of Songs or Airs_, 1597.


s: From THOMAS CAMPION's _Two Books of Airs_ (circ. 1613).


s: From JOHN DOWLAND's _Second Book of Songs or Airs_, 1600.


s: From THOMAS GREAVES' _Songs of Sundry Kinds_, 1604.


s: Ye bubbling springs that gentle music makes


s: To lovers' plaints with heart-sore throbs immixed,


s: When as my dear this way her pleasure takes,


s: Tell her with tears how firm my love is fixed;


s: And, Philomel, report my timerous fears,


s: And, echo, sound my heigh-ho's in her ears:


s: Tell her, Good faith, good faith, good faith,--not I.


s: From FARMER's _First Set of English Madrigals_, 1599.


s: You blessèd bowers whose green leaves now are spreading,


s: Shadow the sunshine from my mistress' face,


s: And you, sweet roses, only for her bedding


s: When weary she doth take her resting-place;


s: You fair white lilies and pretty flowers all,


s: Give your attendance at my mistress' call.


s: From THOMAS MORLEY's _First Book of Ballets_, 1595.


s: From THOMAS BATESON's _First Set of English Madrigals_, 1604.


s: Thomas Weelkes was organist of Winchester College in 1600, and of


s: My Lord, in the College at Winchester, where I live, I have heard


s: "Arise, get up, my dear, make haste, begone thee:


s: Lo! where the bride, fair Daphne, tarries on thee.


s: Hark! O hark! yon merry maidens squealing


s: Spice-cakes, sops-in-wine are a-dealing.


s: And gilt rosemary branch the while there yet is catching


s: And then hold fast for fear of old snatching.


s: O fear not that, dear love, the next day keep we.


s: List, yon minstrels! hark how fine they firk it,


s: "Fair is my love, for April in her face,


s: Her lovely breasts September claims his part,


s: And lordly July in her eyes takes place:


s: But cold December dwelleth in her heart:


s: Blest be the months that set my thoughts on fire,


s: Accurs'd that month that hindereth my desire!"


s: "Non vidit tria lustra puer, quin arte probatus,


s: _Page_ 23. "Little lawn then serve[d] the Pawn."--The Pawn was a


s: corridor, serving as a bazaar, in the Royal Exchange (Gresham's).


s: Whose wealth brings want, whose want increase;


s: 'Wanstead, my Mistress saith this is the doom.'"


s: The two lines that close each stanza are from a song in Sidney's


s: Say, Joan, quoth John, what wilt thou do?


s: Bonny lass, gin ze'll take me, tell me now,


s: I hae a wee ca'f that wad fain be a cow,


s: Bonny lassie, gin ye'll take me, tell me now,


s: I hae a wee gryce that wad fain be a sow,


s: Lord Rotten sat at the head o' the table,


s: The deuk took puddy, and garred him squaik.


s: _Page_ 65. "Lady, when I behold."--Gracefully Paraphrased from an


s: "_Abraham._ Sister Gillian,--I have the rarest news for you.


s: _Gillian._ For me? 'tis well. And what news have you got, sir?


s: _Abr._ Skipping news, lipping news, tripping news.


s: _Gil._ How! dancing, brother Abram, dancing?


s: _Abr._ Prancing, advancing, dancing. Nay, 'tis a match, a


s: _Abr._ Why all the wenches of _our town_ Edmonton, and all the


s: _Gil._ A match, and leave me out! When, when is't, brother?


s: _Abr._ Marry, e'en this morning:--they are now going to't


s: _Gil._ And leave me out! where, brother, where?


s: "Looking upon proud Phaeton wrapped in fire,


s: The gentle queen did much bewail his fall;


s: 'What though,' quoth he, 'he madly did aspire


s: And his great mind made him proud Fortune's thrall?


s: Yet, in despight when she her worst had done,


s: _He perish'd in the chariot of the sun_.'"


s: Then would he go laughing _Ho ho ho!_ as his use was."


s: "But my kisses bring again, bring again.


s: _Seals of love_ but sealed in vain, sealed in vain."


s: (The first stanza is found among the poems of Sir Philip Sidney.)


s: _Page_ 80. "My sweetest Lesbia."--The first stanza is an elegant


s: There is not the slightest ground for identifying "W. S." with


s: Hold now, good son, and fill us a fresh can,


s: That we may quaff it round from man to man."


s: _Page_ 96. "Our country-swains in the morris-dance."--In Morley's


s: "Ho! who comes here with bag-piping and drumming?


s: O, 'tis I see the morris-dance a coming.


s: Come, ladies, out, O come, come quickly,


s: And see about how trim they dance and trickly:


s: Hey! there again: hark! how the bells they shake it!


s: Now _for our town_! once there, now for our town and take it:


s: Soft awhile, not away so fast, they melt them!


s: Piper be hang'd, knave! look, the dancers swelt them.


s: Out, there, stand out!--you come too far (I say) in--


s: There give the hobby-horse more room to play in!"


s: _Page_ 114. "Sweet Love, my only treasure."--Printed in Davison's


s: "Whose face _the bird_ hid _that loves humans best,


s: That hath the bugle eyes and rosy breast,


s: And is the yellow autumn's nightingale_."


s: _Page_ 121. "The lowest trees have tops."--Printed in Davison's


s: "Poetical Rhapsody" with the signature "Incerto."


s: Sorrows move not him greatly, nor delights,


s: Fortune and death he scorning only makes


s: _Th' earth his sober inn_, but still heaven his home."


s: sweetness of ayre and depth of judgment.'"


s: We'll theek our nest when it blaws bare.


s: "Learn to speak first, then to woo, to wooing much pertaineth;


s: He that hath not art to hide, soon falters when he feigneth,


s: And, as one that wants his wits, he smiles when he complaineth.


s: "If with wit we be deceived our faults may be excusèd,


s: Seeming good with flattery graced is but of few refusèd,


s: But of all accursed are they that are by fools abusèd."


s: _Page_ 132. "Though Amaryllis dance in green."--Also printed in


s: Wert thou a king, yet not command content,


s: Sith empire none thy mind could yet suffice;


s: Wert thou obscure, still cares would thee torment;


s: But wert thou dead all care and sorrow dies.


s: An easy choice, of these three which to crave:


s: And as for death, I like him in his kind


s: But God forbid that he should be my choice!


s: Nor last, nor next, but first and best I crave;


s: Till then salute me thus--_Vive le roy_!


s: The greatest kings do least command content;


s: The greatest cares do still attend a crown;


s: A cottage then; no kingdom nor a grave."


s: _Page_ 152. "What is our life?"--A MS. copy of these verses is


s: "Man's life's a tragedy; his mother's womb,


s: From which he enters, is the tiring-room;


s: This spacious earth the theatre, and the stage


s: That country which he lives in: passions, rage,


s: Folly and vice are actors; the first cry


s: The second, he to more perfection grows;


s: To nurture vice and act the deeds of sin;


s: I' the fourth declines; i' the fifth diseases clog


s: And trouble him; then death's his epilogue."


s: "Ye tradefull Merchants that with weary toyle


s: Do seeke most pretious things to make your gain,


s: And both the Indias of their treasure spoile,


s: What needeth you to seeke so farre in vaine?


s: For loe! my Love doth in her selfe containe


s: All this worlds riches that may farre be found.


s: If Saphyres, loe! her eies be Saphyres plaine;


s: If Rubies, loe! hir lips be Rubies sound;


s: If Pearles, hir teeth be pearles, both pure and round;


s: If Gold, her locks are finest gold on ground;


s: If Silver, her faire hands are silver sheene:


s: But that which fairest is but few behold,


s: Her mind, adornd with vertues manifold."


s: "Sunt apud infernos tot millia formosarum:


s: Pulchra sit in superis, si licet, una locis.


s: Vobiscum est _Iope_, vobiscum candida Tyro,


s: ALISON, RICHARD. _An Hour's Recreation in Music_,


s: ATTYE, JOHN. _First Book of Airs of Four Parts_, 1622.


s: BATESON, THOMAS. _First Set of English Madrigals_, 1604.


s: BYRD, WILLIAM. _Psalms, Sonnets, and Songs of Sadness and


s: _The Third and Fourth Book of Airs_ [circ. 1613].


s: CARLTON, RICHARD. _Madrigals to five voices_, 1601.


s: COPRARIO, JOHN. _Funeral Tears for the death of the Right


s: DANYEL, JOHN. _Songs for the Lute, Viol, and Voice_, 1606.


s: DOWLAND, JOHN. _The First Book of Songs or Airs of four


s: _The Second Book of Songs or Airs, of two, four, and five


s: DOWLAND, ROBERT. _A Musical Banquet furnished with


s: EARSDEN, JOHN and MASON, GEORGE. _The Airs that were


s: sung and played at Brougham Castle in Westmoreland_,


s: ESTE, MICHAEL. _Madrigals to three four and five parts_, 1604.


s: FARMER, JOHN. _The first set of English Madrigals to four


s: FARNABY, GILES. _Canzonets to four voices_, 1598.


s: FORD, THOMAS. _Music of sundry kinds_, 1607.


s: GIBBONS, ORLANDO. _The first set of Madrigals and Mottets_,


s: GREAVES, THOMAS. _Songs of sundry kinds_, 1604.


s: JONES, ROBERT. _The first took of Airs_, 1601.


s: _The second book of Songs and Airs_, 1601.


s: _Ultimum Vale, or the third book of Airs_, 1608.


s: LICHFILD, HENRY. _The first set of Madrigals to five parts_,


s: MAYNARD, JOHN. _The XII wonders of the world_, 1611.


s: MORLEY, THOMAS. _Canzonets or little short songs to three


s: _The first book of Ballets to five voices_, 1595.


s: PEERSON, MARTIN. _Mottects, or grave chamber-music_, 1630.


s: PILKINGTON, FRANCIS. _The first Book of Songs or Airs_, 1605.


s: RAVENSCROFT, THOMAS. _Pammelia; Music's Miscellany or


s: mixed variety of Pleasant Roundelays_, 1609.


s: _Deuteromelia; or the second part of Music's Melody_, 1609.


s: _Melismata; Musical Fancies fitting the court, city, and


s: _Brief Discourse of the true use of Charact'ring the Degrees,


s: TOMKINS, THOMAS. _Songs of three, four, five, and six parts_,


s: VAUTOR, THOMAS. _The First Set: being songs of divers Airs


s: and Natures, of five and six parts_, 1619.


s: WARD, JOHN. _The First Set of English Madrigals to three,


s: WEELKES, THOMAS. _Madrigals to three, four, five and six


s: _Ballets and Madrigals to five voices_, 1598.


s: _Madrigals of five and six parts_, 1600.


s: _Airs or Fantastic Spirits for three voices_, 1608.


s: WILBYE, JOHN. _The First Set of English Madrigals to three,


s: _The Second Set of English Madrigals to three, four, five


s: YONGE, NICHOLAS. _Musica Transalpina: the Second Book of


s: Madrigals to five and six voices_, 1597.


s: YOULL, HENRY. _Canzonets to three voices_, 1608.


s: H. RICHARD ARCHER, _Clark Memorial Library_


s: RICHARD C. BOYS, _University of Michigan_


s: RALPH COHEN, _University of California, Los Angeles_


s: VINTON A. DEARING, _University of California, Los Angeles_


s: W. EARL BRITTON, _University of Michigan_


s: EMMETT L. AVERY, _State College of Washington_


s: BENJAMIN BOYCE, _University of Nebraska_


s: LOUIS I. BREDVOLD, _University of Michigan_


s: JOHN BUTT, _King's College, University of Durham_


s: JAMES L. CLIFFORD, _Columbia University_


s: ARTHUR FRIEDMAN, _University of Chicago_


s: SAMUEL H. MONK, _University of Minnesota_


s: JAMES SUTHERLAND, _Queen Mary College, London_


s: H. T. SWEDENBERG, JR., _University of California, Los Angeles_


s: The poem here reprinted has remained unread and, with a single


s: _Michael Angelo_." This gentleman criticised a Vandyck because it


s: Yet shall this verse descend from age to age,


s: Go on, to flourish while thy paintings fade.


s: word-painting of the Vandevelde. Furthermore the description of a


s: Resistless on the rous'd imagination pour,


s: And paint themselves as lively as before;


s: admission as a full fellow followed in 1725. Having received his


s: finally, in 1758, after resigning Littleham in its turn, he was


s: These parishes all lie within six miles of Great Torrington where


s: Since I had the honour of being with your Lordship in Exeter I


s: have with great pleasure read over the third part of the


s: acquaintance a little with the Classicks, I have endeavour'd to


s: express my Sentiments of your Lordship's learned and acute


s: performance in the following Ode, which if it should afford you a


s: me--that your Lordship may read it with the more Indulgence think


s: for above twenty years, and believe me to be with the Highest


s: My best Respects wait on your Lady and Miss Lavington.


s: Here follows the ode ("Reverendo admodum Episcopo Exoniensis in


s: and continues for a further sixteen stanzas.


s: Mr. Beard's attention to the Affairs of the Theatre having


s: entirely taken up his Time, during this Season, from which, as


s: yet, he is not releas'd, deprives him of the Pleasure of writing


s: to you, in Answer to the Letter you did him the Favour of


s: communicating from the Author of Otho; he, therefore, hopes you


s: will excuse his deputing me to convey to you the Opinion of his


s: Friends thereon; and if they differ in Sentiment with the Author,


s: not suit the Taste of an English Audience.


s: How well, and with what Propriety, a Dramatic Piece may be


s: conducted wherein are very few Characters, it is not now intended


s: Chief, if not the only Defect. The French, indeed, tho' a Nation


s: of great Levity, can attentively listen to long declamatory


s: Speeches, when an English Audience wou'd fall asleep; who love


s: Probability, and conduce to the Main Action of the Drama. It is


s: the Advice of a celebrated Author, _Habitum hujus Temporis habe_;


s: comply'd with; without which, to hope for Success, is striving


s: against the Stream, and however great the Merit of this Piece may


s: detailed criticism, at the end of which the writer continues:] It


s: much good Writing, which deserve their proper Encomiums; and the


s: Perusal may give much pleasure in the Closet, but does not bid


s: I cannot dismiss this without clearing up a mistake which the


s: Author is run into; tho' urg'd with the utmost Tenderness and


s: Delicacy imaginable; I mean the Supposition that a Recommendation


s: is necessary for the having the Piece accepted. Be assur'd, Sir,


s: every Piece must be determin'd by its own intrinsic Worth; and by


s: raise the Expectation and, consequently, engage a more particular


s: I have the Honour, Sir, of sending Mr. Beard's Compliments to


s: yourself and the Author, with the Assurance that he wou'd with


s: leave, with great Deference, to subscribe myself,


s: The greatest compliment I have ever yet receiv'd for any fancied


s: eminence in my profession has not been so flattering to my vanity


s: consideration that this compliment is made me by Mr. Morrison


s: affecting much modesty that I am not worthy of the attention you


s: As I have not had time yet to consider it as maturely as I intend


s: I am quite ashamed to have kept this Letter so long, which


s: The former part of this Letter was wrote a few days after I had


s: the pleasure of seeing your Son; you have surely the greatest


s: reason in the world to think me the most ill mannered as well as


s: the most ungrateful person breathing in not returning my thanks


s: sooner; and now that it is delay'd so long it has not answerd any


s: With great acknowledgment for the distinction you have been


s: I beg my compliments to Miss and Mr. Morrison.


s: I am much obliged to you for the compliment you make me in


s: thinking my approbation of any value, to tell you the truth the


s: consciousness that I am unable to determine (as all excellence in


s: this judgement can be possess'd I think by those only who are


s: acquainted with what the world has produced of that kind.


s: I have lately had the pleasure of reading your Poem to several


s: publish'd these many years and will venture to lay a wager that


s: there is not a better publish'd this year or the next.


s: The Characters of the several Masters mention'd in the Poem are


s: truly drawn; and the descriptions of the several kinds of History


s: commendation with Imprimatur meo periculo which order if you have


s: I have scarce left room to subscribe myself


s: There is no record of any copy of the poem, either printed or


s: Nothing would give me greater uneasiness [than] if you should


s: suspect that my not answering your Letter proceeded from neglect,


s: experienced from you, the truth is Mr. Coleman [sic] as well as


s: as by this time you have probably receiv'd his Letter, you have


s: a more explicit account than any I can give. In regard to the


s: hundred Pounds for which I told him you would let him have the


s: Tragedy, he said he fear'd that you suspected that he wanted to


s: decline receiving it, which was not the case, that he wish'd to


s: receive it and certainly would when those alterations were made,


s: that if he gave this sum for the Tragedy, he should probably


s: receive more profit from it than he had any right to, that he


s: never would receive any profit but as Manager.


s: I beg my Compliments to Miss Morrison and am with the


s: greatest respect your most humble and obedient servant


s: rendered me wholly incapable of attending to every kind of


s: not without a real partiality to the Author, & the strongest


s: desire of encouraging the most favourable idea of it, I am with


s: much concern obliged to declare it unfit for representation.


s: The first act is very excellent, & with a few slight alterations,


s: interesting; but the other parts of the act have no dramatick


s: merit. The circumstance so much insisted on of Clytemnestra's


s: dressing (tho' I believe in Euripides) wd. appear ridiculous on


s: our stage: and the scenes of Memnon and Achilles are weak &


s: illwritten, tho' the entrance of Achilles at that juncture might


s: In these acts, as well as the two following, the conduct of the


s: Clytemnestra & Iphigenia, though defective, are indeed better


s: The same remark may in general be applied to the fifth act as to


s: the foregoing. The management of the catastrophe might perhaps


s: Believe me, Sir, that in this as well as in all my other Letters


s: to you, I have delivered my real sentiments, tho' it is not


s: without reluctance & regret on the present occasion. I had at


s: first some objections to the subject. These vanished; & in the


s: first draught there were here & there some touches which inclined


s: success, and exult at the failure of a superior artist who has


s: I am, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,


s: Printed for W. GRIFFIN, in Catharine-Street, Strand.


s: Sweet mimick art! Which to our ravish'd eyes,


s: Could I contrive thy beauties to impart!


s: With RAPHAEL's grace, and BUANOROTI's fire---


s: Like the rapt SIBYLL's when she feels the load,


s: The painful influence of th' in-rushing God---


s: (Nor think my friend th' assertion bold)


s: As in life's prime, it's powers unfold---


s: Resistless on the rous'd imagination pour,


s: And paint themselves as lively as before-----


s: With all th' adornings fancy can bestow,


s: Fills perhaps each high wrought piece---


s: Darts th' keen spear, or glittering faulchion wields,


s: And while it aims the stroke, or while repels,


s: How justly each inflated muscle swells----


s: Which she stole from her bright-flaming fire,


s: And haply languish through the thousandth page---


s: The grand exploits of half an Iliad rise,


s: And flash at once on our astonish'd eyes----


s: For when in some great Master's draught,


s: Who but must mingle in this scene of woe,


s: What breast can cease to heave, what eye forbear to flow?


s: Through all it's gloom'd extent the ocean


s: The cries of the wreck'd, and their shrieks of despair.


s: From horror and death to those scenes of delight,


s: The wide-stretch'd Landskip's varied face,


s: And all it's sweet delusive skill display'd---


s: There the wild ocean terminates the view;


s: It's green waves mingling with th' æthereal blue---


s: Here, full in view; there, faintly shewn,


s: From the steep cliff it's watery stores;


s: Here, spreads it's gloom some awful grove,


s: Delightful to the eye the yellowish lustre streams---


s: Or, does the pencil'd radiance only flow,


s: The sultry painting now appears to glow?


s: Where the shot rays scarce passage find,


s: How each nymph listens to the amorous tale;


s: Her half-bar'd bosom, panting with desire,


s: Expos'd, as if to catch the cooling gale;


s: But more, perhaps, to fan the lover's fire.


s: E'en now around this poor half-frozen heart


s: Like some mild lambent flame the passion plays;


s: Of some sweet PHILLIS of my youthful days.


s: Frowns me again to cold unfeeling age---


s: And feel with pain each pleasing passion die!---


s: And the whole charming vision flits away


s: Like the night's golden dream at break of envious day--


s: Then stretch the canvass---quick, my Friend,


s: Then catch the bright hue while it pleases,


s: To half the high-born beauty of the land


s: In thy firm colours still persists to bloom;


s: E'en when the real Fair is mouldering in her tomb--


s: And mingle with her kindred regal earth,


s: The strong-mark'd features of the mind---


s: The full-soul beaming from th' expressive eye---


s: She seems just springing to our fond embrace---


s: This shining branch of thy expressive art,


s: To that rich piece whose pleasing fiction


s: Th' unrivall'd Roscius of the British stage---


s: Strains every nerve; but as she strives,


s: T' impart the stronger influence to her charms--


s: Obliquely on the little wheedler thrown,


s: Portends, though checkt with aukward fear,


s: That soon the apostate will be all her own--


s: Spare, Oh! Time, these colours; spare 'em,


s: They shall---yet, Oh! these noble works at last


s: Long since th' eternal piece is lost----


s: No more thy colours bloom, effac'd by age,


s: But in the poet's or th' historian's page.


s: Great Artist, this unpolish'd strain----


s: Yet----confide----(for every trifler's breast)


s: Yet shall this verse descend from age to age,


s: Go on, to flourish while thy paintings fade.


s: Yes---if this verse hereafter should remain---


s: It may then serve to aggrandize thy name,


s: And add some splendor to thy future fame.


s: Where the Ettrick, through woods and fair meadows,


s: A leaf from the oak and high chestnut tree


s: 'Twill recall those bright scenes to remembrance,


s: Critics of art, connoisseurs of fair Fame,


s: Who on her bulwarks stand, to guard the way


s: Unto the courts wherein her favored dwell,


s: Where they have gained admittance by the pass


s: "True merit," which alone can bring them there;


s: Thine is the power the unworthy to debar,


s: To tell them that they are unfit to come


s: To seek a standing near her honored throne.


s: Foiled in their effort, to more humble scenes,


s: With showers of censure pouring round them fast,


s: These are thy missiles, and they lose no mark,


s: But bear sore torture to the vanquished wretch,


s: Until oblivion hides him from their power.


s: Stay they to barter, then the task is vain;


s: 'Tis but a weary while they can withstand


s: I make me bold to speak a word with thee,


s: Though better far my tongue had held its peace,


s: "He who doth not to battle venture forth


s: No trophy takes, as they who go to win."


s: It is not meet that I should dare to judge


s: I urge no claim to learning high and great,


s: But from the ranks of secret come, unknown,


s: And trust in time of fortune to advance,


s: For men have moods which to their acts imply


s: An impulse, which doth change the scenes in view


s: And critics, doubtless, are as other men,


s: Prone to the changes which incite the throng.


s: Time honored Seers, of every age bestowed


s: The reverence of man; whose is the power


s: To scan the future, and draw back the veil,


s: The scenes and fates which lie secluded there;


s: To tell strange stories of the time to come,


s: The kind of life which is awaiting some;


s: Whereat the heart doth shudder to behold


s: What it shall be, of revel mirth propelled,


s: Verging on crime--yea, crime in hideous form,


s: Who pry the future with such wondrous skill,


s: Pass on the pages of this book a glance,


s: And tell if ye can see upon the time to come,


s: Aught which is worthy in the art of rhyme;


s: A flower or two which bear poetic worth;


s: In pleasant ways, through the far distance, spread


s: On fertile banks, till it at length attain


s: A beauty to the scenes which round it lie,


s: Give choice to say the former; for the voice


s: Is sweeter far than his which speaketh ill.


s: Ye sages, wise and good, or, if not good,


s: Though wise, the more thy loss, attend and hear


s: Awhile, though but a pensive ear ye lend,


s: More wont are ye to hear the well-tuned voice


s: Of classic writer flow in brilliant thought,


s: Poured from a noble mind, and deep and clear.


s: Learned of the liberty I take, resolved,


s: That ye will hearken with a patient heed


s: Spurn not a man because his years are few,


s: Till he can prove if aught which he can bring,


s: Is fit to harbour for the worth it holds.


s: The fame of all the great, first as a bud appears,


s: And daily spreads till gay perfections shine;


s: And thus I claim indulgence at thy hand.


s: Raised with fair hope, I leave thee to the task,


s: And trust that of a judgment wise and good


s: As Justice (ever just) would deem it right


s: I hold no purpose dark, but proudly tell


s: I long to bear the barrier down which stays


s: And win a way unto the lustrous heights,


s: When, looking hence, behold the seat of toil,


s: And now in sweet reflection view once more


s: The days of old, when the like toil was mine.


s: All ye who form, each in thy mite, the vast


s: Named, as of use, "The Public," I dispute


s: No term as base or just, but join thereto


s: An atom with the motley crowd, resigned,


s: Of kings, and lords, and people, all as one,


s: Who hold no claim as critic, seer, or sage,


s: And spurn the name of Sloth as loathsome to


s: The ear; who dwell within the pale, and breathe


s: The air of this delirious age, when pomps


s: And fashions rage throughout the land, and half


s: Of all the people know not why they live,


s: When they who are not would be great and high;


s: And, if their fortune doth not bear them on


s: With the incessant speed they seek, then fraud


s: Is called to aid, until the bubble bursts,


s: Because the pressure is beyond the means;


s: And they are cast, in anguish and despair,


s: Unto the speech these times give slippery words,


s: And to the tongue alike a flattering robe;


s: That falsehood seems like unto sacred truth,


s: And enmities the bonds of friendship seem.


s: This simple race, who for a lucre strive,


s: And pomp, and gain, with an unquenched thirst;


s: No check upon it; but, to swell their store


s: Nor scruple have to snatch the morsel from


s: The widow's mouth, or leave the orphan bare.


s: When kings and rulers do for glory pant,


s: Till thousands of their fellow mortals fall,


s: Laid prostrate, thus to feed their evil lust,


s: Their satiate thirst which can no limit know.


s: With the outpouring of a people's blood.


s: That the wild demon should so rage in man,


s: And that the learning of the present age


s: Should not advance his wisdom more than now;


s: But that, with vengeance rising from his path,


s: He should in heedless haste go driving on


s: To the dark pits of torture called "Hell."


s: Ye who in drowsy slumber have destroyed,


s: Have slept all these fair golden hours away,


s: Whose footprints are inscribed upon thy brow,


s: Think of the marks of sin against thy name,


s: And say if no reproach doth sting thy soul.


s: It were for nobler purpose than to waste--


s: All ye who are the people; and, methinks,


s: Begin to crown the land with joy and love,


s: And tranquil, sweet, and fair prosperity.


s: Are of the few who walk in ways upright,


s: (For it is joy to think there yet are some


s: Who to their ways do give an earnest heed),


s: Or with the crowd, who heed not how they go,


s: But walk in blindness and in corrupt ways


s: Unto a death which they will long to shun.


s: Though foolish ye may deem me thus to come,


s: Ye will not that withhold which seemeth just


s: To give.  Fair maidens, more than all, 'tis thine


s: Me seek from thee a word of favor, kind;


s: And give your judgments in a softer way.


s: My joy be full, and I shall strive anew;


s: I yield my pen to better hands, and seek


s: No more to speak, and from the quest of fame


s: Which he watched, and kept, and guarded,


s: Flowers which clothe the banks, adorning,


s: 'Whence these songs of mirth and gladness?'


s: 'Where and whence these sounds melodious?


s: Rumbling in their strength and grandeur;


s: Breaking o'er the vitreous white throne;


s: Love the mighty power which holds them."


s: Prowl from dens, and caves, and caverns,


s: Keep, and count their spoil and plunder,


s: Poisoned all their thoughts and reasons,


s: And they said such wondrous fair things--


s: From his pure and dazzling white throne,


s: Shew them thrones, and crowns, and mansions,


s: Shewing thrones, and crowns, and mansions,


s: Sang they songs, and danced, and sported;


s: All their thoughts are gay and heedless,


s: I will send, and turn, and change them."


s: Shall be storms, and flames, and thunder."


s: Lightnings flash their vivid torchlight.


s: Laws, and customs, and strange dealings;


s: Swallowing towns, and ships, and people,


s: Through the howling storms and tempests,


s: With their sharp tongues dipt in slander,


s: In the grave's deep stillness slumber,--


s: And the plains with blood are steaming--


s: Firm and faithful in their own strength,


s: Then the stars shall twinkle signs forth,


s: 'Twas by this Eden of the northern land,


s: Upon the fertile banks of the fair stream,


s: Where nature's beauties to the noonday spread,


s: The bounty of the grandeur there contained,


s: To watch the peaceful bosom of the stream


s: Sparkle, as with a thousand diamonds set;


s: Inspired, to guide it in the bidden course,


s: As it glides on and onward to the firth;


s: Runs pouting freely, darts from stone to stone,


s: As of that sport it never should be sore.


s: And from the banks, amid the sylvan brake,


s: A life of melody is rising here and there


s: From wood-wild songsters, which their glory take


s: And each endeavoured to advance its notes


s: 'Tis sweetly soothing to the weary mind,


s: Which here hath turned a little time for rest.


s: Amid this scene the happy swains delight


s: To dwell, and draw the vigor of their life


s: And in the meadows feed their favored kine,


s: So full and ready that they low and long


s: The maid with pails to ease the milky load.


s: Sweet is this scene in early hours when viewed,


s: What time the rising sun comes proudly forth,


s: Midway to east, between the south and north,


s: And chases quick the lingering night away,


s: Which, as a schoolboy, loiters on the way;


s: It is beheld in charms surpassing sweet,


s: Just as the sun has done his bidden course,


s: And goes to slumber in the favored west,


s: Upon the land which he shall leave behind,


s: As seeming loth to wander from the scene,


s: But, called of duty, moves at length away,


s: And draws his train behind the distant hills,


s: Which feasted on the beauties to the last.


s: For darkness comes with night, his paramour,


s: And cast their shadows over all the land;


s: And in their stilly presence creeps repose,


s: And folds his arms around the lifeful sounds,


s: And all the tuneful throng is mutely still,


s: And comes no sound of labor from the hill.


s: Then thrilling is the grandeur of the calm;


s: The only sounds which come upon the ear,


s: To tell the mind that life remaineth near,


s: Are the soft murmurings of the silvery stream,


s: The gentle winds which whisper to the trees


s: As they go wandering in the border woods,


s: Or now and then the screeching of an owl,


s: The bleeting lamb, or distant watch-dog's howl.


s: 'Twas on this scene Lord Henry loved to dwell--


s: 'Twas here the castle of his fathers stood--


s: But in these pleasants soon there came a time


s: Which led him, day by day, in the same scenes,


s: And did not still the longings of his soul.


s: Which all men feel, that moves the will at ease


s: Unto a bondage which they fain would shun,


s: Yet loving well the while the gentle guile


s: Which bids the soul unto the presence sweet


s: Of some fair maid, whose winning charms had wrought


s: Well on the strongholds of a purposed heart,


s: Until the entrance hath been fully made,


s: And all the forms to wedlock which pertain.


s: And share with her the blessings of his home,


s: And mete with her the measure of his life.


s: Thus said the voice which whispered to his soul:


s: "And she shall cheer me in the heavy hours,


s: And she shall be a maiden, young, and fair,


s: And gentle, and be termed the sweetest flower


s: Of all the land for many measures round;


s: And such a maiden I shall love, and serve,


s: And honor, and revere, with all the love


s: And, ere a while, Lord Henry loved, and wooed,


s: And loved and served her with a constant love,


s: For she was sweet, and fair, and gentle (more


s: Than the bright picture he had fancied of);


s: And they were happy in such tranquil joys,


s: As day by day went fleeting on its course,


s: And one to one the source of sweetest joy.


s: These bore their record ere they passed away


s: Of some distinguished pleasure to imply--


s: A sweetness to the retrospective thought.


s: She was his sole companion day and night.


s: Oft he would lead her to the flowery lawn,


s: And the soft cadence from the sylvan towers,


s: Beheld the heaving of her gentle breast,


s: Moved by the passing of a peaceful breath,


s: Then he would bend and lay his lips to hers,


s: And pour a shower of mellow kisses there.


s: Then he loved well to hear the harp reply--


s: The silvery harp--unto her nimble touch,


s: For it knew well the softness of her touch,


s: But more he loved than music of the harp,


s: To hear the sweetness of her full-tuned voice,


s: Raised to the measure of some favored song;


s: A life-like presence lending to the theme,


s: Of they who listen to its thrilling power.


s: Then they would wander to the village oft,


s: Now by the path along the bridge, and then


s: For the coy village is across the stream,


s: Near on a line from where the castle stands,


s: And nigh it well, that when the breeze accords,


s: Or calm prevails, the sounds come floating o'er


s: Of mirthful lads in gambol on the green,


s: Or the part song of buxom damsel raised,


s: Anon the chime of the church clock, which tells


s: And all these sounds familiar to them come,


s: And all the village holds them in respect,


s: Which as they near the rustic boys will doff


s: Their brown worn caps in manner rustic like,


s: While dame and damsel pay a reverence meet


s: For she is loved by all the people well,


s: And held in honor as a God-sent friend,--


s: Kind-hearted to the poor, and to the sick


s: In manner thus the seasons quickly pass,


s: The golden Autumn, with her bounty hand;


s: Then, in the background, Winter, and again,


s: When Spring, the early Summer; it was then,


s: Her full time having come, the lady went


s: Unto her chamber, and brought forth a child.


s: And it was robed, and brought, and put into


s: With the full joy which fills a father's heart,


s: Her speedy well, and all things seemed good;


s: And in his ear a sweet, soft voice foretold:


s: All full of tranquil and domestic bliss;


s: And a fair train of love shall ever tend,


s: With all her blessings largely to bestow,


s: How quickly she got well and how she fared


s: And longed to see her graceful form again


s: Come quickly here and there about his home.


s: Upon his loved one laid a ruthless hold,


s: And that the lustre of her eye had gone,


s: And that her voice had lost its brightest chords.


s: Then day and night he watched her, and bestowed


s: Of every tendence he could think to give,


s: But day and night he saw her further wane,


s: Then woeful was the scene, to see him bend


s: Upon the lifeless form in floods of woe,


s: And much he wept in full and heavy tears,


s: Till they who saw it thought his heart would break;


s: And for long hours he gazed upon her form,


s: Nor could conceive that she was truly dead.


s: And all the household wept, and many came


s: To give him comfort, but he turned away,


s: And could not hearken to their kindly words,


s: And rose and left the house to wander out,


s: And passed the old domestic at the door,


s: Who dare not question where his master went.


s: And to the woods he wandered.  It was night,


s: And long the warblers of the dale had sung


s: Their last glad anthem to the dying day,


s: And gone to slumber in the sylvan bowers


s: And on he wandered, but he knew not whence,


s: For all his thoughts were maddened and confused.


s: Then to the bower he came, where oft in time


s: But lately gone he had his loved one led,


s: And with the fairest flowers bedecked her hair.


s: He paused awhile, and, with a heavy sigh,


s: Spake to the flowers, "O ye fair flowers, receive


s: Thy gay perfections have no further charms;


s: Since she who loved them has for ever gone."


s: Then on he pressed into the deepest depths


s: Of the still woods, his mournful story told


s: In tears and sighs unto the woods and wilds;


s: Which ran from tree to tree adown the break;


s: While from the stream a low lamenting came,


s: And the clear heavens wept gentle tear-drops down,


s: And every star seemed as a pitying eye--


s: An eye of love with sparkling tear-drops full.


s: And all around was mute, and the pale moon


s: Came forth to take a survey of her realm,


s: From end to end, and casting here and there,


s: Through the condenseness of the sylvan boughs,


s: Her sidelong glances, which intrude the depths,


s: And lay strange shadows wrangling on the ground.


s: The awful tremor of this death-like calm,


s: And for a time his grief forgot its depth;


s: Upon his soul, which shewed the great, and good,


s: And grand conception of the God who made


s: The earth and heavens in order so profound.


s: And, growing weary, there he sat him down


s: He breathed a silent prayer that God would send


s: Him comfort in and strength to bear the grief,


s: Then drew his mantle o'er him, and remained


s: Wrapt in the sadness of his mournful thoughts,


s: Around him, and he slept a deep, soft sleep.


s: And in the watches of the night there came


s: A bright and wondrous vision on his mind.


s: But heartsore with the burden of his woe;


s: When the sweet fragments of a heavenly song


s: Broke on his ear.  He raised his eyes, and lo!


s: Forth from the portals of the eternal gates


s: Their garments were as white as Winter snow,


s: And on their brows were sparkling crowns of gold,


s: And they had wings as angels, and each held


s: A banner in her hand, on which these words


s: In golden letters were so strangely wrought:


s: "'Tis peace, and love, and joy eternally


s: Adorns the precincts of our blessed home."


s: And bright their presence was as dazzling suns,


s: Which send a radiance through the heavens wide.


s: They now before him stood, and she who spake


s: Yet lovelier far; and the sweet voice did seem


s: The same sweet voice he had been wont to hear.


s: In fervent power, yet softly, thus she spake:


s: "Dear Henry, rise and mourn no more for me,


s: And dwell in peace, and joy, and love, and songs,


s: Sweet were our days together spent below,


s: But sweeter far they shall be when above


s: With her, an angel too, who was our babe,


s: And who hath come to bear me presence here."


s: Then by the hand she took him, and thus spake


s: In kind and pleading words: "The laws of man


s: Would hold and deem it just that, if a man


s: Of thankfulness and praise, then he shall be


s: That if a man turn from his heedless ways,


s: And bear a true repentance, he shall live.


s: Then I, the spirit of your once fond wife,


s: Come from the realms of bliss, do thee adjure;


s: Turn to thy God, and give Him worship due,


s: And mourn not with a needless sorrow more.


s: Then, but a season longer, ye shall come


s: And join me in this never-ending bliss."


s: To make an answer fit, and would have knelt,


s: But, ere he knew, they had on pinions bright


s: Resumed their course unto the regions whence


s: He saw them come; and, with a wondering look,


s: He watched them still ascend, until the gates


s: Then it was morn, and Henry woke from sleep,


s: And looked in wonder on the things around,


s: How hither he had come, and whence the cause.


s: Then fragments of the dream broke on his mind,


s: And yet awhile the joys, the cares, the woes


s: He had endured them in the days just gone.


s: The chilly numbness from his limbs removed,


s: Refreshed by sleep and more in spirit soothed,


s: Reflecting long and deep on the stern truths


s: And troubles tending on the lives of men.


s: Then came the vision of the night before


s: Bidding his soul to higher things ascend,


s: As vapors rise--as vapors rise and flow--


s: To seek the presence of the sunny heights,


s: Sore of their sojourn in the sphere below;


s: Who seek for pleasures in a barren land,


s: And lose the aim wherefore they live and die


s: That she, my wife, received the honor due


s: Unto my God the reverence which is meet,


s: Again he thought, "But can the babe be dead?


s: 'God's will be done!'  He knoweth what is good."


s: In manner thus he pondered full and deep,


s: Until the hall he reached, then entered in.


s: And all the household wondered whence he came,


s: For that their lord had been the night away,


s: But none could ask him whither he had been;


s: And when they told him that the child was dead,


s: For it was sickly ere he wandered forth,


s: "Great are my woes, but I can bear them now."


s: And 'twas the vision of the fallen night


s: That stood a comfort to his spirit then;


s: Yet he had hoped to see the child survive,


s: Of earthly kind.  And they were glad to see


s: That the full torrent of his grief had gone,


s: And that a peaceful sadness moved him now.


s: Then on the fifth day from her death it was,


s: All due obsequies made, the castle gates


s: Were opened, and emerged therefrom, in deep


s: And sombre black, a mournful train, which bore


s: Unto the grave the mother and the child.


s: There in the ancients' tombs they were reposed


s: Together, by the graves where many years


s: Had slept his fathers in a silent sleep.


s: The old church bell tolled mournfully, and all


s: The village mourned, while many wept among


s: The kindness of her way, and the full hand


s: With which in trouble she had come to them.


s: Then Henry rose, and left the well-loved spot,


s: Nor could he brook to linger on the scene,


s: Where had been spent so many happy hours


s: With her he loved, and where she lived and died;


s: Oh how hard does it seem, wonderful God!


s: "God hath removed her; He took her away."


s: Though every breath was in agony seethed,


s: Yet not a murmur her parched lips breathed,


s: Where did the soul of every member come.


s: Yet there is a soft tranquil in presence of grief,


s: Which filleth the bosom of hallowed relief,


s: Making the pang sweet which rendeth the heart,


s: Soothing the sorrow and easing the smart,


s: Leading the mind from vain follies away,


s: To seek a more sacred and truthful array.


s: Why will not death thy thoughts beguile?


s: The gates of heaven are opened, and, behold,


s: The herald comes upon the wings of night,


s: When men in slumber lie, and when abroad


s: And when the lusty have gone forth to cull


s: The sotted drunkard feeds his bestial thirst,


s: When from the herald's waking trumpet comes


s: Shall roll around the earth from pole to pole--


s: More grand, more great, and more tremendous than


s: And at the sound the wicked tremble sore,


s: For now they know an awful doom at hand,


s: And quail to find no rescue from its power.


s: The robber drops the plunder from his hand;


s: And from their beds of sin turn wildly forth;


s: And from his game the gambler leaps amazed


s: And terror-struck; whereas the drunkard wakes--


s: The sotted drunkard--from his stupid sleep,


s: And feels the awful terrors of the hour.


s: But by the righteous is the sound received


s: As the glad tidings which they long have sought;


s: For well they know the glory of the sign,


s: When He, their true Deliverer, shall come.


s: The earth shall tremble and rebound, and all


s: The graves shall ope their darkened mouths, until


s: The long-forgotten dead shall come therefrom.


s: Then He who is the Judge appears forth from


s: The heavenly gates; upon the lurid flame


s: His chariot shall roll, and on the clouds


s: Of sable smoke, down through the stormy sky,


s: Where roar tremendous thunders, mid the cries


s: Heartrending, from the lost, in anguish sore,


s: Who call for shelter, but have no reply,


s: Save terrors still more awful than before;


s: Who seek for mercy, when their fearful doom


s: Shall echo in their ear, "Too late! too late!"


s: Then all the earth shall be engrossed in flame


s: From sea to sea, and high the lurid glare


s: Shall rise in streams amid the gloomy clouds;


s: And the great waters, laving on the flame


s: Their boiling waves, shall feed its power ten times,


s: And lend their vapors to the burning air.


s: All things shall be consumed excepting man;


s: And through the flames the righteous shall be led


s: Unhurt, as though there were no flame; whereas


s: The wicked shall of tortures be conceived


s: More deep in power than ever known before.


s: Then on His throne, mid glories so immense,


s: And looks in thrilling calm on all around.


s: And truth and love united with it there;


s: So radiant is His presence that, unveiled,


s: The eye is dazzled which upon it dwells.


s: Of all the deeds which they have done, and weighs


s: The evil and the good of all their thoughts,


s: And all their words and mingled purposes.


s: Then they to whom the balance falls to ill


s: Their judgment thus receive: "Depart, depart


s: Ye would not hearken to the warning words,


s: And now it is too late.  Depart! depart!"


s: The tortures of the world, and fears, and pains,


s: And pride, and pomp, and every evil thought,


s: Down deeper, deeper to the yawning gulphs.


s: Thus all the mountains and great hills shall fly;


s: And seas, and lakes, and rivers of the earth


s: Shall vanish as a cloud before the wind;


s: And He who was the Judge shall now ascend,


s: Unto the heavenly gates, and, entering in,


s: Shall have abode through day that knows no end


s: Sweetest and fairest of the days that dawn


s: And field, and city spread a roseate light!


s: The morning of the Sabbath day--in dight


s: Of many a hallowed strain it comes.  The bell


s: Of every village o'er the plain doth tell,


s: From its high seat, within the sacred tower


s: Above the house of God, from hour to hour,


s: The gladsome peals break forth and warble down;


s: While through the city every belfrey gives


s: A glad reply, which seems to say, "He lives!


s: He lives!"  The song of praise is heard ascend,


s: Raised to the heavenly throne, in one to blend


s: With angels' song, from many a cottage rung,


s: Where on this day the father with his young


s: Sits down in peace; while, in the pine grove down


s: The clear-tuned solo of the warbling thrush,


s: Sung with the full-piped blackbird of the wood,


s: Their notes are joined.  The aspect and the mood


s: Of everything is changed, as wont on day


s: But brings not out the bustle and the din


s: Her walls a stilly peace prevails; the roar


s: And noise of lumbering waggon comes no more


s: Along the well-worn street, nor busy tread


s: To bank, or warehouse, or to court of law.


s: The myriad sounds have ceased, which nature saw


s: The sacred rest with their assiduous song.


s: And round the factory door the noisy throng


s: Aside her task the weary seamstress lays,


s: Now from the close and foul-aired workroom free.


s: The toilsome shop is closed, and also he


s: Who for the week stood there doth taste the sweets


s: No more the tiring scroll; and now in chain


s: The prisoner sits within his dungeon, wan


s: And weary; but he hears some soothing strain


s: Break through the thick and iron-girded wall;


s: And then the heavy shackles seem to fall


s: From off his feet; a strange emotion fills


s: His soul, and through his wasted body thrills,


s: When of the bygone days he thinks in sweet


s: And lingering thought; and then his eyes to meet


s: The scanty rays are turned, and on his mind


s: Its deepest force or weary sigh to send.


s: A passing thought.  All labor is at rest.


s: The plough lies set, point in the mottled breast


s: Of half-tilled field; the flail is laid above


s: The barn's brown wall; the shining sickles move


s: Not from their keep; the woodman's axe is still;


s: The golden sheaf doth not the feeder fill;


s: The huntsman's horn is hung behind the door;


s: Set free to graze; the holloaing drivers wield


s: No whip or goad, and all the swain is free;


s: The laborer walks abroad, and turns to see,


s: With favoring look, the toilings of his hand,


s: And fruits of labor rising from the land;


s: The rustic lovers saunter in the fields,


s: To talk of love and reap the joy it yields.


s: The tower-clock now the worship-hour relates,


s: Then thither come the cottar and his wife,


s: (Once fair, now furrowed with the cares of life,)


s: With sons and daughters; and, behind them near,


s: Then comes the county squire; till the seats,


s: One after one, are full.  Then shortly meets


s: The people's eager eye the tranquil face


s: He kneels to God, and in deep fervour prays


s: A sweet and powerful prayer; then he lays


s: The message of the Saviour's love, till bounds,


s: For truths so hallowed, every tending heart


s: In joy.  Then praise is sung; a ready part


s: Takes every voice to raise a worthy song,


s: Which breaks from seat to seat the aisle along.


s: Then kneel the people by the throne of grace


s: To take the blessing, ere they part to pace


s: Again the world's besetting path.  It falls


s: Of parched flowers, to raise and nourish in


s: The hour of need the vital spark within.


s: Sweetest and fairest, hallowed day of rest!


s: "Peace" is thy banner and thy mottoed crest--


s: Of dawn admit thee forth in eastern sky.


s: The merchant's daughter, as each morn goes by,


s: Looks on the scenes without, and counts the days


s: That fly--six, five, four, three, two, one--and lays


s: When she shall by her father sit, and some


s: Through wood or vale, employ the time in talk,


s: Sweet and instructively.  The widow waits


s: To see her son come home, and anxious gets


s: When near the hour has drawn that she shall hear


s: The step of her sole comforter draw near,


s: With whom on earth she findeth sweetest joy.


s: The orphans wait, and every night employ


s: A time in prayer, that God be pleased to spare


s: Their elder brother, and bestow him fair


s: And happy days.  They long the Sabbath day;


s: For then he comes among them, and doth lay


s: Pure and delicious truths he tells them from


s: A flowing heart, and they all love him well.


s: All people love the Sabbath--they who dwell


s: And they of lusty prime, whom cares employ


s: But more than all, the Sabbath is to them


s: The precincts of the grave without a fear--


s: Yea, rather, with a joyous hope ere long


s: To leave the weary ranks they now belong,


s: Of feeble age, and, passing death's dark throng,


s: Of late stood Time amid the scenes of life,


s: With hoary locks and beard of silvery grey,


s: And furrows deep upon his sage-like brow.


s: Whereby he shewed the minutes as they grew


s: To hours, and days, and years in silent haste.


s: He was in wistful mood, and, while I saw,


s: Did point his finger to the midnight hour.


s: 'Twas in a dream this wondrous scene appeared,


s: Or in that stupor which is known between


s: The rule of sleep and wake, when neither claim


s: Which may be call'd half slumber and half wake.


s: Morpheus had drawn his stilly presence nigh,


s: And hush'd all things into a calm profound.


s: A thousand wondrous thoughts upon my mind,


s: Then as they passed a striking vision came;


s: 'Twas bright and lucent as the early dawn,


s: The stage of life was there before me set;


s: A form which was in Beauty's garb arrayed.


s: Her eye was sparkling as the morning dew,


s: And full of language--full that it o'erflowed.


s: Her teeth were white and pure as Winter snow;


s: I saw them peer between her cherry lips,


s: As these were moving in a gracious smile,


s: Which traced her features like a silvery stream,


s: And ran from view adown her dove-like neck.


s: Her cheek was blooming as a new-blown rose;


s: A modest flush came o'er it as she stood.


s: Her voice was sweet like music on the air,


s: Thrown from a harp touched by a fairy sprite;


s: Bound with the crown of virtue which she wore


s: Were the sweet flowers of purity, which gave


s: A charm more sweet than all the rest to see.


s: In short, she was perfection's perfect choice,


s: And Beauty's fairest child of all the group


s: Of Eve's unnumbered daughters, who abide,


s: Or have abode, amid these mingled scenes.


s: 'Twas now the season of her noonday prime,


s: Wherein she might have gloried if she would;


s: But the calm spirit which within her moved


s: Amid the lucent streams of mellow light,


s: Which showered its fullest softness down on her,


s: She stood--the beauteous maiden stood adored.


s: Came wonder, peering forth; for he was lured


s: And far her fame had spread throughout the land.


s: Then soon from town and city numbers came,


s: And from the quiet of their country homes,


s: For they had longed with their own eyes to see


s: Her nymph-like form, and with their ears to hear


s: The music of her voice, and for themselves


s: To read the language of her sparkling eye.


s: And to her shrine they brought rich offerings all,


s: Each of the best and choicest of his stores.


s: And she beheld the riches which they brought,


s: And heard the words of flattery which they bore,


s: And marked the attentions lavished unto her,


s: But gave no heed to these, and deemed them all


s: For she beheld they sought the outward charms,


s: But minded not the treasures of the heart,


s: Which are more precious than all other gain.


s: So she did make, in firm yet kindly words,


s: And held her from them in discreet reserve.


s: Sought more the secret worth than outward charms,


s: And that he brought no dazzling gifts to tempt


s: Her with, that he might win her heart and hand.


s: Her nature and the ordering of her ways,


s: And was much pleased to see them ordered well,


s: And that the beauties of a virtuous mind


s: Were not extinguished by her outward charms,


s: And in due course he sought her heart and hand,


s: Thus they were in the bonds of wedlock joined,


s: To mete the measure of their lives in one;


s: And in their home was harmony and peace,


s: And in all things they were together true.


s: Time stood, and from his hand the hours, and days,


s: And, ere a while, she merged on ripened years,


s: Had sons and daughters, and had trained them well,


s: And had her mission filled in every way.


s: Then was her act concluded, and she left


s: The scenes of life and all the changes there,


s: Not to ascribe Him praise and worship most.


s: The curtain fell, and, lo! a clear, strange voice


s: Broke from the hidden scenes, declaring thus,


s: And with the words a thrilling power was borne,


s: "Blessed are they who walk in virtue's way!


s: More priceless than the pearl of many seas.


s: Her mind is pure as snow which Winter breathes,


s: White and unspotted with the stains of time.


s: Which hath gone down behind the distant hills,


s: Yet sends a stream of glory from its seat


s: Diffusing there a sweet and golden light.


s: Did know her worth and the fair fruits thereof."


s: Scarce had these words been uttered, when again.


s: The curtain rose, which hid the stage of life;


s: And, lo! I saw the like fair scenes were there,


s: Which in the former act had been displayed;


s: But she who stood the foremost in the act


s: Was other maiden, yet as sweet and fair.


s: And in her face did winning brightness shine.


s: Was sweet and charmful, that whoe'er beheld


s: Was at the sight of thrilling rapture filled;


s: And all her mirth was gay and ever full,


s: And all her laughter fraught of dancing fun.


s: A roguish eye she had, from which went forth


s: Glances askance, to plunder, as they wot,


s: From simple hearts, which could not turn away


s: The wily darts which she cast unto them.


s: Her cheek was bright, and of a rosy hue,


s: And wondrous was the fashion of her lips,


s: And they did seem to speak soft tales of love


s: Which turned to rapture all who gazed thereon,


s: So deep the passion which they pouted forth.


s: Her locks were golden, and with braids entwined


s: Her raiment was of Fashion's last design,


s: And so arranged to shew her perfect form


s: In all the fine proportions it displayed.


s: Her soft white arms were bared unto the view,


s: And scarce she needed other charm to hold,


s: Than did the vesture sideward drawn reveal


s: And she was proud of graces like to these;


s: Forth from the ranks of town and city came


s: Upon her sweet and all-bewitching charms,


s: And strove to seem more pleasing every hour,


s: And loved the admiration which they gave.


s: Time stood, and from his hand the hours, and days,


s: And one by one her charms were seen to go;


s: For every year, as it sped on its course,


s: Plucked from the flower of purity a leaf,


s: And from her beauty took the brightest gem,


s: Thus was her ruin sealed, and day by day


s: She sank into more hopeless depths of sin,


s: Her form grew haggard and uncouth to see,


s: Her soul turned black unto its very core,


s: Drugged with the fluid from a bloody war.


s: Her brow was stamped with hatred and revenge.


s: Woe and distraction, from these loathsome fonts,


s: Fierce as hell-torrents, burst upon her path;


s: And she did spurn repentance.  And I saw


s: The Evil One from depths of darkness come;


s: And death appeared the entrance thereunto.


s: I heard an awful shriek, and, lo! beheld


s: That she was swallowed in its boundless depths.


s: The curtain fell upon the stage of life;


s: And all who saw it trembled at the scene,


s: And deathlike was the calm which stood around,


s: And every breath was held for very fear.


s: Then the same voice was heard again which spoke


s: Such words of wisdom in the former scene.


s: And now the curtain was again withdrawn,


s: And every form had vanished from the view,


s: Save he who spake and hoary-headed Time;


s: And Time still stood and dealt the hours away.


s: Old things had gone, and others held their place;


s: And he who was the speaker stood upright,


s: And was adorned with raiment pure and white.


s: He stood surrounded by a dazzling light;


s: More bright his presence was than gorgeous suns,


s: Whereas he had an eye of wondrous power.


s: And these the words in stirring force he spake:


s: "Pause, all ye young, ye thoughtless ones who run


s: In wild delight among the gay-borne paths,


s: Which pleasure spreads enticingly around.


s: O youth deluded! dwell not in the thought


s: That they shall prosper for eternal years.


s: Truth is profound, and this more deep than all--


s: That beauty is but like a passing charm,


s: And youth a landmark by the way of Time--


s: A stage which soon his chariot rolls by,


s: Then pause, and be not blinded by the show


s: These were his warnings.  Then methought I saw,


s: One on each hand, the two eternal gates;


s: Whereto he turned, and, opening one, disclosed


s: Realms of most wondrous beauty, and therein


s: And all around appeared to give them joy,


s: And in their midst dwelt unity and love,


s: And they were clothed in raiments purely grand,


s: And sweet the music was which hovered round,


s: Then he did close, without a word or sign,


s: This gate, and to the other mutely went,


s: And, opening which, disclosed to the view


s: Such ghastly scenes of torture, and therein


s: Were creatures seething in eternal flame;


s: And loathsome was their presence to behold,


s: And woe and agony were ever in their midst,


s: And bitter were the strifes, in which they bore


s: These were the scenes.  Then, mutely as before,


s: He closed the gate, and vanished from the view.


s: Of chariots and horsemen; and, erewhile,


s: Some unto that o'er which these golden words


s: Were traced in figures ever bold and bright:


s: Then fell the curtain on the scene, and, lo!


s: I woke from slumber, and it was a dream.


s: While vigor lives, and youth's brief time is still,


s: Life's noble purpose, which is "Good to all."


s: Thus cull a favor which shall never fall;


s: Enriched of labors, so enshrine thy name;


s: Repose at last in peace with honored fame.


s: Let recollections, like the proud sun's ray,


s: Restore a peace, afford a tranquil rest,


s: Create a joy in your oft troubled breast;


s: And when kind slumber doth its tendance lend,


s: And angels sweet around thy pillow bend,


s: May dreams of happy hours thy spirit cheer--


s: Fond dreams of they who to thy heart are dear.


s: But tell me, love, what is the lingering thought


s: Which seeks a presence, from the distance brought,


s: Far, far away, and which, with pleasing spells,


s: Doth mingle here and there a word which tells--


s: Oh sadly true!--that ye shall meet no more


s: The one you love?  These thoughts are very sore;


s: The spirit sinks in grief and sadness low,


s: And thrilling shudders through the being flow.


s: Farewell, farewell, my cup of earthly joy!


s: I drain the dregs, and they are now alloy.


s: The day had passed as other days do pass,


s: Performed by one, or two, or a whole mass,--


s: The sun in turn had lit the eastern sky,


s: Diffusing light and heat below and high,


s: Monotony had likewise marked my course--


s: That added joy when I did watch the tide


s: This o'er, thought turned to urge a night's repose--


s: But, prior to this, I thought it might be well


s: The comic thoughts of famous "Punch" were read,


s: As wholesome food--so some old fogies said--


s: For comfort's sake--which people always mind,


s: Of modes another pleasing style can find,


s: An instance take of chignon (dead folk's hair)--


s: "I wish I was not forced those things to wear,


s: It gave instruction, and sometimes amused,


s: A nod then came, and soon I winged my flight


s: All earthly things were lost to sense and sight;


s: The distance might have been an inch, a mile,


s: It seemed a pleasant place, for still a smile


s: Wrapt in those fairy dreams of pleasant lands,


s: Of softest touch, like that of fairy hands,


s: 'Tis strange--but no more strange than true--


s: Their place, and raise our spirits high.


s: Come, music sweet; come, music, to me here;


s: Pour on this wounded heart thy healing balm,


s: Prepared to soothe, and troubled spirits calm.


s: E'er since the time that on this mouldy ball


s: Man held a place, and that before the fall,


s: The youthful world was held in no reserve;


s: For thy enchanting strains did pleasure serve


s: The young creation, and they hailed the sound.


s: But then the Author's work did all rebound


s: With perfect mirth, and music in it all,


s: But when the fruit was tasted and thought good,


s: First by the woman, then the man, as food,


s: Though the condition was at first so placed,


s: That they might use or all the produce taste


s: Of the fair garden, save alone one tree,


s: Which in the centre stood, and there to be


s: Untouched; but, notwithstanding these commands,


s: The rosy fruit looked tempting in Eve's hands,


s: Where it was by the cunning serpent placed.


s: Her watering teeth the dimpled apple traced


s: She gave to man, and then was sealed their fate.


s: When in the book of record was inscribed


s: This scene so sad, as man to evil bribed,


s: Music still came, but with it came alloy,


s: For sounds of sadness came with sounds of joy.


s: At first the music was but nature's own;


s: All sounds that art's production can impel?


s: Who this can question, if they lend an ear


s: Unto the lark that, pouring music clear,


s: Makes all the sphere for many miles around


s: Or, pausing, marks the sweet, melodious lay


s: The nightingale at stilly night doth lay;


s: Or listens to the morn or evening praise,


s: As the wild warblers blended chorus raise,


s: The rippling stream that sports among the hills,


s: Or pensive sighing of the Summer breeze,


s: Which, rambling, rustles through the leafy trees,


s: The choice of favor it may well command?


s: Yet art's production may in honor stand,


s: And hear the praises which her lover tells.


s: Who doth not love to hear the Sabbath bells?


s: The gentle song which maidens' lips supply,


s: While on the harp with skilful touch is played


s: Or who can hear the noble martial strain,


s: And not be moved to long the sounds again?


s: The deep, grand notes of noble organ who


s: Can mutely tend, as they go thrilling through,


s: From aisle to aisle of some cathedral old,


s: And, rising, still their richer sounds unfold?


s: First in the child of sweet and early years;


s: Then in the youth its early leaves unfold;


s: The fruit it bears in manhood's time behold;


s: Until the Autumn comes, old age enthrals,


s: Decay sets in, and then the leaflet falls.


s: True friendship's fervour ne'er grows cold;


s: Thine are the realms--the glorious realms


s: Comes with the brooklet's murmuring voice,


s: How swiftly have thy golden moments fled!


s: Whereof to learn we shudder, in the thought


s: That they passed from us as a worthless thing,


s: While all our heed to idleness was lent.


s: How they will bear the scrutiny ye give.


s: While few and feeble are the acts of truth.


s: Or where the good a brother took from us?


s: Let us not spurn the many warnings shewn.


s: Who may not from the ranks of friendship glean


s: One name, or more, in sacred reverence held,


s: But who, while we gave welcome to the year just gone,


s: Would seasons more remain to comfort us.


s: To see this year depart, or see another come?


s: Now let us to the year departed say farewell;


s: For it has gone, with all its joys and cares,


s: Which, ere we knew, moved from our presence, and


s: Another came; which in the old seat sits, whereof


s: But darkness o'er the scene a curtain holds,


s: And veils from view what is upon the time


s: Blest bearer of peace, she comes in her grandeur;


s: I hear the sweet echo, and hear it again,


s: Through the forests of trees and o'er the green fields,


s: In sounds of contentment, in music's sweet strain.


s: She rides in the skies, and she comes on the breeze


s: From her mansions so aerial, illumined, and fair;


s: They stand in a mystery unfathomed by thought,


s: And who can describe them, or who can tell where?


s: The sound of her footstep, the tone of her call


s: Is hailed with rejoicings--rejoicings of joy;


s: Her whisper so gentle, her breathings of peace


s: All feelings of sadness allure and decoy.


s: The birds of the air, the warbling songsters,


s: The thrush and the blackbird uniting send higher,


s: By adding their songs to chorus of chorus,


s: Redouble her welcome and sing a sweet lyre.


s: See, through the dark soil, in patient procession,


s: The flowers are beginning again to appear;


s: From beds of repose, from darkest of hidings,


s: In caution most careful they cunningly peer,


s: If 'tis the voice of Spring, if Winter's no more;


s: All longing the time when howling blasts go,


s: To crown her their queen from shore unto shore;


s: To spread a rich carpet, by nature entwined,


s: Pave all her pathways with richest of gems;


s: To stud it with beauty in grandest profusion,


s: With roses and daisies on stalks and on stems.


s: Then welcome right gladly, then welcome, sweet Spring!


s: Your fairest of praises and sweetest notes bring.


s: She kissed his cheek, his pillow smoothed,


s: And when she turned from these fair dreams,


s: She sat the long night through and wept,


s: I lost myself in labyrinths of unexplored delight,


s: In wandering from the paths of sterner truth;


s: Behind, before, and all around, appearing to the eye


s: With pleasing streams of unpolluted pleasure flowing by,


s: The scope was boundless, and I wandered, still admiring all,


s: Indulging oft in free, unfettered thought;


s: In wonder wrapt, I wandered on, but found no rest withal,


s: As each new scene was to my fancy brought.


s: And in the future I could see with an imagining eye


s: A cheering prospect, rising pure and bright.


s: It seemed my future path in smooth, unchequered ways did lie,


s: That cares were easy and life's burdens light.


s: Amid the tranquils sweet around, and to my own design,


s: I built me castles of a towering height,


s: And thereto did my pleasures and my rising hopes resign,


s: Thought that these bulwarks would resist all might.


s: But, lo! they fell in ruined heaps, and mighty was the fall,


s: And my bright hopes lay ruined at my feet,


s: And the deluding dream of fancy passed away, and all


s: The scenes so fair did from me now retreat;


s: Like as the mirage travellers see upon the desert waste,


s: In view where cooling waters seem to rise,


s: And which the body longs to reach, the parched tongue to taste--


s: Mark well, and do not pass in heedless haste,


s: Nor all your time in needless folly waste;


s: But, if with you a solemn thought doth dwell,


s: Pray lend it here, and think it may be well


s: Awhile to set aside the world's stern care,


s: And for a true, though passing, glance prepare


s: By pleasure's streams and vanities which thread


s: The onward path which through the wide world wends,


s: Which chequered is, and many a snare attends.


s: The theme I speak of is the aim of life.


s: Who fails to see, amid the passing strife


s: Where man appears, and in a season dies,


s: Forgotten soon in mouldering dust he lies,


s: That he has strayed from the good purpose far,


s: That all his joys are vain, and such as mar


s: The bonds grow stronger, and his lusts increase


s: The while his chances are for ever lost,


s: And he is now before the tempest toss'd.


s: A thoughtful mind in question thus may dwell;


s: When man was formed, what aim was held in view


s: Who all things made but for a purpose wise?


s: Behold, his work an ample proof supplies


s: What feelings stirred His breast when man was made,


s: Discretion lent to shew the ill from good,


s: Portrayed in him the Maker's image stood;


s: Nor was it meant that he should time employ


s: Less far that self should be his only theme;


s: More thus the purpose, and the Maker's law


s: That God, the Maker, should true worship have,


s: And reverence and love; and, as to prove


s: Obeyance, it was held that he should love


s: His neighbour as himself.  This from above


s: Bestowed, and from conditions free, save one,


s: And which was sweet and pleasing to be done


s: Where no fear came, or jealousy, or strife--


s: No earthly thing should have the honor due


s: Can say they have endeavoured to be true!


s: Lest gossip wakes, be mute, breathe not a word


s: Of how, or where, or when, save that we met;


s: To chance, or luck, or fortune bid the fault,


s: Till ye can tell how else our friendship came.


s: Except discretion fails in self-command.


s: As brief a while as may a friendship live


s: No one can tell, so soon it dies, or how,


s: In nurture soon springs up; so sprang, matured


s: As first of chance, unsought till then, but now


s: Let favor choose if she may hold the power


s: Drawn from the font of pleasure to supply


s: Enticing sweets, which, though you took, rebelled.


s: Reigned o'er the scene the silvery moon, which smiled,


s: Of that she deemed no harm, was sweetly pleased!


s: Neptune breathed silence and supplied the chance.


s: Lost love, I answer, since you make me tell


s: Unto the rambling tide, flirtation swell.


s: I mete my mind, though ye regard in scorn;


s: She gives her heart, in many fragments torn,


s: A piece to each who have her flirtings borne.


s: Who spreads her charms to every wind that beats,


s: Or loves a bit with every man she meets,


s: Of constant love can never be possessed.


s: Duped is the man who, for a mating nest,


s: Sets choice on her; his life shall lack of rest.


s: The better things and leave the worse ones.


s: The Tartar who dwells on the plains of Thibet


s: Has for centuries made it a nursery pet,


s: Then tell your papa where the Yak can be got,


s: The Lion, the Lion, he dwells in the waste,


s: He has a big head and a very small waist;


s: But his shoulders are stark, and his jaws they are grim,


s: And a good little child will not play with him.


s: The Tiger on the other hand, is kittenish and mild,


s: He makes a pretty playfellow for any little child;


s: And mothers of large families (who claim to common sense)


s: Will find a Tiger well repay the trouble and expense.


s: The voice which used to squawk and squeak


s: With stones and sticks and guns and slings.


s: This learned Fish has not sufficient brains


s: You have a horn where other brutes have none:


s: Our brains are trained, our books are big,


s: Whatever our faults, we can always engage


s: That no fancy or fable shall sully our page,


s: This creature so grand and august in its age,


s: The Bison is vain, and (I write it with pain)


s: Is not, as some learned professors maintain,


s: Yet another great truth I record in my verse,


s: That some Vipers are venomous, some the reverse;


s: By procuring two Vipers, and letting them bite;


s: With the _first_ you are only the worse for a fright,


s: The Llama is a woolly sort of fleecy hairy goat,


s: With an indolent expression and an undulating throat


s: And I know the place he lives in (or at least--I think I do)


s: It is Ecuador, Brazil or Chili--possibly Peru;


s: You must find it in the Atlas if you can.


s: The Llama of the Pampasses you never should confound


s: (In spite of a deceptive similarity of sound)


s: For the former is a beautiful and valuable beast,


s: But the latter is not lovable nor useful in the least;


s: And the Ruminant is preferable surely to the Priest


s: Who battens on the woful superstitions of the East,


s: This Creature, though rare, is still found to the East


s: It is known to the whole of that primitive group


s: That the carcass will furnish an excellent soup,


s: Though the cooking it offers one drawback at least


s: If the skin be _but punctured_ before it is boiled,


s: Your confection is wholly and utterly spoiled.


s: And hence (on account of the size of the beast)


s: Kochanowski was a learned poet of the Renaissance, drawing his


s: _Tales sunt hominum mentes, quali pater ipse


s: Juppiter auctiferas lustravit lumine terras._


s: Ye griefs and sorrows, come from all the lands


s: Wherein ye sigh and wail and wring your hands:


s: And help me mourn my sweet, whom in her May


s: 'Tis so a serpent glides on some shy nest


s: And, of the tiny nightingales possessed,


s: Doth glut its throat, though, frenzied with her fear,


s: The mother bird doth beat and twitter near


s: And strike the monster, till it turns and gapes


s: To swallow her, and she but just escapes.


s: "'Tis vain to weep," my friends perchance will say.


s: Dear God, is aught in life not vain, then? Nay,


s: Seek to lie soft, yet thorns will prickly be:


s: Ah, which were better, then--to seek relief


s: In tears, or sternly strive to conquer grief?


s: If I had ever thought to write in praise


s: Of little children and their simple ways,


s: To rock to slumber, or the songs a nurse


s: Might croon above the baby on her breast.


s: Setting her charge's short-lived woes at rest.


s: For much more useful are such trifling tasks


s: Than that which sad misfortune this day asks:


s: To weep o'er thy deaf grave, dear maiden mine.


s: And wail the harshness of grim Proserpine.


s: But now I have no choice of subject: then


s: I shunned a theme scarce fitting riper men,


s: To songs unheeded by the great concourse


s: Of mortals. Verses that I would not sing


s: The living, to the dead I needs must bring.


s: Yet though I dry the marrow from my bones,


s: Weeping another's death, my grief atones


s: Arouse but transient thoughts of joy or gloom.


s: Thou hardly knewest that the sun was bright


s: Ere thou didst vanish to the halls of night.


s: I would thou hadst not lived that little breath--


s: What didst thou know, but only birth, then death?


s: And all the joy a loving child should bring


s: Her parents, is become their bitterest sting.


s: So, thou hast scorned me, my delight and heir;


s: Thy father's halls, then, were not broad and fair


s: Enough for thee to dwell here longer, sweet.


s: True, there was nothing, nothing in them meet


s: For thy swift-budding reason, that foretold


s: Virtues the future years would yet unfold.


s: Thy words, thy archness, every turn and bow--


s: How sick at heart without them am I now!


s: Along the path where earlier thou hast gone.


s: And at its end do thou, with all thy charms,


s: Cast round thy father's neck thy tender arms.


s: Thou hast constrained mine eyes, unholy Death,


s: To watch my dear child breathe her dying breath:


s: To watch thee shake the fruit unripe and clinging


s: While fear and grief her parents' hearts were wringing.


s: Ah, never, never could my well-loved child


s: Have died and left her father reconciled:


s: And yet at no time could her death have brought


s: More cruel ache than now, nor bitterer thought;


s: I might have walked with her down flowered ways


s: And left this life at last, content, descending


s: To realms of dark Persephone, the all-ending,


s: Without such grievous sorrow in my heart,


s: Of which earth holdeth not the counterpart.


s: Amid her dear, dead children, turned to stone.


s: No budding leaf as yet, no branching limb,


s: Sharp thorns and nettles, cuts the little sprout,


s: It fades and, losing all its living hue,


s: Drops by the mother from whose roots it grew:


s: Then Death came, breathing pestilence, and she


s: Fell, stricken lifeless, by her parent tree.


s: Of barren tears! How couldst thou will it so?


s: Dear little Slavic Sappho, we had thought,


s: Hearing thy songs so sweetly, deftly wrought,


s: That thou shouldst have an heritage one day


s: Beyond thy father's lands: his lute to play.


s: For not an hour of daylight's joyous round


s: But thou didst fill it full of lovely sound,


s: Just as the nightingale doth scatter pleasure


s: Upon the dark, in glad unstinted measure.


s: Then Death came stalking near thee, timid thing,


s: And I pay dear with sorrow for brief song.


s: Thou still wert singing when thou cam'st to die;


s: Kissing thy mother, thus thou saidst good-bye:


s: "My mother, I shall serve thee now no more


s: Nor sit about thy table's charming store;


s: I must lay down my keys to go from here,


s: To leave the mansion of my parents dear."


s: This and what sorrow now will let me tell


s: No longer, were my darling's last farewell.


s: Ah, strong her mother's heart, to feel the pain


s: Of those last words and not to burst in twain.


s: Sad trinkets of my little daughter, dresses


s: Why do you draw my mournful eyes? To borrow


s: No longer will you clothe her form, to fold her


s: Cool muslin and the ribbon snoods are bootless,


s: My little girl, 'twas to a bed far other


s: Had thought to lead thee, and this simple dower


s: A tiny shroud and gown of her own sewing


s: Thy rather brings a clod of earth, a somber


s: And so a single casket, scant of measure,


s: Thou hast made all the house an empty thing,


s: Though we are here, 'tis yet a vacant place,


s: One little soul had filled so great a space.


s: For thou didst sing thy joyousness to all,


s: Running through every nook of house and hall.


s: Thou wouldst not have thy mother grieve, nor let


s: Thy father with too solemn thinking fret


s: His head, but thou must kiss them, daughter mine,


s: And all with that entrancing laugh of thine!


s: Thou wilt not come with archness and delight,


s: And all in vain the heart would seek relief.


s: Thou shouldst be purchased, Wisdom, for much gold


s: That thou canst root out from the mind the host


s: Of longings and canst change a man almost


s: Thou seest all things human as they are--


s: Trifles. Thou bearest in thy breast a star


s: Fixed and tranquil, and dost contemplate


s: Of riches, one thing thou dost hold the measure:


s: Proportion to man's needs--not gold nor treasure;


s: The beggar housed beneath the roof of gold,


s: Nor dost thou grudge the poor man fame as blest


s: Oh, hapless, hapless man am I, who sought


s: If I might gain thy thresholds by much thought,


s: Cast down from thy last steps after so long,


s: But one amid the countless, hopeless throng!


s: Art thou departed, to what land, what sphere?


s: High o'er the heavens wert thou borne, to stand


s: One little cherub midst the cherub band?


s: Does Charon bear thee onward, little daughter?


s: Art thou enfeathered in some nightingale?


s: Until some tiniest stain be washed away?


s: Or hast returned again to where thou wert


s: Ere thou wast born to bring me heavy hurt?


s: Where'er thou art, ah! pity, comfort me;


s: Yet come before mine eyes a moment's space


s: In some sweet dream that shadoweth thy grace.


s: What man did his own goodness e'er advance


s: Some unknown foe confuses men's affairs;


s: For good and bad alike it nothing cares.


s: Where blows its breath, no man can flee away;


s: Both false and righteous it hath power to stay.


s: Yet still we vaunt us of our mighty mind


s: And still we gaze on heaven and think we see


s: Nay, human eyes are all too dull; light dreams


s: Amuse and cheat us with what only seems.


s: Ah, dost thou rob me, Grief, my safeguards spurning,


s: Of both my darling and my trust in learning?


s: More fondly loved a daughter than did I,


s: Whose loss her parents could more justly mourn.


s: Unspoiled and neat, obedient at all times,


s: She seemed already versed in songs and rhymes,


s: Though but a babe, she played a maiden's part.


s: She never thought to taste her morning fare


s: Until she should have said her morning prayer;


s: She had prayed God to save us all from ill.


s: The servants of the house ere they could wait


s: When thirty months their little course had run.


s: Her youth could not sustain; she fell from weal


s: Ere harvest. Little ear of wheat, thy prime


s: Was distant; 'tis before thy proper time


s: Knowing I bury with thee hope and mirth.


s: For thou wilt not spring up when blossoms quicken


s: But leave mine eyes forever sorrow-stricken.


s: Now thou hast left me, for thy sweet, brief stay.


s: Thou didst delude me like a dream by night


s: That shines in golden fullness on the sight,


s: Leaves only of its treasures much heartbreak.


s: Thou madest with high hope my heart to beat


s: And then didst hurry off and bear with thee


s: All of the gladness thou once gavest me.


s: 'Tis half my heart I lack through this thy taking


s: And what is left is good for naught but aching.


s: And let this sad inscription run thereon:


s: Her father's sorrow and her father's dear;


s: For heedless Death hath acted here crisscross:


s: She should have mourned my death, not I her loss._


s: Where are those gates through which so long ago


s: To seek his lost one? Little daughter, I


s: Would find that path and pass that ford whereby


s: The grim-faced boatman ferries pallid shades


s: And drives them forth to joyless cypress glades.


s: Be thou the furtherance of my mournful suit


s: Before dread Pluto, till he shall give ear


s: To our complaints and render up my dear.


s: To his dim dwelling all men must repair,


s: And so must she, her father's joy and heir;


s: But let him grant the fruit now scarce in flower


s: To fill and ripen till the harvest hour!


s: Yet if that god doth bear a heart within


s: So hard that one in grief can nothing win,


s: And lose my soul, but also lose my care.


s: Golden-locked Erato, and thou, sweet lute,


s: But living stone my almost bloody tears,


s: For when we think of mankind's evil chance


s: Does not our private grief gain temperance?


s: We blame when caught in our own folly's trap)


s: Where are thy sons and daughters, seven each,


s: The joyful cause of thy too boastful speech?


s: I see their fourteen stones, and thou, alas,


s: To death, dost kiss the tombs, O wretched one,


s: Thus blossoms fall where some keen sickle passes


s: And so, when rain doth level them, green grasses.


s: What hope canst thou yet harbor in thee? Why


s: Dost thou not drive thy sorrow hence and die?


s: And thy swift arrows, Phoebus, what do they?


s: And borne in whirlwind arms o'er seas and lands,


s: Yet from her living wounds a crystal fountain


s: Of tears flows through the rock and down the mountain,


s: Whence beast and bird may drink; but she, in chains,


s: Fixed in the path of all the winds remains.


s: This tomb holds naught, this woman hath no tomb:


s: From grief most deep and need most wearing,


s: To press the wounds wherewith she graves us,


s: Since wisdom nor the saints can steel me,


s: We are thy thankless children, gracious Lord.


s: We heed not him from whom delights do flow.


s: That gratitude we owe the bounteous sender.


s: Yet keep us in thy care. Let not our pride


s: Chasten us till we shall recall our duty.


s: Thy wrath, the sun that melts us in its glow.


s: Alone doth give thy children bitter pain.


s: Without the man who humbles him at last.


s: Though great and many my transgressions are,


s: Long through the night hours sorrow was my guest


s: And would not let my fainting body rest,


s: Till just ere dawn from out its slow dominions


s: Flew sleep to wrap me in its dear dusk pinions.


s: For in her arms she held my darling one,


s: To me at dawn to say her morning prayer,


s: In her white nightgown, with her curling hair


s: To laugh, like flowers only halfway out.


s: "Art thou still sorrowing, my son?" Thus spoke


s: Or seemed to wake, and heard her say once more:


s: "It is thy weeping brings me to this shore:


s: Have reached the hidden chambers of the dead,


s: Till I have come to grant thee some small grace


s: And let thee gaze upon thy daughter's face,


s: That it may calm thy heart in some degree


s: Doth gnaw away thy health and leave thee sick,


s: Like fire that turns to ashes a dry wick.


s: Dost thou believe the dead have perished quite,


s: Their sun gone down in an eternal night?


s: Ah no, we have a being far more splendid


s: Now that our bodies' coarser claims are ended.


s: Though dust returns to dust, the spirit, given


s: Forever like a torch. Nay, cease thy doubt,


s: For I have brought her hither in the guise


s: She used to wear before thy mortal eyes,


s: Though mid the deathless angels, brighter far


s: And still she offers up her prayers for you


s: As here on earth, when yet no words she knew.


s: If herefrom springs thy sorrow, that her years


s: A life on earth to mortals she might prove--


s: Yet think how empty the delights that move