fu-.a. 
 
SONNETS. 
 
 BY 
 
 REV. GEORGE T. S. FARQUHAR, M.A., 
 
 CANON AND PRECENTOR OF S. NINIAN's CATHEDRAL, PERTH. 
 
 WITH INTRODUCTORY VERSES 
 
 BY 
 
 RIGHT REV. CHAS. WORDSWORTH, D.D., D.C.L., 
 
 BISHOP OF S. ANDREWS, ETC. 
 
 " With stammering lips and insufficient sound 
 I strive and struggle to deliver right 
 The music of my nature." 
 
 Mrs. Browning. 
 
 PERTH : 
 . COWAN & CO., PRINTERS AND PUBLISHERS, 
 
 1890, 
 
LOAN STACK 
 
Contents. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 PREFATORY SONNET 
 
 THE SONNET'S CHARM . 9 
 
 PERTH CATHEDRAL SONNETS- 
 LATIN VERSE BY BP. OF S. ANDREWS - 12 
 TRANSLATION OF SAME - - 12 
 ON THE PROSPECT OF SEEING THE CATHEDRAL COMPLETED 13 
 PRAYER FOR THE CATHEDRAL IN 1 887 - 14 
 BUILDING BEGUN, 1888 - - - - 15 
 A REPLY TO SANBALLAT, GESHEM, AND TOBIAH - - 1 6 
 ON SEEING THE MASONS AT WORK, 1 888 - 17 
 SUGGESTED BY THE VERY REV. THE PROVOST'S ILLNESS - 1 8 
 WHILE WATCHING THE MASONS AT WORK, 1889 - 19 
 OUR POINT OF VIEW EXPLAINED TO POSTERITY, 1889 2O 
 
 SONNETS FROM THE FRENCH- 
 LOVE AND SONG 23 
 LOVE'S ENTRANCE 24 
 LOVE'S VICTORY 25 
 LOVE'S PATHOS 26 
 
 LOVE'S CROWN - 27 
 
 MUSICAL SONNETS- 
 MUSIC AND I - - 31 
 
 MUSICAL SIGHT 32 
 
 ON FIRST HEARING MUSIC BY CLEMENTI 33 
 
 MENDELSSOHN 34 
 
 MDME. N, NERUDA AT A VIOLIN RECITAL - 35 
 
 584 
 
PAGE 
 
 ECCLESIASTICAL SONNETS- 
 HIGH CHURCH - 39 
 RITUALISM - 40 
 ALTAR LIGHTS - - 41 
 IN THE PULPIT 42 
 A COACH DRIVE THROUGH GLENCOE - 43 
 SUGGESTED BY THE ESTABLISHED AND FREE ASSEMBLIES, 
 
 1889 - 44 
 
 ON THE CONSTANT APPOINTMENT OF STRANGERS TO IMPOR- 
 TANT SCOTCH LIVINGS - - 45 
 
 SONNETS OF NATURE- 
 BLINDNESS AND VISION 49 
 A MESSAGE FROM THE OCEAN - 50 
 LOTUS-EATING - 5 1 
 AUTUMN - 52 
 IN THE ROMAN AMPHITHEATRE AT FREJUS - - 53 
 
 EPISTOLARY SONNETS 
 
 TO THE BISHOP OF S. ANDREWS - - 57 
 TO HIS FAMILY ON THE DEATH OF THE VERY REV. PROVOST 
 
 BURTON - . 58 
 
 ON BEING ASKED TO CONTRIBUTE TO A LITERARY SOCIETY 59 
 
 SONNETS OF THE INNER LIFE 
 
 THE GREAT REBELLION - - 63 
 
 " EXPERIENTIA DOCET " - - 64 
 
 LIFE'S LESSON - . . _ 65 
 
 IN A MOMENT OF DISCOURAGEMENT - - 66 
 
 " BLESSED ARE THE MEEK " - - - 67 
 
 ON READING THE " CONFESSIONS " OF S. AUGUSTINE - 68 
 
 " IN THE WORLD BUT NOT OF IT " - - - 69 
 
 MY AMBITION - .... 70 
 
 ON ENTERING MY THIRTY-THIRD YEAR - 71 
 
preface. 
 
 IN presenting these verses to a wider public than the few 
 who have already seen them in manuscript, I will not at- 
 tempt to explain or defend them. I hope that they will 
 explain and defend themselves. 
 
 It may, however, save some readers trouble if I state 
 that, though the Sonnets are naturally arranged in groups 
 and numbered, every one in the volume was composed in- 
 dependently of all the others, and forms a complete whole 
 by itself. This, indeed, ought always to be the case with 
 Sonnets. 
 
 It may also be as well, lest this little book should fall into 
 the hands of even one person who does not know what a 
 Sonnet is, to explain the laws to be observed in this kind of 
 poetry. Its most essential rules are as follows: (i.) The 
 Sonnet must consist of fourteen lines. (2.) These must fall 
 into two groups of four lines each, followed by two of three 
 each. (3.) In the first eight lines only two rhyme sounds are 
 allowed, and are only allowed in the following order, i.e., lines 
 i, 4, 5, 8 must rhyme together, and lines 2, 3, 6, 7 must also 
 rhyme together. (4.) In the last six lines, three rhyme sounds 
 are allowed, and may be arranged in any order, it being prefer- 
 able that a rhyming couplet should not come last. This is the 
 normal form of the Sonnet. But there is also another, called 
 
the Shakespearian, on the model of which several of the 
 following have been composed. 1 This consists, not like the 
 former, of eight lines followed by six, but of three sets of 
 four lines followed by a rhyming couplet. In this species 
 the rules for rhyming are not so strict. Unless these rudi- 
 mentary rules are understood, it is not very easy to enter 
 into the spirit of a Sonnet. 
 
 I can scarcely hope to have here shewn myself complete 
 master of so elaborate and delicate a form of poetical com- 
 position, but yet, as Shakespeare says, 
 
 " Lean Penury within that Pen doth dwell 
 That to his subject lends not some small glory." 2 
 
 A few of the following have already appeared in the 
 Scottish Guardian and one or two in the Perthshire Adver- 
 tiser and Perthshire Constitutional, but the great majority 
 are here printed for the first time. 
 
 Finally, I must express my sincere thanks to the Bishop 
 of S. Andrews for speaking an encouraging word with 
 regard to the first group of these Sonnets. 
 
 GEORGE T. S. FARQUHAR. 
 
 20 BALHOUSIE STREET, 
 
 PERTH, April so, 2890. 
 
 1 Namely those on pages 35, 42, 52, 66. 2 Sonnet Ixxxiv. 
 
PREFATORY SONNET. 
 
prefatory Sonnet 
 
 THE SONNET'S CHARM. 
 
 LET those whose hearts with the world's noise are filled, 
 
 Unloose the current of their fluent mind ; 
 
 Let them their fancies of each passing kind 
 Pour out in floods of talk that ne'er are stilled. 
 To me it rather seems that God, who willed 
 
 That man should be to the dread future blind, 
 
 Yet, hastening conscious thither, wished to find 
 Our spirits in expectant quiet skilled. 
 This, then, is wisdom, that we pass through life 
 Not running riot 'mid earth's restless strife, 
 
 But gravely pondering what the years have taught 
 Hence, too, the Sonnet's charm, for 'tis the choice 
 Of those who love not ceaseless flow of voice, 
 
 But brief and pregnant words full charged with thought. 
 
Dedicated 
 
 TO 
 
 VERY REV. V. L. RORISON, M.A., 
 
 PROVOST OF THE CATHEDRAL. 
 
 SONNETS ON THE BUILDING 
 
 OF 
 
 S. NINIAN'S CATHEDRAL, PERTH, 
 
 WITH INTRODUCTORY VERSES, 
 
 BY 
 
 RIGHT REV. CHAS. WORDSWORTH, D.D., D.C.L., 
 
 BISHOP OF S. ANDREWS, ETC. 
 
12 
 
 Ad G. T. S. R, 
 
 S. Niniani apud Pertham Prcecentorem et Poetam. 
 
 SALVERE jubeo te, Poeta jam noster. 
 O si quod olim in Conditore Thebano, 
 Lapides canendo qui movere callebat, 
 Accidere posset, te canente tarn belle ! 
 Turn quam repente surgeret Cathedralis 
 Perfecta moles ; tumque cordibus gratis 
 Quot vota ccelo solverentur exsultim ! 
 Et qui Poeta es, Conditor fores noster. 
 
 EPISCOP. SANCT. ANDR. 
 
 Translation of the same. 
 To G. T. S. F, 
 
 PRECENTOR AND POET OF S. NINIAN'S CATHEDRAL, PERTH. 
 
 ALL hail to thee, who art become our bard ! 
 
 O ! that Amphion's wonder-working lyre, 
 Which built the walls of Thebes, might be transferred 
 
 To thee, who sing'st so sweetly ! All entire 
 How swiftly then would our Cathedral pile 
 
 Rise up ! How full would the exulting strain 
 Of thanks to Heaven be raised ! And thou, meanwhile, 
 
 "Building the lofty rhyme," would'st build our Fane ! 
 
 Bp. OF S. ANDREWS. 
 
13 
 
 Ipertb Catbefcral Sonnets, IRo, I* 
 
 ON THE PROSPECT OF SEEING THE CATHEDRAL 
 COMPLETED, 1886. 
 
 THROUGH many tribulations must we go 
 Before to Heaven's high kingdom we attain : 
 Nor must our feet reluctantly disdain 
 
 To tread the footsteps of our Master's woe. 
 
 By this the patient Church was taught to grow : 
 Through many griefs her upward path hath lain : 
 Nor least in Scotia hath she suffered pain, 
 
 Deprest and to "a shadow's shade" brought low. 
 
 But see ! God breaks her Scottish gloom at last : 
 At His command the long black night departs 
 And the blue day returns. Awhile remain 
 
 To us, dear life ! for here approacheth fast 
 The gladness longed for by our prayerful hearts 
 The hope to see S. Ninian's full-grown Fane ! 
 
14 
 
 pertb Catbe&ral Sonnets, IRo, 2, 
 
 PRAYER FOR THE CATHEDRAL IN 1887. 
 
 PREVENT us, Lord, with Thy continual aid 
 In whatsoe'er we do : but chiefly now 
 Advance the work, for which full many a vow 
 
 Ascends to Thee. May offerings still be made 
 
 For Thy dear sake, until, securely laid, 
 We see the last stone on the topmost row 
 Of these Cathedral walls, that all may know 
 
 A debt of love has here to Thee been paid. 
 
 And let not sin make void our future hours 
 With empty rites, but kindle brightly here 
 In many souls the Faith's authentic flame. 
 
 Add here one more to Zion's own true towers : 
 O'er this new Fane shed grace so rich and clear 
 That it may spread the glory of Thy Name ! 
 
15 
 
 pettb Catbebral Sonnets, 1Fl<x 3, 
 
 BUILDING BEGUN, 1888. 
 
 IF 'tis enquired wherefore I tune my lyre 
 To these Cathedral songs, I proudly say 
 That, while I'm weaving thus my humble lay, 
 
 I see an end to which I would aspire. 
 
 For, though 'tis much that other men should tire 
 Body and mind throughout the livelong day ; 
 And, though 'tis much that they should give away 
 
 Their wealth to gain the end of our desire, 
 
 Yet is there left me one thing to fulfil, 
 
 One thing, which if it be beyond my skill, 
 Is yet a wise delight to have essayed : 
 
 I fain would leave a message to proclaim, 
 
 When we shall only be a by-gone name, 
 
 With what deep joy were these foundations laid ! 
 
16 
 
 Ipettb Catbebral Sonnets, 1R<x 4* 
 
 A REPLY TO SANBALLAT, GESHEM, AND TOBIAH. 
 
 THERE are who view our dear emprise with scorn, 
 And, never guessing at our inward glow 
 Of love, demand sagaciously to know 
 
 How we shall fill this Church each holy morn, 
 
 When 'tis complete. But I have still forborne 
 To answer questions, which are seen to grow 
 From hearts whose stream of sympathy runs low 
 
 And would not rise, though we were left forlorn. 
 
 Since, when this growing Pile stands forth at length 
 A perfect whole, I hope perhaps that less 
 Shall \\efill it than it shall wondrously 
 
 Fill us with sense of soul-subduing strength ; 
 Fill us with sense of sacred loveliness ; 
 Fill us with sense of God's own Majesty ! 
 
17 
 
 pertb Catbe&ral Sonnets, 1R<x 5* 
 
 ON SEEING THE MASONS AT WORK, 1888. 
 
 BESIDE the Minsters of the South, 'tis true, 
 As fits the Northern Church of our small isle, 
 A Church all strange to this world's friendly smile, 
 
 Thou wilt seem slight, when strangers come to view. 
 
 Nor will thy walls be rich with age's hue, 
 
 Nor kings bedeck thee with their gorgeous style, 
 Nor ancient memories hang round each aisle, 
 
 But thou wilt be unhistoried and new. 
 
 Yet, though in many a way thoul't be surpassed, 
 Let all the coming generations know 
 That thou'rt the birth of fervent Christian prayer ; 
 
 Thy goodly columns, tall as some ship's mast, l 
 Are traced by Christian hands and, as they grow, 
 Our hearts rise with them through the upper air ! 
 
 1 The western arch is to be 40 feet high. 
 
18 
 
 pertb Catbe&ral Sonnets, 1R<x 6. 
 
 SUGGESTED BY THE VERY REV, THE PROVOSTS ILLNESS. 
 
 DELIGHTFUL task, indeed, to watch the hand 
 Of sturdy craftsman ply the skilful steel, 
 Compelling so the shapeless stones to feel 
 
 The pressure of his powerful blows, and stand 
 
 New-formed and comely as his purpose planned ! 
 Delightful, too, as ever upwards steal 
 The rising walls, to note the builders seal 
 
 Each well-hewn block in its appointed band ! 
 
 But ah ! the pain, when we ourselves are stones ; 
 And the great Builder of the eternal Fane 
 Hews us and moulds us for its walls on high ! 
 
 His loving strokes are answered by our groans, 
 Until at last, the soul's new form made plain, 
 We joy to own our heavenly destiny! 
 
19 
 
 pettb Catbe&ral Sonnets, Ifto* 7. 
 
 WHILE WATCHING THE MASONS AT WORK, 1889. 
 
 A STRONG desire still moves me to behold 
 The slowly growing fabric day by day : 
 I love to haunt the spot, and dreamingly 
 
 Descry the finished vision all unrolled 
 
 Before my wistful eyes. Then uncontrolled 
 My sanguine fancy ranges on its way, 
 And sees the Church successfully essay 
 
 To don the glory which was hers of old. 
 
 And yet do I desire this thing aright ? 
 Is there no mingling wish that I may then 
 Win reflex glory from the triumph gained ? 
 
 Put this thought from me, Lord, and by Thy might 
 Make love of Church one with the love of men, 
 And of Thine Image in their souls contained ! 
 
20 
 
 Ipettb Catbebral Sonnets, mo. 8* 
 
 OUR POINT OF VIEW EXPLAINED TO POSTERITY. 1889. 
 
 REJOICED to see these holy walls arise, 
 In simple strains I sang my gratitude, 
 Proclaiming that, where once a circus stood, 
 
 This noble pile now points us to the skies. 
 
 Whereon methought, " Such words will breed surprise, 
 Perchance, in future minds to learn what food 
 For rapture lay in this Cathedral good, 
 
 Yet oft surpassed, where happier England lies." 
 
 But, if the next age chance to marvel so, 
 
 I judge they have no bitter cause to know 
 
 How deep the Church can fall through adverse fate ! 
 
 For, if they felt what crushed our fathers' heart, 
 
 They would not ask why, playing Jeshua's 1 part, 
 Our souls with humbler mercies grow elate ! 
 
 1 See Ezra iii. 2, 
 
SONNETS FROM THE FRENCH. 
 
23 
 
 Sonnets from tbe jfrencb, 1Ro* l. 
 
 LOVE AND SONG. 
 
 THERE are such depths of time ! The centuries 
 Are long a-dying, till it often seems 
 While multitudinous the throng that streams 
 
 Into the tomb that some great Empire's days 
 
 Grow endless : yet it also treads the ways 
 
 Of mortal things at last. And nought redeems 
 Each several life, howe'er with joy it teems, 
 
 From vanishing amid th' eternities. 
 
 So, while this first, fresh pulse of mutual love 
 Which shall endure though not unchanged remain- 
 Still makes my heart beat so deliciously 
 
 In wandering after thee, look ! now I prove 
 If even true-breathed song must strive in vain 
 To keep this month embalmed for thee and me ! 
 
24 
 
 Sonnets from tbe ffrencb, 1ft<x 2* 
 
 LOVE'S ENTRANCE. 
 
 I FANCIED that this Life was nothing more 
 Than dull and grey, with just a passing glance 
 Of pleasure-giving colour to enhance 
 
 The dimness of the robe it daily wore. 
 
 So, then, resignedly, but little store 
 Of hope I built on any future chance, 
 And with brave heart I said I must advance 
 
 Still learning year by year stern Duty's lore. 
 
 This wisdom let me keep only, whereas 
 To yield the world was then slight sacrifice, 
 'Twere now an offering richer through my tears : 
 
 For since I heard thy voice, the Earth, which was 
 Like to a harp with silent harmonies, 
 Resounds enchanting music in mine ears ! 
 
25 
 
 Sonnets from tbe jfrencb, mo* 3. 
 
 LOVE'S VICTORY. 
 
 THEREFORE I fear surrender, lest my love 
 
 Should break all bounds and quench the reasoning mind, 
 
 And lest I, turned thereby apostate, find 
 Thee idolised upon God's Throne above ! 
 And yet what saith S. John ? " For this there move 
 
 All fondnesses within the breast, and bind 
 
 Us each to each, that they may be refined 
 And give us power God's tenderness to prove." 
 Yea, " if our brethren please us not, then how 
 Can Christ be dear ? " And, if we do not know 
 
 True marriage love, how can we learn to be 
 The heavenly Bridegroom's bride ? So, therefore, now 
 Trusting in love, where'er it bid me go, 
 
 I yield my soul from henceforth unto thee ! 
 
26 
 
 Sonnets from tbe Jftencb, 1R<x 4, 
 
 "LOVES PATHOS." 
 
 AROUND, there lies th' unfathomed Universe : 
 And, threatening closest, the impatient sea 
 Of men, which, rolling on like Destiny, 
 
 O'erwhelms the weak and failing with its curse. 
 
 And there is Space, where unreached stars disperse 
 A waning light, which our eyes never see : 
 And Time, which has been one Eternity 
 
 And shall another be. And next, far worse, 
 
 Comes ruthless Death, who spares no one at all, 
 But from familiar Earth drives us at last 
 Forth into where no human bonds can reach. 
 
 And in the midst, ere yet God's sentence fall, 
 Before the words : " No more/' His lips have passed, 
 Your heart and mine are beating each on each ! 
 
27 
 
 Sonnets from tfoe 3Ftencb t 1R<x 5. 
 
 "LOV&S CROWN." 
 
 FRIENDS ask to-day wherefore I no more sing, 
 Nor for so long have sought to ease my heart, 
 Who strove erewhile to win by homely art 
 
 Those sweet reliefs harmonious numbers bring. 
 
 And 'twere enough to answer : " When the wing 
 Of thought is folded, how can one impart 
 To speech the needful, lofty sweep, or dart 
 
 To regions where the voice inspired will ring? " 
 
 But lo ! to thee the dearer cause Til tell 
 Why now no more old longings in me swell, 
 Nor wistful strivings force me into song. 
 
 For, since we left the Altar, every hour 
 Shews plainer that thy wedded love has power 
 To soothe the yearnings, which were once so strong 
 
MUSICAL SONNETS. 
 
31 
 
 /Ifousical Sonnets, IRo* I. 
 
 MUSIC AND I. 
 
 MOST like, when I must leave my home, this earth, 
 I'll fall from out men's thoughts, as does a stone 
 From out their sight when in the sea 'tis thrown ; 
 
 Or vanish like the smoke upon the hearth. 
 
 But, if unlikely chance should yet give birth 
 To future memories of my life, alone 
 I will not have them name me : let them own 
 
 Along with me mysterious Music's worth. 
 
 For we have lived so fondly, she and I, 
 So sweet her voice to me, I scarce can think 
 She'll charm another thus when I'm no more. 
 
 Ah, one Adagio ! l No need to try 
 And come more close upon the shining brink 
 Of Paradise, till God those bowers restore ! 
 
 1 j,e. that of Beethoven's Sonata, Op. 22, 
 
32 
 
 Sonnets, 1R<x 2, 
 
 MUSICAL SIGHT. 
 
 LOOK from this window : that which meets the eyes, 
 That City there, is Perth : in front the Tay 
 Glides through yon bridge upon its seaward way : 
 
 Beyond, in the far distance, mountains rise. 
 
 But now return and play those symphonies 
 I love so dearly, for, whene'er you play, 
 I seem to see the sunlight of a day 
 
 Whose pure, unearthly brightness never dies. 
 
 Yea, while I listen, viewing that fair scene, 
 I there discern what was quite hid before, 
 For lo ! the hills, the town upon the shore, 
 
 And that swift-flowing river, all have been 
 
 Transformed, and o'er them flit such radiant gleams 
 As surely danced on Eden's fourfold streams ! 
 
33 
 
 Sonnets, 1ft<x 3. 
 
 ON FIRST HEARING MUSIC BY CLEMENT1. 1 
 
 CLEMENTI ! I had never heard thy name 
 
 Spoken as one of those whose works would live 
 To gladden and to raise men's hearts and give 
 
 Thee lasting place within the book of Fame ! 
 
 But when from Haydn's brightest fancy came 
 
 More charming strains ? Did e'en Mozart e'er strive, 
 Great Master, more triumphantly to drive 
 
 The Muse to yield her richness to his claim ? 
 
 Nay, thou, too, in the realm of harmonies 
 Dost rule a king : in truth they had but dreamed, 
 That said mechanic rules were all thy store. 
 
 O ! never heard I sweeter sounds than these ! 
 While I sat listening in delight, it seemed 
 As if I could not be unhappy more. 
 
 1 Sonata Op : 34, No. I. 
 
34 
 
 Sonnets, 1R<x 4* 
 
 MENDELSSOHN. 
 
 ONCE, while the sun shone bright at summer's call 
 Over the ripening harvest fields, and made 
 New gladness in the woodland dells, I stayed, 
 
 A prisoner on my bed, apart from all. 
 
 Outside I watched a rose-tree on the wall 
 That ever by a gentle breeze was swayed, 
 For now the crimson 'neath the green was laid, 
 
 And now again the flower would foremost fall. 
 
 And I was somewhat sad, when on mine ear 
 There fell an air I loved of Mendelssohn, 
 The sweet, wild singing of one hid from sight 
 
 What was it ? Did there come a spirit near ? 
 Something there was that moved me in that tone, 
 And filled the things I looked on with strange light! 
 
35 
 
 /Ifousfcal Sonnets, IRo* 5. 
 
 MDME. N. NERUDA* AT A VIOLIN RECITAL. 
 
 'TIS common sense that men most widely prize ; 
 
 To hold the main chance fast is their loved aim ; 
 Who keeps his wits alert, they count him wise ; 
 
 Who watches not his time secures their blame. 
 And what am I, since so they fill my life 
 
 With all convenient comforts, to refuse 
 Due thanks to them who boldly face this strife, 
 
 This dreary business strife of gain or lose ? 
 Yet is Neruda nearer to my heart, 
 
 For, ere her bow hath touched the opening string, 
 And charmed us with the wonder of her art, 
 
 She has made known to me a welcome thing 
 Revealed this secret by that dreamy eye, 
 That her soul haunts a vision world on high ! 
 1 Now Lady Halte. 
 
ECCLESIASTICAL SONNETS. 
 
39 
 
 Ecclesiastical Sonnets, 1R<x 
 
 HIGH CHURCH. 
 
 WHEN I essayed the Low Church gospel plan, 
 I found no quiet for my anxious heart : 
 For, though they claimed the saving, heavenly art, 
 
 Their wordy converse savoured but of man. 
 
 And when I next to Broad professors ran, 
 Led by their specious promise at the start, 
 Erelong I sorrowed to have ta'en their part, 
 
 And sighed beneath a homeless wanderer's ban. 
 
 But, when amid the Catholic throng I kneel, 
 As they rejoice, whose cheeks with tears were wet, 
 What time one lost is welcomed back by them, 
 
 So pulses of a richer life I feel ; 
 Before me now the light of Heaven is set, 
 And, through the grave, the new Jerusalem ! 
 
40 
 
 Ecclesiastical Sonnets, Bo* 2* 
 
 RITUALISM. 
 
 To me, a child, my mother used to say, 
 
 What time we paused before the ruined wall 
 Of some dismantled Church, " See ! this we call 
 The glorious work of the Reformers' day." 
 Whereon my thoughts would wander far away ; 
 " Ah, yes ! " I'd sigh, " we know of Adam's fall 
 From Paradise, and I suppose we all 
 From these Cathedrals went once more astray." 
 And, as I could not doubt the primal sin, 
 So did I acquiesce in this new loss 
 
 Of the old Christian ritual's mystic powers. 
 But a dear hope has lately entered in 
 To Eden's new-born bliss we cannot cross, 
 But may that worship not again be ours ? 
 
41 
 
 Ecclesiastical Sonnets, IRo. 3. 
 
 ALTAR LIGHTS. 
 
 OUTSIDE upon the City's crowded streets, 
 
 And far beyond, o'er woods and meadows gay, 
 The sun, still climbing on his upward way, 
 
 The face of Nature with fresh brightness greets. 
 
 Why, then, is he who to this House retreats, 
 To worship Him who made the gladsome day, 
 Confronted by yon Altar tapers' ray, 
 
 Which powerlessly the glorious radiance meets ? 
 
 'Tis burning there to teach us that the light, 
 
 That falls upon our eyes' material sight, 
 Can never guide us to the world of Grace : 
 
 And as memorial of that other Sun, 
 
 Who from the highest Heavens His course hath run, 
 And in the Church assumes His mystic place. 
 
42 
 
 Ecclesiastical Sonnets, IRo, 4. 
 
 IN THE PULPIT. 
 
 THEY do not love the steep and upward road 
 
 Of Reason, but the easy talker's flow : 
 And, therefore, I their sluggish minds must goad, 
 
 Till, urged by Wisdom's thirst, they long to know. 
 They do not love th' austere simplicity 
 
 Of those, to whom the world's a passing scene : 
 And, therefore, must I cause my speech to be 
 
 Like his, who learns his heart from earth to wean. 
 They do not love to hear of mystic power 
 
 Conferred on few men for the many's sake : 
 And, therefore, I must oft recall that hour, 1 
 
 When o'er the Church elect Christ's Spirit brake. 
 O, Lord ! Thou bidst me play a lonely part, 
 Grant perseverance to my shrinking heart ! 
 
 1 See Acts ii. 
 
43 
 
 Ecclesiastical Sonnets, IWo. 5, 
 
 A COACH DRIVE THROUGH GLENCOE. 
 
 How diversely thy wilds affected each, 
 
 Glencoe! she, sitting farthest from my right, 
 Rejoiced not, as we drove, at any sight, 
 
 For freckling sunshine her fair cheeks would reach. 
 
 And one behind thus freed his soul in speech, 
 " A famous place for whisky stills ! " " In fight," 
 Another said, " Macdonald 'neath yon height 
 
 Slew all the Campbells venturing near his reach." 
 
 But, when I stood where fell Macdonald's clan 
 
 So foully slain, regret through my heart ran, 
 
 For force, I saw, was William's boasted strength : 
 
 And, ah ! his spirit from that fatal hour, 
 
 Regarding but success of earthly power, 
 
 Long vexed the Church through Scotland's breadth and 
 length 
 
44 
 
 Ecclesiastical Sonnets, 1R<x 6. 
 
 SUGGESTED BY THE ESTABLISHED AND FREE 
 ASSEMBLIES. 1889. 
 
 THOUGH I ne'er owned the Presbyterian's creed, 
 I grant it was belief downright and strong, 
 To which the hearts of Scotchmen did belong 
 
 And find an answer in it to their need. 
 
 But, now, behold them eager to be freed 
 
 From its demands ! See, thinking it a wrong 
 To sign their fathers' words, in num'rous throng 
 
 Revision of their Faith they have decreed ! 
 
 Unmoved I cannot stand and watch the frame 
 
 Of homely thought, that stood so long the same, 
 Dissolve and leave a void on every hand. 
 
 Hope does not leave me, but there comes a dread 
 
 Lest, that long-praised " Confession " having fled, 
 A race of doubters should perplex the land ! 
 
45 
 
 Ecclesiastical Sonnets, 1R<x 7, 
 
 ON THE CONSTANT APPOINTMENT OF STRANGERS TO 
 IMPORTANT SCOTCH LIVINGS. 
 
 WHEREFORE is this, my countrymen, that each, 
 High, vacant cure of souls in all our land, 
 In falling from a native pastor's hand, 
 
 Is filled by those, who o'er the Border reach ? 
 
 Wherefore is this/that, when we wish to preach 
 Against the modern, innovating band 
 And in the ancient paths to take our stand, 
 
 We talk to Scotland in a foreign speech ? 
 
 Ah ! give us homely voices with their skill 
 To fire the silent, fervid, northern heart, 
 Restoring thus the Church's rule at length ! 
 
 Yet faint not, brothers, for God works His Will, 
 Not by astuteness of poor, human art, 
 But by our weakness loves to shew His strength ! 
 
SONNETS OF NATURE. 
 
49 
 
 Sonnets of mature, 1Ro, I, 
 
 BLINDNESS AND VISION. 
 
 SAY whence is this, that no new quickening thought 
 
 Has stirred for months the deadness of my brain 
 
 To inspiration, but along the plain, 
 Dull road of commonplace my mind has wrought ? 
 Why now does Nature shew herself as nought, 
 
 And darling Music play to me in vain ? 
 
 Why comes there now from Life nor joy nor pain ? 
 Ah, why have I in vain their secrets sought ? 
 Nay rather, whence is this that, by no will 
 Of mine at all, sometimes a common thing 
 
 Transforms itself before me, though I miss 
 The point of change, and, while I watch in still 
 And silent expectation wondering, 
 
 Puts on a glory tell me, whence is this ? 
 
50 
 
 Sonnets of Mature, Bo, 2, 
 
 A MESSAGE FROM THE OCEAN. 
 
 I STOOD upon a Scottish mountain top 
 To-day : far off upon th' horizon's bound 
 Ocean appeared, seen dim from one high mound, 
 
 Where lonely Nature spread her stunted crop 
 
 Of bush and grass. Awhile I chose to stop, 
 When, lo ! a sea-gull winged its way and found 
 That inland spot : I saw it view the ground, 
 
 And to the earth with the waves' message drop. 
 
 Then low I spake : " E'en so it is with me ; 
 I, too, am girdled by the boundless main 
 Of God's infinity : to me has come 
 
 A message from my strange encircling sea 
 At times and stirred the pulses of my brain : 
 Then, though I feel, words fail and I am dumb ! " 
 
51 
 
 Sonnets of mature, Wo* 3. 
 
 LOTUS-EATING. 
 
 SOME men are born for striving not for rest : 
 
 Their only joy is, when, amid the play 
 
 And stress of human action in their way, 
 They seize with forceful wills what they love best. 
 Not such am I, for it must be confessed, 
 
 Though Conscience makes me toll to Labour pay, 
 
 That vague forebodings of the final day 
 About to dawn unnerve my human breast. 
 So here I lie full-stretched as one, who flees 
 
 The cares that perish : and my heart finds home, 
 For, while there breathe these whisperings from the trees, 
 
 And June's sun warms the winds that past me roam, 
 Lo ! 1 discern what he, who toils, ne'er sees 
 
 Elysian visions through my closed eyes come ! 
 
52 
 
 Sonnets of mature, IRo* 4, 
 
 AUTUMN. 
 
 Lo ! Autumn once again ! The verdant leaves 
 
 Wax golden now : the robins have begun 
 To whistle their sweet song, and the dry sheaves 
 
 Are carried home beneath a waning sun. 
 Angels, indeed, unvexed by mortal woes, 
 
 Not burdened by our father's primal doom, 
 Natures, in whom Life's quickening current flows, 
 
 May love the Spring with its vivacious bloom ; 
 But we, not wholly from th' old Adam passed, 
 
 Our freshness through his error marred and gone, 
 Place thee, pale Autumn, in our love not last, 
 
 Who comest bringing fruits of labour won. 
 That saffron sky behind yon purple hill 
 Seems like a sphere of peaceful rest from ill ! 
 
53 
 
 Sonnets of mature, IFUx 5* 
 
 IN THE ROMAN AMPHITHEATRE A1 FREJUS. 
 
 THE days of Latium's power are passed away, 
 And regions where Barbarians had their home, 
 The subjects of the mighty mistress, Rome, 
 
 Now rule the world succeeding to her sway. 
 
 But still in fancy in that far-off day 
 
 We join that vanished People : now we come 
 To hear great Cicero speak resistance dumb, 
 
 Now follow Horace down the " Sacred Way." 
 
 And can it be these are the very walls 
 They built ? Are these the tiers, whereon their bands 
 Would sit beholding in the years long fled ? 
 
 Where are they now, whose silent voice still calls 
 Across the ages in their ancient lands ? 
 Hark ! God replies, " They live whom men call dead." 
 
EPISTOLARY SONNETS. 
 
57 
 
 Epistolary Sonnets, IRo* l* 
 
 TO THE BISHOP OF S. ANDREWS, 
 
 On receiving a Volume of his Latin Versions from the 
 
 " Christian Year" 
 
 RIGHT REVEREND FATHER, in the times of yore 
 Men laboured for what philosophic charm 
 Would turn all things to gold. And so did harm 
 
 To their own higher selves, thus to explore 
 
 For earthly wealth and scorn the deeper lore, 
 
 The mystic power, which nerves the Church's arm 
 To spoil the world and, to her foes' alarm, 
 
 Transform its treasures for her wondrous store. 
 
 But thou hast ta'en the heathen verse of old, 
 And by thy potent spell hast driven away 
 The pagan from it, so that here to-day 
 
 All changed I find it into Christian gold ! 
 Horace I may forget ; but these your lays 
 Will often lead my thoughts in heavenly ways ! 
 
58 
 
 jptetoiat Sonnets, 1ft<x 2, 
 
 TO HIS FAMILY ON THE DEATH OF THE VERY REV. 
 PROVOST BURTON. 
 
 WHILE we are fresh upon our destined way, 
 We note the things about us and suppose 
 That they will be our world until the close, 
 
 Still growing dearer to us day by day. 
 
 But life's not so : it will not always stay 
 As it began, for quite away it throws 
 Its sweet, familiar moods and coldly shews 
 
 Its face all strange before us, suddenly. 
 
 Ah, then ! what chill creeps o'er our wounded heart ! 
 We weep to feel how we are left alone 
 And treasures gone, which never can return ! 
 
 But, Lord, this change Thou makest is the art, 
 By which Thoud'st teach our love to be full-grown ; 
 At first for Earth and then for Heaven to burn ! 
 
59 
 
 Epistolary Sonnets, ifto, 3* 
 
 ON BEING ASKED TO CONTRIBUTE TO A LITERARY 
 SOCIETY. 
 
 You ask me, Lady, " to supply a tale, 
 Or verse, or simple essay of my own 
 Once every month, which must be plainly shewn 
 
 To stand your critic's censure without fail." 
 
 This fond request might easily prevail, 
 For sweet I surely deem it to have thrown 
 Ignoble cares away and only known 
 
 How other joys before the Muses pale, 
 
 But, ah ! Parnassus' dear companionship 
 Is not for me : far humbler is my fate; 
 Parochial details all my mind must fill. 
 
 And yet, I trust, if so there past me slip 
 Earth's lofty joys, then surely soon or late 
 I'll learn that meekness is exalted still ! 
 
SONNETS OF THE INNER LIFE. 
 
63 
 
 Sonnets of tbe Snner xtfe, mo* I. 
 
 THE GREAT REBELLION. 
 
 THE Greeks of yore told how a monstrous race, 
 The earth-born Titans, 'gainst high Zeus rebelled, 
 And, with such lawlessness their fury swelled, 
 
 They rolled the very mountains from their place 
 
 And piled them up, that they might reach the face 
 Of Him, whom impiously they would have quelled : 
 But He their hosts with His dread thunder felled 
 
 And dashed them down to Tartarus' utmost base. 
 
 Still in our days this wild revolt is waged : 
 Yet are there souls intoxicate with pride, 
 Who will not bow themselves beneath God's yoke. 
 
 But, while they madly war, with Thee enraged, 
 Lord, whelm them with Thine overpowering tide; 
 Let Love defeat them with His magic stroke ! 
 
64 
 
 Sonnets of tbe Snner OLffe, IRo, 2, 
 
 " EXPERIENTIA DOCET." 
 
 FIRST came the years of childhood, when my soul, 
 And not my body only, from the care 
 Of others drew support and learnt to wear 
 
 As its own dress what they'd for me unroll. 
 
 But, when my manhood opened, then this whole 
 Dependence vanished and (as one must dare 
 The billows of the Ocean, if they tear 
 
 His bark asunder), I must now control 
 
 The restless waves of doubt. And, oh ! the pain, 
 When first I sank beneath the flood and thought 
 My spirit was engulfed ! But now I see 
 
 That God knew well the forceful plunge would train 
 My opening mind to grasp, what first was taught, 
 No longer as a child but manfully ! 
 
65 
 
 Sonnets of tbe Jnner Xffe, Bo. 3. 
 
 LIFE'S LESSON. 
 
 WHY do we fix our hearts upon what dies, 
 
 Upon a world we know must pass away ? 
 
 Why let it bind us closer every day, 
 While deep within our inmost being lies 
 A void, which nothing mortal satisfies, 
 
 But only Love that with us firm will stay 
 
 Whether in joy or in adversity, 
 And which outlasts the firmest human ties ? 
 Then pass we by all earthly wealth and strength, 
 (Not as men scorning the good gifts of God, 
 
 But lest our hearts should cleave to things below,) 
 Till Life's great lesson we have learnt at length, 
 To welcome e'en the chastening of His rod 
 
 And in His Love our longed-for rest to know ! 
 
Sonnets of tbe Jnnet 3Life, Ifto* 4, 
 
 IN A MOMENT OF DISCOURAGEMENT. 
 
 'TIS not because, as an invited guest 
 
 At social festival, I fail to shine 
 In brilliant converse : nor because I rest 
 
 Ungraced by any public honour's sign : 
 But 'tis because the patient toil of years, 
 
 That scorned to lean on self-advertisement, 
 And valued less the manner that appears, 
 
 Than inward worth, receives discouragement : 
 5 Tis this that makes me sadly to exclaim, 
 
 " Is, therefore, honest labour all for nought, 
 And Modesty indeed a worthless name ? 
 
 And must success by coarse display be bought ? ' 
 O, Christ ! preserve simplicity in me, 
 The single eye that looketh unto Thee ! 
 
67 
 
 Sonnets of tbe Snner OLife, Bo. 5, 
 
 " BLESSED ARE THE 
 
 Tis not the men who masterful repose 
 Upon th' unyielding boldness of their wills 
 And ruthless clear away whatever fills 
 
 The space they wish, to whom my love overflows. 
 
 Rather my heart with gratitude then glows 
 When Jolly's 1 story meek my spirit stills ; 
 When Williams 2 sings amid Menevia's hills, 
 
 And Keble chants the gentle lays he knows. 
 
 'Tis true that from the first it is not right 
 
 To keep back thanks, since oftentimes they fight 
 The world with its own weapons to my gain, 
 
 But, lowly souls, ye bring a dearer gift ; 
 
 At your soft touch earth's cloudy vapours lift 
 And from above, lo ! Zion's splendours rain ! 
 
 1 Bishop of Moray, 1798-1838. 
 
 2 Isaac Williams, author of " The Cathedral " and other poems. 
 
68 
 
 Sonnets of tbe Snner Xffe, IFlo. 6. 
 
 ON READING THE "CONFESSIONS" OF S. AUGUSTINE. 
 
 THERE are dull, groping minds of men still pleased 
 To rest in empty nothings of the earth, 
 Vain, useless shows, scarce fit to stir the mirth 
 
 Of schoolboys from their books awhile released. 
 
 Yea, sadder still, souls are there so diseased 
 
 As draw delight from viewing some strange birth 
 Of Sin and find those courses nothing worth, 
 
 By which pure hearts most gratefully are eased. 
 
 But, as an eagle rises through the upper air, 
 The Saint, escaping these gross things beneath, 
 Soars up on sun-bathed pinions to the skies. 
 
 That I may follow him I breathe a prayer ! 
 
 O ! might I only die his righteous death ! 
 
 And if my latter end might be like his ! 
 
69 
 
 Sonnets of tbe Jnnet Xife, IRo, 7. 
 
 " IN THE WORLD BUT NOT OF IT." 
 
 JUDGE not, ye cowled monks, who have forsworn 
 To share again in pleasant, worldly ways : 
 Judge not, ye men of fashion, all whose days 
 
 Along enjoyment's stream are gaily borne : 
 
 Let these not mock, nor those begin to mourn 
 If one, who in God's temple duly prays, 
 'Mid sports and merry laughter often stays 
 
 And to be lightsome shews no sign of scorn. 
 
 Judge not ! for how can ye, from whom his heart 
 Is hid, presume to know at all what there 
 He meditates ? What if, for Christ's own sake 
 
 He's playing thus the self-denier's part, 
 Desiring rather (though he quells the prayer), 
 'Mid contemplation's bowers his rest to take ? 
 
70 
 
 Sonnets of tbe Snner xtfe, iRo, 8* 
 
 MY AMBITION. 
 
 WHEN I have tried from wasteful sloth to rise, 
 Afraid lest all my life should pass for nought, 
 And when to do some fruitful act I've sought, 
 The World has spread her charms before mine eyes 
 And " Lo ! walk in th' aspiring steps," she cries, 
 " Of those who, by my long experience taught, 
 Resounding glory to themselves have bought 
 And found my favour their sufficient prize ! " 
 But, when I hear these promises of Earth, 
 I doubt the source whence they derive their worth, 
 
 And thus, with other hopes inspired, I pray : 
 " Lord, take some little word or deed of mine 
 And through it cause Thy radiant beams to shine, 
 To aid a brother on his heavenward way ! " 
 
Sonnets of tbe Snner %ife, ifto* 0* 
 
 ON ENTERING My THIRTY-THIRD YEAR. 
 
 WHEN I consider how the fleeting years 
 
 Have borne me onwards to the middle stage 
 Of human life, till mine is now the age 
 
 When, if at all, the World our voices hears, 
 
 A longing well-nigh forces me to tears, 
 
 That I may write my name upon some page, 
 Which shall the thoughts of future men engage 
 
 What time my form no more on earth appears. 
 
 Then comes a new desire, " Let them forget," 
 
 I cry, " that I have ever been, and let 
 
 My days be henceforth hidden and obscure, 
 
 If only, when my spirit flits away, 
 
 The waiting souls in Paradise may say, 
 
 'Here thou hast won a fame both fair and sure