The lovely girl supplied, a simple song, Vivid as fire-clouds separately poised, Scatter'd through half the circle of the sky; With prodigal communion, the bright hues From land and water; lilies of each hue- Which from the unapparent fount of glory Golden and white, that float upon the waves, They had imbibed, and ceased not to receive. And court the wind; and leaves of that shy plant, That which the heavens display'd, the liquid deep (Her fowers were shed,) the lily of the vale, Repeated; but with unity sublime ! That loves the ground, and from the sun withholds While from the grassy mountain's open side Her pensive beauty, from the breeze her sweets. We gazed, in silence hush'd, with eyes intent Such product and such pastime did the place On the refulgent spectacle, -diffused And season yield; but, as we re-embarked, Through earth, sky, water, and all visible space,Leaving, in quest of other scenes, the shore The priest in holy transport thus exclaim'd: of that wild spot, the solitary said “Eternal Spirit! universal God! In a low voice, yet careless who might hear, Power inaccessible to human thought, “ The fire, that burned so brightly to our wish, Save by degrees and steps which thou hast deign'd Where is it now? Deserted on the beach, To furnish; for this effluence of thyself, It seems extinct ; nor shall the fanning breeze To the infirmity of mortal sense Revive its ashes. What care we for this, Vouchsafed; this local transitory type Whose ends are gain'd? Behold an emblem here of thy paternal splendours, and the pomp Of one day's pleasure, and all mortal joys ! Of those who fill thy courts in highest heaven, And, in this unpremeditated slight The radiant cherubim ;--accept the thanks Of that which is no longer needed, see Which we, thy humble creatures, here convened, The common course of human gratitude !" Presume to offer; we, who from the breast Such as they are who in thy presence stand Of all dishonour-cleansed from mortal stain. Of jutting rock invited us to land. Accomplish, then, their number; and conclude Alert to follow as the pastor led, Time's weary course! Or if, by thy decree, We clomb a green hill's side; and as we clomb, The consummation that will come by stealth The valley, opening out her bosom, gave Be yet far distant, let thy word prevail, Fair prospect, intercepted less and less, O! let thy word prevail, to take away Of the flat meadows and indented coast The sting of human nature. Spread the law, Of the smooth lake, in compass seen, far off. As it is written in thy holy book, And yet conspicuous stood the old church tower Throughout all lands : let every nation hear In majesty presiding over fields The high behest, and every heart obey; And habitations, seemingly preserved Both for the love of purity, and hope From the intrusion of a restless world, Which it affords, to such as do thy will By rocks impassable and mountains huge. And persevere in good, that they shall rise, Soft heath this elevated spot supplied, To have a nearer view of thee, in heaven. In mercy grant it to thy wretched sons. And cruel wars expire. The way is mark'd, Alas! the nations, who of yore received Proffer'd to all, while yet on earth detain'd. Attain'd his western bound; but rays of light- “So fare the many; and the thoughtful few, Now suddenly diverging from the orb Who in the anguish of their souls bewail Retired behind the mountain tops or veil'd This dire perverseness, cannot choose but ask, By the dense air-shot upwards to the crown Shall it endure? Shall enmity and strife, of the blue firmament-aloft and wide : Falsehood and guile, be left to sow their seed And multitudes of little floating clouds, And the kind never perish? Is the hope Ere we, who saw, of change were conscious, pierced Fallacious, or shall righteousness obtain Through their ethereal texture, had become A peaceable dominion, wide as earth, And ne'er to fail? Shall that blest day arrive For you, in presence of this little band Your pastor is imbolden'd to prefer Vocal thanksgivings to th’ Eternal King; Whom morning wakes, among sweet dews and Whose love, whose counsel, whose commands have flowers made Of every clime, to till the lonely field, Your very poorest rich in peace of thought Be happy in bimself? The law of faith, And in good works; and him, who is endow'd Working through love, such conquest shall it gain, With scantiest knowledge, master of all truth Such triumph over sin and guilt achieve ? Which the salvation of his soul requires. Almignty Lord, thy further grace impart ! Conscious of that abundant favour shower'd And with that help the wonder shall be seen On you, the children of my humble care, Fulfili'd, the hope accomplish’d: and thy praise And this dear land, our country while on earth Be sung with transport and unceasing joy. We sojourn, have I lifted up my soul, “Once,” and with mild demeanour, as he spake, Joy giving voice to fervent gratitude. On us the venerable pastor turn'd These barren rocks, your stern inheritance ; His beaming eye that had been raised to heaven, These fertile fields, that recompense your pains ; « Once, while the name, Jehovah, was a sound The shadowy vale, the sunny mountain top; Within the circuit of the seagirt isle Woods waving in the wind their lofty heads, Unheard, the savage nations bow'd the head Or hush'd; the roaring waters, and the still; To gods delighting in reinorseless deeds; They see the offering of my listed handsGods which themselves had fashion'd, to promote They hear my lips present their sacrificeIll purposes, and flatter foul desires. They know if I be silent, morn or even : Then, in the bosom of yon mountain cove, For, though in whispers speaking, the full heart To those in ventions of corrupted man Will find a vent; and thought is praise to Him, Mysterious rites were solemvized: and there, Audible praise, to Thee, Omniscient Mind, Amid impending rocks and gloomy woods, From whom all gists descend, all blessings flow !" of those terrific idols, some received This vesper service closed, without delay, Sueh dismal service, that the loudest voice From that exalted station to the plain Of the swoln cataracts (which now are heard Descending, we pursued our homeward course, Soft murmuring) was too weak to overcome, In mute composure, o'er the shadowy lake, Though aided by wild winds, the groans and Beneath a faded sky. No trace remaind shrieks Of those celestial splendours ; gray the vault, Of human victims, offer'd up t'appease Pure, cloudless ether; and the star of eve Or to propitiate. And, if living eyes Was wanting; but inferior lights appear'd Had visionary faculties to see Faintly, too faint almost for sight; and some The thing that hath been as the thing that is, Above the darken'd hills stood boldly forth Aghast we might behold this crystal mere In twinkling lustre, ere the boat attain'd Bedimm'd with smoke, in wreaths voluminous, Her mooring place ; where to the sheltering tree Flung from the body of devouring fires, Our youthful voyagers bound fast her prow, To Taranis erected on the heights With prompt yet careful hands. This done, we By priestly hands, for sacrifice perform'd paced Exultingly, in view of open day The dewy fields; but ere the vicar's door And full assemblage of a barbarous host; Was reach'd, the solitary check'd his steps; Or to Andates, female power! who gave Then, intermingling thanks, on each bestow'd (For so they fancied) glorious victory. A farewell salutation,-and, the like A few rude monuments of mountain stone Receiving, took the slender path that leads Survive; all else is swept away. How bright To the one cottage in the lonely dell; Th’ appearances of things ! From such, how But turn'd not without welcome promise given, changed That he would share the pleasures and pursuits Th’ existing worship! and with those compared, Of yet another summer's day, consumed The worshippers how innocent and blest! In wandering with us through the valleys fair, So wide the difference, a willing mind, And o'er the mountain wastes. “Another sun," At this affecting hour, might almost think Said he, “shall shine upon us ere we part, That Paradise, the lost abode of man, Another sun, and peradventure more ; Was raised again: and to a happy few, If time, with free consent, is yours to give,In its original beauty, here restored. And season favours." Whence but from Thee, the true and only God, To enfeebled power, And from the faith derived through Him who bled From this communion with upinjured minds, Upon the cross, this marvellous advance What renovation had been brought; and what Of good from evil; as if one extreme Degree of healing to a wounded spirit, To seek, in degradation of the kind, 488 And pure, from further intercourse ensued; Leading such companion, I that gilded dome, Yon minarets, would gladly leave for his worst home." Cherish, and lofty minds approve the past) “Feeling tunes your voice, fair princess ! My future labours may not leave untold. And your brow is free from scorn, Too wide “Whence the undeserved mistrust? THE ARMENIAN LADY'S LOVE. apart The subject of the following poem is from the Orlandus of Our faith hath been,-0, would that eyes could see the author's friend, Kenelm Henry Digby; and the the heart!” liberty is taken of inscribing it to him as an acknowledgement, however unworthy, of pleasure and instruction derived from his numerous and valuable writings, “ Tempt me not, I pray; my doom is illustrative of the piety and chivalry of the olden time. These base implements to wield; Rusty lance, I ne'er shall grasp thee, Ne'er assoil my cobwebb'd shield! Never see my native land, nor castle towers, Nor her who thinking of me there counts widow' hours." Wedded ? If you can, say po! Blessed is and be your consort; Hopes I cherished let them go! Handmaid's privilege would leave my purpose free, Without another link to my felicity." Body, heart, and soul in union, Make one being of a pair.” “ Humble love in me would look for no return, Soft as a guiding star that cheers, but cannot burn.“ (May they not?) th’ unfortunate.” “Gracious Allah! by such title Yes, kind lady! otherwise man could not bear Do I dare to thank the God, Flower of an unchristian sod! Or hast thou put off wings wbich thou in heaven If it end in tears and sighs; dost wear? Thee from bondage would I rescue What have I seen, and heard, or dreant? where And from vile indignities; am I? where?” Nurtured, as thy mien bespeaks, in high degree, Here broke off the dangerous converse; Look up-and help a hand that longs to set thee Less impassion'd words might tell free.” How the pair escaped together, Tears not wanting, nor a knell Of sorrow in her heart while through her father's door, Your most loving father's rage ; And from her narrow world, she pass'd for everSad deliverance would it be, and yoked with shame, Should troubles overflow on her from whom it But affections higher, holier, Urged her steps; she shrunk from trust In a sensual creed that trampled Woman's birthright into dust. If she, a timid maid, hath put such boldness on, Judge both fugitives with knowledge: In those old romantic days Mighty were the soul's commandments “ Princess, at this burst of goodness, To support, restrain, or raise. My long frozen heart grows warm !" Foes might hang upon their path, snakes rustle “ Yet you make all courage fruitless, near, Me to save from chance of harm; But nothing from their inward selves had they to fear. * See, in Percy's Reliques, that fine old ballad, “ The Spanish Lady's Love;" from which poem the form of Thought infirm ne'er came between them, stanza, as suitable to dialogue, is adopted. Whether printing desert sands care." more. came.” Christian meekness smooth'd for all the path of life, Who loving most, should wiseliest love, their only strife. Mute memento of that union As between two wedded wives- earth. THE SOMNAMBULIST. With accordant steps, or gathering Forest fruit with social hands; Or whispering like two reeds that in the cold moon beam Bend with the breeze their heads, beside a crystal stream, One, who daily on the pier ing word. Each word greedier than the last; * Hie thee to the countess, friend! return with speed, And of this stranger speak by whom her lord was freed. My deliverer would present « Make it known that my companion Innocent, and meek, and good, light.” Thanks and praises, each a gage Fancy (while, to banners floating Trumpets, drums, and atabols) Through a haze of human nature, On that overpowering sight, On the ground the weeping countess Pledge of an eternal band : Constant to the fair Armenian, List, ye who pass by Lyulph's tower* At eve; how softly then Speak from the woody glen! And holier seems the ground Embodied in the sound. The pleasure house is reard, A stern-brow'd house appear'd; There set, and guarded well; Beyond her native dell. To make this gem their own, And knights of high renown; Sir Eglamore was he ; Their mutual loyalty- Thy brook, and bowers of holly; That all but love is folly ; Doubt came not, nor regret; Whose sun could never set. Sequester'd with repose ; Fann'd by the breath of foes. And proves the lover true;": And look'd a blind adieu. * A pleasure house built by the late Duke of Norfolk upon the banks of Ullswater. Force is the word used in the Lake District for waterfall. They parted. Well with him it fared Through wide-spread regions errant; A knight of proof in love's behoof, The thirst of fame his warrant: And she her happiness can build On woman's quiet hours; And needle-work and flowers. Her champion's praise recounted; And high her blushes mounted; She warbled from full heart; Born only to depart. Whatever path he chooses ; Received the light hers loses. Requires for nobler deeds ; But what her fancy breeds. Her spirit finds its centre; And that would now content her. “ Still is he my devoted knight?" The tear in answer flows; Is empty of repose. Deep sighs with quick words blending, With fancied spots contending; - Her melancholy lure ! Hush, hush, the busy sleeper see! Perplex'd her fingers seem, Flung from her to the stream. To violate the tree, Unfading constancy? To her I left, shall prove Of valour, truth, and love. He moved with stealthy pace ; He recognised the face ; Some to the green-leaved tree, I heard, and so may he !" If Emma's ghost it were, Her very self stood there. The soft touch snapp'd the thread Along its foaming bed. The rescued maiden lay, Confusion pass'd away ; Her faithful spirit flew, She felt that he was true. Brief words may speak the rest; Within the dell he built a cell, And there was sorrow's guest; In hermit's weeds repose he found. From vain temptations free; And awed to piety. Nor fear memorial lays, Are edged with golden rays! Though minister of sorrow; Shall take thy place with Yarrow! While 'mid the fern-brake sleeps the doe, And owls alone are waking, The downward pathway taking, And to a holly bower; By thee, Sir Eglamore ! His coming step has thwarted, Beneath the boughs that heard their vows, Within whose shade they parted. |