SL'.i^:.. THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES POEMS. VOL. I. POEMS, CHIEFLY SACRED, ORIGINAL AND TRANSLATED. BY THE REV. STEPHEN SANDERSON, A.M. OF PEMBROKE COLLEGE, OXFORD. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. I. LONDON : PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY A. J. VALPV, RED LION COURT, FLEET STREET. 1833. l/.l TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE COUNTESS OF CORK, THESE VOLUMES ARE MOST RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED, BV HER LADYSHIP'S VERY OBLIGED, OBEDIENT HUMBLE SERVANT, STEPHEN SANDERSON. ..JJ TO SUBSCRIBERS. The Writer of the following pages begs to re- turn his very sincere thanks to his Subscribers. He would be indeed sorry to feel otherwise, than deeply sensible of the kindness they have done him — a kindness, the grateful recollec- tion of which it will not be in the power of time to efface from his mind. For such kind- ness it is only left to him to wish, that he had ▼lU TO SUBSCRIBERS. something better to offer, than what is now pre- sented to them. Ill health and several other causes combined, over which there could be no control, have pro- duced a long delay in the publication of the volumes. It was fully intended that the work should appear last Christmas ; but, through the circumstances now alluded to, by far the greater part of the compositions here submitted to peru- sal, was not written till the summer months of the present year. The subjects selected are, of necessity, sacred ; or such as possess, for the most part, somewhat of a grave or of a solemn character. - TO SUBSCRIBERS. IX Many of the smaller pieces were composed with designed simplicity of style and sentiment. Elsewhere, a different manner has been at- tempted ; and, it is too much to be feared, only attempted. A few productions of two deceased relatives are inserted amonsrst the rest. o" December, 1832. NAMES OF SUBSCRIBERS. The Right Hon. the Countess of Cork, 3 copies The Most Hon. the Marchioness of Exeter The Right Hon. the Countess of Pembroke The Right Hon. the Dowager Countess Manvers The Right Hon. Lady Henniker Tlie Right Hon. Lady Rolle The Right Hon. Lady Clinton The Hon. Mrs. Heaton The Hon. Mrs. Spencer The Hon. Mrs. Pierrepont The Hon. Miss Button Lady Bissett Lady Mill His Grace the Lord Archbishop of York His Grace the Duke of Devonshire His Grace the Duke of Northumberland His Grace the Duke of Rutland Xll NAMES OF SUBSCRIBERS. His Grace the Duke of Portland The Most Hon. the Marquis of Salisbury The Most Hon. the Marquis of Exeter The Most Hon. the Marquis of Northampton The Most Hon. the Marquis of Bath The R The R The R The R The R The R The R The R The R The R The R The R The R The R The R The R The R The R The R The R The R The R The R ght Hon. the Earl of Cork, gilt Hon. the Earl Amherst ght Hon. the Earl Spencer ght Hon. the Earl of Dartmouth ght Hon. the Earl of Darnley ght Hon. the Earl of Sufl'olk, ght Hon. the Earl of Malmesbury, ght Hon. the Earl of Harewood ght Hon. the Earl Cornwallis ght Hon. the Earl of Carlisle ght Hon. the Earl of Chichester ght Hon. the Earl Fitzwilliara ght Hon. the Earl of Lincoln ght Hon. the Earl Talbot ght Hon. the Earl Jermyn ght Hon. the Earl Grosvenor ght Hon, the Earl of Harrowby ght Hon. the Earl of Lonsdale ght Hon. the Lord Viscount Dungarvon ght Hon. the Lord Viscount Mandeville ght Hon. the Lord Viscount Mahon ght Hon. the Lord Viscount Ebrington ght Hon. the Lord Viscount Morpeth 2 copies 3 copies 2 copies NAMES OF SUBSCRIBERS. xiii The Riglit Rev. the Bishop of Durham Tlie Right Rev. tlie Bishop of Norwich The Right Rev. the Bisliop of Bangor The Right Rev. the Bishop of Rochester The Right Rev. the Bishop of Bath and Wells The Right Rev. tlie Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry The Right Rev. tiie Bishop of Peterborough The Right Rev, the Bishop of Lincoln The Right Rev. the Bishop of Llandaff The Right Rev. the Bishop of Chichester The Right Hon. Lord Tenterden, late Chief Justice of the Court of King's Bench The Right Hon. Lord Arden The Right Hon. Lord Bexley The Right Hon. Lord Scarsdale The Right Hon. Lord Gage Admiral (the late) Right Hon. Lord Gambier The Right Hon. Lord Dover The Right Hon. Lord Littleton The Right Hon. and Rev. Lord John Thynne The Right Hon. Lord Rolle The Right Hon. Lord Harris The Right Hon. Lord Grenville The Right Hon. Lord Colchester The Right Hon. Lord Stowell The Right Hon. Lord De Dunstanville The Right Hon. Lord Boston The Right Hon. Lord Rodney XIV NAMES OF SUBSCRIBERS. The Right Hon. Lord Cavendish The Right Hon. Lord Lilford Admiral the Right Hon. Lord De Saumarez, G.C.B. K.S. The Right Hon. Lord Vernon The Hon. P. S. Pierrepont The Hon. J. Boyle, M.P. The Hon. Robert Boyle The Hon. Richard Boyle Sir R. Peel, Bart., M.P., 5 copies Sir C. Mill, Bart. Sir R. H. Inglis, Bart., M.P. Sir J. Key, Bart., M.P. Sir G. A. Lewin Sir C. Marshall Sir W. Poland Vice- Admiral Poyntz, Havant, Hants Rear- Admiral Brace, C.B. K.C.S. K.W. Captain Guyon, Richmond Captain Triscott, Richmond Colonel Deacon, Anstey House, Alton Lieutenant-Colonel Peter Hawker, Longparish, Andover Captain Auldjo The Very Rev. the Dean of Westminster The Rev. Dr. Allen, Prebendary of Westminster The Rev. Dr. Burton, Regius Professor of Divinity, Oxford The Rev. the Master of Pembroke College, Oxford The Rev. the President of Magdalen College, Oxford NAMES OF SUBSCRIBERS. XV The Rev. Dr. Hollingwortb, Norrisian Professor of Di- vinity, Cambridge The Rev. Dr. Burney, Greenwich, b copies The Rev. Dr. Spry, London The Rev. Dr. Laing, Claphani The Venerable the Archdeacon Pott The Venerable the Archdeacon of Essex The Venerable the Archdeacon of Huntingdon The Venerable the Archdeacon of St. Alban's The Venerable the Archdeacon of Wells William Stephen Poyntz, Esq., M.P. R. Etvvall, Esq., M.P. T. G. B. Estcourt, Esq., M.P. T. H. S. B. Estcourt, Esq., M.P. G. W. Taylor, Esq., M.P., C. B. Wall, Esq., M.P. H. Labouchere, Esq., M.P. J. Martin, Esq., M.P., E. R. Tunno, Esq., M.P., T. Rider, Esq., M.P. R. Palmer, Esq., M.P. The Rev. C. Wightwick, Pembroke College, Oxford 2 copies 5 copies 2 copies The Rev. E. Parker, do. do. The Rev. W. R. Browell, do. do. The Rev. C. Cleobury, do. do. The Rev. W. Roberts, do. do. The Rev. R. Brown, do. do. The Rev. J. Folliott, do. do. Xvi NAMES OF SUBSCRIBERS. Tlie Rev. H. Wightvvick, do. do. G, B. Rogers, Esq., do. do. The Rev. T. Short, Trinity College, do. The Rev. W. Carter, Exeter College, do. G. Hall, Esq., Magdalen College, do. The Rev. J. Lonsdale, Bloomsbury, London The Rev. W. Gilly, Wanstead The Rev. H. Hodgson, Wanstead The Rev. I. Harwood, Dean, Basingstoke The Rev. W. T. Hopkins, Nuffield, 10 copies The Rev. T. Drake, Northchurch, Herts The Rev. W. W. Gale, Glastonbury Clericus Tlie Rev. I. L. Wallace, Edmonton, 4 copies The Rev. B. Lambert, Canieswortb, Bridport The Rev. S. Smith, Cambervvell The Rev. I. Culler, Salisbury The Rev. J. E. Newell, Bromley, Kent The Rev. G. Green, Eton The Rev. W. I. Brookland, Netherbury, Dorset The Rev. C. Fox, East Stoke, Dorset The Rev. G. Wood, Dorchester The Rev. O. Leach The Rev. C. Philipps The Rev. J. R. Holcombe The Rev. R. Thomas, Bath The Rev. G. Goforth, Whitchurch, Dorset The Rev. G. S. Raymond, Symondsbury, do. NAMES OF SUBSCRIBERS. XVll The Rev. F. Skurray, Horninsliam, Wilts The Rev. C. Viiik, Bothenhanipton, do. The Rev. R. W. Hutchins, East Bridgeford, Notts The Rev. C. Foyle, Kimpton, Andover The Rev. G. Thompson, do. The Rev. .1. Lightfoot, Enham, do. The Rev. R. Cole, do. The Rev. H. Sissmore, do. The Rev. G. Chamberlain, Wyke, Weymouth The Rev. M. Sealey, Farley, Romsey The Rev. R. Durnford, Clatford, Andover The Rev. I. Worgau The Rev. G. Galloway The Rev. J. J. Goodall The Rev. G. Locke, Lee, Kent The Rev. J. Lindsay The Rev. J. Vane The Rev. G. Ainslie, Wahvorth The Rev. R. E. Kerrick, Cambridge The Rev. W. Orger, Sydenham The Rev. R. Ward, Cadogan Place, Chelsea The Rev. Tullie Cornthvvaite The Rev. D. Warren, Edmonton The Rev. E. H. Thompson, Tottenham Mrs. Allen, Vicarage, Battersea Mrs. Tunno, Taplow Lodge, Bucks, 5 copies Mrs. E. Tunno, 2 copies Mrs. Vansittart VOL. I. a XVlll NAMES OF SUBSCRIBERS. Mrs. Grote, Dulwich Hill Mrs. E. Fitzgerald Mrs. Normau, Bromley Common Mrs. Barnard, Fulham, 5 copies Mrs. Locke, Lee, Kent Mrs. Martin, Chiselhurst, Kent Mrs. R. Hawthorn Mrs. Bisse Mrs. Wood, Woodford, Essex Mrs. Holland, Sackville Street Mrs. Child, Mottingham Mrs. Daubeny Mrs. Porter Mrs. Saltren Mrs. Sanctuary Mrs. Orger, Sydenham Mrs. Kerrick Mrs. Grundy, Richmond Mrs. Triscott, do. Mrs. Gnyon, do. Mrs. Julius, do. Mrs. Mainwaring i Mrs. Martin Mrs. Tregonwell, Bouime Clifl', Poole Mrs. Hawkins, Glastonbury Mrs. Sheppard, Amport, Andover Mrs. Deacon, Anstey House, Alton Mrs. Carter, London NAMES OF SUBSCRIBERS. XIX Mrs. Russell, Bristol Mrs. Mayo, Bath Mrs. Chilton, Sydenham Mrs. Lovekin Mrs. Kelson, Batli Mrs. A. Stephens, do. The Miss Tunnos, 5 copies The Miss Wards, Isle of Wi§ht, 2 copies Miss Sladeii Miss Anne Sladen I Miss Shedden Miss A. B. Shedden Miss Lewin, the Hollies, Eltham Miss F. Lewin, do. Miss J. Mainwaring Miss Shepherd, Bromley Common Miss Mayow, Sydenham Miss F. Mayow, do. Miss Bassett Miss Carrett Miss Leacli Miss Thomns, Bath Miss Williams, Liverpool Miss FLinningtoii, Bath Miss Tyndale, Bognor E. Stewart, Esq., Sydenham .1. Auldjo, Esc[., Mottingliam, 5 copies T. R. Auldjo, Esq., do., 5 copies XX NAMES OF SUBSCRIBERS. J. A. Auldjo, Esq., Temple, H. Auldjo, Esq., Brazenuose College, Oxford .r. Auldjo, Esq., Trinity College, Cambridge .lefi'reys Allen, Esq., Dulwich Duncan D. Alves, Esq. R. C.Price, Esq., Jun., Sydenham, L. Tregonwell, Esq. S. B. Tregonwell, Esq. R. Bevan, Esq. G. H. Blackburn, Esq. r>. Carrutbers, Esq. .T. Carstairs, Esq., Stratford, Essex S. Child, Esq., Mottingham George Crowder, Esq., Lincoln's Inn Fields T. Dawson, Esq. .1. Farqubar, Esq. AV. W. Follett, Esq., Temple, Thomas Lewin, Esq., Eltham, Henry Lewin, Esq. C. Mainwaring, Esq. .T. Martin, Esq. .lacob Mill, Esq. Boyd Miller, Esq. G. Munro, Esq. W. Moule, Esq. R. Oliverson, Esq. J. P. Rascb, Esq. F. Reade, Esq., Clapham Common, o copies 5 copies 2 copies 2 copies 2 copies NAMES OF SUBSCUIBF.RS. XXI G. Reid, Esq. 2 copies W. Reid, Esq. R. B. Shaw, Esq. J. Sladen, Esq., Lee, Kent .]. Sladen, Jim., Es(|., do. W. G. Sliedden, Esq. .lohn Ward, Esq., Shooter's Hill, 3 copies Samuel Smith, Esq., Lloyd's W. Smith, Esq. R. A. Gray, Es([. Cecil Lukin, Esq., Eaton Square S. Deiidy, Esq. .T. Lance, Esq., Sydenliani R. Knight, Esq., Gracechurch Street M. Robinson, Esq., Dulwich W. Boyd, Esq., Plaistow Lodge, Bromley W. Chute, Esq., Vine, Basingstoke W. Portal, Esq., Laverstock Flou^e, Basingstoke F. Brandram, Esq., Sydenham Tullie J. Cornthvvaite, Esq., Hornsey — Chilton, Esq., Sydenham G. Chilton, Esq., do. H. Chilton, Esq., do. H. W. Atkinson, Esq., Royal Mint W. D. Adams, Esq., Sydenham M. Adams, Esq., do. D. Adams, Esq., do. — Allen, Esq., London XXn NAMES OF SUBSCRIBERS. — Sandys, Esq., London J. C. Howett, Esq. F. H. Talman.Esq., Magdalen Hall, Oxford, 2 copies .1. J. Talman, Esq., Beckenham J. Holdgate, Esq. Fletcher Wilson, Esq. Robert Pattison, Esq , Dorchester, Dorset J. Strong, Esq., Allington, Bridport G. Roberts, Esq., M.D , Bridport P. Cox, Esq., Beaminster R. Blucke, Esq., Brighton E. Paddon, Esq., Gosport — Cruickshank, Esq., do. — Willis, Esq., Penton Lodge, Andover G. Worgan, Esq. 5 copies A Friend, by Dr. Laing — Brown, Esq. 3 copies G. Vance, Esq., Sackville Street J. Braiiton, Esq., Emmanuel College, Cambridge — Toovey, Esq., Chepstow H. Marshal, Esq., Clapton G. Watts, Esq. C. Gayton, Escj., Trinity College, Cambridge S. Pretor, Esq., Sherborne, Dorset J. H. Ibbetson, Esq., Hampstead — Holland, Esq., Sackville Street — Patrick, Esq. R. Allen, Esq., St. Edmund Hall, Oxford NAMES or SUBSCRIBERS. XXIU R. P. Pricliard, Esq., Sydenham M. Gray, Esq., Enfield H. Bacon, Esq., Tottenham T. George, Esq., Bath P. B. Duncan, Esq., do. J. Daniel, Esq., Clifton A Friend, by Rev. B. Lambert A. J. V^ilpy, M.A., Red Lion Court, Fleet Street. CONTENTS THK FIRST VOLUME The Polar Star Christ raising Lazarus The Influence of Religion The Christian's Worship . Christ's Entry into Jerusalem Dives and Lazarus Hymn. From Boethius The Rose The Murder of the Innocents VOL. I. PAGE 1 8 16 20 25 28 35 37 XXVI CONTENTS. The Publication of the Gospel . From Boethius Jesus at the Pool of Betliesda The Lark .... The Star of Bethlehem . The Commencement of the Year The Resurrection of the Righteous A Hymn .... The Lilies .... From Boethius Christ's Agony in the Garden St. Paul at Athens : an Ode God's Omnipresence The Last Supper Lines on the Death of the Rev. * * * * * * College, Oxford . From Boethius The Harvest-Field . *, late of PAGE 39 45 47 30 53 57 60 74 77 81 83 86 98 102 109 1 Jl 116 CONTENTS. XXVll PAGE Tlie Violet 118 Sabbath Evening 120 The Transfiguration 122 The Majesty of the Divine Being . . . . 132 Reflections. Gen. xxiv. 63. ... 136 141 Instruction to the Poor under the Gospel 143 From Boethius ...... 155 The Pure in Heart 158 Hymn. From the Latin .... . 163 Sergius Paulus ...... 166 The Moral Effects of the Contemplation of Nature'.' Works . 170 Christ in the Grave ..... . 176 Lines ........ . 183 Christ on the Cross ..... . 185 Harvest : a Hymn ..... 187 The Birth of Moses . 190 XXVni CONTILNTS. v.\or. To a Young Lady ....... 211 Meditations at Night 215 Hymn 224 The Spring 226 From Boethius . 23() From Boethius .....-• 223 Morning ........ 230 Stanzas • • • • 238 Hymn 241 The Nightingale 243 The Strength of the Natural Affections . . .216 Hymn to Health. From the Greek . • • 260 Night 263 From Boethius ,...••• 265 To the Rainbow 268 To the Red-Breast 270 POEM S. THE POLAR STAR. How glows yonder star! in the dark heav'ns gleaming, As the wintry Bootes slow urges his wain ; Bright gem of the sky ! with hope cheerily beam- ing To the toss'd on the pathless and loud-sound - mg mam. VOL. I. 2 THE POLAR STAR. 'Mid the perils of ocean, e'en brave hearts as- tounding, And nig-ht's blackest horrors hioh-throned on the wave; While deep gulfs are opening, and billows are bounding, The mariner shrinks — from the verge of the grave ! That 'Star, then, how welcome ! his lone wander- ings hghting, Which tells him of safety that yet may be near, THE POLAR STAR. 6 Casts a ray o'er the gloom which his course is benighting, • And stills in his bosom the tumult of fear. To the beacon sweet-shining his eye fondly turn' mg, Hope's comfort celestial imparts to his breast; With delight yet unfelt, and with ecstasy burning On the halycon expanse of his haven to rest. To mortals the mazes of chequer'd life treadino-, The book of God's word is the bright Polar Star: 4 THE POLAR STAR. By sorrows encompass'd, and more than death dreading, He drinks the pure stream of its light from afar. To the still shades of Eden, the soul — how en- raptured ! It points — to calm scenes which no clouds can deform ; And leads her, by peace-winged promises cap- turecT, To the mountain that smiles at the tempest and storm. 1 CHRIST RAISING LAZARUS. The Saviour wept! His pitying breast O'er the sad desolation moan'd, By suffering nature sore distress'd, And inward groan'd. With solemn step the clayey bed Of Death he sought, nor linger'd long : The vivifying accents sped The graves among. 6 CHRIST RAISING LAZARUS. Forth from the cold and murkv shade Where sits Corruption, wondering came The man on Death's lone pillow laid, And still the same. Then beara'd on him an unknown sun; To him all nature fresher seem'd. Scarce conscious of the marvel done — Like one that dreani'd ! Yet soon Affection's tender voice He heard, and felt her fond embrace ; While rapturous Impulse bade rejoice His awe-struck race. CHRIST RAISING LAZA.RUS. And then for Christ his thanks might flow, Who broke Death's adamantine chain ; And gave him from the tomb to go, And breathe again. And haply Faith could lift his view To the pure Lamb's atoning might. Who Hell's worse terrors should subdue, And woful night : And, Source of lif(^ and bhss, should raise His own redeem'd above the sky, On golden harps to tune His praise, That ne'er shall die ! THE INFLUENCE OF RELIGION. To mortals, Heaven's immortal prize, First, fairest offspring of the skies — Religion, lovely, sainted maid, In purest garb of white array 'd, With infant Time, by God's command. Planted on earth her radiant stand : On men benighted in their way, To pour the gladsome beam of day, She came — their wfendering steps to guide, 'Mid good or ill, that may betide ; THE INFLUENCE OF RELIGION. 9 And lead them to the happy shore Where storms of earth are known no more. When Fortune smiles, and skies are bright, Still fairer to the raptured sight She makes the glittering prospect rise, And lovelier visions fill the eyes. When too life's darkest shades appear, She still, with sounds of comfort near, The pangs that tear th' afflicted breast, Can mitigate ; and charm to rest. With more than all a parent's care, The tempest's fury raging there : 10 THE INFLUENCE OF RELIGION. Downcast Despondence can control. And chase her phantoms from the soul ; Can bid, with mild and cheering voice, The troubled, conscious heart rejoice. To her th' obedient Passions bend, Else, fierce the bosom wont to rend With bitter feuds and jarring strife, That poison all the joys of hfe : And she can make the discord cease, And light again the lamp of Peace. Her influence, gentle and benign, The hallow'd Virtues gives to shine : THE INFLUENCE OF RELIGION. 11 Her genial, fostering wing they know, And on from strength to strength they grow ; The latent seeds of good arise. And live and flourish to the skies : The vigorous plants that crown the soil Repay the careful owner's toil With more than all the shining store Of rich Potosi's golden shore. JMan, in his brightest, happiest hour, In pride of glory, strength, and pow'r, Is but the being of a day, That soon Time's scythe must sweep away. 12 THE INFLUENCE OF RELIGION. The dancrers hoverino- round his head. The snares that lie beneath his tread, — The Pest that walks the gloom of night,- The viewless dart which kills in light, — The direr perils, ills within, — The fierce and dark assaults of Sin, — These to the mortal state decreed, Man knows his weakness, feels his need— The need of more than earthly arm, His life, his soul, to shield from harm. Religion points with glistening eye To the great Sov'reign of the sky. THE INFLUENCE OF RELIGION. 13 She bids him firmest trust repose On God, who sees his joys and woes, With sure dependence on His pow'r, To save him in the dreariest hour : In His good time, if such His will, With gladness 'gain his cup to fill, And circle with a beam his way. The herald of a brighter day. Whate'er His will, with heart resign'd, With thoughts composed, and tranquil mind, He bows submissive. Hope sublime Bears him beyond the verge of time, To highest Heaven's eternal gate, Where angel guests his entrance wait. <14 THE INFLUENCE OF RELIGION. And when the shades of hfe descend, In prospect full its solemn end, Religion opes her choicest store, W hen earthly comforts are no more : Then softer dews than Hermon's fall, As night and darkness cover all. So the fair flow'r * that decks the meads, His rapid waves where Niger leads, * The plant here referred to has been made the subject of a simile by Mrs. Opie, in the following lines : — Then as the Ixia's fragrance-breathing flow'rs, The snowy pride of Afric's sultry shores, Ne'er to the breeze their slender leaves unclose, While day's bright noon in all its lustre glows ; But wait till Night's o'erhanging shades prevail, And then expand their beauties to the gale. THE INFLUENCE OF RELIGION. 15 Though wide it scents the glittering vale, And loads with sweets the mid-day gale — With incense richer far than these Wings the parch'd, sultry, twilight breeze. 16 THE CHRISTIAN'S WORSHIP. St. John iv. 24. " God is a spirit, and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth." Could the offring of goats bathed in gore, Of bulls on the mountain that stray'd, Or sheep which the green valleys bore, To Jehovah true worship be made ? For Jehovah's they were and they are, The herds and the flocks of the hills, THE christian's WORSHIP. 17 And pastures, where Eve's silent car The soft sparkling treasure distils. 'Tis the heart's adoration which glows With a flame gentle, constant, and pure ; And a fear reverential knows, That to mortals Heaven's love shall secure. A mind with the passions subdued, Refined every hope and desire, The fierce tempest hush'd, tumult rude, To the gift of Heaven's love shall aspire. Arduenna in horrors array 'd. Bloody rites that wild Mona distain'd, VOL. 1, H 18 THE christian's WORSHIP. Mithra's dread subterranean cave, Nor the writhings and groans of the pain'd-— The pangs of poor mortals not He, Whose mercy embraces them all. With delight and complacence shall see — ■ See man on His altar to fall. God wants not the gloom of the cave, The cloister or convent's recess ; Nor the good cast away which He gave, Nor the blessings with which He would bless. Benevolent, tender, and bland. His children He wills to embrace The comforts which flow from His hand, The smiles that illumine His face. THE christian's WORSHIP. 19 By the paths of deHght and of peace God would bring to the vale of their rest, Where the waters of bhss never cease, The sanctified souls of the bless'd. His ear, ever open, he lends To the praises on earth that arise From His worshipping people, and bends, Well pleased, from His throne in the skies ! 8 20 HYMN. CHRIST'S ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM. No gorgeous banners floating on the wind — Emblem of Ruin, ruthless Pow'r, Q'er cities burnt and wasted plains Despotic — blazon here the blood-stain'd victor's road. No shouting crowds, attendant on the wake Of the fierce conqueror, elate Christ's entry into jekusalem. 21 With proud conceptions, lofty thoughts Of his own greatness, swell the triumph o'er the slain. No pensive captives, torn from all tnat 's dear, From all life's joys, affections, hopes, With trembling limb and downcast eye. Steep with their bitter tears stern Conquest's gory bays. Lo ! 'tis the Glorious One who comes, the Lord, In quiet, calm sublimity ; Messiah, the Anointed King ; By bards and prophets sung — the pure and spot- less Lamb ! 22 Christ's entry into Jerusalem. With mind how lowly moves the Saviour mild ! Still with unearthly grandeur great ; Of perfect innate deity ; With viewless splendours robed of Heaven's trans- lucent throne. Him — soon to crush the pow'r of Death and Hell, With all their terrors, victor — Him, How sweetly, dove-like Peace conducts Along His flow'ry way to Salem's sun-bright tow'rs ! What glad Hosannas wing their notes to Heav'n From thick and lauding multitudes, Christ's entry into Jerusalem. 23 That throng the meek Messiah's path With Nature's verdant wreaths and smiling gar- land's strewn ! And so, when Time shall cease, the faithful found Of Christ, the blazing pomp shall join With song and gratulation high, Attending Heaven's First-born to His immortal realms — Through crystal portals, op'ning to admit The great I AM — the Prince of Peace, To sapphire courts above the skies, — The new Jerusalem, — the city built of God. 24 Christ's entry into Jerusalem. Him may we follow to the bowers of bliss, In glory mounting to the stars, Amid the flaming wreck of worlds — Redeem'd from endless woe — with hymn and an- gel lyre ! 25 DIVES AND LAZARUS.* DIVES. O ! horrors, horrors of this direful place, This prison-house of fierce and angry flame, With hot and sulph'rous surge Around me bellowing ! * It is hoped it will be at once seen that nofhing of tiie nature of a dialogue is here intended. 26 DIVES AND LAZARUS. LAZARUS. How bland and soft the pleasures that compose My charmed spirit in these realms of rest, Beyond what mortal pen, Or angels can portray ! DIVES. And vet more rueful — O ! how dread the thouoht, If thought may be where Vengeance rules so wild, That never Hope can beam Athwart these wastes of woe ! LAZARUS. And what still more enhances the sweet Joy, That hovers with soft balmy pinions o'er me, DIVES AND LAZARUS. 27 Is the enrapturing thought, That bliss shall know no end. DIVES. Alas ! alas ! that sojourner of earth, I took my fill of what has poison proved 'Tis here — the fiery wave — The worm that dieth not. LAZARUS. To earth's dim planet bound, though 'mersed in ills, With heart resign'd I walk'd : — and, my reward. The amaranthine bow'rs Of Paradise, the bless'd ! 28 HYMN. FROM BOETHIUS. Seated on Thy throne eternal. Founder of the starry skies ! Heaven with all its pomp and splendour In its destined orbit flies. All the planets in their circles Thine impelling laws fulfil : And the Moon, night's lovely regent, Moves obedient to Thy will. HYMN. FROM BOETHIUS. '29 Now with horns of silv'ry lustre, Mirror to the dazzHno; streams From her brother's lamp of radiance, Bright she shines with borrow'd beams. Now her orb, more faint and dimmer, Turns towards Hyperion's ray, 'Merging in a tide of glory, As she nears his fiery way, Hesper o'er the night's blue concave Leads the starry hosts along ; Then to morning's lucid chieftain Glad consigns the glitt'ring throng. 30 HYMN. — FROM BOETHIUS. Thou ! when wintry tempests sweeping Strew with leaves the russet plain, Bid'st the circling night advancing Quick the steeds of day restrain. When the summer's sultry fervours 'Mid the skies intensely glare. Thy firm laws, all nature binding, Night's contracted bounds impair. Leaves by chiUing Boreas wasted Zephyrus calls to live again ; Seeds 'neath rough Arcturus scatter'd Sinus wakes to crown the plain. HYMN. FROM BOETHIUS. 31 Nature, through her varied courses Order'd from the first of days, Phant, unresisting, wiUing, God's eternal rules obeys. All her parts, in staid obedience. His triumphant word maintain ; Nor their course prescribed abandon, Heav'n's appointments rend'ring vain ! Man, alone of all creation. Dares to thwart his Maker's laws : Rebel man, his ways and actions Curbs no more the Wond'rous Cause. 32 HYMN. FROM BOETHIUS. Else not fickle Fortune's changes Undistinguishing would run ; Nor Injustice, Vice triumphant, See the innocent undone : While the wicked, in their grandeur, Proud and haughty lord it wide — Spurn the good man's rights and suff'rings. And his sacred griefs deride. Virtue, clothed with heavenly radiance, In her dark and dreary cell, Lies neglected, no one caring Saddest woes to hear her tell. HYMN. — FROM BOETHIUS. 33 Perjury, that looks defiance. Fraud, assuming Virtue's smile, Fearing man nor Heav'n's dread threat'nings. Reckless injure and beguile. Yet, aroused, do harass'd nations, Eager for the desperate strife, Wrest the sceptre from their tyrants, Winning more than light of life. Gracious Father of Thy creatures I Lord o'er Nature's complex plan : Hear to Thee for succour calling, Tempest-tost, yet heav'n-born man. VOL. I. c 34 HYMN. — FROM BOETHIUS. Quell, O God ! the stormy billows. Stay the rage of human souls : Bind the fury of the passions With the laws that guide the poles. 35 THE ROSE. Gay rose, that blushest in the dews of mom Which hang bright pearls about thy vermeil leaves, How^ bland the spring-tide air With thy soft fragrance teems ! How exquisite thy beauty ! lovely flow'r, Bedeck'd with all the charms of Iris, who Expands her gaudy arch Athwart the stormy skies ; 36 THE ROSE. And lives her fleeting radiance ! Alas ! How evanescent and short-lived, gay rose, Thy beauty is, and form With its imposing dies ! Soon shall the tempest's wing, the angry storm Pass over thee all-merciless, and lay In dust thy blushing charms. Or scatter them in air. To mortals thou of solemn import can A warning give, that Heaven's eternal gifts Should chief the care attract Of wanderers on earth. 37 THE MURDER OF THE INNOCENTS. Sweet Innocents ! so roughly torn From life, to life but newly born, By blood-red hand of Murder slain Without a blemish or a stain : Save what the primal curse of sin Dash'd fatal on the soul within, And that by Him all wash'd away. Who came the sinner's woes to stay— 38 THE MURDER OF THE INNOCENTS. Sweet Innocents ! on wings ye rise Of angels, towering to the skies : To golden harps and seraph lyres Ye tune your voice in rapt'rous quires. In radiant robes of glory dress'd. Ye cull the blessings of the blest, Glad that your souls were snatch 'd from clay To flourish in celestial day. Ye sainted babes ! deem'd fit to bring Life's blood an offering to your King : The mighty Saviour ! Saviour mild ! With arms of love entwines His child. 39 THE PUBLICATION OF THE GOSPEL. Isaiah Hi. 7. " How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of Him that bringeth good tidings ; that publisheth peace ; and bringeth good tidings of good ; that publisheth salvation ; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth !" On the banks where majestic on high Rose Babylon's war-threat'ning tow'rs. And sleeping amid the blue sky, Her palaces — gay festive bow'rs : — 40 THE PUBLICATION OF THE GOSPEL. 'Twas there Judah's sorrowing race, By Euphrates' swift far-sounding tide, Wept their woes and their country's disgrace. The tyrant's stern sceptre and pride. On the willows that bent o'er the wave Their harps sad and silent they hung : No longer sweet warblings they gave ; No minstrelsies flow'd from their tongue : Unheeded what oft could inspire With rapturous emotion the breast. And rouse that celestial fire Which glow'd in the land of their rest. THE PUBLICATION OF THE GOSPEL. 41 They sat and they wept by the stream. As it roll'd hoarse and mournful along: Hope shed but a dim distant beam O'er the gloom of Oppression and Wrong. Afflicted, still glad would they tell Of scenes o'er which Memory threw Brightest tints, and awake with the shell The visions that kind Fancy drew. And, the glories of Salem to sing, They would fain lift exulting the voice ; And their lutes, lost to melody, string. And bid the loud harp to rejoice. 42 THE PUBLICATION OF THE GOSPEL. But how, in a strange distant land, Shall the tongue notes of gladness resound ? Or the chords yield respect to the hand, Slav'ry's chains clanging horrent around ? O'er the mountains the messenger brings The tidings of mercy and joy : Speed, speed thou, Zeal ! — lend him thy wings, The swiftness of light to employ. How ! welcome the word he conveys. That speaks the delight of return To the scenes of their once happy days, For which with more fondness they burn. THE PUBLICATION OF THE GOSPEL. 43 From servitude, terrors more dire Than all that the Hebrews befell ; From God's wrath against sin and God's ire, From the flames and the anguish of hell : — From such does the Gospel of Peace Eternal salvation proclaim To all, and from bondage release. Who, in faith, name the Saviour's name. The Gospel to man can impart Those comforts which earth never knew ; And sooth with such balsam the heart. As earth's sorrows never withdrew ; 44 THE PUBLICATION OF THE GOSPEL. And, past Death's dark valley secure, Be a guide to a haven of rest For mortals, abiding and sure — To the tranquil abodes of the blest. 45 FROM BOETHIUS. The splendours of the King of day Mellifluous Homer could display ; And his transcendent pomp rehearse In all the majesty of verse. Th' immortal bard has left untold, Nor could his matchless lay unfold, The wonders and the mystery That deep in earth's foundations lie. 46 FROM BOETHIUS. Not SO with Him who dwells above, The God of pow'r, and God of love. His eye with searching glance pervades Creation, through its inmost shades : The glooms that form the belt of night Evanish to His piercing sight. The mighty Independent Mind By bounds of time nor space confined, Can past, and present, and to be, In undivided vision see : 'Tis Nature's God — the Sun alone, Elancing from His glorious throne Beams, such as look all nature through, And matter to its end pursue. 47 JESUS AT THE POOL OF BETHESDA. Oft to the health-imparting wave By angel mov'd, to plunge and lave, The sick, the maim'd, the halt retir'd, By more than human hope inspir'd. The pallid cheek, the languid frame, The halt, the sightless, hither came ; The palsied limb, the sunken eye, And writhing look of agony. 48 JESUS AT THE POOL OF BETHESDA. To the fount oppressed they, With anxious haste, all bent their way : With painful trouble, timely care, They sought fresh life and vigour there. But lo ! the mighty Saviour stands, Hygeia's blessings in His hands. No more the flood's mysterious pow'r — No more the hoped, wish'd-for hour Is needed. See ! Disease retires. And Health relumes her wonted fires, As Languor, Pain, and Torture fly Swift at the terrors of His eye. JESUS AT THE POOL OF BETHESDA. 49 Fleeter than lightning speeds His word, By pow'rs immortal, mortal heard : The lame exults, and vvond'ring springs, As instant Strength new spirit brings. VOL. I. D 50 THE LARK. See ! now the cheerful lark arise. Soaring amid the clear blue skies Joyous to hail the blushing morn, On gayly-flutt'ring pinions borne. He seems to trill the varied note Of carols from his little throat, As if full eager to repay His tuneful thanks for new-born day. THE LARK. 51 As conscious of a Heavenly Power, Who watcli'd him through the midnigcht hour — Well pleas'd, sweet bird, as if he knew How God His wing around him threw. And thus should Man, when radiant lisfht Night's gloomy terrors puts to flight, And morning, rising from the main, Springs from her orient couch again : — So oft should Man, with heavenly fire, Attune to God his solemn lyre ; So oft should raise a grateful voice To good Jehovah, and rejoice : — 52 THE LARK. Rejoice that He, through Nature's rest, His children with protection bless'd ; And bade them from sweet slumber rise To pour their anthems to the skies. And so we pour them : — Let us raise, On bended knees, our hymns of praise ; And, like the early lark, essay With pious heart our heavenward way ! 5: o THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM. How softly glides, serenely bright, 'Mid gems that deck yon orient skies, At solemn midnight's dewy hour, The Star of Bethlehem ! While, too, the golden lamp of day His dazzling radiance flings around, The lovely Star his course sustains With splendour still unquench'd — 54 THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM. To guide the sages on their way From soft Arabia's spicy groves, Or Persia's mountains big with stores That emulate the sun — To guide them to the humble shed, Where the meek Infant Saviour lay — His cradle but a manger cold, In holy slumbers wrapt. With rev'rence low, and breast devout. They richest, fairest treasures pour, CuU'd from regions of the sun, At His adored feet. THE STAU OF BETHLEHEM. 55 How blest were they! — the "star-led" blest, To gaze the Infant's face divine ; And prostrate, with enraptured heart, To watch Its heav'nly smiles ; To worship at the purest shrine That e'er was from the first of time, And kneel to Him, the very God From all eternity ! May us our Star with guidance bless, — That Star, the Spirit from on high, And lead us to the Saviour nnld, To worship at His courts ! 56 THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM. Our holier gifts to offer there, Than myrrh and frankincense and gold — Celestial virtues, deeds of good. The fruits of Faith divine. O may that Star conduct us safe Through the deep gloom of earthly storms. To regions pure of living light, That circles Heav'n's high throne ! b'i THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE YEAR. Born of Time for ever fled, The New Year lifts his youthful head; And thus to mortals seems to say, In sober and in solemn lay : — " 'Merging from funereal gloom, " Like Egypt's bird from parent tomb, " And short-lived as has been my sire, *' I fain would speak ere moons expire. 58 THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE YEAR. " Could 1 but reach the hst'ning ear, ** By all that's precious, all that's dear — '' By more than all which earth can give, " By all man's hopes in heav'n to live : '^ O ! could I touch the wilUno; heart, " Then might I wisdom's lore impart: " Of mortal life how short the span ! *' How ! fleeting are the days of man — ■ " Whilst vvand'ring on this earthly scene, '* With joys and sorrows far between ; " W here soon the richest banquet cloys, '* And life's best treasures prove but toys. THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE YEAR. 59 *' Like mine, your course shall soon be run, " As shadows fly before the sun ; •* Like me, ye must strange lands explore, " And traverse waves without a shore. " But weigh the difference : — to me " God's laws the term have fix'd to be : ** Not so with you — ye know not when ** Ye quit these transient scenes of men." 60 THE RESURRECTION OF THE RIGHTEOUS. While sinking Nature's groans arise, Her last expiring agonies ; See ! 'mid Creation's ruin wide, Dismay and doubt all cast aside, Behind Faith's buckler, firm and sure, From fear and danger aye secure, The loved of Heav'n, immortal band, In prospect bright of glory stand. RESURRECTION OF THE RIGHTEOUS. 6\ Each spirit claims its kindred sky, Upborne on wing of ecstacy. As the victor Saviour's voice His sainted followers bids rejoice, And enter on their starred way To the blest Fount of endless day. Open, ye Heav'ns, your portals wide, Your crystal doors on either side, To let the King of Glory in, Who broke the pow'r of Death and Sin. From the dark chambers of the tomb. The victims of one common doom ; From the four winds, from every shore. At the dread word, that " Time 's no more"— 62 RESURRECTION OF THE RIGHTEOUS. To take their high celestial pnze, The pious dead of ages rise. The Saviour mild and God of love, Who left the courts of light above Man from Satan to redeem. Of grace divine a gladsome beam Sheds on the good and righteous race, And smiles illume His heav'nly face : And they with willing eager feet Spring forth, the Lord of Life to meet, Who led them through the shadowy vale, Where Death and Horror's glooms prevail. They, while on earth. His holy ways To walk delighted ; and their days, RESURHECTION OF THE HIGFITEOUS. 63 With mind submissive to His laws, Devoted to their Master's cause. Through various hfe's unquiet round Their truest joy His will they found ; Their richest treasure this they knew, Intent its blessings to pursue : And now they see witli kindling eye Their good and gracious Deity. With anthems sweet and high acclaim They burn to laud the glorious name ; To harps responding hymns of praise. And angel lyres the voice to raise : And Him to worship and adore, Who was, and is, for evermore ; 64 RESURRECTION OF THE RIGHTEOUS. To live with Christ their Saviour God, Who stoop'd beneath His Father's rod — • The Lamb for hapless mortals slain— And died lost Eden to regain ; And gild the darkness of the tomb, And bless with Life's immortal bloom. All who would bear th' insulted Cross, Despise the shame and spurn the loss ; And all who would, with lowly mind — O'erweening Reason's thoughts confined- Mix boldly in the fearful strife, The contest for the crown of life, RESURRECTION OF THE RIGHTEOUS. 65 Unmoved, unwearied, undismay'd — The world's stupendous pow'r array 'd Against them in insidious arms, With all its fascinations, charms — Its praise, its censure, or its scorn. Alike contemn'd or nobly borne : — All cast away that e'er could tend To obstruct the one immortal end. He welcomes now, their perils past, To promised seats of bliss at last. Say, who is there of mortal birth, Ah ! Where's the sojourner of earth VOL. I. p. 66 BESUBRECTION OF THE RIGHTEOUS. That has not felt the torturing hour, When the dread King's resistless pow'r Has torn some object of his care From his fond heart he cherish'd there : Broke some sweet charity of life. Of parent, brother, sister, wife. Or smiling cherub — artless child, Whose little ways his toils beguiled ? When God's high will and dark decrees From souls of love has sever'd these — No more the form departed seen. At whose approach joy oft had been — Pure from alloy and dross of earth. And more like plants of heav'nly birth, RESURRECTION OF THE RIGHTEOUS. 67 How shall they clasp them to the breast, The dear partakers of their rest, Safe landed on the happy shore, There to live on and part no more ! Affections pure, sublimed desires, And Sympathy's bright hallow 'd fires — Delights — how holy and refined ! — And lasting pleasures fill the mind. Improved each feeling, every sense, The charm which Virtue can dispense — The goodly Passions tranquil lie In soft and blended harmony. Nor yet a dull repose they know. But gently-moving joys bestow. 68 RESURRECTION OF THE RIGHTEOUS. So oft, on wavy pinions borne, Zephyrus salutes the vernal morn. And, sporting in the purple skies. Bids airy undulations rise. And so the fanning breezes wake The pleasing ripplings of the lake : The crisped waters softly flow, Nor slumber nor excitement know. Thus call'd to bliss, as man from dust, Th' exalted spirits of the just, Are 'live to all that moves delight. Beyond what charm'd terrestrial sight. Earth and its sorrows nio-h forsfot. Its fleeting fortunes, varied lot, RESURRECTION OF THE RIGHTEOUS. 69 Disturb not now the calm repose Which Heaven's applauded servant knows. For, if celestial souls would dwell On scenes of earth, and fondly tell What they might ling'ring entertain — Scenes of commingled joy and pain — At Memory's call so blandly kind, Now only pleasure to the mind ; To enhance delight her sole design From the rich treasures of her mine : — Lo ! such twilight visions rise. And float before th' entranced eyes, As serve to paint with fairer hue The present by contrasted view. 70 RESURRECTION OF THE RIGHTEOUS. All see in all to love, admire Virtues more chaste, of purer fire ; More grace to win the spell-bound heart. Diviner feelings to impart. All in themselves an impulse find, A new-born bias of the mind Its unknown energies excite — Each latent seed evolve to light Of goodness struggling to be free, Itself the gift of Deity ! — While streams of light unknown before The very inmost soul explore, As she enlarged perceptions tries To grasp new subjects as they rise ; RESURRECTION OF THE RIGHTEOUS. 71 As Reason's keen and piercing ray Through tracts of Wonder speeds its way, And Trutli from her high throne descends, And pleased in willing homage bends. See ! all the ransom 'd blessing all, Safe from the ruins of the fall : All circle all with glad embrace, Though sever'd once by time and place, Through love of Him for all who bled, And bow'd in death His sacred head. Transported they with holy joy, Words of instinctive lips employ, 72 RESURRECTION OF THE RIGHTEOUS. In gratulations sweet that roll Reflected bliss from soul to soul. Long toss'd on life's tumultuous wave, And then the victims of the grave, How ! blessed on their Canaan's shore, Their griefs, their cares, their troubles o'er. The grateful heart and voice of praise To Nature's God — to Christ they raise. Who led them by His strong right-arm Through Earth's temptations. Sin's alarm : And virtue, fortitude supplied. With which they lived, in which they died • RESURRECTION OF THE RIGHTEOUS. 73 Whose shield repell'd the sting of Death, And calm'd the hour that closed their breath. And ye shall dwell in happier bovv'rs Of fairer Eden fresh with flow'rs ; And your Truth-pledged joys shall be The guerdon of eternity ! 74 A HYMN. A JUVENILE PRODUCTION. O ! Thou who reign'st enthroned on high, Of Nature's wide expanse the God ; The earth, the seas, and spacious sky. All trembling feel thy awful nod. Thy quiet courts shall mortals tread, And breathe the solemn tones of Prayer ; Or else by seraph Praise be led To live in holy raptures there. A HYMN. i;j To Thee while vital heat remains, Man's heart a grateful voice shall raise ; And while life's current warms his veins, Be never silent in Thy praise. Whene'er he shall Thy works admire. And view creation's ample space ; So oft shall burn Devotion's fire — He shall a hand celestial trace. What though by dangers compass'd round. He still may recognise Thy will : To good since seeming ills redound, May pleased adore Thy mercies still. 76 A HYMN. Thus onward treading Virtue's road. And trusting to Thy boundless love ; Firm he may hope to taste, O God ! Th' immortal streams of Life above. 77 THE LILIES. Behold tlie lilies of the field how they grow : they toil not, neither do they spin : and yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. — Matt. vi. 28-29. Thus the Saviour spake again To wondering crowds of guilty men, With awe and doubtful fear impress'd And passions labouring in the breast—- 78 THE LILIES. The tumult fierce i — but He would lay In heav'nly calm the stormy fray ; Bid Peace her hovering wings unfold, More precious far than pearls or gold. On His Almighty Father's love, Great Lord of nature, throned above, He would they all their cares repose, At morning's dawn and evening's close. Ye, beauteous lilies of the field ! Were taught by Jesus' lips to yield Instruction goodly, comfort sweet. To all who would with willing feet — THE LILIES. 79 Pursue the paths of promised rest With guilt o'ervvhelm'd, or pain distress'd; Or when disasters dire assail, And life's last pillars seem to fail. Your lesson preach, ye flowers so fair, To all oppress'd with doubt, despair: To all Affliction's sons impart Your healing balsam for the heart. Tell them that ye, in robes so gay, Such gorgeous pomp, and proud arrav, Of more than Tyrian purple's bloom, Or all that sprang from Sidon's loom — 80 THE LILIES. In more than kingly splendour dress'd, Ye still proclaim this truth confess'd : — " Our richest ornaments we owe ** To Him from whom all blessing-s flow." " And so shall God His fav'rite man, ** Who crowns His bright stupendous plan, " With arm of tenderest love caress — '* With good and peace and comfort bless." 81 FROM BOETITIUS. Of various form and various race God's humbler creatures we may trace Their course pursuing : some that sweep The surging waters of the deep ; And some that lowly crawl, with breast Along the furrow'd soil depress'd : Others that sounding pinions bear In easy triumph through the air ; That 'mid wide tracts of radiance run, Disporting in the glittering sun : VOL. I. F 82 FROM BOETHIUS. While some the flowery meadows tread, Or shady grove or mountain-head : But all to earth inclined we see. Though form and figure disagree. 'Tis man alone with look sublime That towers above the mists of time. His nobler mien and port elate Proclaim his more exalted state ; And bid him raise to Heaven his mind, By earth and matter unconfin'd — Stern master of its mortal clay, That lives its short and feverish day. 83 CHRIST'S AGONY IN THE GARDEN. Mighty Saviour ! God of all, Creator of this earthly ball, Enthroned above all heav'nly things. Thou Lord of life, and King of kings ! How dread the tortures, pangs tliat tore That breast divine, those limbs which wore ! When drops ensanguined o'er Thy frame In hot and fierce profusion came. 84 christ\s agonv in the garden. The conflict awful ! Yet 'twas sin Which harrow'd up Thy soul within : — 'Twas mortal sin which stirred such strife As forced Thee to the verge of life. Thou, Holv Jesus! Thou didst know The endless tortures, anguish, woe : Full well didst know the fiery doom Which Guilt awaits beyond the tomb. In tend 'rest, softest pity led. For men who Sin's dark mansions tread, Thy pure and heav'nly soul was wrung With grief, untold by angel's tongue. Christ's agony in the garden. 85 Triumphant Saviour ! O ! may we, With hearts of flame, remember Thee — Kemember how these suff'rings sore For us were borne — and Thee adore ! Secure beneath Thy guardian wing, To Thee we '11 sweetest incense bring — Thy faithful followers strong to save, And crown with life beyond the grave. 86 ST. PAUL AT ATHENS. AN ODE. To Mars' steep, tow'ring hill, with winged speed. Impatient, breathless crowds repair ; As idle thought, or steadier motives lead, To while the golden moments there. He stands sublime — Nor elder Time, Through the far tract o'er which his wheels had roll'd, Within the war-clad walls had seen ST. PAUL AT ATHENS. 87 Such mortal virtue — high, majestic, bold — As Cynthia, lovely and serene. Sublime he stands : Heav'n's adamantine shield Around Faith's champion life and safety throws : To him the Spirit gives the sword to wield, And energy divine and God's own strength be- stows. In intellectual grandeur great He towers above the human state: Salvation's helmet guards his head ; His sober, fix'd, and solemn tread 88 ST. PAUL AT ATHKNS. Tlie Gospel's Preparation pure, Firm, self-sustaining, and secure, Steep 'd in the flovvings of its peace defends. Full o'er his soul Rich mantling roll The streams of wondrous grace that from lleav'n's- throne descends. Radiant glories veil his brow,. As o'er the breathing masses now He darts his keen and ardent eye,. Or lifts it to the hst'ning sky. Hark his voice ! Those accents heard — The tones that thrill — the Seraph word — ST. PAUL AT ATHENS. 89 Like Heaven's electric fires, in their own virtue strong, Troni lips of living flame they rush elancetl along. Fair Colonus' solemn hill, Groves, where Meditation still, By Ilissus' tuneful stream,* Loved to muse on heav'nly theme ; Porches, where th' imbowed shade Oft could win the holy maid, Wist not to break their sacred still repose, Such sounds of torrent force — such mighty spells as those — * " Ilissus pure devolved his tuneful stream." Akenside. 90 ST, PAUL AT ATHENS. Bursting on the soul amain, As when th' usurping wave sweeps o'er the wasted plain. Oft had Parne s echoes caught Strains of high immortal thought, Or return'd the rapt'rous tale To the breezes of the vale. Oft Callirrhoe, lovely rill ! Tones that woke the neighb'ring hill, As they reach'd the calm retreat, Mingled with her warblings sweet. He, beneath whose voice alone Trembled Philip on his throne : ST. PAUL AT ATHRNS. 91 Sages, whose excursive mind Bless'd with hght their fellow-kind : Nor Plato, Socrates, nor patriots all, From their impassion'd lips e'er felt such power to fall. Poets of celestial fire Had swept with varying hand the lyre : And in undying verse divine, Of Atreus' or of Pelops' hne, With sweetest minstrelsy had sung — The sorceries of their honied tono-ue : Had pleas'd— shall pleasure aye impart, And ever win and mend the heart. 92 ST. PAUL AT ATHENS. But yet not they, With heav'nly lay, And the rich treasure of the skilful muse, Could hold that one dominion o'er the soul Which the pure Martyr claim'd ; or e'er infuse What gave each struggling sense obnoxious to control. Hear hira Heav'n's attributes aloud proclaim, The one true God — eternal and the same ; Who arch'd the skies, and framed the beauteous earth, Rules, and has ruled, all nature from her birth : ST. PAUL AT ATHENS. 98 The mighty Power, whose hand conveys What human virtue ne'er repays : The blessings which His bounty gives, In whom man breathes, and moves, and livesj— " The unknown God ! " — whom Superstition's reign With darkness and thick night Had veil'd, to mortal sense he renders plain In full unclouded lioht — High throned o'er Nature— all created things. Maker of shining worlds, endurins; Kins: of kino-s ! Not made by earthly hands was He, Of silver, gold, or stone ; 94 ST. PAUL AT ATHENS. Man's adoration thence to be — Before man's work alone. But He the breath of life to mortals gave ; He of Himself upholds, and He has pow'r to save. From men, his creatures, worship true He demands — alleoiance due : Jehovah bids them walk the ways To the temple of His praise ; Who gives the sun-shine, sends the show'r— The vernal and autumnal hour ; The milky corn that life sustains, The fruits which gild the woods, and grass that clothes the plains. ST. PAUL AT ATHENS. 95 They,* the sons of Pleasure, who Gods acknowledged none, or knew, Save who, wrapt in soft repose, Cared not for human joys or woes : They,f whose stern complacent pride The ills of life would turn aside ; Who raised their idol ^^irtue high — Their very god and deity : Those,:]: who to matter gave no Great First Cause To call it into birth, obedient to His laws : And they,|| whose doctrines more refined Pronounced o'er nature One Presiding Mind— * Epicureans. f Stoics. X Peripatetics. || Platoiiists. 96 ST. PAUL AT ATHENS. All \vith mute wonder hear a creed so liigh, As of some heav'nly form descending from the sky. But when the holy man would tell Of death and judgment, heav'n and hell ; Of the last dread and solemn day When earth and skies shall melt away; Of conscious Sorrow bathed in tears, Repentance with her hopes and fears ; Of Mercy, Righteousness, and Truth, Revered to age, from op'ning youth ; Of Sin, and whence the monster rose Of everlasting joys, and everlasting woes : ST. PAUL AT ATHENS. 97 They list the soul-subduing tones With sighs perchance suppress'd, and groans ; Whilst haply Conscience bids them view With other eyes the past, and other ends pursue. VOL. 1. 98 GOD'S OMNIPRESENCE. He plants His footstep on the floods ; He mounts the fiery car of day ; He dwells amid the night of woods ; * He smiles in Cynthia's silv'ry ray : * Praeseiitiorem et conspicimus Deum Per invias rupes, fera per juga, Clivosque praeruptos sonantes Inter aquas, nemorumque noclem. Gray, god's omnipresence. 99 In the rough rage of storms, the calm serene, He moves the same, the God of Heav'n unseen : His awful Presence earth's foundations own, And the pure empyrean forms His crystal living throne. He blushes in the lovely rose, Blooms in each flow'r that scents the gale ; On ev'ry branch that sweetly blows, And in the verdure of the vale. The pearl that beams beneath th' unquiet wave, The coral sleeping in its sea-wash'd cave — The gold, the gem that sparkles in the mine, With His pervading lustre beautifully shine. loo god's omnipresence. To Him the tide of music floats From burning rows of seraph quires ; He lists the spirit-soothing notes That burst from their ecstatic lyres. He hears th' Elysian sounds of Nature's song, Which wakes the wild woods and the vales among : He lists the cheerful sky-lark's matin lay, And the lone pensive bird that sings the night away. And God's all-searching sleepless eye Of man can pierce the inmost soul — ■■ His thoughts which yet in embryo lie, When round them thickest shadows roll : god's omnipresence. 101 See infant Virtue struggling into birth, Blest heir of Heav'n, bright habitant of earth ; And see high-crested Vice her orgies tell, The scourge of mortal bliss, the doom'd to death and hell. God knows the heart with troubles prest ; He hears the penitential pray'r ; He sees the sorrows of the breast, The pangs that live and torture there. He lists th' aspiring tones of heav'n-ward Praise, Her ardent eye sees Faith exulting raise. Who burns to burst the cumb'ring bonds of clay. And seek her native home, far in the realms of day. 102 THE LAST SUPPER. 'Tis He — th' Incarnate God, the Saviour mild, Of mien celestial, gentle as a child, — The Host — th' anointed King of all the earth, Swift at whose mandate Nature sprang to birth. He sits, and living rays of glory shine. Pure and unearthly, round His head divine ; While beams of love, soft kindhng in His eye. Commingle with the blaze of Deity ; THE LAST SUPPER. 103 And sweetest accents, of no mortal sphere. In heav'nly cadence fall upon the ear. The o-uests — most favour'd of the sons of man, From first when Time his circUng course began — The chosen few, whom rank nor pow'r adorn — Nor smiling Fortune bless'd their natal morn ; Nor Science led them to those sacred springs, Whence the rapt soul sublimest treasures brings; Who never paused the solemn groves among, To list the sage's lore or drink the poet's song : — The chosen few, who walk'd the quiet vale Of lowly hfe, which less of storms assail ; But simpler manners Nature's Author gave From their first op'ning being to the grave : — 104 THE LAST SUPPER. They whose free minds ne'er fierce Ambition's fires Inflamed with thirst of sway and mad desires ; And never Lucre to their witched eyes Held out the gUtter of her dangerous prize : — They were the guests, whom Innocence combined And Goodness made the worthy of their kind. For such alone th' Omniscient God could please. Minds calm, content, and spirits pure as these. He sought not kingly pow'r, the pomp of state, But man's best part, in dignity elate. Far from the learn'd, the affluent, the gay, From all retired. He held his heav'n-ward wav. The meek, the docile, and the lowly few, With their loved Master here in peace withdrew. THE LAST SUPPER. 105 The feast celestial ! — -Say, can words of fire, Can harp of angels to the theme aspire ? The promised Saviour of a guilty world, To death devote, to condemnation hurl'd, In tend'rest sympathy for erring man, Hastes to the triumph of His wond'rous plan. Blest was the banquet ! emblem of that love Which brought Messiah from His throne above. To die, though guiltless, for a race forlorn. Charged with the sin of ages past, unborn : Blest too the banquet ! earnest of the joy Which tongues of happy myriads shall employ. For ever landed on that tranquil shore. Where tears shall cease, and sorrows be no more. 106 THE LAST SUPPER. Tht bliss in full fruition — there to dwell With Him they served on earth, and loved so well. And ye, His friends, how did unbidden steal Your tears, and grief the inmost soul reveal, As His blest hps the solemn truth disclosed, To the frail wishes of your hearts opposed, That He no longer on the darkhng way Of transient being should a Pilgrim stray : No more should tread the thorny paths of life, Sublimely batthng with its ills and strife : That ye no more should view that face divine. Where Virtue — seraph form ! — was wont to shine ; THE LAST SUPPER. 107 No more be moved beneath the winning force, Th' alluring wisdom of His sweet discourse. — For Friendship, not yet hghted at the skies, Dared not far o'er terrestrial views to rise ; Knew not to burst the coil of mortal Fear, That urged the silent pray'r — '' But still be here.'* Yet, holy Hope ! the transports and the fires Thou didst accord, the pure, serene desires, Might break, in part, the darkness of the soul. And heav'n-ward Peace your rising doubts control. Then radiant visions opening on the sight, Faint and dim semblance of the realms of light. Might bear your spirits to the happy bow'rs O'er which no shadows move, no tempest low'rs. 108 THE LAST SUPPER. There the Great Shepherd, on His changeless throne. Shall count his flock and kingdoms all his own ; Blest and still blessing, at th' immortal feast, The sons of short-lived man from woe and death released. 109 LINES ON THE DEATH OF THE REV. ****** LATE OF **** COLLEGE, OXFORD. Servant of Christ! thy soul to heav'nly rest Is gone, how summon'd in hfe's rosy prime ! Calmly surrender'd at thy God's behest — Beyond the bounds of darkness and of time. Yes, thou art gone — and how lamented here By soft Affection bending o'er thy tomb ! 110 ON THE DEATH OF THE REV. **** She sheds the crystal sympathetic tear, So lost in anguish at thy early doom. But why so grieve? vi^hy so deplore thy fate, Thou faithful servant, in this world of woe, Of Him who died — though mighty to create — On mortal man life endless to bestow ? Past Death's drear valley — past his terrors there, Rest, gentle spirit, in thy Master's care ! Ill FROM BOETHIUS. Happy, how happy were the days, When man amid his fruitful fields, Contented lived in quiet ways, And charm'd with all that Nature yields ! Then silken Lux'ry's withering coil Ne'er wasted sinews strung with toil : The late and simple feast was made Of rustic acorns strewn beneath the sylvan shade. The honied sweets that bees produce. From alien mixtures yet apart, 11'3 FROM BO ET HI VS. Own'd not the grape's rich-flowino" juice Beneath the magic hand of art; Nor the fleece tinged with Tynan hue Then adventitious colours knew : The vales supplied man's tlow'ry bed. And Sleep his pinions waved soft o"er the slum- berer's head. His dnnk was of the crystal wave That rippled through the meadow grass : The dark-green pme its shadows gave, Where he the noon-tide hours might pass. jN'o vessel plough 'd the ocean foam, >or man for wealth had learn'd to roam. FROM BOETHIUS. 113 And unknown seas and lands explore, Safe in his native fields, pleased with his native shore. No clarions on the battle-plain Loud blew the blasts of mortal strife ; Nor 'mid ensanguined heaps of slain Fierce Hatred stalk'd, profuse of life. For who would kindle War's alarms. And wake the din of hostile arms ? When once he saw the fateful blow, Who, with the heart of man, would turn man's deadliest foe ? VOL. I. H 114 FROM BOETHIUS. No prize contending nations knew That steel'd the soul, the bosom fired. Would that our age, to Virtue true, Like them to its high meed aspired ! But hotter than the fearful blaze Which Etna's murmuring vault displays. The thirst of gain inflames the mind. No more by Heav'n above, or Nature's laws con- fined. Say, who was he, unbless'd of men. Who deep in caves of earth descried, And first, with eager, anxious ken, Gazed, — dug the gifts which she would hide ? FROM BOETHIUS. 115 The sparkling gem and golden ore, The pearl that shines where oceans roar, Who reckless show'd to heav'n's pure light .' The dang'rous treasures who exposed to human sight ? f) THE HARVEST-FIELD. See ! all adown the smiling plain In golden richness waves the grain : The swain beholds the glorious sight, And beats his heart with full delight Exulting that the vernal mead Which from his hand received the seed, Had all his fondest hopes fulfill'd. And fruitful been the soil he 'd till'd. THE HARVEST-FIELD. 117 So God his vineyard loves to view, Sweet water'd with celestial dew, The gifts of Virtue's dawn to bring, The plenteous fruitage of its spring. And if man in his early bloom, Yet onward journeying to the tomb, Shall walk in God's pure holy ways, His meed shall be His love and praise — Removed at His good time and care. To blissful regions, mansions fair. Where countless, countless ages run, Bless'd with the li'>ht of Judah's sun. 118 THE VIOLET. L\ quiet and sequester'd shades. On sunny bank, in rural glades The violet loves to dwell : There, in retiring beauty blows, And emulates the fragrant rose. In hedge- row, grove, or dell. Shunning the gazer's curious eye. In solitude content to lie, Still unambitious there — THE VIOLET. 119 Yet lavish of its little power, Which vi^anes wdth every fleeting hour, In sweets it steeps the air. So God delights his children dear. Who His all-glorious name revere, Should thus pursue their way : And steady Virtue's placid star Should shoot, from Folly's revels far, A salutary ray. 120 SABBATH EVENING. How soft the lapse of dews Which gem the shepherd's way ! Track'd by his homeward step Beneath the moon's pale ray. Refreshing breezes sport Upon the brow of eve ; And with soft-waving fan Life's languid powers relieve. SABBATH EVENING. 121 How ! does celestial Peace The Christian's heart console ; Bid sorrows cease awhile, And wrap in rest his soul ! Descending from on high With balmy wings outspread, She soothes the suffering mind, And lifts the mourner's head. 122 THE TRANSFIGURATION.* Resting sublime upon the breezy top Of Tabor's echoing hill,t what cloud with folds Of light unearthly — lucid as the orb Of placid Cynthia, when she glides so fair Along the starred pathway of the heav'ns, The mountain circles round, deep in the robe * See the Lectures of Bishop Porteus. t If e'er your secret footsteps linger still By Siloa's fount or Tabor's echoing hill. Palestine. THE TRANSFIGURATION. 123 Reposing of its glory ? From on high In hving lustre falling, swift it forms A gorgeous canopy of ambient beams For Heav'n's Eternal Majesty : yet these Shine but in glimm'ring emblem of the light, The never-fading splendors which invest That throne, where wielding His all-conquering power, One with the Father, at the Father's side Sits the Great King of kings, o'er countless worlds Supreme. No manel that the astounded three. The highly favour'd of the humble few, Messiah's servants on the earth's dim orb. 124 THE TRANSFIGURATION. Burn'd, as they view'd the radiant prospect rise. No marvel that the grand and mystic scene, With wish instinctive mov'd their glowing breast To rear enduring tents, wherein to dwell In bliss and glory with the Lord of Life: — And they how bless'd on whom His smiles He slied ! Earth, though His footstool, yet was not His throne. Heav'n's golden portals to the Prince of Peace Must open, and the crystal courts receive. With songs of triumph and with angel lyre. Him before whom thrones, dominations, powers. THE TRANSFIGURATION. 125 Above, below, fall prostrate, and obey. For though th' Incarnate Word all space pervades. Sustaining, as He first created, all ; Yet in the heav'n of heav'ns alone, that fount Of light, His Presence all-sufficient shines — Of uncreated essence, worshipp'd there. Whilst freely of the streams of bliss He gives. With adoration of devoted worlds. In characters, to minds yet little firm Behind the shield of Faith, though haply cheer'd By Hope's far scenes — thus wondrous and illumed With evidence transcendent of the mio;ht Of Him whom Truth unchangeable proclaim'd 126 THE TRANSFIGURATION". The Rock of ages, God's beloved Son For ever blessed — His high claim to assert And povv'r divine before a wavering world, To mortal weakness stooping, Christ beams out Th' eternal Godhead of the throne of heav'n. What dangers and what sufferings compassed round Him the despised, rejected ! How had He The keenest darts which Jealousy and Hate And torturinu" 3Ialice, rancorous Envv fluns; With demon ingenuity and craft, Against His patient, unprotected head. From their envenom'd quivers reckless flung, With soul submissive and serene endured/ THE TRANSFIGURATION. 127 Toss'd on the rough and stormy waves of hfe, He prov'd the gales of Fortune : all the ills Which mortal men involve, though pure of sin, And clad in Righteousness' translucent robe, Lamb-like He met: and though in prospect full Far bitterer woes He saw — vindictive death — The superhuman agonies — the cross — His lips divine no murmuring accents pass'd. Beyond the brightest forms which Fancy paints With glowing colours of the arch that spans The summer skies, to spirits sweetly lull'd In Leuce or Elysium's dreams — sublime And wonderful and fair, to the frail feais 128 THE TRANSFIGURATION. Of doubting men — at best the shadowy hopes — The Saviour with surpassing glory crown'd Is imaged in His Greatness, which He had Erst in the highest heav'ns ! There had He dwelt From unborn ages, ere was call'd the world From out of chaos, all its beauties call'd. The ocean and the earth, sun, moon, and stars : Whom the heav'ns op'ning must again admit, Man's righteous Judge, ascending from the earth, By thousands and ten thousands of His saints Attended, angels, habitants of hght. When He for ever, ever shall be All in all ! Upon the mountain's consecrated height The guileless Prophet who ne'er tasted death THE TRANSFIGURATION. 129 And Founder of the Hebrew law appear. Parts worthy of the glorious scene to act. They point direct to endless life, the lot Of man — th' Archangel's summons loud and dread, Calhng the multitudes of ev'ry tongue, Kindred and nation to the judgment-seat. The one embraces in the gorgeous type The dead of all past times ; the other those Who yet shall breathe the genial air of heav'n, On the last morn, the denizens of earth : And both with equal majesty begirt, Beyond compare, and new to mortal eyes, Th' o'erpow'ring certainty of future bliss To all of Adam's race, obedient prov'd, VOL. I. T 130 THE TRANSFIGURATION. Eternal in the skies, unfold to view, As with a golden sun-beam. Christ they show The Way, the Truth, the Life, by whom alone The door is thrown of immortality With hand inviting open — the First-born Of ev'ry creature, over glowing worlds Of birth immortal, everlasting King! With whom the righteous like the stars of God, Shall shine thro' ages that must know no end. - . ' For with the grandeur of th' astounding scene The Seer and Chief, fade instant from the sight — The one exhibiting the Prophet's harp Unstrung, at length, and hush'd : whose tones had swept THE TRANSFIGURATION. 131 The lonely waste of ages as they roll'd, With rich and richer pomp now merg'd and lost In the full tide of harmony divine, That circling warbled the Messiah round : The other yielding with expansive heart Of glowing love the rigour of the Law To the mild Gospel of the Prince of Peace — The Law, like Sinai's thunders, wing'd with fear — The Gospel, as the lambent light that beam'd On Tabor's chff, in Mercy's vest array'd. 132 THE MAJESTY OF THE DIVINE BEING. God dwells supreme above the sky, - And untold worlds beneath Him he ; . High on a bright enduring throne, The Sovereign dread of Heav'n alone. Ages in rolling circles move, And still the One Eternal prove : They view the Great Jehovah still the same, And through their march sublime sound high His awful name. THE MAJESTY OF THE DIVINE BEING. 133 Lo ! earth and all created things Bow to the mighty King of kings. What works declare the ruling God, And are, or perish at His nod ! The sun, with vivifying ray, Who lives ^ along the heav'n's arch'd way — The silver moon, with soft and mellow light, That shines the wand'ring lamp of solitary night. The stars in golden clusters glow, And twinkling beam on earth below : Or life-destroying lightnings glare, And sultry vapours fire the air : 1