"She IJottseltalJ) ^reasurg ot (English c. ; Morley, English Writers; James Hannay, A Course of English Literature ; Carlyle, Miscellaneous Essays; Professor Wilson, Recreations of Christopher North, and Essays; Leigh Hunt, The In- dicator, The Seer, and Men, Women, and Books; J. Hain Friswell, Essays on English Writers; E. S. Dallas, The Gay Science; Sir Egerton Brydges, Censura Literaria; Guesses at Truth, by the brothers Julius and Augustus Hare; Sir F. H. Doyle, Lectures on Poetry; and Arthur Helps, Friends in Council. Admirable monographs on our great poets frequently appear in the leading Reviews, as the Edinburgh, Quarterly, Westminster, North British, and British and Foreign ; and in some of the principal weeklies, The Spectator, Saturday Review, A thenceum, &c. PART I. FROM JOHN BARBOUR, A.D. 1316, TO SIR JOHN DENHAM, A.D. 1668. John gatbotnr, A.D. 13161395. [Life, in Irving's Lives of the Scottish Poets: see also his poem of The Brus, published by the Spalding Club.] THE BATTLE OF BANNOCKBURN, fltarffrtg (Ehaurtr, A.D. 13281400. [For Life, see Tod, Godwin, Sir Harris Nicolas, Singer, Craik's English Literature, Morley's English Writers.} THE GOOD PARSON, Jam*0 I., at rotlanb, A.D. 13741437. [For Life, see J. Hill Burton's History of Scotland.} A GARDEN, BBUliam gnnbar, A.D. 14651530. ung : see also Warton's / GOOD GIVING AND ILL GIVING, [Life, by Laing : see also Alexander Smith's Dreamthorpe ; Warton's History of Poetry.} ir. ^tomtas SHnatt, A.D. 15031542. [Life, by Dr. Nott and Robert Bell.] PLEASURE BLENDS WITH EVERY PAIN, . . fc, (Earl of nvct^, A.D. 15171546-47. [Life, in Froude's History of England.] THE HAPPY SEASON OF LIFE, .. CONTENTS. (idirantb ptt0r, A.D. 15531599. [Life, by Dr. Todd, Rev. J. Mitford, and J. P. Collier.] UNA AND THE LION, .. .. .. .. .. xx ENCHANTED Music, .. .. .. .. .. ...14 MAY, .. .. .. .. .. .. .. -.15 SSlotion, A.D. 1568 1639. [Life, by Izaak Walton.] A HAPPY LIFE, .. .. .. .. .. .-44 CONTENTS. en Jaitsmt, A.D. 15741637. [Life, by William Gifford, and B. W. Procter.] STARS AND FLOWERS, .. .. .. .-45 To CYNTHIA THE MOON, .. .... 46 LIFE AND DEATH, .. .. 47 ROBIN GOODFELLOW (authorship doubtful], .. . . 47 erl>t, A - D - *593 l6 3 2 - {.Life, by Izaak Walton.] A VIRTUOUS SOUL, .. .. -.50 Thomas (Earato, A.D. 15891639. [See Hallam's History of Literature, and Chalmers' British Poets.] WOMAN'S TRUE BEAUTY, . . . . . . . . 50 Hebster, A.D. 15851654. [Life, see Rev. A. Dyce's edition of his Plays ; Hazlitt's Lec- tures on the Elizabethan Dramatists.] A LAND DIRGE, .. ..51 A.D. 16881744. [Life, by W. Lisle Bowles, William Roscoe, and R. Carruthers : see Professor Craik's English Literature and Rev. C. King- sley's Miscellanies] A CHARACTER : THE PHILANTHROPIST, .. .. .. ..87 A FOREST SCENE, .. .. .. .. .. ..89 Thomson, A.D. 1700 1748. [Life, by Dr. Murdock, and Sir Harris Nicolas : see Professor Wilson's Recreations of Christopher North.] THE CARAVAN IN THE DESERT, .. .. .. ..91 RULE BRITANNIA, .. .. .. .. .. "93 Johnson, A.D. 17091784. ell, and Sir J. Hawkins : see ' cellanies and Hero- Worship.} A ROYAL MADMAN : CHARLES XII. OF SWEDEN, .. .. 94 [Life, by James Boswell, and Sir J. Hawkins : see Thomas Car- lyle's Miscellanies and Hero-Worship.] Thomas rag, A.D. 17161771. [Life, by Dr. Mitford, and Rev. W. Mason.] ODE TO THE SPRING, .. .. .. .. .. 95 SJSlilliam (SLollins, A.D. 17201756. [Life, by Dr. Johnson, Rev. A. Dyce, and Moy Thomas.] AN EPITAPH FOR HEROIC WARRIORS, .. HASSAN ; OR, THE CAMEL-DRIVER, CONTENTS. 15 librr (SoUiamith, A.D. 1728 1774. [Life, by Prior, Washington Irving, Sir W. Scott, and John Forster : see De Quincey's Miscellanies.} ENGLISH COUNTRY LIFE: THE VILLAGE SCHOOLMASTER AND THE VILLAGE INN, Ootoper, A.D. 17311800. [Life, by Hayley, Southey, Grimshawe, and Sir Harris Nicolas.] BOADICEA, .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 104 THE SOLITUDE OF ALEXANDER SELKIRK, .. .. ..107 Loss OF THE ROYAL GEORGE, .. .. .. .. .. 109 A WINTER EVENING, .. .. .. .. .. .. in BBiUiam Jfalonur, A.D. 17321770. [Life, by Robert Carruthers.] THE SHORES OP GREECE, .. .. .. .. ..115 $nrn0, A.D. 17541796. [Life, by James Currie, J. G. Lockhart, Allan Cunningham, Pro- fessor Wilson, Thomas Carlyle, Rev. P. Hately Waddell, and Alexander Smith.] DOMESTIC HAPPINESS, .. .. .. .. .. .. 121 THE PEASANT'S EVENING PRAYER, .. .. .. ..121 To A MOUNTAIN DAISY, .. .. .. .. ..124 SBilliam $lakr, A.D. 17571827. xander Gilchrist, and Algernon S\\ Quarterly Review, voL cxvii.] THE TIGER, .. .. .. .. .. .. ..126 [Life, by Alexander Gilchrist, and Algernon Swinburne : see Quarterly Review, voL cxvii.] Craiibe, A.D. 17541832. [Life, by his Son : see Lord Jeffrey's Essays, and St. James* Magazine, February 1869.] THE DYING SAILOR, .. .. .. .. .. .. 127 Joanna gaillir, A.D. 17621851. [See Life, prefixed to Dramatic Works, edition 1853.] A SAILOR'S SONG, .. .. .. .. .. .. 129 A SERENADE, .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 130 1 6 CONTENTS. tffl*rs, A.D. 17631855. [See his Recollections; Hay ward's and Lord Jeffrey's Essays,} A WISH, .. .. .. -.132 GlNEVRA, .. .. .. 133 J. A - D - 1770 18 35- [Life, by Professor Wilson.] THE SKYLARK, .. .. .. .. .. ..136 iv SEatU* (Scott, A.D. 17711832. [Life, by J. G. Lockhart : see Lord Jeffrey's Essays; Carlyle's Miscellanies; F. T. Palgrave, Globe Edition of Scott.} MELROSE ABBEY, .. .. .. .. .. .. 137 THE QUARREL BETWEEN MARMION AND THE DOUGLAS, .. 139 Jfamttel fSL&vlov Ctflerib&e, A.D. 17721834. [Life, by Oilman : see De Quincey's Works, Hazlitt's Lectures on Poetry, Professor Shairp's Studies in Poetry and Philo- sophy, and Quarterly Review for 1868.] THE ALBATROSS, .. .. .. .. .. ..142 THE BEST PRAYER, .. .. .. .. .. .. 143 A.D. 17701850. [Life, by Canon Wordsworth, and Rev. Paxton Hood : see also De Quincey's Works, Hazlitt's Lectures, George Brimley's Essays, Professor Shairp's Studies in Poetry and Philo- sophy, and Rev. F. W. Robertson's Lectures and Addresses.} A PERFECT WOMAN, .. .. .. .. .. -.144 THE DANISH BOY, .. .. .. .. .. ..145 THE FOUNTAIN, .. .. .. ... .. .. 147 WE ARE SEVEN, .. .. .. .. .. ..150 To THE DAISY, .. .. .. .. .. ..152 To A BUTTERFLY, .. .. .. .. .. .. 154 THE REDBREAST AND THE BUTTERFLY, .. . -.155 To THE SMALL CELANDINE, .. .. .. .. .. 158 SIMON LEE THE OLD HUNTSMAN, .. .. .. .. 160 QL&mybeU, A.D. 17771844. [Life, by Dr. Beattie : see also Lord Jeffrey's Essays.} LORD ULLIN'S DAUGHTER, .. .. .. .. ..164 BATTLE OF THE BALTIC, . . . . . . . . . . 166 MEN OF ENGLAND, .. .. .. .. .. ..169 CONTENTS. 1 7 HOHENLINDEN, .. .. .. .. .. .. 170 To THE RAINBOW, .. .. .. .. .. ..171 <|Bxmt(niurp, A.D. 1771 1854. [Life, by Holland and Everett : see also Lord Jeffrey's Essays."] THE AURORA BOREALIS, .. .. .. .. ..174 llumtas Loott, A.D. 1779 l8 5 a - {Life, by Earl Russell: see Hazlitt's Lectures, and Lord Jeffrey's Essays.} THE MINSTREL BOY, .. .. .. .. .. ..176 REMEMBRANCE, .. .. .. .. .. ..176 $tmt, A.D. 17841859. [See his Autobiography and Letters, edited by his Son.] SUMMER, .. .. .. .. .. .. -.177 ABOU-BEN-ADHEM, .. .. .. .. .. .. 179 THE GLOVE AND THE LIONS, .. .. .. .. .. 180 ! $irlu gHhifr, A.D. 17851806. {Life, by Robert Southey, and Sir Harris Nicolas.] THE CITIES OF THE PAST, .. .. .. .. .. 181 4Un Cunningham, A.D. 17851843. [See edition of Poems, 1847.] A SEA-SONG, .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 182 fi, A.D. 17741843. {Life, by Caroline Southey, and C. T. Browne.] THE HOLLY-TREE, .. .. .. .. .. ..184 BISHOP BRUNO, .. .. . .. .. ..185 A MOONLIGHT NIGHT, .. .. .. .. .. .. 188 HENRY V. AND THE HERMIT OF DREUX, .. .. ..189 A.D. 17881824. Jeffrey's Essays, Professor Wilson's Recreations, &c.] NAPOLEON BONAPARTE, .. .. .. .. .. 193 NIGHT BEFORE THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO, .. .. ..195 1 8 CONTENTS. e, A.D. 17911823. THE BURIAL OF SIR JOHN MOORE, fi* A.D. 17921824. [Life, by Hogg, Captain Medwin, Trelawney, and Mrs. Shelley.] To THE NIGHT, .. .. .. .. .. .. 199 THE CLOUD, .. .. .. .. .. .. ..201 To A SKYLARK, .. .. .. .. .. ..204 Jftrs. Jfflicta itoraifua; ^emmte, A.D. 17931835. [Life, by H. F. Chorley : see also Professor Wilson's Recrea- tions and Lord Jeffrey's Essays.] IVAN THE CZAR, .. .. .. .. .. .. 209 HENRY I. AFTER THE DEATH OF HIS SON, .. .. .. 212 THE LANDING OF THE PILGRIM FATHERS IN NEW ENGLAND, .. 213 COZUR DE LlON AT THE BlER OF HIS FATHER,.. .. .. 215 THE VOICE OF SPRING, .. .. .. .. ..219 SEiilram J&xtlwrhtfU, A.D. 17971835. [Life, by M'Conochy.] FACTS FROM FAIRYLAND, Jahtt Uat0, A.D. 1796 1821. [Life, by Lord Houghton : see also Lord Jeffrey's Essays, Thomas De Quincey's Works, Hazlitt's Lectures, Leigh Hunt's Imagination and Fancy, and Professor Craik's Eng- lish Literature.] ROBIN HOOD, ., .. .. .. .. .. .. 223 w, A.D. 18001859. [Life, by Rev. F. Arnold : see J. Hutchinson Stirling's Essays] THE SPANISH ARMADA, .. .. .. .. ..229 THE BATTLE OF IVRY, .. .. ., .. ..231 iitia: ftliztibeth U&ttban (B>*8. 9 179 164 347 28 349 341 142 234 80 42 155 176 150 329 259 4 226 338 182 332 74 287 101 268 145 302 136 185 9i 244 87 24 INDEX OF FIRST LINES. Call for a robin redbreast, and the wren, Webster, .. 5i Calm is now that stormy water, Trench, . . . 280 Cheeks as soft as July peaches, Bennett, .. . 310 Clink ! clink ! clink ! goes our windlass, A llingham, 3i9 Come forth, come forth, the gentle Spring, . . Jonson, 45 Come, sleep, O sleep, the certain knot of peace, Sidney, . . IS Come unto these yellow sands, Shakspeare, 3i . Death, be not proud, though some have called thee, Donne, 339 Early in spring time, on raw and windy mornings, Kingsley, . . 304 Eftsoons they heard a most melodious sound, . . Spenser, . . 14 Even in a palace, life may be led well, M. Arnold, 359 Fair daffodils, we weep to see, Herrick, . . . 56* Fair pledges of a fruitful tree, Herrick, . . 54 Fair stood the wind for France, Dray ton, .. 37 Fame is the spur that the clear spirit doth raise, Milton, . . . 64 Fear no more the heat of the sun, Shakspeare, 33 For who did ever yet in honour, wealth, Davies, 42 Full fathom five thy father lies, Shakspeare, 25 Full many a glorious morning have I seen, Shakspeare t 27 Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, Herrick, .. 55 Give me my scallop-shell of quiet, Raleigh, . . . 19 Go, soul, the body's guest, Raleigh, .. 20 Good-bye, good-bye to Summer, Allingham, 317 Green little vaulter on the sunny grass, Leigh Hunt, 346 Hail to thee, blithe Spirit ! Shelley, .. . 204 Half a league, half a league, Tennyson, 2 93 Happy insect I what can be, Cowley, . . 74 Hark, hark ! the lark at heaven's gate sings, . . Shakspeare, 27 He called his friend, and prefaced with a sigh, . . Crabbe, . . . 127 He comes he comes the frost spirit comes ! . . Whittier, . 285 He passed unquestioned through the camp, Southey, . . . 189 He prayeth best who loveth best, Coleridge, M3 He sat in silence on the ground, Mrs. Hemans, . . 209 He that loves a rosy cheek, Carew, 50 Head the ship for England ! Allingham, . 320 Hearken, thou craggy ocean-pyramid, Keats, 347 Her chariot ready strait is made, Dray ton, . . 35 Her supple breast thrills out, Crashaw, . . 77 His courtiers of the Caliph crave, Trench, . . 281 How beautiful is night ! Soidhey, . . T88 INDEX OF FIRST LINES. 25 Shakspeart, 32 How gallantly, how merrily, Procter, .. 255 How happy is he born and taught, Wotton, .. 44 How pleasant the life of a bird must be, . . Howitt, 263 How sleep the brave who sink to rest, . . Collins, .. 98 How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank ! Shakspeare, 26 How sweet the tuneful bells responsive peal, . . Bowles, - .. 344 I am coming, I am coming ! Howitt 265 I am monarch of all I survey, Cowper, 107 I bring fresh showers for the thirsting flowers, . . Shelley 201 I come, I come ! ye have called me long, Hemans, .. 2I 9 I had a message to send her, A. A. Procter, .. 246 I saw the little boy, Surrey, . . 9 I sprang to the stirrup, and Joris, and he, R. Browning, .. 298 I thought once how Theocritus had sung, E. B. Browning, 349 I've watched you now a full half-hour, Wordsworth, . . 154 If thou shouldst ever come by choice or chance, Rogers, 133 If thou wouldst view fair Melrose aright, Scott, 137 Immortal Athens first, in ruin spread, Falconer, .. "5 In her ear he whispers gaily, Tennyson, 288 In schools of wisdom all the day was spent, Trench, 283 In silent horror, o'er the boundless waste, Collins, .. 98 In the hollow tree, in the gray old tower, Procter, 257 In the sweet shire of Cardigan, Wordsworth, . . 160 In vain to me the smiling mornings shine, Gray, 340 Into the sunshine, Loivell, .. 307 It is a beauteous evening, calm and free, Wordsworth. 34' It is a glorious tale to tell, Massey, 3i5 It was a roundel seated on a plain, Browne, 53 It was Earl Haldan's daughter, .. Kingsley, 306 It was the point of noon, Tennyson, 295 It was the schooner Hesperus, Longfellow, 273 King Francis was a hearty king, Leigh Hunt, 180 Last night, among his fellow roughs, Doyle 327 Like the falling of a star, King, 56 Lips, lips, open ! Clough, , . 241 Little Ellie sits alone, 2 3S Little White Lily, Mac Donald, 312 Lo, here the gentle lark, weary of rest, Shakspeare, 27 Lo ! where the rosy-bosomed hours, Gray, 95 Look how the flower which lingeringly doth fade, Drummond, 337 Look how the lark soars upward and is gone, . . Hood, 348 26 INDEX OF FIRST LINES. Man is his own star, and the soul that can, Fletcher, .. 44 Men of England ! who inherit, Campbell, 169 Methinks I see great Diocletian walk, Cowley, 73 'Mid the cloud-enshrouded haze, R. Buchanan, . . 324 Midnight hath told his hour ; the moon, yet young, Montgomery, 174 Mine be a cot beside the hill, Rogers, 132 More swift than lightning can I fly, Ben Jonson, 47 My eye, descending from the Hill, surveys, Denham, . . 69 My fairest child, I have no song to give you, . . Kingsley, .. 3<>7 My little boy, with pale round cheeks, Mac Donald, 3i4 Nature, that formed us of four elements, Marlowe, 17 No ! those days are gone away, Keats, 223 Not a drum was heard, not a funeral note, Wolfe, .. 198 Not far advariced was morning day, Scott, 139 Not proud Olympus yields a nobler sight, Pope, 89 Now glory to the Lord of Hosts, Macaulay, 231 Now stir the fire, and close the shutters fast, Cowper, in Now the bright morning star, day's harbinger, . . Milton, 62 Now was there made, fast by the Towris wall, . . James I.,.. 6 O fair mid-spring, besung so oft and oft, Morris, . . 335 O Rose, who dares to name thee ? E. B. Browning, 239 O thou, that with surpassing glory crowned, Milton, 64 O Winter, wilt thou never, never go, David Gray, 351 Of Nelson and the North, Campbell, 166 Oh, how much more doth beauty beauteous seem, Shakspeare, 336 Oh, Mary, go and call the cattle home, Kingsley, . . 303 Oh, reader ! hast thou ever stood to see, So^^they, . . 184 Oh, then, I see, Queen Mab hath been with you, Shakspeare, 30 Old Tubal Cain was a man of might, Mackay, 300 On Linden, when the sun was low, Campbell, 170 On the Sabbath day, Alex. Smith, .. 250 On what foundation stands the warrior's pride ? Johnson, .. 94 One day, nigh weary of the irksome way, Spenser, ii Pansies, lilies, kingcups, daisies, Wordsworth, 158 Peace, Freedom, Happiness, have loved to wait, Trench, 279 Queen and Huntress, chaste and fair, Jonson, 46 Say not, the struggle nought availeth, Clough, .. 240 See, the day begins to break, Fletcher, .. 43 She was a phantom of delight, Wordsworth, 144 So on he fares, and to the borders comes, Milton, .. 68 INDEX OF FIRST LINES. 27 Some gives for pride and glory vain, Dunbar, .. 7 Some of their chiefs were princes of the land, . . Dryden, .. 79 Spring, the sweet Spring, Nash, .. 18 Stone walls do not a prison make, Lovelace, .. 59 Straight mine eye hath caught new pleasures, . . Milton 59 Summer Moon, O summer Moon, R. Buchanan, .. 322 Sweet Day ! so cool, so calm, so bright, Herbert, .. 50 Swiftly walk over the western wave, Shelby, .. 199 The bark that held a prince went down, Hentans, .. 212 The breaking waves dashed high, He mans, 213 The cheerfu' supper done, wi' serious face, Burns, 121 The glories of our blood and state, Shirley 57 The green trees whispered low and mild, Longfellow, 272 The Minstrel Boy to the war is gone, Moore, 176 The months we used to read of, . . Leigh Hunt, 177 The Mountain and the Squirrel, Emerson, 242 The night is mother of the day, Whittier, 284 The poetry of earth is never dead, Keats, 346 The ports of death are sins ; of life, good deeds, Jon son, 47 The stormy March has come at last, Bryant, 261 The world is too much with us ; late and soon, . . Wordsworth, . . 343 Then came fair May, the fairest maid on ground, Spenser, .. IS There is a book who runs may read, Keble 249 There is a Reaper whose name is Death, Longfellow, 267- There was a sound of revelry by night, Byron, 195 Thine, Autumn, is unwelcome lore, Trench, 277 This is Moorish land, George Eliot, 333 This palace standeth in the air, Dray ton, .. 34 This royal throne of kings, this sceptered isle, .. Shakspeare, 29 Three fishers went sailing away to the west, Kingsley, 305 Thrice happy he who by some shady grove, Davenant, Si Thus were they bound on either side, Barbour, .. 3 Tiger, tiger, burning bright, Blake, .. 126 Time's glory is to calm contending kings, Shakspeare, 33 'Tis done but yesterday a king, Byron, 192 Toll for the brave ! Cowper, 109 To make a happy fireside clime, Burns, 121 To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow, Shakspeare, 30 Torches were blazing clear, Hentans, .. 215 Triumphal arch, that fuTst the sky, Campbell, I 7 I Under a spreading chestnut tree, Longfellow, 270 - Under the greenwood tree, Shakspeare, 23 Up ! quit thy bower ! late wears the hour, Joanna Baillie, . X3<> Upon a barren steep, Lytton, . . 262 28 INDEX OF FIRST LINES. Venomous thorns, that are so sharp and keen, . . Wyatt, . . . . g We talked with open heart and tongue, .. .. Wordsworth, .. 147 We waste, not use our time ; we breathe, not live, Young, . . . . 82 Wee, modest, crimson-tipped flower, .. .. Bitrns, .. .. 124 What bird so sings, yet so does wail ? . . . . Lylye, . . . . 16 What does little Birdie say ? . . . . . . Tennyson, . . 292 What needs my Shakspeare, . . . . . . Milton, . . . . 62 What was't awakened first the untried ear, . . H. Coleridge, . . 343 When Britain first, at Heaven's command, . . Thomson, . . 93 When icicles hang by the wall, . . . . . . Shakspeare, . . 24 When I hear the waters fretting, . . . . . . Ingelow, . . . . 326 When the British warrior queen, . . . . . . Coivper, . . . . 104 Where are the swallows fled ? A.A.Procter, .. 247 Where is Rome? Kirke White, .. 181 Where the remote Bermudas ride, . . . . Marvell, . . . . 75 While clouds on high are riding, . . . . . . Joanna Baillie, . . 129 With little here to do or see, . . . . . . Wordsworth, . . 152 Within a thick and spreading hawthorn bush, . . Clare, . . . . 345 Wouldst thou know of me, . . .. .. .. Motherwell, .. 221 Jfnb** .of marginal (Quotations. The figures indicate the pages ; and the figures within brackets the number of quotations from the same author occurring on any particular page. The date of birth and death is given of those authors who are not included in the Table of Contents. Addison, Joseph (author of " The Campaign," b. 1672 ; d. 1719), 21 ; 22. Akenside, Mark (author of "Pleasures of the Imagination/' b. 1721; d. 1770), 16 ; 247 ; 345 ; 347. Allingham, William, .308 ; 309 (3) ; 310(3). Arnold, Matthew, 333 (2) ; 334 ; 336. Bailey, Philip James (author of " Festus," b. 1816), 3 ; 9 ; 28 ; 56 ; 57. Baillie, Joanna, 292. Barbour, John (b. 1316 ; d. 1395}, 59. Barton, Bernard (b. 1784 ; d. 1849), 281. Beaumont, Francis (dramatist, b. 1586 ; d. 1616), 15. Blair, Robert (author of the " Grave," b. 1699; d. 1747), 165. P.owles, Rev. William Lisle (author of " Sonnets," . 1762 ; d. 1850), 76; 286. Browning, Elizabeth Barrett, 236 (3) ; 237 (2) ; 238 (2) ; 239 (4). Browning, Robert, 267 ; 298 ; 299 (4) ; 302 (3). Bryant, William Cullen (American poet, b. 1797), 249 (2) ; 287. Buchanan, Robert, 25. Burns, Robert, 121 (3) ; 122 (4) ; 123 (4) ; 124 (3) ; 125 (3) ; 227. Butler, Samuel, 229 ; 285. Byron, George Gordon Noel, Lord, 9; 14; 21; 32; 33; 47; 57; "o: 129 (2) ; 183 ; 194 (3) ; 195 (3) ; '9" W ; 197 (3) ; 198 (4) I 227 ; 234 ; 260 (3) ; 264 (2) ; 265 (2) ; 266 ; 345. Campbell, Thomas, 45 ; 94 (2) ; 129 ; 164 (3) ; 165 (2) ; 166 (4) ; 167 (4) ; 168 (2) ; 169 (3) ; 170 (2) ; 171 (3) ; 172 (3) ; 173 (3). Carew, Thomas, 18. Chaucer, Geoffrey, 4 ; 59. Chiuthill, Charles (author of the " Rosciad," b. 1731 ; d. 1764), 45 ; 240. Clough, Arthur Hugh, 115 ; 241 ; 242. Coleridge, Hartley (b. 1796 ; d. 1849), 286 ; 334, Coleridge, Samuel Taylor, 7 ; 10 ; 142 (3) ; 143 (3) ; 181 ; 230 ; 249 ; 255 ; 265 (2) ; 317 ; 319 I 346. Collins, William, 50 ; 98 (2) ; 99 (3) ; 100 (4). Cotton, Charles (b. 1630; d. 1687), 42; 44; 118; 183; 328. 3 O INDEX OF MA R GIN A L QUOTA TIONS. Cowley, Abraham, 20 ; 42 ; 73 (3) ; 74 (3) ; 75 (4) ; 117 ; 269 ; 278 ; 283 (3); 307 ; 340- Cowper, William, 13 ; 24 ; 29 ; 43 ; 53 (2) ; 59 ; 76 ; 104 ; 105 (4) ; 106 (4) ; 107 (3) ; 108 (3) ; 109 (3) ; no (4) ; in (3) ; 112 (4) ; 113 (4) ; 114 (3) ; 116 ; 263 ; 271. Crabbe, Rev. George, 127 (4) ; 128 (3). Crashaw, Richard, 77 (3) ; 78 (3). Croly, Rev. George (author of " Salathiel," b. 1780 ; d. 1860), 46. Davenant, Sir William, 55 ; 278 ; 327 ; 338. Davies, Sir John (b. 1570 ; d. 1626), 5. Denham, Sir John, 10 ; 43 ; 44 ; 69 (3) ; 70 (3}. Dekker, Thomas, 58. Dobell, Sydney (author of "Balder," b. 1824), 18 ; 137. Drayton, Michael, 35 (3) ; 36 (3) ; 37 (3) ; 38 ; 39 (3). Dryden, John, 5 ; 7 ; 10 ; 15 ; 21 ; 22 ; 32 ; 47 ; 76 ; 79 (4) ; 80 (4) ; 81 (3) ; 82; 115; 229; 232; 247; 322. Drummond, William (b. 1585 ; d. 1649), 16. Dun bar, William, 7. Eliot, George, 324. Elliott, Ebenezer (author of " Corn Law Rhymes," b. 1781 ; d. 1842), 241 ; 242. Emerson, Ralph Waldo, 118 ; 327. Forster, John (Essayist, b. 1812), 285. Gay, John (author of " Fables," &c., b. 1688 ; d. 1732), 51 ; 282. Goldsmith, Oliver, 5 ; 101 (3) ; 102 (3) ; 103 (4) ; 104 (2) ; 126. Gray, Thomas, 95 (2) ; 96 (3) ; 97 (4) ; 98 ; 99 ; 346 ; 351. Habington, William (author of " Castara," b. 1605 ; d. 1645), 325 ; 327. Halleck, Fitz-Green (American poet, b. 1795), 232. Heber, Bishop Reginald (b. 1783 ; d. 1826), 316. Hemans, Mrs. Felicia Dorothea, 25; 58; 129; 178; 209 (4); 210 (3) ; 211 (3) ; 212 (3) ; 213 (2) ; 214 (2) ; 215 (3) ; 216 (3) ; 217 (3) ; 218 (3) ; 219 (3) ; 220 (4). Herbert, George, 45 ; 50 (2). Herrick, Robert, 20; 43; 119; 230; 234; 240; 261; 267; 279; 339. Heywood, Thomas, 43. Holmes, Oliver Wendell (American poet, b. 1809), 284. Holyday, Barton (author of " A Survey of the World," b. 1593 ; d. 1661), 326 ; 341 ; 349. Hood, Thomas, 226 (3) ; 307. Howitt, Mrs. Mary, 54. Hunt, Leigh, 23 ; 179 (4) ; 258 ; 329. INDEX OF MA R GIN A L QUOTA TIONS. 3 1 Johnson, Samuel, 9 : 30 ; 95 (2). Jonson, Ben, 6 ; 48 (4) ; 49 (4). Keats, John, 3; 24; 46; 51; 181 ; 223 (4); 224 (3) ; 225 (3); 232; 249; 321 ; 329 (2) ; 330; 331 (3) ; 332 (2) ; 333 ; 350. Keble, Rev. John, 45 ; 54 ; 280 ; 281 ; 318 ; 319 (2). King, Henry, 325 ; 327 ; 342 ; 343 ; 344. Kingsley, Rev. Charles, 303 ; 304 (2) ; 306 (2). Lamb, Charles (b. 1775 ; d. 1834), 280. Landon, Letitia Elizabeth, 8 ; 178 ; 230 ; 235 (2) ; 280. Logan, John (author of "The Cuckoo," b. 1748 ; d. 1788), 17. Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth, 21 ; 54 : 57 ; 180 ; 261 ; 267 (2) ; 268 (2) ; 269 ; 270 (2) ; 271 ; 272 (2) ; 273 ; 274 (2) ; 275 (3) ; 276 (2) ; 277 (2). Lytton, Lord, 28 ; 58 ; 233 ; 262 (3) ; 303. MacDonald, George, 311 (3) ; 312 (2) ; 313 (2) ; 314 (2) ; 315 (3). Mackay, Charles, 55 ; 266 ; 300 (2) ; 301. Marlowe, Christopher, 17. Marvell, Andrew, 6. Massey, Gerald, 250 ; 316 (3) ; 317. Milton, John, 7 ; 15 ; 26 ; 27 ; 28 ; 52 ; 58 ; 60 (4) : 6x (3) ; 62 (4) ; 63 (4) ; 64 (4) : 65 (3) ; 66 (4) ; 67 (4) J 68 (3) ; 126; 180. Montgomery, James, 19 ; 174 (2) ; 175 (3) ; 322. Moore, Thomas, 176 (4) ; 177 (3) ; 256; 321 ; 323. Morris, William, 335 (3). Motherwell, William, 221 (3) ; 222 (3). Nicoll, Robert (Scotch poet, b. 1814 ; d. 1837), 279. Norris, John (b. 1657 ; d. 1711), 59 ; 165 ; 231. Norton, Hon. Mrs. Caroline (author of " The Lady of La Garaye," b. 1808), 255. Otway, Edward (dramatist, b. 1651 ; d. 1685), 8. Parnell, Thomas (author of "The Hermit," b. 1679 ' <* J 7 l8 ) 349- Patmore, Coventry (author of "The Angel in the House," b. 1823), 337 (2). Pollok, Robert (author of "The Course of Time," b. 1799 ; d. 1827), 183. Pope, Alexander, 31 ; 42 ; 50 ; 51 ; 87 (3) ; 88 (3) ; 89 (3) ; 90 (3) ; 91 (3) ; 116 ; 248 (3) ; 286 ; 328 ; 336 ; 347 ; 348. Prior, Matthew (author of " Alma," b. 1664 ; d. 1721), 12. Procter, Bryan Waller, 25 ; 255 ; 282 ; 317. Quarles, Francis (author of "The Emblems," . 1592 ; d. 1644), 22 ; 116; 240 ; 273 ; 341. Raleigh, Sir Walter, 23 ; 31 ; 53. Rogers, Samuel, 9 ; 132 (2) ; 133 (4) ; 134 (4) ; 135 (3) ; 136. 32 INDEX OF MARGINAL QUOTA TIONS. Roscommon, Earl of (b. 1633 ; d. 1684), 8. Rossetti, Christina (author of " The Prince's Progress "), 117. Scott, Sir Walter, 131 (2) ; 138 (4) ; 139(3) J *4o (2) ; 141 (3) ; 227 ; 257 (2) ; 259; 320. Shakspeare, William, 3 ; 4 ; 8 ; 14 ; 19 ; 20 (2) ; 22 ; 27 (3) ; 29 ; 32 ; 33 ; 34 J 38 (3) ; 39 ; 4 (4) ; 4^ (4) ; 54 ; 228 ; 229 ; 231 (2) ; 233 (2) ; 245 (3) ; 246(2); 268; 303; 305; 318; 326; 342. Shelley, Percy Bysshe, 18 ; 30; 47; 119; 120; 137; 199 (4); 200 (4); 201 (3) ; 202 (3) ; 203 (3) ; 204 (2) ; 205 (3) ; 206 (3) ; 207 (3) ; 208 (3) ; 228 ; 284. Sidney, Sir Philip, 46. Smith, Alexander (author of "Edwin of Deira," b. 1830, d. 1867), 23 ; 53 ; 251 (2) ; 252 (2) ; 305 ; 317. Southey, Robert, 19 ; 26 ; 31 ; 184 (3) ; 185 (3) ; 186 (2) ; 187 (3) ; 188 (3) ; 189 (3) ; 190 (3) ; 191 (4) ; 192 (3) ; 193 (3) ; 318. Southwell, Robert, 55 ; 56 (3) ; 117 ; 244 (3) ; 325. Spenser, Edmund, 6 ; n ; 12 (2) ; 13 (3) ; 16 ; 51 ; 126 (2) ; 180 ; 228 ; 308 ; 322 ; 330 ; 343 ; 344. Swinburne, Algernon Charles (author of "Atalanta in Calydon," &c., b. 1843), 250. Taylor, Henry (author of " Philip Van Artevelde," b. 1805), 119 ; 234. Tennyson, Alfred, 3; zi; 14; 24 ; 26 ; 29(2); 30; 31: 33; 34; 44; 94; 118 ; 240 ; 284 ; 288 (3) ; 289 (4) ; 290 (3) ; 291 (2) ; 292 (3) ; 293 (2) ; 294 ; 295 (4) ; 296 (4) ; 297 (2) ; 306 ; 320; 321. Thomson, James, 18 ; 24 ; 28 ; 46 ; 92 (3) ; 93 (3) ; 348. Trench, Richard Chenevix, 294 ; 298 ; 301 ; 305. Vaughan, Henry (b. 1621 ; d. 1695), 234 ; 337 ; 338 ; 339. Waller, Edmund, 76 ; 228 ; 246 ; 322. Webster, Thomas (dramatist of the i7th century), 137 ; 293. White, Henry Kirke, 181 (2) ; z82 (3). Whittier, John Greenleaf, 263 ; 287 ; 324. Wilson, John (author of " Isle of Palms," &c., b. 1785 ; d. 1854), 26. Wither, George (b. 1588 ; d. 1667), 340. Wordsworth, William,^zi ; 17 ; 19 ; 37 ; 52 ; 130 (4) ; 131 ; 136 (2) ; 144 (2) ; 145 (4) ; 146 (2) ; Z47 (4) ; 148 (4) ; 149 (4); 150 (3) ; 151 (4) ; 152 (3) ; 153 (3) ; 154 (2) ; 155 (2) ; 156 (4) ; 157 (4) ; 158 (4) ; 159 (3) ; *6o (3) ; 161 (3) ; 162 (4) ; 163 (3) ; 227 ; 243 (2) ; 256 (2) ; 257 ; 258 ; 259 (2) ; 263; 273; 278; 319; 323; 350; 351. Wotton, Sir Henry, 246. Young, Edward, 4 ; 15 ; 33 ; 44 ; 52 ; 55 ; 57 ; 82 (2) ; 83 (4) ; 231 ; 232 ; 233 ; 268 ; 278 ; 323. FROM JOHN BARBOUR, A.D. 1316, TO SIR JOHN DENHAM, A.D 1668. "A THING OF BEAUTY IS A JOY KOR EVER." KEATS. THE CHILDREN'S TREASURY OF ENGLISH SONG. THE BATTLE OF BANNOCKBURN. [EDWARD II. was defeated on the field of Bannockburn, near Stirling, by the Scotch, under Robert Bruce, on the 24th of June 1313. The English lost ten thousand, the Scotch four thousand. Sft J. Hill Burton's "His- tory of Scotland? TytUr's "Lh*s of tht Scottish, Worthies" and Dr. Linfard's "History of England"} jjHUS were they bound on either side; And Englishmen, with mickle pride, That were intill their avaward* To the battle that Sir Edward f Governt and led, held straight their way. The horse with spurs hastened they, And prickit upon them sturdily ; And they met them richt hardily. Sae that, at their assembly there, Sic a flushing of spears were, That far away men micht it hear, That at that meeting forouten were. Were steeds stickit mony ane, And mony gude man borne down and slain. . . . Their micht men hear mony a dint, And wappins? upon armours stint. * Vanguard. t Sir Edward Bruce. * That were without, or away from the battle. f Weapons. "THE POET IN A GOLDEN CLIMB WAS BORN." -TENNYSON. "HOW FAR THAT LITTLE CANDLE THROWS HIS BEAMS: 4 THE GOOD PARSON. M And see tumble knichts and steeds, ac 6 And mony rich and royal weeds J D Defoullit foully under feet. Q W O Some held on loft; some tint* the seat. Q J A lang time thus fechting they were ; *B4 That men nae noise micht hear there ; a S S O 5 Men heard noucht but granes and dints, 5 Q That flew fire, as men flays on flints. ac J They foucht ilk ane sae eagerly, H x That they made nae noise nor cry, M a 03 Q But dang on other at their micht, E- Q * O OH With wappins that were burnist bricht. 5 c/: 04 (JOHN BARBOUR, Archdeacon of Aberdeen, 1316-1395 (dates doubtful), O i author of a rhyming historical chronicle, " The Bruce," from which I give > an extract in illustration of his style and language ] h X J u Q u H ID O U Q 04 5 THE GOOD PARSON.f ^ X h cT u 04 IBFTS3I TRUE good man there was of religion, 2 NJ ffiWtj Pious and poor the parson of a town. fe, O M | But rich he was in holy thought and work ; \ And thereto a right learned man ; a clerk U O That Christ's pure gospel would sincerely preach, X h h And his parishioners devoutly teach. 2 U h a Benign he was, and wondrous diligent, Id X o X H And in adversity full patient, g ? 5 As proven oft ; to all who lacked a friend. 5 | Loth for his tithes to ban or to contend. u u 8 At every need much rather was he found z Unto his poor parishioners around 1 o u * Held, or kept. h t The reader should compare this passage (from the "Canterbury Pil- jj grimage") with Dryden's paraphrase. See/0-y/. ' SO SHINES A GOOD DEED IN A NAUGHTY WORLD." SHAKSPEAR!-:. "THEY WHO CONTEND FOR PLACE AND HIGH DEGREE, THE GOOD PARSON. 5 t . s a Of his own substance and his dues to give : a a Content on little, for himself, to live. f as W r ide was his cure ; the houses far asunder, J J Yet never failed he, or for rain or thunder, _ z* Whenever sickness or mischance might call, o h The most remote to visit, great or small, Q E X And staff in hand, on foot, the storm to brave. * H Z This noble ensample to his flock he gave, H Z That first he wrought, and afterward he taught. ; H U The word of life he from the gospel caught ; h. O 8 a And well this comment added he thereto z If that gold rusteth, what shall iron do? hj z And if the priest be foul on whom we trust, U h. J What wonder if the unlettered layman lust ? O i 1 And shame it were in him the flock should keep, 3 h tu To see a sullied shepherd and clean sheep. J For sure a priest the sample ought to give, Q a By his own cleanness, how his sheep should lite. 5 J He never set his benefice to hire, 5? H Leaving his flock acombered in the mire, t B And ran to London cogging at St. Foul's, U a To seek himself a chauntery for souls, i 1 Or with a brotherhood to be enrolled ; z H h But dwelt at home, and guarded well his fold, i B So that it should not by the wolf miscarry. Q M 1 He was a shepherd, and no mercenary. i Tho' holy in himself, and virtuous, 0. h I le still to sinful men was mild and piteous : E n i Not of reproach imperious or malign ; V) Z h But in his teaching soothing and benign. o S To draw them on to heaven, by reason fair K U. 1 And good example, was his daily care. z H 1 But were there one perverse and obstinate, K h Were he of lofty or of low estate, ARK NOT HIS SONS, BUT THOSE OF ZEBKDF.E." DRYDEN. "AND OVER HIM ART STRIVING TO COMPARE 6 A GARDEN. 1 Him would he sharply with reproof astound. Z O A better priest is nowhere to be found. H [GEOFFREY CHAUCER, the Morning Star of English Poetry, author of u 03 the immortal "Canterbury Pilgrimage" (a series of tales supposed to be K -. told by a party of pilgrims on their way to Thomas a-Becket's shrine in g a Canterbury Cathedral), " The Flower and the Leaf," and other poems, was ^ Q born in London in 1328, died in 1400.] H M Q a u z M o J "w K Ed S 5 A GARDEN. Q M 2 H 2 [JAMES I. of Scotland was imprisoned in the Tower of London for up- t/5 C/5 J wards of eighteen years. The garden which lay before his chamber win- U. dow, and where he first saw his future queen, Lady Joan Beaufort,* he thus X H E describes : ] M" 4 u u H U |jn^|j|OW was there made, fast by the Towris wall, 1 3 licCwi A. garden fair ; and in the comers set i z H Ane arbour green, with wandis long and small a en M Railed about, and so with trees set < 0, K D Was all the place, and hawthorn hedges knet, 3 ti] OJ That lyf was none walking there forbye,f x u i That might within scarce any wight espy, u X h a Q O u So thick the boughis and the leavis green Z H u Beshaded all the alleys that there were, E I And mids of every arbour might be seen u M ac The sharpe greene sweete juniper, x H Growing so fair with branches here and there, i 1 That, as it seemed to a lyf without, 3 o* | The boughis spread the arbour all about. K i * "The dusky Tower 1 E Whence King James beheld his lady j- Sitting in the castle bower ; " Birds around her sweetly singing, Fluttering on the kindled spray." W. E. AYTOUN. t None of the passers-by could look within. WITH NATURE, DID AN ARBOUR GREEN DISPREAD." SPENSER. 'MOST MUSICAL, MOST MELANCHOLY BIRD." MILTON. GOOD GIVING AND ILL GIVING. And on the small greenc twistis* sat The little sweeti nightingale, and sung So loud and clear, the hymnis consccrat Of lovis use, now soft, now loud among, That all the gardens and the wallis rung Right of their song. [JAMES I., 1374-1437, author of "The King's Quhair" (or Book), and M Chnstis Kirk on the Greene.") GOOD GIVING AND ILL GIVING. |OME gives for pride and glory vain, Some gives with grudging and with pain, Some gives in prattickf for supplie, J Some give for twice as gude again : /// Giving suld Discretion be. Some gives for thank, and some for threat, Some gives money, and some gives meat, Some gives wordis fair and slie ; h Twigs. f Trading. 1 The it must be pronounced as if written r. "ALL, AS THEY SAY, THAT GLITTERS is NOT COLD." DRYDKN. "GIFTS ARK THE BEADS OF MEMORY'S ROSARY." L. E. L. 55 8 GOOD GIVING AND ILL GIVING. ^ 8 And gifts from some may na man treit : H T In Giving suld Discretion be. _j "w H ^ X O ID Some is for gift sae lang required, M X h o X h While that the craver be sae tired, J b O That, ere the gift delivered be, .h H The thank is frustrate and expired : M s In Giving suld Discretion be. h Js M O w" en Some in his giving is so large fe H en That all o'erladen is his barge ; 5 ID Then vice and prodigalitie 8 h There of his honour does discharge : g * In Giving suld Discretion be. h Q D( fc Q Some to the rich gives his gear 2 H en W W That might his giftis weel forbear, O 0. And, though the poor for fault* suld die, X H His cry not enters in his ear : In Giving suld Discretion be. h fc O a o K W Some gives to them can ask and plain, f if M ID O Some gives to them can flatter and feign, | Some gives to men of honestie, X s And halds all janglers at disdain : h H In Giving suld Discretion be. > X E M [WILLIAM DUNBAR, of whose "bold music" Langhorne speaks, and H H M whom Thomas Campbell pronounced "a poet of a high order," was born j H about 1465, died about 1530. His works, of which the principal are "The h O Thistle and the Rose," and " The Dance of the Seven Deadly Sins," have J been edited by David Laing, and criticised, with true appreciation, by X Alexander Smith, in his " Dream thorpe."] X rf Q * Want. t Lament. h k s " "RICH GIFTS WAX POOR WHEN GIVERS PROVE UNKIND." SHAKSPEARE. "THERE is NO STERNER MORALIST THAN PLEASURE." BYRON. THE HAPPY SEASON OF LIFE. 9 d PLEASURE BLENDS WITH EVERY PAIN. 2 a (ft I Iirasi|KX( )MOUS thorns, that are so sharp and keen, X O f [jj^yfl Bear flowers, we see, full fresh and fair of hue : J M Poison is also put in medicine, V o 8 And unto man his health doth oft renew : J yj The fire that all things eke consumeth clean 3 Q X May hurt and heal : then, if that this be true, t K I trust some time my harm may be my health , 2 I Since every woe is joined with some wealth. E U) * [Sir THOMAS WYATT, 1503-1542. His poems have been edited by Mr. 5 < Robert Bell.] < M M h J i 3 5 i Till: HAPPY SEASON OF LIFE. h HSAW the little boy, 6 In thought how oft that he 1 | Did wish of God, to 'scape the rod, Ul 5 j A tall young man to be : X g > I The young man eke that feels p M 3 His bones with pains opprest, H M 2 How he would be a rich old man, J 3 To live and lie at rest : w X Ij (A t- X The rich old man that sees X (J H I His end draw on so sore, H w z How he would be a boy again, J u. To live so much the more. 9 Whereat full oft I smiled, To see how all these three, "WE LIVE IN DEEDS, NOT YEARS; IN THOUGHTS, NOT BREATHS." BAILEY. "WE TO OURSELVES MAY ALL OUR WISHES GRANT, 1 77/.E HA PP Y SEA SON OF LIFE. From boy to man, from man to boy, M Would chop and change degree : * a 5 w And musing thus, I think P o The case is very strange, J J That man from wealth to live in woe g' J Doth ever seek to change. o h p S Thus thoughtful as I lay, a u S I saw my withered skin, M How it doth shew my dented thews, D EH as u The flesh was worn so thin; I {.' r*~ r - x ^ - _~ ^ -. The joyous birds, shrouded in cheerful shade, Their notes unto the voice attempered sweet : * Guess. THAN TIRED EYELIDS UPON TIRED EYES." TENNYSON. "TIRED NATURE'S SWEET RESTORER, BALMY SLEEP." YOUNG. SLEEP. 15 z* Th 1 angelical, soft, trembling voices made H To th' instruments divine respondence meet ; Q z* o The silver-sounding instruments did meet ij i With the base murmur of the water's fall ; H z X The water's fall, with difference discreet, X h o Now soft, now loud, unto the wind did call ; hi H The gentle warbling wind low answered to all. i & [EDMUND SPENSER. I give the foregoing passage as a 1 specimen of what < Q Coleridge calls "the indescribable sweetness and fluent projections of his u. H M verse."] X H Q fc Z E X* H MAY. H X H O fa Q [pFJSJ] 1 I EN came fair May, the fairest maid on ground, Z Z Decked all with dainties of her season's pride, b. x" And throwing flowers out of her lap around : Ot i Upon two brethren's shoulders she did ride, H Id at The Twins of Leda ; * which, on either side, B ]K Z z Supported her, like to their sovereign queen. 5 h Lord ! how all creatures laughed when her they spied, 1 And leaped and danced as they had ravished been ; 5 THAT And Cupid's self about her fluttered all in green. | >~ [EDMUND SPENSER. Seep. ix.J O i M x (A h aT tOUNTE SLEEP. MONT B f- J x fsjsg|i|OME, Sleep, O Sleep, the certain knot of peace, 1 M lljBJMl Th e baiting-place of wit, the balm of woe, S The poor man's wealth, the prisoner's release, X H The indifferent judge between the high and low. H C u. * Castor and Pollux, the "Dioscuri" of Greek mythology. "CARE-CHARMING SLEEP, THOU BASER OF ALL WOES." BEAUMONT. 16 "HARK! HOW THE CHEERFUL BIRDS DO CHANT THEIR LAYS, SONGS OF BIRDS. With shield of proof shield me from out the prease Of those fierce darts Despair at me doth throw ; Oh, make in me those civil wars to cease : I will good tribute pay, if thou do so. [Sir PHILIP SIDNEY, poet, courtier, knight, whose life has been said to be " poetry put in action," was born at Penshurst, in Kent, in 1554, died 1586. His chief works are the " Defence of Poesy," and the prose romance of " The Arcadia."] SONGS OF BIRDS. jlHAT bird so sings, yet so does wail ? Oh, 'tis the ravished nightingale. " Jug, jug, jug, jug, teren" she cries, And still her woes at midnight rise. Brave prick-song ! who is't now we hear ? None but the lark so shrill and clear; Now at heaven's gate she claps her wings, The morn not waking till she sings. AND CAROL OF LOVE'S PRAISE!" SPENSER. "O CUCKOO, SHALL 1 CALL THEE BIRD, THE MIND'S PROGRESS. 1 7 I lark, hark ! with what a pretty note, Poor robin redbreast tunes his throat ; I lark how the jolly cuckoos sing, " Cuckoo !" to welcome in the spring ! " Cuckoo !" to welcome in the spring ! [JOHN LYLYE, born in Kent in 1563 some writers say 1554 died in 1601. He was the author of nine plays, and some prose novels, one of which, termed " Euphues," introduced an affected style known as Euphuism, ridiculed by Shakspcare, and, let us add, by Sir Walter Scott in his romance of "The Abbot" The foregoing lyric occurs in his drama of "Alexander and Campaspe."] THE MIND'S PROGRESS. |ATURE, that formed us of four elements,* Warring within our breasts for regiment, t Doth teach us all to have aspiring minds : Our souls, whose faculties can comprehend The wondrous architecture of the world, And measure every wandering planet's course, Still climbing after knowledge infinite, And always moving as the restless spheres, Will us to wear ourselves, and never rest Until we reach the ripest fruit of all. [CHRISTOPHER MARLOWE, one of the greatest of our early dramatists, author of " Tamburlaine the Great" from which the above extract is taken "The Jew of Malta," "Life and Death of Dr. Faustus," &c., was born at Canterbury in February 1563-4, and died 1593.] * Alluding to a fancy of the old philosophers that in man the four elements earth, air, fire, and water mingled, t Supremacy. OR BUT A WANDERING VOICE." WORDSWORTH. "COME, GENTLE SPRING, ETHEREAL MILDNESS, COME!" THOMSON. 18 SPRING. - = SPRING. |]PRING, the sweet Spring, is the year's pleasant king; Then blooms each thing, then maids dance in a ring, Cold doth not sting, the pretty birds do sing, Cuckoo, jug-jug, pu-we, to-witta-woo ! The palm and may make country houses gay, Lambs frisk and play, the shepherds pipe all day, And we hear aye birds tune this merry lay, Cuckoo, jug-jug, pu-we, to-witta-woo ! The fields breathe sweet, the daisies kiss our feet, Young lovers meet, old wives a-sunning sit, In every street these tunes our ears do greet, Cuckoo, jug-jug, pu-we, to-witta-woo ! Spring ! the sweet spring ! [T. NASH, an old Elizabethan poet and dramatist, born 1564, died i6oi.J 'EARTH STRETCHED HER CONSCIOUS ARMS TO MEET THE SPRING." DOBELL. "CONSCIENCE DOES MAKE COWARDS OP us ALL." SHAKSPEARE. THE HE A VENL Y PILGRIM A GE. 1 9 THE HEAVENLY PILGRIMAGE. j; [R^spnil VE me my scallop-shell of quiet, | ||j|j My staff of faith to walk upon ; ^ O e My scrip of joy, immortal diet ; u X (_ X ai My bottle of salvation ; 1 J My gown of glory, hope's true gage J 2 And thus I'll take my pilgrimage. H c. i b. C H Blood must be my body's 'balmer, u H O No other balm will there be given ; J i Whilst my soul, like quiet palmer,* 3 Trav'lleth tow'rds the land of Heaven : 0. E < O'er the silver mountains *w u. Where spring the nectar fountains. 3 o E i V. There will I kiss the bowl of bliss, o And drink mine everlasting fill > I b. Upon every milken hill. u X My soul will be a-dry before ; u 1 But after, it will thirst no more. bl H M 2 3 Then, by that happy blissful day, Q < More peaceful pilgrims I shall see 1 "Q That have cast off their rags of clay, H And walk apparelled fresh like me. 2 x [Sir WALTER RALEIGH, equally famous as poet, historian, courtier, ad- s" h venturer, and statesman, was born in 1552, beheaded October 29, 1618. It is said that he wrote the poem from which the preceding verses are ex- tracted during his imprisonment in the Tower in 1603, and immediately after he had been sentenced to death by corrupt judges. See his Life, by P. F. Tytler, Macvey Napier, J. A. St. John, and E. Edwards.] * The pilgrims who travelled to the Holy Sepulchre at Jerusalem were sometimes called "palmers," from their carrying a palm-branch in their tots. "I LONG FOR A REPOSE WHICH EVER IS THE SAME." WORDSWORTH. "VIRTUE is CHOKED WITH FOUL AMBITION." SHAKSPEARE. 20 THE SOUL'S ERRAND. THE SOUL'S ERRAND. |B5gH|O, soul, the body's guest, H JITION IS." HERRICK y^g*! Upon a thankless errand ! Fear not to touch the best ; The truth shall be thy warrant. Go, since I needs must die, And give the world the lie. ON BREEDS." COWL! X h 1 Say to the Court it glows a i \ And shines like rotten wood ; Say to the Church it shows M m M h What's good, and doth no good : If Court and Church reply, THAT I H Then give them both the lie. j Q GREATNESS THINK ON TH Tell Potentates they live Acting by others' action, Not loved unless they give, Not strong but by affection. If Potentates reply, Give Potentates the lie. , AND SENSELESS NOISE, A O Tell men of high condition, 4 That manage the Estate, V SHOWS Z Their purpose is ambition, - Their practice only hate. J" And if they once reply, Then give them all the lie. Tell them that brave it most, They beg for more by spending "YOU HAVE TOO MUCH RESPECT UPON THE WORLD." SHAKSPEARE. "HONOUR'S A SACRED TIE, THE LAW OF KINGS." ADDISON. THE SOU US ERRAND. 21 Who, in their greatest cost, Like nothing but commending : And if they make reply, It Then give them all the lie. o q u. :j Tell Zeal it wants devotion ; J 1 Tell Love it is but lust ; i ^1 J Tell Time it is but motion ; \ < Tell Flesh it is but dust. Cti '? M And wish them not reply, J h For thou must give the lie. X f $ H U. fl w X Tell Age it daily wasteth ; I X Tell Honour how it alters ; 3. M H Tell Beauty how she blasteth ; M X h Tell Favour how it falters. E < And as they shall reply, X u Give every one the lie. z 1* u. X r E Tell Wit how much it wrangles 3 In tickle points of niceness ; A x e- Tell Wisdom she entangles H 3 Herself in over-wiseness. s h And when they do reply, u 2 H Straight give them both the lie. \ J jC : Tell Physic of her boldness ; X Tell Skill it is pretention ; Tell Charity of coldness ; Tell Law it is contention. And as they do reply, So give them all the lie. "TO-MORROW'S FALSER THAN THE FORMER DAY." DRYDEN. "A GOOD MAN'S FORTUNE MAY GROW OUT AT HEELS." SHAKSPE ARE. 22 THE SOUL'S ERRAND. Tell Fortune of her blindness ; Tell Nature of decay ; Tell Friendship of unkindness ; Tell Justice of delay. z o And if they will reply, a Q Then give them all the lie. M < J j w Tell Arts they have no soundness, J o I But vary by esteeming ; 1 o Q Tell Schools they want profoundness, | And stand so much on seeming. X Q If Arts and Schools reply, M E- U X H Give Arts and Schools the lie. M O H U S Q 8 Tell Faith it's fled the city ; 8 1 Tell how the Country erreth ; M u u Tell Manhood shakes off pity ; a 1 u f_ Tell Virtue least preferreth. M (/) X And if they do reply, X M Spare not to give the lie. ( M X ? as Q So when thou hast, as I a Q 1 Commanded thee, done blabbing, U in Because to give the lie 8 Jf Deserves no less than stabbing, I Stab at thee who that will, o a X No stab the soul can kill. f 5 [Sir WALTER RALEIGH. This has also been ascribed to JOSHUA SYL- VESTER, born 1563, died 1618.] "FORTUNE AT SOME HOURS TO ALL is KIND." DRYDEN. 'WITH SPOTS OF SUNNY OPENINGS, AND WITH NOOKS UNDER THE GREENWOOD TREE. UNDER THE GREENWOOD TREE. [|NDER the greenwood tree Who loves to lie with me, And turn his merry note Unto the sweet bird's throat, Come hither, come hither, come hither : 1 1 ere shall he see No enemy Hut winter and romjh weather. Who doth ambition shun And loves to live i* the sun, TO LIE AND READ IN, SLOPING INTO BROOKS. LEIGH HUNT. "THEN COMES THE FATHER OF THE TEMPEST FORTH." THOMSON. 24 A WINTER SONG. Seeking the food he eats, And pleased with what he gets, Come hither, come hither, come hither : t Here shall he see No enemy NYSON. 5 A-COLD." KE/ But winter and rough weather. [W. SHAKSPEARE, born 1564, died 1616. This exquisite song is sung by Amiens, a character in the play of "As You Like It."] mv SITS." TEN: $ to FEATHERS, A WINTER SONG. IF^wjlTIEN icicles hang by the wall, w X H J X Ifyy@l And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, O W H X | J 6 And milk comes frozen home in pail ; When blood is nipped, and ways be foul, Then nightly sings the staring owl, W X h H W X Tuwhoo ! E H Tuwhit ! tuwhoo ! a merry note, w 1 While greasy Joan doth keel* the pot. X o ri When all around the wind doth blow, s X u And coughing drowns the parson's saw, < M And birds sit brooding in the snow, D h S And Marian's nose looks red and raw ; < X When roasted crabs hiss in the bowl, Then nightly sings the staring owl, 'ALONE, Tuwhoo ! Tuwhit ! tuwhoo ! a merry note, While greasy Joan doth keel the pot. [W. SHAKSPEARE. This song occurs in the play of "Love's Labour's Lost."] * Skim. "AND WINTER, RULER OF THE INVERTED YEAR." COWPER. "O THOU VAST OCEAN! EVER-SOUNDING SEA I A SEA DIRGE. A SEA DIRGE. |ULL fathom five thy father lies : Of his bones are coral made ; Those are pearls that were his eyes : Nothing of him that doth fade, But doth suffer a sea- change Into something rich and strange. Sea-nymphs hourly ring his knell : Ding, dong ! Hark ! now I hear them, Ding, dong, bell. [W. SHAKSPEARE. From the play of "The Tempest."] THOU SYMBOL OF A DREAR IMMENSITY!" B. W. PROCTER. "THE MUSIC FLOWING FROM TH' ILLIMITABLE YEARS." TENNYSON. 26 MUSIC AND MOONLIGHT. 2 MUSIC AND MOONLIGHT. i | W IS*jSS t a|OW sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank ! S3 H 8 ||ij I Here will we sit, and let the sounds of music f % Creep in our ears : soft stillness and the night J w a o Become the touches of sweet harmony. H E Look how the floor of heaven W Q H Is thick inlaid with patines* of bright gold ; W M There's not the smallest orb which thou behold'st > But in his motion like an angel sings, \ M w Still quiring to the young- eyed cherubins; H X K Such harmony is in immortal souls; H a M But whilst this muddy vesture of decay o * Doth grossly close it in, we cannot hear it. M f-T The poet 3 E H Did feign that Orpheus drew trees, stones, and floods ; J O X O Since nought so stockish, hard, and full of rage, M 3 But music for the time doth change his [its] nature. 3 a 3 The man that hath no music in himself, o H Q Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds, o 53 Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils ; M M H The motions of his spirit are dull as night, O K And his affections dark as Erebus : > M 3 x Let no such man be trusted. GLOR H [WILLIAM SHAKSPEARE. From " The Merchant of Venice."] Q j * Small plates. M O y t Pythagoras and his followers taught that the planets performed their J D revolutions to the sound of majestic music the music of the spheres h 1 which originated in themselves. 53 a \ According to the Greek mythology, the skill of Orpheus in music was "* D C/J so remarkable that he could make even trees and rocks to follow him. This story is beautifully told by Virgil. A similar fancy is related of Amphion, and has been celebrated by Tennyson in a graceful ballad. Older readers are also referred to Horace, in his "Epis, Ad Pisonem." Conceptions, or ideas. "THE MOON, ENCIRCLED WITH A ZONE OF LOVE." WILSON. "THE EYE OK LAY HATH OPENED ITS LIDS." SHAKSPEARE. SUNRISE. 27 A MORNING SONG. [inS|TJ|ARK, hark ! the lark at heaven's gate sings,* M K | 3J[ And Phoebus 'gins arise, m a. His steeds to water at those springs X On chaliced flowers that lies ; o J And winking Mary-buds begin 1 To ope their golden eyes ; J o With everything that pretty bin : < u, My lady sweet, arise : u P Arise, arise ! u i X [WILLIAM SHAKSPEARE. From the play of " Cymbeline."] g H (/) 5 H s > MORNING. \ I |VvB|ULL many a glorious morning have I seen \ Q M HSrM Flatter the mountain-tops with sovereign eye, X h X H Kissing with golden face the meadows green, X 1 Gilding pale streams with heavenly alchemy; H K a Anon permit the basest clouds to ride m a With ugly rack on his celestial face, u a H And from the forlorn world his image hide, oT U r- Stealing unseen to west with this disgrace. b Z O [WILLIAM SHAKSPEARE. These lines are extracted from Sonnet xxxiii.J Z u z M X h O 8 SUNRISE. ||Tjrapi|O ! here the gentle lark, weary of rest, HI BBJI From his moist cabinet mounts up on high, And wakes the morning from whose silver breast The sun ariseth in its majesty; * Compare with John Lylye's " Songs of Birds," p. 16. " FLAKY DARKNESS BREAKS WITHIN THE EAST." SHAKSPEARE. "MORN, LIKE A MAIDEN GLANCING O'ER HER PEARLS." BAILEY. 28 A FOOL IN THE FOREST. Who doth the world so gloriously behold, The cedar- tops and hills seem burnished gold. [WILLIAM SHAKSPEARE. From the poem of "Venus and Adonis."] A FOOL IN THE FOREST. FOOL, a fool ! I met a fool i' the forest, A motley fool ; a miserable world ! As I do live by food, I met a fool ; Who laid him down and basked him in the sun, And railed on Lady Fortune in good terms, In good set terms and yet a motley fool. "Good morrow, fool," quoth I. "No, sir," quoth he, "Call me not fool till heaven hath sent me fortune :" 'MORN SOWED THE EARTH WITH ORIENT PEARL." MILTON. "ENGLAND, WITH AIL THY FAULTS i LOVE THEE STILL." COWPER. ENGLAND. 29 And then he drew a dial from his poke, And, looking on it with lack-lustre eye, 1 Says, very wisely, "It is ten o'clock : Thus may we see," quoth he, "how the world wags : z h 'Tis but an hour ago since it was nine, I J And after one hour more 'twill be eleven : z z Id i And so from hour to hour we ripe and ripe, J a And then from hour to hour we rot and rot ; z O And thereby hangs a tale." When I did hear I z The motley fool thus moral on the time, M My lungs began to crow like chanticleer, s ? That fools should be so deep-contemplative, M td And I did laugh sans intermission > An hour by his dial. O noble fool ! W J Z A worthy fool ! Motley's the only wear. M z [WILLIAM SHAKSPEARE. This is spoken by Jaqucs in the play of "As X < You Like h."| O E O bu e M M O O c E V. M ENGLAND. u H M u. M |G!j T j5I|IIIS royal throne of kings, this sceptered isle, i h H |gj|j This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars, (X. o 3 This other Eden, demi-paradise ; H U M M H This fortress, built by Nature for herself, | X Against infection and the hand of war ; Id Q Z This happy breed of men, this little world ; \ a w This precious stone set in a silver sea, X Which serves it in the office of a wall, : Or as a moat defensive to a house, Against the envy of less happier lands, This blessed spot, this earth, this realm, this England. [WILLIAM SHAKSPEARE. From the play of " Henry V."] "LIKE LITTLE BODY WITH A MIGHTY HEART." SHAKSPEARE. "LIFE, LIKE A DOME OF MANY-COLOURED GLASS, 30 QUEEN MAB. LIFE. 1 I^^glO-MORROW, and to-morrow, and to-morrow, | 1 ||i|| Creeps in this petty pace from day to day J a: o To the last syllable of recorded time ; J K And all our yesterdays have lighted fools i J The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle ! Q en O Life's but a walking shadow ; a poor player, 53 g Q That struts and frets his hour upon the stage, \j M h And then is heard no more : it is a tale U K Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, K W H O Signifying nothing. E h oo a [WILLIAM SHAKSPEARE. From the play of " Macbeth."] w M O h g u , K ID H PB K w" (4 g H QUEEN MAB. O 91 e H ixz|55Z||H, then, I see, Queen Mab hath been with you. o 6 K^9J She is the fairies' midwife, and she comes ^ In shape no bigger than an agate- stone o K E O h On the fore-finger of an alderman, 6 K a Drawn with a team of little atomies K O a Athwart men's noses as they lie asleep : 8 s Her waggon-spokes made of long-spinners' legs ; H : The cover, of the wings of grasshoppers ; O z. The traces, of the smallest spider's web ; H The collars, of the moonshine's watery beams ; M Her whip, of cricket's bone ; the lash, of film ; Her waggoner, a small gray-coated gnat, Not half so big as a round little worm Pricked from the lazy finger of a maid ; STAINS THE WHITE RADIANCE OF ETERNITY." SHELLEY. "ALL SUDDENLY i SAW THE FAERY QUEEN." RALEIGH. ARIEL'S SONG. 31 Her chariot is an empty hazel-nut, Made by the joiner squirrel, or old grub, Time out of mind the fairies' coach-maker. And in this state she gallops night by night Through lovers' brains, and then they dream of love ! t O'er courtiers' knees, that dream on courtsies straight ; = O'er lawyers' fingers, who straight dream on fees ; * O'er ladies' lips, who straight on kisses dream ; Which oft the angry Mab with blisters plagues, Because their breaths with sweetmeats tainted are. Sometime she gallops o'er a courtier's nose, And then dreams he of smelling out a suit ; And sometime comes she with a tithe-pig's tail, Tickling a parson's nose as a' lies asleep, o Then dreams he of another benefice ; PC Sometime she driveth o'er a soldier's neck, X H And then dreams he of cutting foreign throats, l Of breaches, ambuscadoes, Spanish blades, J W Of healths five fathom deep ; and then anon M III Drums in his ear ; at which he starts and wakes, E o And, being thus frighted, swears a prayer or two M X And sleeps again. h [WILLIAM SHAKSPEARE. From "Romeo and Juliet. "| 2 5 E M o w X H s ARIEL'S SONG. X H fs*gSI|OME unto these yellow sands, S : IkJjBjJal And then take hands : Courtsied when you have and kissed, (The wild waves whist,*) Foot it featly here and there ; And, sweet sprites, the burden bear. * Hushed, silent. "THE REFLEX OF A LEGEND PAST." ALFRED TENNYSON. "THERE is SOCIETY, WHERE NONE INTRUDES, A PRECIPICE. Hark, hark ! Bow, wow. The watch-dogs bark : Bow, wow. Hark, hark ! I hear The strain of strutting chanticleer Cry, Cock-a-doodle-dow. [WILLIAM SHAKSPEARE. From "The Tempest."] A PRECIPICE. JlOW fearful And dizzy 'tis, to cast one's eyes so low ! The crows and choughs that wing the midway air Scarce show so gross as beetles : half-way down Hangs one that gathers samphire dreadful trade ! Methinks he seems no bigger than his head : The fishermen, that walk upon the beach, Appear like mice ; and yon tall anchoring bark, Diminished to her cock ; her cock, a buoy BY THE DEEP SEA, AND MUSIC IN ITS ROAR." BYRON. "WITH FAIREST FLOWERS I*LL SWEETEN THY SAD GRAVE." SHAKSPEARE. A FUNERAL SONG. 33 Almost too small for sight : the murmuring surge, That on the unnumbered idle pebbles chafes, Cannot be heard so high. I'll look no more, 2" O Lest my brain turn, and the deficient sight 2' 2 Topple down headlong. o 1 B [WILLIAM SHAKSPEARE. From "King Lear." The locality described T J is generally identified with Shakspeare's Cliff, Dover.] i M jj j 9 ca 1 WHAT TIME DOES. X 8 [GjTSIIlME'S glory is to calm contending kings; j u To unmask falsehood and bring truth to light ; X W To stamp the seal of time in aged things ; V) J 0. To wake the morn, and sentinel the night ; 1 X To wrong the wronger till he render right ; Bj h To ruinate proud buildings with thy hours, < g And smear with dust their glittering golden towers ; if 2 M M O To fill with worm-holes stately monuments ; 3 H To feed oblivion with decay of things ; D 03 V To blot old books, and alter their contents ; jj Q To pluck the quills from ancient ravens' wings ; 1 To dry the old oak's sap, and cherish springs ; I X To spoil antiquities of hammered steel, w And turn the giddy round of Fortune's wheel. B 1 [WILLIAM SHAKSPEARE. From " Lucrece. "J X W) U O 2 2 O A FUNERAL SONG. [JFjEj^l EAR no more the heat o' the sun, Nor the furious winter's rages ; Thou thy worldly task hast done, Home art gone, and ta'en thy wages. "NO SPOT ON EARTH BUT HAS SUPPLIED A GRAVE." YOUNG. "THE POET'S PEN .... GIVES TO AIRY NOTHINGS 34 THE FAIR Y PAL A CE. Fear no more the frown o' the great, Thou art past the tyrant's stroke ; Care no more to clothe and eat ; To thee the reed is as the oak. g i Fear no more the lightning-flash, o Q 3 Nor the all-dreaded thunder-stone ; z o u Fear not slander, censure rash : w h 5 R Thou hast finished joy and moan. FRED M i [WILLIAM SHAKSPEARE. From " Cymbeline."] J h h M > w < tt i a s 5 w ac | H 5 THE FAIRY PALACE. 1 |r|jj53|HIS palace standeth in the air, S M ? By necromancy placed there, Q P That it no tempests needs to fear, Q w < Which way soe'er it blow it : O K u S And somewhat southward tow'rd the noon, V) fe H M Whence lies a way up to the moon, H M 3 And thence the Fairy can as soon u M Pass to the earth below it. w W h j- The walls of spiders' legs are made, et E " Well morticed and finely laid, He was the master of his trade, It curiously that builded : The windows of the eyes of cats, And for the roof, instead of slats, Is covered with the skins of bats, With moonshine that are gilded. A LOCAL HABITATION AND A NAME." SHAKSPEAKE. "LETTERS AND LIMES WE SEE ARE SOON DEFACED, THE FAIRY Q UEEN'S CHA RIO T. 35 Hence Oberon, him sport to make (Their rest when weary mortals take, And none but only fairies wake), Descendeth for his pleasure : And Mab, his merry queen, by night Bestrides young folks that lie upright (In elder times the mare that hight),* Which plagues them out of measure. [MICHAEL DRAYTON, born at Atherston, in Warwickshire, in 1563, died 1631. In his epitaph by Quarlcs he is styled "a memorable poet of his age." His works were, "The Shepherd's Garland," " Barons' Wars," "England's Heroical Epistles," "The Poly-Olbion," and "Nymphidia, the Court of Fayrie," from which the foregoing extract is taken.] THE FAIRY QUEEN'S CHARIOT. JER chariot ready strait is made, Each thing therein is fitting laid, That she by nothing might be stayed, For nought must her be letting : f Four nimble gnats the horses were, Their harnesses of gossamer, Fly Cranion, her charioteer, Upon the coach-box getting. Her chariot of a snail's fine shell, Which for the colours did excel, The fair Queen Mab becoming well, So lovely was the limning : J The seat the soft wool of the bee, The cover (gallantly to see) * Hight that is, called. The mare alluded to is the unpleasant noc- turnal visitor known as the nightmare, t Letting that is, impeding, hindering. \ Limning that is, painting METALS DO WASTE, AND FRET WITH CANKER'S RUST." DRAYTON. " HENCE SHADOWS, SEEMING IDLE SHAPES, 3 6 THE FAIRY Q UEEN 'S CHA RIO T. The wing of a pied* butterflie, 2 I trow, 'twas simple trimming. O DRAYT The wheels composed of crickets' bones, lYTON. J And daintily made for the nonce, f ^ X a rf For fear of rattling on the stones J a With thistle-down they shod it : 2 D 2 For all her maidens much did fear, o U If Oberon had chanced to hear w I That Mab his queen should have been there, X M S He would not have abode it. * s a 1 She mounts her chariot with a trice, * H Nor would she stay for no advice o 5 Until her maids, that were so nice, a To wait on her were fitted : s M But ran herself away alone ; ~ (f Which when they heard, there was not one 2 D M But hasted after to be gone, 1 Si "h As she had been diswitted. < i H j !a M Hop, and Mop, and Drop so clear, * 5 X H Pip, and Trip, and Skip, that were u To Mab, their sovereign dear, ex O Her special maids of honour : 8 M Fib, and Tib, and Pinck, and Pin, K Tick, and Quick, and Fill, and Fin, X E- I Tit, and Nit, and Wap, and Win, 2 a W W The train that wait upon her. 2 " X h ; Upon a grasshopper they got, And what with amble and with trot, * Pled that is, parti-coloured. t Pronounced as if spelt nones that is, for the occasion. OF LITTLE FRISKING ELVES AND APES." DRAYTON. "HENRY THE FIFTH, THAT MAN MADE OUT OF FIRE." DRAYTON. THE BA TTLE OF AGINCOUR T. 37 For hedge nor ditch they spared not, But after her they hie them : A cobweb over them they throw, z' h K o To shield the wind if it should blow ; 1 M Themselves they wisely could bestow, i at O Lest any should espy them. J s s [MICHAEL DRAYTON. See p. 35.] 3 J Q f o J X c THE BATTLE OF AGINCOURT. M t o [This great battle was fought on the asth of October 1415, by an English z 06 V, army of 8000 men under Henry V., against a French force of between 5 = 50,000 and 60,000 under the Dukes of Orleans and Bourbon, and the Con- X h z stable D'AlbreL] Q Z M IjfgjSJl^IR sto d tne wind for France, o E 5 When we our sails advance, a x Z Nor now to prove our chance u X jg "x Longer will tarry ; h. o fc But, putting to the main, S p( At Kau.v the mouth of Seine, Q With all his martial train, U K Landed King Harry. H HUNG And taking many a fort, 2 55 Furnished in warlike sort, 3 Marched towards Agincourt O J In happy hour ; | K Skirmishing day by day M 5 With those that stopped his way. h : \Vhere the French gen'ral lay With all his power ; Which, in his height of pride, King Henry to deride, " HEAVEN THAT DAY TO THE BRAVE ENGLISH OWED." DRAYTON. "l-T IS MOST MEET WE ARM US 'GAINST THE FOE." SHAKSPEARE. $ THE BA TTLE OF A GINCO UR T. His ransom to provide To the King sending ; Which he neglects the while, As from a nation vile, But, with an angry smile, Their fall portending. And, turning to his men, Quoth our brave Henry then, " Though they to one be ten, Be not amazed ; Yet have we well begun, Battles so bravely won Have ever to the sun By fame been raised. And for myself," quoth he, ' * This my full rest shall be ; England, ne'er mourn for me, Nor more esteem me : Victor I will remain, Or on this earth be slain, Never shall she sustain Loss to redeem me. Poictiers and Cressy tell, When most their pride did swell, Under our swords they fell ; No less our skill is, Than when our grandsire great, Claiming the regal seat, By many a warlike feat, Lopped the French lilies." "ENGLAND is SAFE, IF TRUE WITHIN ITSELF." SHAKSPEARE. "WHERE GREAT ACHIEVEMENTS INSTANTLY WERE DONE." DRAYTON. THE BA TTLE OF A GINCO UR T. 39 AYTOJ The Duke of York so dread, M Q The eager vaward led ; w I With the main Henry sped, J M Amongst his henchmen ; V) X Excester had the rear, X X A braver man not there; * < O Lord, how hot they were 1 O 2 On the false Frenchmen ! H ' X They now to fight are gone, M X H Armour on armour shone, o V) X Drum now to drum did groan, X i2 X To hear was wonder ; Hi J J P That with the cries they make, W 2: en The very earth did shake, 5 Trumpet to trumpet spake, z B Thunder to thunder. i z s in 3 Well it thine age became, K M w K O noble Erpingham, H M 1 Which did the signal aim 2 To our hid forces ; M tn o M When from a meadow by, X Like a storm suddenly, X u M Q The English archery i a J Struck the French horses. Q a s i With Spanish yew so strong, X M X Arrows a cloth-yard long, > h That like to serpents stung, Q h x Piercing the weather ; X h (9 c None from his fellow starts, o X But, playing manly parts, s And like true English hearts, Stuck close together. "i KNOW THAT RESOLUTION MAY DO MUCH." DRAYTON. 'ENGLAND NE*ER LOST A KING OF SO MUCH WORTH." SHAKSPEARE. THE BATTLE OF AGINCOURT. When down their bows they threw, And forth their bilbows drew, And on the French they flew, Not one was tardy ; Arms were from shoulders sent, Scalps to the teeth were rent, Down the French peasants went Our men were hardy. This while our noble king, His broadsword brandishing, VIRTUE HE HAD, DESERVING TO COMMAND. SHAKSPEARE. "THE HARSH AND BOIST'ROUS TONGUE OF WAR." SHAKSPEARE. THE BA TTLE OF A G1NCO URT. 41 Down the French host did ding. As to o'erwhelm it; bi And many a deep wound lent, 8 bi < His arms with blood besprent, E E And many a cruel dent 3 X Bruised his helmet. j j Glo'ster, that duke so good, 2 j Next of the royal blood, as j For famous England stood, u u. i With his brave brother, O B Clarence, in steel so bright, Q Id 7. M Though but a maiden knight, X X Yet in that furious fight 2 O 2 Scarce such another. X X o M o b. Warwick in blood did wade, U Oxford the foe invade, H o 1 And cruel slaughter made, u 2 td Still as they ran up; 3 X h Suffolk his axe did ply, 2 i Beaumont and Willoughby a j M X i Bare them right doughtily, E 3 Ferrers and Fanhope. h u. en u H Upon Saint Crispin's day X h C/5 Fought was this noble fray, j H Which fame did not delay u X h To England to carry; 2 i * Oh, when shall Englishmen X p With such acts fill a pen, Or England breed again Such a King Harry ? [MICHAEL DRAVTON.] "THE KING is FULL OF GRACE AND FAIR REGARD." SHAKSPEARE. "HAPPY THE MAN, WHOM BOUNTEOUS GODS ALLOW 42 HERE AND THERE. THE HAPPY HEART. w CH IEF\3I ^^ *h u P oor > y et hast thou golden slumbers ? 2 ftj ||gfe]| O sweet content ! O H W Q Art thou rich, yet is thy mind perplexed ? 8 i O punishment ! en W a j Dost thou laugh to see how fools are vexed To add to golden numbers, golden numbers ? O sweet content, O sweet, O sweet c'ontent ! 96 X 1 8 ft! Work apace, apace, apace, apace ; Honest labour bears a lovely face; j iTERNAL A( Then hey nonny nonny, hey nonny nonny ! Canst drink the waters of the crisped spring ? W X H n H O sweet content ! Swimm'st thou in wealth, yet sink'st in thine own tears ? 8 G M H O punishment ! Then he that patiently want's burden bears O "Z 5 H Q No burden bears, but is a king, a king ! $ X O sweet content, O sweet, O sweet content ! Work apace, apace, apace, apace; N 2 M Honest labour bears a lovely face ; fc, X Then hey nonny nonny, hey nonny nonny ! 1 !zT [T. DEKKER, a dramatist of high merit born 1570, died about 1638-39.] & 3 X W g X H 1 H h s HERE AND THERE. = |Bj t j!|H|OR who did ever yet in honour, wealth, Or pleasure of the sense, contentment find ? Who ever ceased to wish when he had health, Or, having wisdom, was not vexed in mind ? WITH HIS OWN HANDS PATERNAL GROUNDS TO PLOUGH." COWI.EY. "CONTENT'S A KINGDOM, AND i WEAR THE CROWN." HEYWOOD. THE DA IV N. 43 Then, as a bee which among weeds doth fall, Which seem sweet flowers with lustre fresh and gay, She lights on that, and this, and tasteth all, But, pleased with none, doth rise and soar away. So, when the soul finds here no true content, And, like Noah's dove, can no sure footing take, She doth return from whence she first was sent, And flies to him that first her wings did make. [Sir JOHN DAVIES, author of a philosophical poem, "On the Soul of Man," wrote in numbers (says Southey) which, for precision and clearness, and felicity and strength, have never been surpassed. Born 1570, died 1626.] THE DAWN. j|EE, the day begins to break, And the light shoots like a streak Of subtle fire. The wind blows cold, While the morning doth unfold. [JOHN FLETCHER, dramatist, born at Rye, 1579, died 1625. I think his finest work is "The Faithful Shepherdess," whence these lines are taken.] "WHERE WILL AT EASE, AND HAPPY, LIVE CONTENT." DENHAM. "SELF-REVERENCE, SELF-KNOWLEDGE, SELF-CONTROL." TENNYSON. 44 A HAPPY LIFE. SELF-RELIANCE. o h H < IITWll AN is his own star, and the soul that can 8 X in z a jnjIJ Render an honest and a perfect man, a C4 Q Z Commands all light, all influence, all fate ; I O Nothing to him falls early, or too late. J as Our acts our angels are, or good or ill, q J Our fated shadows that walk by us still. h h Z a 3 QOHN FLETCHER.] i w w jj O a tt Ui 13 V) X A HAPPY LIFE. a H j >. C/3 X rs i as T a|OW happy is he born and taught 1 CM a That serveth not another's will ; 6 z Whose armour is his honest thought, s o 8 And simple truth his utmost skill ! 5 O z th X h a Whose passions not his masters are, | z Whose soul is still prepared for death ; 1 h Not tied unto the world with care h a h 7-, Of public fame, or private breath ; O Z 8 X a Who envies none that chance doth raise o z D Or vice; who never understood X O X How deepest wounds are given by praise ; a j 8 Nor rules of state, but rules of good : o Who hath his life from rumours freed, s Whose conscience is his strong retreat ; Whose state can neither flatterers feed, Nor ruin make accusers great ; "THE MAN OF WISDOM is THE MAN OF YEARS." YOUNG. "l MADE A POSY WHILE THE DAY RAN BY." HERBERT. STARS AND FLOWERS. 45 Who God doth late and early pray More of his grace than gifts to lend ; And entertains the harmless day With a well- chosen book or friend ; This man is freed from servile bands Of hope to rise, or fear to fall ; Lord of himself, though not of lands ; And having nothing, yet hath all. [Sir H. WOTTON, poet, statesman, and diplomatist, born 1568, died 1639.] STARS AND FLOWERS. forth, come forth, the gentle Spring, And carry the glad news I bring To Earth, our common mother : It is decreed by all the gods, That heaven of earth shall have no odds, But one shall love another. Their glories they shall mutual make, Earth look on heaven for heaven's sake, Their honours shall be even : All emulation cease, and jars Jove will have Earth to have her stars And lights, no less than Heaven. Spring. It is already done, in flowers As fresh and new as are the hours, By warmth of yonder sun : "SWEET NURSLINGS OF THE VERNAL SKIES." KEBI.E. "WITH HOW SAD STEPS, o MOON, THOU CLIMB'ST THE SKIES." SIDNEY. 46 TO CYNTHIA THE MOON. But will be multiplied on us, If from the breath of Zephyrus Like favour we have won. [BEN JONSON, second only to Shakspeare among English dramatists, was born in 1574, died in 1637. Besides his eighteen plays, he wrote several masques from one of which, "Chloridia," the above extract is taken and miscellaneous poems, collected under the titles of "The Forest," and "Underwoods."] TO CYNTHIA THE MOON. j|UEEN and Huntress, chaste and fair, Now the sun is laid asleep, Seated in thy silver chair, State in wonted manner keep : Hesperus entreats thy light, Goddess excellently bright. Earth, let not thy envious shade Dare itself to interpose ; 'HOW LIKE A QUEEN COMES FORTH THE LOVELY MOON!" CROLY. "WHEN i CONSIDER LIFE, 'TIS ALL A CHEAT; ROBIN GOODFELLOW. 47 Cynthia's shining orb was made Heaven to clear, when day did close : b Bless us then with wished sight, 1 o Goddess excellently bright. J M Q Lay thy bow of pearl apart, j- 3 And thy crystal shining quiver; z z' Give unto the flying hart E O Z Space to breathe, how short soever : Ed Q Z Thou that mak'st a day of night, U Z < h Goddess excellently bright. H X H O z [BEN JONSON. From the play of " Cynthia's Revels. "J H H H g X ^ 1 M H h H LIFE AND DEATH. Z (X) ^ h M |kj'gj|IIE ports of death are sins; of life, good deeds; S a jgjjgj Through which our merit leads us to our meeds. \ w How wilful blind is he, then, that would stray, Q 1 And hath it in his powers to make his way ! 3 g This world death's region is, the other life's ; o o J And here it should be one of our first strifes V jj So to front death, as men might judge us past it : z Q For good men but ste death, the wicked taste it b. O O [BEN JONSON. From the " Epigrams."] Id Z i Q B H H i j 1 ROBIN GOODFELLOW. w nORE swift than lightning can I fly ? About this aery welkin soon, And in a minute's space descry Each thing that's done below the moon : YET, FOOLED WITH HOPE, MEN FAVOUR THE DECEIT." DRYDEN. "GREAT ACTIONS OFT OBSCURED BY TIME MAY BE." BEN JONSON. 48 ROBIN GOODFELLOW. There's not a hag Or ghost shall wag, g; Or cry, " 'Ware goblin ! " where I go; 1 But Robin I O Their feats will spy, 3; I And send them home with ho ! ho ! ho ! 1 J &> td M Where'er such wanderers I meet, J 1 As from their night sports they trudge home, ~ P With counterfeiting voice I greet, Z And call on them with me to roam. H H D Through woods, through lakes, H & Through bogs, through brakes ; 3 00 Or else unseen with them I go a H All in the nick, * & To play some trick, o M And frolic it with ho ! ho ! ho ! o a h 6 0, H 3 Sometimes I meet them like a man, H Q Sometimes an ox, sometimes a hound ; * And to a horse I turn me can, td J" [3 J And trip and trot about them round ; o ^ But if, to ride, > H y My back they stride, << ^ More swift than any wind I go ; \ O O'er hedge and lands, a H o H Through pools and ponds, til jj I whirry, laughing, ho ! ho ! ho ! 2 When lads and lasses merry be With possets and rich juncates fine, Unseen of all the company, I eat their cakes and sip their wine. "A BODY SOUND, WITH SOUNDER MIND." BEN JONSON. "STAND FORTH, BRIGHT FAYS, AND TUNE YOUR LAYS." BEN JONSON. ROBIN GOODFELLOW. 49 And to make sport, I puff and snort, S5 And out the candle I do blow ; X O 03 And maids I kiss, They shriek, "Who's this?" I answer nought but ho ! ho ! ho ! ONSON. h H X H h Yet now and then, the maids to please, At midnight I card up their wool ; And while they sleep and take their ease, With wheel to threads their flax I pull. I grind at will | fc X H <2 Their malt up still, D I dress their hemp and spin their tow ; If any walk, B D cT 8 U 1 And would me talk, I wend me, laughing, ho ! ho ! ho ! LEAST IN I The men do traps and engines set W X LED TO GOODNESS In loopholes where the vermines creep, Who from their fields and houses get Their ducks and geese, and lambs and sheep ; I spy the gin And enter in, AFFECTED WITH THAT'S COMPEL And seem a vermin taken so : But when they there Approach me near, I leap out laughing, ho ! ho ! ho ! h X h H X M X [Attributed to BEN JONSON.] "l MUST GO DANCE ABOUT THE FOREST NOW." BEN JONSON. "OH, FOLLOW VIRTUE EVEN FOR VIRTUE'S SAKE." POPE. 50 WOMAN'S TRUE BEAUTY. A VIRTUOUS SOUL. h H H M [jff||||WEET Day ! so cool, so calm, so bright, J M 5C S1 ^ e Bridal of the earth and sky ; - \ H H O ft* The dews shall weep thy fall to-night, K S For thou must die. Jf "> Sweet Rose ! when here, angry and brave, Q Bids the rash gazer w r ipe his eye ; U Thy root is ever in its grave, H And thou must die. - h h B Sweet Spring ! full of sweet days and roses, O A box where sweets compacted lie, O p Thy music shows ye have your closes, h K And all must die. H W < Only a sweet and virtuous soul, ,- Like seasoned timber, never gives; S But, though the whole world turn to coal, 1 Then chiefly lives. a [GEOPGE HERBERT, born at Montgomery Castle, in Wales, in 1593, h 2 author of "The Temple, or Sacred Poems and Private Ejaculations," died c Q at Bemerton, where he was rector, in 1632.] Q" M 8 WOMAN'S TRUE BEAUTY. a o o ItPfSSTjlE that loves a rosy cheek, .. X HJjSjS Or a coral lip admires, Or from star-like eyes doth seek Fuel to maintain his fires; As old Time makes these decay, So his flames must waste away. "'TIS VIRTUE MAKES THE BLISS WHERE'ER WE DWELL." COLLINS. "NATURE IN VARIOUS MOULDS HAS BEAUTY CAST." GAY. IN PRAISE OF SOLITUDE. 5 1 But a smooth and stedfast mind, Gentle thoughts and calm desires ; u Hearts, with equal love combined, H Z Kindle never-dying fires. < E Where these are not, I despise M c z Lovely cheeks, or lips, or eyes. Z X o c [THOMAS CAREW, the author of many elegant songs and ballads, died J fid about 1639.] h X "tJ ? o as, D 2 z E A LAND DIRGE. H X (5>S5S||ALL for a robin redbreast, and the wren, E td yCjj Since o'er shady groves they hover, C i And with leaves of flowers do cover O H The friendless bodies of unburied men. X H u. Call unto his funeral dole f fid X The ant, the field mouse, and the mole, U O H To rear him hillocks that shall keep him warm. z 8 And when gay tombs are robbed, sustain no harm : i if H But keep the wolf far thence, that's foe to men, E D e. For with his nails he'll dig them up again.f X 8 (J. WEBSTER, an old dramatist, born 1585, died 1654. The Dirge is Z taken from his tragedy of " The Duchess of Malfy."] \ J t z M ' U h s IN PRAISE OF SOLITUDE. fid fid X 7. h % [Erj5J| 1 1 RICE happy he who by some shady grove, H fid K& gll Far from the clamorous world, doth live his own.J S Thcu solitary, who is not alone, But doth converse with that Eternal Love. * The reader should compare this with Shakspeare's "Sea Dirge." t Alluding to the wolf's habit of plundering the graves of the dead. I That is, lives on his own resources. "'TIS NOT A LIP, OR EYE, WE BEAUTY CALL." POPE. 4< FOR SOLITUDE SOMETIMES IS BEST SOCIETY, IN PRAISE OF SOLITUDE. Oh, how more sweet is bird's harmonious moan, Or the hoarse sobbings of the widowed dove, Than those smooth whisperings near a prince's throne Which good make doubtful, do the ill approve ! Oh, how more sweet is zephyr's wholesome breath, And sighs embalmed which new-born flowers unfold, Than that applause vain honour doth bequeath ! How sweet are streams to poisons drunk in gold ! AND SHORT RETIREMENT URGES SWEET RETURN." MILTON. "GOD MADE THE COUNTRY, AND MAN MADE THE TOWN." COWPER. A LANDSCAPE. 53 The world is full of horrors, troubles, slights : Woods' harmless shades have only true delights. [Sir WILLIAM DAVENANT, a Scotch poet, born in 1605, died in 1668. Author of "The Flowers of Zion," "Wandering Muses," and numerous sonnets, epigrams, and lyrics.] A LANDSCAPE. j|T was a roundel seated on a plain, That stood as sentinel unto the main, Environed round with trees and many an arbour, Wherein melodious birds did nightly harbour : 'THE LIGHTS AND SHADOWS ON THE LANDSCAPE'S FACE." A. SMITH. "RELICS YE ARE OF EDEN'S BOWERS." REV. JOHN KEBLE. 54 TO BLOSSOMS. And on a bough within the quick'ning spring, o Would be a-teaching of their young to sing ; w u, Whose pleasing notes the tired swain have made h g 3 To steal a nap at noontide in the shade. O x Nature herself did there in triumph ride, H K o And made that place the ground of all her pride. M Q Whose various show'rs deceived the rasher eye, c/5 | In taking them for curious tapestry. I 1 M A silver spring forth of a rock did fall, J M That in a drought did serve to water all. 5 J Upon the edges of a grassy bank, M O c/5 A tuft of trees grew circling in a rank, H K 5 As if they seemed their sports* to gaze upon, M Or stood as guard against the wind and sun : X U D So fair, so fresh, so green, so sweet a ground, * The piercing eyes of heaven yet never found. \ Q u Z [WILLIAM BROWNE, a descriptive poet of great excellence, born at h Tavistock in 1590, died about 1645. His principal works are, " Britannia's ri O Pastorals" from which the foregoing extract is taken "The Shepherd's . J Pipe," and " The Inner Temple Masque."] 5 M q X h o ti a H z < a, X TO BLOSSOMS. h M O 6. 5 f|*S|nj|AIR pledges of a fruitful tree, 5C o Why do you fall so fast ? 3 J u. Your date is not so past u c o But you may stay yet here awhile, 8 X H To blush and gently smile, Q d And go at last. z. 5 What ! were ye born to be An hour or half's delight And so to bid good night ? * The sports of some merry maidens who made this their place of meeting. "FLOWERS ARE LIKE THE PLEASURES OF THE WORLD." SHAKSPEARE. "TIME LAYS HIS HAND ON PYRAMIDS." SIR w. DAVENANT. A WARNING AGAINST PROCRASTINATION. 55 'Tis pity Nature brought ye forth Merely to show your worth, J And lose you quite. > NOUGHT." SOUTH WEI But you are lovely leaves, where we May read how soon things have Their end, though ne'er so brave : And after they have shown their pride, Like you, awhile, they glide X u Q o Into the grave. ~> ING LABOURS COME [ROBERT HERRICK, one of the most beautiful of English lyrical poets, born in London, 1591, died at the vicarage of Dean Prior, Devonshire, 1674; wrote "Noble Numbers," and the " Hespcrides, or Works both Human and Divine." His songs are distinguished by their happy expres- sion and graceful flow.] Z O 2 j 8 D 8 i h A WARNING AGAINST PROCRASTINATION. [pjgni ATHER ye rosebuds while ye may, X H i J igH Old Time is still a-flying; And this same flower that smiles to-day, 1 To-morrow will be dying. 2 | X The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun, en g The higher he's a-getting, The sooner will his race be run, And nearer he's to setting. 5 That age is best which is the first, g When youth and blood are warmer ; But being spent, the worse, and worst Times, still succeed the former. [ROBERT HERRICK. From the " Hesperides."J "WE TAKE NO NOTE OF TIME BUT FROM ITS LOSS." YOUNG. "SHUN DELAYS, THEY BREED REMORSE." SOUTHWELL. 56 SIC VITA SUCH IS LIFE. TO DAFFODILS. J w' J [g'flg^HlAIR daffodils, we weep to see g h You haste away so soon ; H I As yet the early rising sun x s Has not attained his noon : PH Stay, stay, 5 J Until the hastening day T W 5 Has run But to the even song; 89 And having prayed together, we X h 1 Will go with you along. u i ' .. We have short time to stay, as you ; w p i We have as short a spring ; a o E As quick a growth to meet decay H M M As you, or any thing : h O We die 3 i 1 As your hours do ; and dry E fc Away o M Like to the summer's rain, S in | Or as the pearls of morning dew, M M Ne'er to be found again. 5 h K M [ROBERT HERRICK. From the "Hesperides."] 1 s H 1 h n 3 O fe M M i 3 tf) SIC VITA SUCH IS LIFE. 9 |5wgs|IKE the falling of a star, li.EBll Or as the flights of eagles are ; Or like the fresh spring's gaudy hue, Or silver drops of morning dew ; "TAKE THY TIME, WHILE TIME is LENT THEE." SOUTHWELL. "WE LIVE IN DEEDS, NOT YEARS; IN THOUGHTS, NOT BREATHS." BAILEY. DEATH THE LEVELLER. 57 Or like a wind that chafes the flood, Or bubbles which on water stood : B? Even such is man whose borrowed light i 3 Is straight called in, and paid to-night. E g The wind blows out, the bubble dies ; Q M O 1 The spring entombed in autumn lies ; 3 The dew dries up, the star is shot ; 4 BJ The flight is past and man forgot. 3 BQ CO .1 D 1 ll [HENRY KING, Bishop of Chichester, a religious poet of great sweetness, oa born 1591, died October x, 1669 ] X a 3 o M | J g DEATH THE LEVELLER. a i 8 Q M i HUE glories of our blood and state B i Are shadows, not substantial things ; i u There is no armour against fate ; a fid Death lays his icy hand on kings : o H to Sceptre and crown td Q Q Must tumble down, H Q i 9 And in the dust be equal made Z H With the poor crooked scythe and spade. Cd ^ h 2 M Some men with swords may reap the field, b. O Id H And plant fresh laurels where they kill : | 3 But their strong nerves at last must yield ; V) J b. They tame but one another still : Z o Early or late id J They stoop to fate, H I 3 And must give up their murmuring breath h When they, pale captives, creep to death. The garlands wither on your brow ; Then boast no more your mighty deeds ; "LIFE, LIKE THEIR BIBLES, COOLLY MEN TURN O'ER." YOUNG. "THOU HAST ALL SEASONS FOR THINE OWN, O DEATH!" MRS. HEMANS. DEATH THE LEVELLER. Upon Death's purple altar now See where the victor-victim bleeds : Your heads must come To the cold tomb; Only the actions of the just Smell sweet, and blossom in their dust. [J. SHIRLEY, a dramatist, born 1596, died 1666. The song which we ex- tract from the play of "The Contention of Ajax and Ulysses," is said to have been a great favourite with Charles II.] "THERE'S A LEAN FELLOW BEATS ALL CONQUERORS.'' DEKKER. "GIVE ME FROM CARES A SURE RETREAT." NORRIS. VALLEGRO. 59 TRUE FREEDOM IS IN THE MIND. igP^giTONE walls do not a prison make, oi si H E |j|Sy|| Nor iron bars a cage ; (j U Minds innocent and quiet take X U z That for a hermitage : w 2 If I have freedom in my love, J And in my soul am free ; "j Angels alone, that soar above, r tti Enjoy such liberty. J E [RICHARD LOVELACE, a cavalier-poet, born 1618, died 1658. His poeti- X | * cal works consist of odes, sonnets, and songs.] u) Q J B J Q Z L'ALLEGRO. 2 X u H fjTgMTRAlGHT mine eye hath caught new pleasures, 3 u X M IfiSi While the landscape round it measures : t ^ Russet lawns and fallow gray, Q Z \Vhere the nibbling flocks do stray ; 1: 3 Mountains, on whose barren breast u i The lab'ring clouds do often rest ; 1 b Meadows trim with daisies pied, 1 . Shallow brooks and rivers wide ; < ! Towers and battlements it sees M Z 1 o Bosomed high in tufted trees, g b. V) Where perhaps some beauty lies, a Q Z < The cynosure of neighboring eyes. : * Hard by a cottage chimney smokes, t From betwixt two aged oaks, " Where Corydon and Thyrsis, met, Are at their sav'ry dinner set Of herbs, and other country messes, Which the neat-handed Phillis dresses : "TO ALL MEN FREEDOM SOLACE GIVES." BARIUMK. "FAME is NO PLANT THAT GROWS ON MORTAL SOIL." MILTON. 60 VALLEGRO. And then in haste her bower she leaves, With Thestylis to bind the sheaves ; Or, if the earlier season lead, To the tanned haycock in the mead. z Sometimes, with secure delight, I The upland hamlets will invite, I j s When the merry bells ring round, "> 55 And the jocund rebecks sound $ To many a youth and many a maid, I *. Dancing in the chequered shade ; H 3 And young and old come forth to play fc M i On a sunshine holiday. H in O Till the livelong daylight fail ; Q H Then to the spicy nut-brown ale, 3 M With stories told of many a feat, h SE M How fairy Mab the juncates ate ; Q i * She was pinched and pulled, she said, O O O And he, by friar's lantern led ; Q i M Tells how the grudging goblin sweat j M To earn his cream-bowl duly set, Q M When in one night, ere glimpse of morn, I g His shadowy flail had threshed the corn, 55 That ten day-labourers could not end ; O Then lies him^down the lubber fiend, M o a H And, stretched out all the chimney's length, h ID 8 Q Basks at the fire his hairy strength, X h 8 And, cropful, out of doors he flings, M Ere the first cock his matin rings. w Thus done the tales, to bed they creep, 5 By whisp'ring winds soon lulled asleep. Towered cities please us then, And the busy hum of men, Where throngs of knights and barons bold, In weeds of Peace high triumphs hold, "THEY ALSO SERVE WHO ONLY STAND AND WAIT." MILTON. "HE THAT HAS LIGHT WITHIN HIS OWN CLEAR BREAST L' ALLEGRO. 6 1 With store of ladies, whose bright eyes Rain influence, and judge the prize Of wit or arms, while both contend Z o h To win her grace, whom all commend. 1 J i There let Hymen oft appear i Z In saffron robe, with taper clear, z X o O f And Pomp, and Feast, and Revelry, .1 : h With Mask and antique Pageantry ; w X O Such sights as youthful poets dream > H On summer eves by haunted stream. J < X H Then to the well-trod stage anon, o If Jonson's learned sock be on, s s | Or sweetest Shakspeare, Fancy's child, X o Z 3 Warble his native wood-notes wild. X H i > And ever against eating cares, z Q j Lap me in soft Lydian airs, a o H i Married to immortal verse, k O X X Such as the meeting soul may pierce, s 1 In notes, with many a winding bout 1 Z Of linked sweetness long drawn out, uT i 5 h With wanton heed, and giddy cunning ; B B X Q 3 The melting voice through mazes running, 5 s U Untwisting all the chains that tie z H J The hidden soul of harmony ; i < (A That Orpheus' self may heave his head M x < From golden slumber on a bed H > | Of heaped Elysian flowers, and hear 03 h Z I Such strains as would have won the ear 1 X {- Of Pluto, to have quite set free < h His half-regained Eurydice. [JoHN MILTON, 1608-1674, our greatest epic poet and one of our finest prose writers, author of " Paradise Lost," "Paradise Regained," " Comus," "Samson Agonistes," " Areopagitica/' and other noble works in prose and poetry. We extract the above from the fine pastoral of " L' Allegro."] MAY SIT IN THE CENTRE, AND ENJOY BRIGHT DAY." MILTON. _, ,. 1 THE SOUL GROWS CLOTTED BY CONTAGION. MILTON. 62 ON MA Y MORNING. Z O H 3 ON SHAKSPEARE. J a |EVWjj|HAT needs my Shakspeare for his honoured bones, z o o o o l4jjyg| The labour of an age in piled stones ? i Q Z Or that his hallowed reliques should be hid z a Under a star-y-pointing pyramid ? E O i Dear son of Memory, great heir of Fame ! r u a What need'st thou such weak witness of thy name ? 5 M H M Thou, in our wonder and astonishment, E H Hast built thyself a live-long monument. H to For whilst, to the shame of slow-endeavouring Art, b Thy easy numbers flow ; and that each heart H D O 9C h Hath, from the leaves of thy unvalued * book, E h S Those Delphicf lines with deep impression took ; ^ s Then thou, our fancy of itself bereaving, o X Dost make us marble with too much conceiving ; K b. M And, so sepulchred, in such pomp dost lie, O 2 That kings for such a tomb would wish to die. 8 K L M M UOHN MILTON. Written in 1630.] E a h 13 ~v E O U C Z E ON MAY MORNING. 5 E- D 2 K U E IjrjRBjlOW the bright morning star, day's harbinger, S z BISivB Comes dancing from the east, and leads with her g W The flow'ry May, who from her green lap throws llf W The yellow cowslip and the pale primrose. W E H Hail, beauteous May, that doth inspire S 1 Mirth and youth and warm desire ! U * That is invaluable. Shakspeare uses the word " unvalued " with the 2 same meaning. f Delphic oracular. Delphi, in Greece, was the seat of a famous oracle of Apollo. "REFRESHMENT AFTER TOIL, EASE AFTER PAIN." MILTON. "LET THERE BE LIGHT! AND LIGHT WAS OVER ALL." MILTON. ON MA Y MORNING. Woods and groves are of thy dressing, Hill and dale doth boast thy blessing. Thus we salute thee with our early song. And welcome thee, and wish thee long. UOHN MILTON. From his "Poems on Several Occasions."] "HOW CHARMING IS DIVINE PHILOSOPHY l" MILTON. "WHERE THE HEART JOINS NOT, OUTWARD ACTS DEFILE NOT." MILTON. 64 SATAN'S ADDRESS TO THE SUN. FAME. f|!jieg^|AME is the spur that the clear spirit doth raise o $ (That last infirmity of noble minds) i To scorn delights and live laborious days : Q But the fair guerdon when we hope to find, M J And think to burst out into sudden blaze, O tk H 5 Comes the blind Fury with the abhorred shears, on O u And slits the thin-spun life. " But not the praise," < Phoebus replied, and touched my trembling ears ; O M o " Fame is no plant that grows on mortal soil, M X Nor in the glistering foil O H Set off to the world, nor in broad rumour lies ; Q 8 But lives and spreads aloft by those pure eyes, \ s And perfect witness of all- judging Jove ; \ h As he pronounces lastly on each deed, H Of so much fame in heaven expect thy meed." U E> ! UOHN MILTON. From his monody entitled "Lycidas." Shelley's H I M " Adonais," Tennyson's " In Memoriam," Milton's " Lycidas," and M M U Matthew Arnold's ' ' Thyrsis," are the four noblest elegiac poems in any g to H language.] 00 > u i h M 2 SATAN'S ADDRESS TO THE SUN. tS i id tejSJSI THOU, that with surpassing glory crowned S S h [ftJEjftll Look'st from thy sole dominion like the God h a Of this new world ; at whose sight all the stars H hi Hide their diminished heads ; to thee I call, * But with no friendly voice ; and add thy name, O Sun, to tell thee how I hate thy beams, That bring to my remembrance from what state I fell, how glorious once above thy sphere ; "EVIL NEWS RIDES POST, WHILE GOOD NEWS BAITS." MILTON. "THEY WHO ADVANCE GOD'S GLORY, NOT THEIR OWN, SATAN'S ADDRESS TO THE SUN. Till pride and worse ambition threw me down, \Varring in heaven against heaven's matchless king. Ah, wherefore? He deserved no such return From me, whom he created what I was In that bright eminence, and with his good Upbraided none, nor was his service hard. What could be less than to afford him praise, The easiest recompense, and pay him thanks? THEM HE HIMSELF TO GLORY WILL ADVANCE." MM "ALL THINGS ARE BEST FULFILLED IN THEIR DUE TIME." MILTON. 66 SATAN'S ADDRESS TO THE SUN. How due ! yet all his good proved ill in me, And wrought but malice ; lifted up so high, I 'sdained subjection, and thought one step higher Would set me highest, and in a moment quit The debt immense of endless gratitude, So burdensome still paying, still to owe : Forgetful what from him I still received ; And understood not that a grateful mind By owing owes not, but still pays, at once Indebted and discharged : what burden then ? Oh, had his powerful destiny ordained Me some inferior angel, I had stood H Then happy; no unbounded hope had raised Ambition ! Yet why not ? some other power As great might have aspired, and me, though mean, Drawn to his part ; but other powers as great Fell not, but stand unshaken, from within As from without, to all temptations armed. Hadst thou the same free will and power to stand ? Thou hadst : whom hast thou, then, or what to accuse, But Heaven's free love dealt equally to all ? Be then his love accurst; since love or hate, To me alike, it deals eternal woe : Nay, cursed be thou ; since against his thy will Chose freely what it now so justly rues. Me miserable ! which way shall I fly Infinite wrath and infinite despair ? Which way I fly is hell ; myself am hell ; And in the lowest deep a lower deep, Still threatening to devour, me opens wide ; To which the hell I suffer seems a heaven. Oh, then at last relent ; is there no place Left for repentance, none for pardon left ? None left but by submission ; and that word -"MANY BOOKS, WISE MEN HAVE SAID, ARE WEARISOME." MILTON. HEAVEN IS AS THE BOOK OF GOD BEFORE THEE SET. MILTON. SATAN'S ADDRESS TO THE SUN. 67 Disdain forbids me, and my dread of shame Among the spirits beneath, whom I seduced With other promises and other vaunts Than to submit, boasting I could subdue The Omnipotent. Ay me ! they little know How dearly I abide that boast so vain ; Under what torments inwardly I groan, While they adore me on the throne of hell. With diadem and sceptre high advanced, The lower still I fall ; only supreme In misery : such joy ambition finds. But say I could repent, and could obtain By act of grace my former state ; how soon Would height recall high thoughts, how soon unsay What feigned submission swore ! Ease would recant * Vows made in pain, as violent and void. For never can true reconcilement grow Where wounds of deadly hate have pierced so deep ; Which would but lead me to a worse relapse And heavier fall : so should I purchase dear Short intermission bought with double smart. This knows my Punisher ; therefore as far From granting he, as I from begging peace : All hope excluded thus, behold, instead Of us outcast, exiled, his new delight, Mankind, created, and for him this world. So farewell hope ; and with hope, farewell fear : Farewell remorse : all good to me is lost ; Evil, be thou my good ; by thee at least Divided empire with heaven's king I hold, By thee, and more than half perhaps will reign ; As man ere long and this new world shall know. [JOHN MILTON. From "Paradise Lost."] " SOLICIT NOT THY THOUGHTS WITH MATTERS HID." MILTON. " FOR SOLITUDE SOMETIMES IS BEST SOCIETY ; 68 THE GARDEN OF EDEN. THE GARDEN OF EDEN. on he fares, and to the borders comes Of Eden, where delicious Paradise, Now nearer, crowns with her enclosure green, As with a rural mound, the champaign head Of a steep wilderness, whose hairy sides With thicket overgrown, grotesque and wild, Access denied ; and overhead up-grew Insuperable height of loftiest shade, Cedar and pine, and fir, and branching palm, A sylvan scene, and as the ranks ascend, Shade above shade, a woody theatre Of stateliest view. Yet higher than their tops The verd'rous wall of Paradise up-sprung : Which to our general sire gave prospect large Into his nether empire neighb'ring round. And higher than that wall a circling row Of goodliest trees, loaden with fairest fruit, Blossoms and fruit at once of golden hue, Appeared, with gay enamelled colours mixed ; On which the sun more glad impressed his beams Than in fair evening cloud, or humid bow, When God hath showered the earth ; so lovely seemed That landscape ; and of pure, now purer air Meets his approach, and to the heart inspires Vernal delight and joy, able to drive All sadness but despair ; now gentle gales Fanning their odoriferous wings, dispense Native perfumes, and whisper whence they stole Those balmy spoils : as when to them who sail Beyond the Cape of Hope, and now are past Mozambic, off at sea north-east winds blow AND SHORT RETIREMENT URGES SWEET RETURN." MILTON. " NO CRIME SO BOLD BUT WOULD BE UNDERSTOOD THE THAMES. 69 Sabean odours from the spicy shore Of Araby the blest ; with such delay <' Well pleased they slack their course, and many a s X Z M league, X z Q Cheered with the grateful smell, old Ocean smiles. h) Q J [JOHN MILTON. From " Paradise Lost."J M CO i J " a $ > M * W 1 THE THAMES. \ H X D irejjTlY eye, descending from the Hill, surveys, z J JaJJJI Where Thames among the wanton valleys strays ; X p 1 Thames, the most loved of all the ocean's sons, M H H By his old sire, to his embraces runs, h h. Hasting to pay his tribute to the sea, g O M Like mortal life to meet eternity ; 8 09 Though with those streams he no remembrance hold, rf z Whose foam is amber, and their gravel gold : w u o His genuine and less guilty wealth t' explore, u Q M X Search not his bottom but survey his shore, M H . O'er which he kindly spreads his spacious wing, E v> And hatches plenty for the ensuing spring ; p a z And then destroys it with too fond a stay, M K O B Like mothers who their infants overlay ; X X z 1 Nor with a sudden and impetuous wave, X H 6 X Like profuse kings, resumes the wealth he gave. 5 z V No unexpected inundations spoil 1 The mower's hopes, nor mock the ploughman's toil, X But god-like his unwearied bounty flows ; First loves to do, then loves the good he does. Nor are his blessings to his banks confined, But free or common as the sea or wind ; A REAL, OR AT LEAST A SEEMING GOOD." DENHAM. " 'TIS THE MOST CERTAIN SIGN THE WORLD'S ACCURST, 70 THE THAMES. When he, to boast or to disperse his stores, Full of the tributes of his grateful shores, Visits the world, and in his flying towers S Brings home to us, and makes both Indies ours : 3E X X Finds wealth where 'tis, bestows it where it wants, Q W j Cities in deserts, woods in cities, plants. 3 So that to us no thing, no place, is strange, i u While his fair bosom is the world's exchange. 06 u u Oh, could I flow like thee ! and make thy stream My great example, as it is my theme ; o i Though deep, yet clear, though gentle, yet not dull ; u M < Strong without rage, without o'erflowing, full. u a M X o [Sir JOHN DENHAM, chiefly known to posterity by his poem of " Cooper's H H Hill " (near Chertsey, Surrey), in which the foregoing vigorous and ener- S 8 getic lines occur. Born 1615, died 1668.] K hi K n w ^ Q , 1 h Q 5 Q X H hi O Q 8 Q hi 1 X en W f-/^& ^ta O X h ^^^iJI&'fjp'iSj^^ <3*^> K _ ^^^^FSSsiMlhS^S^r^^*^ Q 3 $y (j{p g^> Q J 1 3 ft 8 Z H THAT THE BEST THINGS CORRUPTED ARE THE WORST." DENHAM. ABRAHAM COPLEY, A.D. 1618. EDWARD YOUNG, A.D. 1765. " PURE IS THE FLAME OF FRIENDSHIP, AND DIVINE, PART II. A KING'S GARDEN. jETIIINKS I see great Diocletian* walk In the Salonian garden's noble shade, Which by his own imperial hands was made ; I see him smile, methinks, as he does talk With the ambassadors, who come in vain To entice him to a throne again. "If I, my friends," said he, "should to you show All the delights which in these gardens grow, 'Tis likelier much that you should with me stay, Than 'tis that you should carry me away : And trust me not, my friends, if every day I walk not here with more delight Than ever, after the most happy fight, In triumph to the Capitol I rode, To thank the gods, and to be thought myself a god. " [ABRAHAM COWLEV, born in London in 1618, died at Chertsey in 1667. Those who read him "must be contented to admire rather than to be pleased." He overloads his poems with conceits, which we may praise for theifnngcnuity, but feel in their abundance to be wearisome. His principal works are a sacred poem, "The Davideis," his "Books of Plants," "Anacreontics," and "Elegiac Poems." The foregoing extract is from "The Garden. "] * The Emperor Diocletian abdicated sovereignty on the tst of May 305, and retired to his birth-place in Dalmatia, where he spent the remainder of his life in the cultivation of his garden, refusing all solicitations to resume imperial honours. He died at Salona about 312-313. I.IKE THAT WHICH IN I! I " OWI.KY. " THIS ONLY GRANT ME, THAT MY MEANS MAY LIE 74 THE GRASSHOPPER. ON DELAYS. > |bgJ!W||EGIN, be bold, and venture to be wise; LBRAHAM COWL! IJlGl ^ e w ^ Defers thi s WOI> k from day to day, Does on a river's bank expecting stay, Till the whole stream which stopped him should be gone, That runs, and as it runs, for ever will run on. LHAM COWLEY. [ABRAHAM COWLEY. From the Latin.] K M | s o r DEEDS, BUT GOOD A THE GRASSHOPPER. isajjra|APPY insect ! what can be jg t || In happiness compared to thee ? Fed with nourishment divine, The dewy morning's gentle wine ! VIRTUE'S PROP IT jo W ft O as o h w Nature waits upon thee still, And thy verdant cup does fill; 'Tis filled wherever thou dost tread, Nature's self's thy Ganymede. Thou dost drink, and dance, and sing, Happier than the happiest king ! o H w 1 2 & rf H *< WOULD HJ All the fields which thou dost see, All the plants belong to thee, All that summer hours produce, A LUXURL M Fertile made with early juice : 3 z o 33 H 1 Man for thee does sow and plough ; Farmer he and landlord thou ! Thou dost innocently joy, Nor does thy luxury destroy. "H The shepherd gladly heareth thee, More harmonious than he. Thee, country minds with gladness hear, Prophet of the ripened year : TOO LOW FOR ENVY ; FOR CONTEMPT, TOO HIGH." COWLEY. " HE THAT RUNS IT WELL, TWICE RUNS HIS RACE." COWLEY. THE SONG OF THE EMIGRANTS IN BERMUDA. 75 M i Thee Phoebus loves and does inspire ; J Phoebus is himself thy sire. . a < To thee, of all things upon earth, u M Q Life is no longer than thy mirth. u Happy insect ! happy thou, ? h D CO Dost neither age nor winter know : \ But when thou'st drunk, and danced, and sung J 9 Thy fill, the flowery leaves among "w en (Voluptuous and wise withal, D U ^ s b Epicurean animal), J i Sated with the summer feast U) u Thou retir'st to endless rest. z 9 H [ABRAHAM COWLEY.] a z 0. J Q < X a z THE SONG OF THE EMIGRANTS IN BERMUDA. 1 s |FCTia]IIERE the remote Bermudas* ride M X a H B^VjCT In the ocean's bosom unespied, H df E From a small boat that rowed along H c The listening winds received this song. Z M Z H " What should we do but sing His praise Ul Z X H That led us through the watery maze, X H Where He the huge sea-monsters macks X M That lift the deep upon their backs, g a Unto an isle so long unknown, j And yet far kinder than our own ? o He lands us on a grassy stage, - i Safe from the storms, and prelate's rage : f u 1 X * The Bermuda Islands, discovered by Bermudez, a Spaniard, in 1527, are situated between the Gulf of Mexico and the North Atlantic Ocean, in X H lat. 32 20' N. They number five hundred, but are mostly rocks. t These emigrants are supposed to have quitted England to avoid perse- cution on account of their religious faith. " TH* UNKNOWN ARF BETTER THAN ILL KNOWN." -COWLEY. " HE IS THE FREEMAN WHOM THE TRUTH MAKES FREE." COWPER. 76 THE SONG OF THE EMIGRANTS IN BERMUDA. He gave us this eternal spring Which here enamels everything, And sends the fowls to us in care DJ M w Q On daily visits through the air. $ o He hangs in shades the orange bright Like golden lamps in a green night, And does in the pomegranates close SHINE." \\ H Q ID Jewels more rich than Ormus* shows : He makes the figs our mouths to meet, ANGEL h And throws the melons at our feet ; sz H But apples, plants of such a price, M CE. O a No tree could ever bear them twice. With cedars chosen by his hand From Lebanon he stores the land ; O X X 09 And makes the hollow seas that roar W W Proclaim the ambergris on shore. s H He cast (of which we rather boast) H M The Gospel's pearl upon our coast ; w" z And in these rocks for us did frame 5 FIRST MADE M A temple where to sound His name. Oh, let our voice His praise exalt Till it arrive at heaven's vault, Which then perhaps rebounding, may WITH VIRTUE Id K Echo beyond the Mexique bay !" CO H O 5 W M K fa Thus sung they in the English boat, A holy and a cheerful note : And all the way, to guide their chime, RE RELIGION ^ With falling oars they kept the time. H I [ANDREW MARVELL, poet and statesman, remarkable for his integrity, manliness, and high sense of honour, born 1620, died 1678.] * Ormus, in the Persian Gulf, famous for its pearls. " THE CAUSE OF FREEDOM IS THE CAUSE OF GOD." W. L. BOWLES. FOND ARCHER, HOPE, WHO TAK ST THINE AIM SO FAR, THE SONG OF THE NIGHTINGALE. 77 THE SONG OF THE NIGHTINGALE. [From a poem entitled "Music's Duel," founded on a Latin poem by Strada.] JER supple breast thrills out Sharp airs, and staggers in a warbling doubt Of dallying sweetness, hovers o'er her skill, And folds in waved notes, with a trembling bill, The pliant series of her slippery song ; Then starts she suddenly into a throng Of short thick sobs, whose thund'ring volleys float And roll themselves over her lubric throat In panting murmurs, stilled out of her breast ; THAT STILL, OR SHORT OR WIDE, THINE ARROWS ARE." CRASH AW. " RICH, LAZARUS, RICHER IN THOSE GEMS, THY TEARS, 78 THE SONG OF THE NIGHTINGALE. That ever-bubbling spring ; the sugared nest $ Of her delicious soul, that there does lie M Bathing in streams of liquid melody ; ^ K U Music's best seed-plot ; where, in ripened airs, E e/: "j A golden-headed harvest fairly rears K U E His honey-dropping tops, ploughed by her breath Q K U Which there reciprocally laboureth U 2 In that sweet soil, it seems a holy quire S Q Founded to th' name of great Apollo's lyre ; >' 0) H Whose silver roof rings with the sprightly notes P t/3 H Of sweet-lipped angel-imps, that swell their throats H q In cream of morning Helicon,* and then s j Prefer soft anthems to the ears of men, U I* D To woo them from their beds, still murmuring z J That men can sleep while they their matins sing Q U Most divine service f whose so early lay 5 s H Prevents J the eyelids of the blushing day. H nf There might you hear her kindle her soft voice, H 66 In the close murmur of a sparkling noise; e M And lay the groundwork of her hopeful song, < u Still keeping in the forward stream so long, * 5 Till a sweet whirlwind striving to get out X H Heaves her soft bosom, wanders round about, J H 2 And makes a pretty earthquake in her breast, h BE Till the fledged notes at length forsake their nest, S h h E O Fluttering in wanton shoals, and to the sky, D Winged with their own wild echoes, prattling fly. W3 "S She opes the flood-gate, and lets loose a tide PLi OS Of streaming sweetness, which in state doth ride * U X On the waved back of every swelling strain, 5 H Rising and falling in a pompous train, * A mountain in Greece, whose fountains of Aganippe arid Hippocrene are sacred to Apollo and the Muses. t An allusion to the "jnatins," or morning service of the Roman Church \ Prevents used in its ancient sense of " anticipates." THAN DIVES IN THE ROBES HE WEARS." CRASHAW. " GIFTS ARE SCORNED WHERE GIVERS ARE DESPISED." DRYDEN. A CHARACTER. 79 Z* 3 a And while she thus discharges a shrill peal RYDEN Q Of flashing airs, she qualifies their zeal Q J With the cool epode * of a graver note ; "w z Thus high, thus low, as if her silver throat i 6. Would reach the brazen voice of War's hoarse bird ; Q M U h Her little soul is ravished, and so poured I X Id K (j Into loose ecstacies, that she is placed u Z Above herself, Music's enthusiast. i uT [RICHARD CRASHAW, a poet of deep devotional feeling and wonderful 1 M richness of expression, was born in London about 1625 the exact date is H (A uncertain and died in Italy in 1650. His chief works are, " Steps to the Z js Temple," "The Delights of the Muses," and a version of Marino's " Sos- X 2 petto d'Herode."J 15 U z H b h s z* A CHARACTER. at td h I THE COURTIER. i o H [Designed as a portrait of George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, one of Q Z the favourites of Charles II.] H Z [gaagjOME of their chiefs were princes of the land ; X 5 a. 1 O IKftH In the first rank of these did Zimri stand : ' I U A man so various, that he seemed to be h 8 H Not one, but all mankind's epitome : H Stiff in opinions, always in the wrong ; i 3 Was everything by starts, and nothing long ; a But, in the course of one revolving moon, I H Was chemist, fiddler, statesman, and buffoon : M (d 3 Then all for women, painting, rhyming, drinking, X z 3 Besides ten thousand freaks that died in thinking. X B K Blest madman, who could every hour employ, < a With something new to wish, or to enjoy ! I H X O Railing and praising were his usual themes ; 3 J- 2 And both, to show his judgment, in extremes : Q 8 * Epode (E7r his " Rape of the Lock," and his " Moral Essays." His other works are, 3 ffl " Eloisa to Abclard," " Elegy on an Unfortunate Lady," " Windsor Forest," Q " The Temple of Fame," " Satires," " The Dunciad," his translation of the W 5 o Homeric poems, and some minor odes, prologues, epitaphs, and epigrams. z 8 The foregoing extract is from the " Moral Essays," Epistle iii.J a > h j X B H O h A FOREST SCENE. n 09 < Q Z [JTVSJIOT proud Olympus yields a nobler sight, w U Though gods assembled grace his towering height, J o Than what more humble mountains offer here, D o H (A Where, in their blessings, all those gods appear. X O See Pan with flocks, with fruits Pomona crowned, E M Here blushing Flora paints the enamelled ground, o bu u Here Ceres' gifts in waving prospect stand, O M J And nodding tempt the joyful reaper's hand. U H Z o z See ! from the brake the whirring pheasant springs, Z u And mounts exulting on triumphant wings : 9 z h Short is his joy ; he feels the fiery wound, u u Flutters in blood, and panting beats the ground. : Ah, what avail his glossy varying dyes, His purple crest, and scarlet-circled eyes, The vivid green his shining plumes unfold, His painted wings, and breast that flames with gold ? OF STUPID STARERS AND OF LOUD HUZZAS." POPE. ONE SCIENCE ONLY WILL ONE GENIUS FIT ; A FOREST SCENE. Nor yet when moist Arcturus clouds the sky, The wopds and fields their pleasing toils deny. To plains with well-breathed beagles we repair, And trace the mazes of the circling hare (Beasts, urged by us, their fellow beasts pursue, And learn of man each other to undo) : With slaughtering guns th' unweary fowler roves, When frosts have whitened all the naked groves ; Where doves in flocks the leafless trees o'ershade, And lonely woodcocks haunt the watery glade. SO VAST IS ART, SO NARROW HUMAN WIT." POPE. " WHOEVER THINKS A FAl'LTLESS PIECE TO SEE, THE CARAVAN IN THE DESER T. 9 1 He lifts the tube, and levels with his eye; Straight a short thunder breaks the frozen sky : Oft, as in airy rings they skim the heath, i The clamorous lapwings feel the leaden death ; Oft as the mounting larks their holes prepare, i NOT THERRFORR KIND."- They fall, and leave their little lives in air. In genial spring, beneath the quivering shade, Where cooling vapours breathe along the mead, The patient fisher takes his silent stand, Intent, his angle trembling in his hand : With looks unmoved, he hopes the scaly breed, And eyes the dancing cork and bending reed. tACH OF VULGAR SONG." i i Our plenteous streams a various race supply : The bright-eyed perch, with fins of Tyrian dye ; The silver eel, in shining volume rolled ; H X h 8 The yellow carp, in scales bedropped with gold ; < B Swift trouts, diversified with crimson stains ; 5 | And pikes, the tyrants of the watery plains. [ALEXANDER POPE. From "Windsor Forest," 1. in to 1. 146.] TRUTH TO I s O X h O X n 2 O THE CARAVAN IN THE DESERT. firgfjlREATHED hot [i.Ba From all the boundless furnace of the sky, W X H 2 And the wide glittering waste of burning sand, A suffocating wind the pilgrim smites With instant death. Patient of thirst and toil, " TAUGHl Son of the Desert ! e'en the camel feels, Shot through his withered heart, the fiery blast. Or from the black-red ether, bursting broad, Sallies the sudden whirlwind. Straight the sands Commoved around, in gathering eddies play ; THINKS WHAT NE'ER WAS, NOR IS, NOR NE*ER SHALL BE." POPE. " BY MEANS THAT EVIL SEEM TO NARROW MEN, THE CARAVAN IN THE DESERT. Nearer and nearer still they darkening come, Till, with the general all-involving storm Swept up, the whole continuous wilds arise ; And by their noonday fount dejected thrown, Or sunk at night in sad disastrous sleep, Beneath descending hills, the caravan Is buried deep. In Cairo's crowded streets The impatient merchant, wondering, waits in vain, And Mecca saddens at the long delay. [JAMES THOMSON, born 1703, died 1748, will always hojd a high rank among the English minstrels from his singularly great powers of description. He observed nature closely, and painted her with equal truth and vigour. His finest work is "The Seasons," a poem which sketches the varying aspects of earth during the revolving year; but his "Castle of Indolence" is scarcely inferior in true poetic spirit. The above extract is from "The Seasons."] SUPERIOR BEINGS WORK THEIR MYSTIC WILL." THOMSON. " ALL OCEAN IS HER OWN, AND EVERY LAND RULE BRITANNIA. 93 RULE BRITANNIA. Z Z o X [FtfWjjIHEN Britain first, at Heaven's command, z' o I Ijj^g] Arose from out the azure main, X a This was the charter of the land, I z 2 And guardian angels sung the strain : T z Rule Britannia, Britannia rules the waves ! u (b Britons never shall be slaves. 1 O h. z a H H The nations not so blest as thee, 9 D Must in their turn to tyrants fall, CO M D O Whilst thou shalt flourish great and free, H X The dread and envy of them all. a 1 Rule Britannia, Britannia rules the waves ! u X h 3 Britons never shall be slaves. h a H u z Still more majestic shalt thou rise, H 9 H More dreadful from each foreign stroke ; w 5 O > As the loud blast that tears the skies, h. O h Serves but to root thy native oak. cu Z Rule Britannia, Britannia rules the waves ! u u < Britons never shall be slaves. X z z M H 2 H 03 Thee haughty tyrants ne'er shall tame ; O All their attempts to bend thee down \ i Will but arouse thy generous flame, 1 GO And work their woe and thy renown. X '4 Rule Britannia, Britannia rules the waves ! * Britons never shall be slaves. To thee belongs the rural reign ; Thy cities shall with commerce shine ; TO WHOM HER RULING THUNDER OCEAN BEARS." THOMSON. " WE ONLY TOIL, WHO ARE THE FIRST OF THINGS, 94 A ROYAL MADMAN. All thine shall be the subject main, And every shore it circles thine. Rule Britannia, Britannia rules the waves ! . _3 J Britons never shall be slaves. H 3 M 0, The Muses, still with Freedom found, u w u < Shall to thy happy coast repair ; < 6 i o Blest Isle, with matchless beauty crowned, X V X f And manly hearts to guard the fair. ^1 J Rule Britannia, Britannia rules the waves ! 2 $ Britons never shall be slaves. M (9 Q [JAMES THOMSON. From the masque of " King Arthur." The music to X "* this noble song, which has deservedly become our national hymn, was com- H H posed by Dr. Arne.] O 2 M M OH Q 8 A ROYAL MADMAN. < M bf O CHARLES XII. OF SWEDEN. < o h, K O w [ES5|sn|N what foundation stands the warrior's pride, Q 8 Kj|J How just his hopes, let Swedish Charles decide; 5 w A frame of adamant, a soul of fire, M u 5 M Q No dangers fright him, and no labours tire ; X H J O O'er love, o'er fear, extends his wide domain ; < Unconquered lord of pleasure and of pain ; H X H No joys to him pacific sceptres yield, u War sounds the trump, he rushes to the field ; g 5 Behold surrounding kings their powers combine, X H And one capitulate, and one resign ; Peace courts his hand, but spreads her charms in vain ; "Think nothing gained, "he cries, "till nought remain; On Moscow's walls till Gothic banners fly, And all be mine beneath the Polar sky." AND MAKE PERPETUAL MOAN." TENNYSON. " UNNUMBERED SUPPLIANTS CROWD PREFERMENT'S GATE." JOHNSON. ODE TO THE SPRING. 95 The march begins in military state, And nations on his eye suspended wait ; ^ Stern Famine guards the solitary coast, < And Winter barricades the realms of frost ; f J He comes, nor Want and Cold his course delay ; c X w D Hide, blushing Glory, hide Pultowa's day : * i h The vanquished hero leaves his broken bands, i And shows his miseries in distant lands ; p Condemned a needy supplicant to wait ; I s fc While ladies interpose, and slaves debate. E < But did not chance at length her error mend ? M X M Did no subverted empire mark his end ? j j X Or hostile millions press him to the ground ? u 2 His fall was destined to a barren strand. o a A petty fortress, and a dubious hand ; f 1 o z He left a name at which the world grew pale, E o To point a moral, or adorn a tale. X f- [SAMUEL JOHNSON, 1709-1784, better known to posterity as the author of M u (/> "The Lives of the Poets," "Rassclas," and "The Rambler," than as the I o z author of "The Vanity of Human Wishes" (from which the foregoing lines 3 E are quoted), and "London" two didactic poems of great merit.] D 03 c/3 Q H z o Z 3 <; X C/3 "z ODE TO THE SPRING. -z Q X [|T^|O ! where the rosy-bosomed hours, 3 M o Fair Venus' train appear, i E Disclose the long- expecting flowers, 2 And wake the purple year ! U * Charles XII. was totally defeated by Peter the Great of Russia on the field of Pultowa, or Pultava, July 8, 1709. t He was killed by a chance shot while besieging the small town of Frederickshald, in Norway, December n, 1718. " FRIENDSHIP, PECULIAR BOON OF HEAVEN." SAMUEL JOHNSON. AS VARIOUS TRACTS ENFORCE A VARIOUS TOIL, 9 6 ODE TO THE SPRING. The Attic warbler* pours her throat Responsive to the cuckoo's note, The untaught harmony of spring : While, whispering pleasure as they fly, Cool zephyrs through the clear blue sky Their gathered fragrance fling. Where'er the oak's thick branches stretch A broader, browner shade, Where'er the rude and moss-grown beech O'er-canopies the glade, Beside some water's rushy brink With me the Muse shall sit, and think, (At ease reclined in rustic state), How vain the ardour of the crowd, How low, how little are the proud, How indigent the great ! Still is the toiling hand of care ; The panting herds repose : * That is, Philomela, the nightingale, a bird frequently heard among the groves of Attica, and much celebrated by the Greek poets. THE MANNERS SPEAK THE IDIOM OF THE SOIL." GRAY. "THE PATHS OF GLORY LEAD BUT TO THE GRAVE." GRAY. ODE TO THE SPRING. 97 Yet hark, how through the peopled air j The busy murmur glows ! jf The insect youth are on the wing, J i Eager to taste the honied spring j 5 o And float amid the liquid noon : X a H Some lightly o'er the current skim, w X H fid Some show their gaily gilded trim Quick-glancing to the sun. hi H u U fid To Contemplation's sober eye \ X H Such is the race of Man : Q Z O And they that creep, and they that fly, * Q Shall end where they began. O M Alike the busy and the gay a. U c H But flutter through life's little day, X h I In Fortune's varying colours drest : Z o V) Brushed by the hand of rough Mischance, X h D fid J Or chilled by Age, their airy dance g B They leave, in dust to rest. B D O 8 Methinks I hear in accents low u Z H The sportive kind reply : H 3 Poor moralist ! and what art thou ? Q fid X H A solitary fly ! 3 Thy joys no glittering female meets, fid X as No hive hast thou of hoarded sweets, h CQ a No painted plumage to display : X h 1 On hasty wings thy youth is flown : h Z fid 1 Thy sun is set, thy spring is gone J j 8 We frolic while 'tis May. z o [T. GRAY, author of " The Bard," " Elegy in a Country Churchyard," r and other immortal poems, born 1716, died 1771. His specialty is a re- markable richness and felicity of diction.] " FULL MANY A FLOWER IS BORN TO BLUSH UNSEEN." GRAY. " MAN'S FEEBLE RACE, WHAT ILLS AWAIT, 98 HASSAN; OR, THE CAMEL-DRIVER. AN EPITAPH FOR HEROIC WARRIORS. C/5 Z g j O |B^jSS t a|OW sleep the brave who sink to rest 13 U S By all their country's wishes blest ! u 1 3 j When Spring, with dewy fingers cold, j i Returns to deck their hallowed mould, ^ J She there shall dress a sweeter sod J Q M 3 Than fancy's feet have ever trod. 8 Q K Q By fairy hands their knell is rung, 8- O By forms unseen their dirge is sung ; S >. H There Honour comes, a pilgrim gray, X a To bless the turf that wraps their clay; oT Q z And Freedom shall awhile repair, \ a To dwell a weeping hermit there ! Q H 3 5 j [W. COLLINS, author of some fine "Eclogues," or "Pastoral Poems," ft! < a and of the most vigorous lyrical poetry in our language, born 1720, died > X h 1756.1 a H Q" ^ ,_, HASSAN; OR, THE CAMEL-DRIVER. K ** W j Scene The Desert. Time Mid- day. E y * H O ||gF7Fg|N silent horror, o'er the boundless waste, 2 Q jOJBjm The driver Hassan with his camels past ; *, 5 h One cruise of water on his back he bore, a" x And his light scrip contained a scanty store ; h A fan of painted feathers in his hand, M h To guard his shaded face from scorching sand. a" 5 The sultry sun had gained the middle sky, 3 And not a tree and not an herb was nigh; The beasts with pain their dusty way pursue, Shrill roared the winds, and dreary was the view ! LABOUR AND PENURY, THE RACKS OF PAIN." GRAY. THOUGHTS THAT BREATHE, AND WORDS THAT BURN. GRAY. HASSAN; OR, THE CAMEL-DRIVER. 99 With desperate sorrow wild, the affrighted man Thrice sighed, thrice struck his breast, and thus began : " Sad was the hour, and luckless was the day, .1 When first from Schiraz' walls I bent my way ! Ah, little thought I of the blasting wind, The thirst or pinching hunger that I find ! Bethink thee, Hassan, where shall thirst assuage, When fails this cruise, his unrelenting rage ? Soon shall this scrip its precious load resign, Then what but tears and hunger shall be thine ? Ye mute companions of my toils, that bear In all my griefs a more than equal share ! Here, where no springs in murmurs break away, Or moss-crowned fountains mitigate the day, In vain ye hope the green delights to know, Which plains more blest or verdant vales bestow ; Here rocks alone and tasteless sands are found, And faint and sickly winds for ever howl around. Sad was the hour, and luckless was the day, When first from Schiraz' walls I bent my way ! Cursed be the gold and silver which persuade Weak men to follow far fatiguing trade ! The lily peace outshines the silver store, And life is dearer than the golden ore ; Yet money tempts us o'er the desert brown, To every distant mart and wealthy town. Full oft we tempt the land, and oft the sea; And are we only yet repaid by thee ? Ah, why was ruin so attractive made, Or why fond man so easily betrayed ? Why heed we not, while mad we haste along, The gentle voice of Peace, or Pleasure's song ? Or wherefore think the flowery mountain's side, The fountain's murmurs, and the valley's pride "WHERE BREATHING NATURE LIVES IN EVERY LINE." COLLINS. " MAJESTIC FORMS OF MIGHTY MONARCHS RISE." COLLINS. 100 HASSAN; OR, THE CAMEL-DRIVER. Why think we these less pleasing to behold Than dreary deserts, if they lead to gold ! Sad was the hour, and luckless was the day, When first from Schiraz' walls I bent my way ! Oh, cease, my fears ! All frantic as I go, s When thought creates unnumbered scenes of woe, What if the lion in his rage I meet ! ^ Oft in the_ dust I view his printed feet ; And fearful oft when Day's declining light 3 Yields her pale empire to the mourner Night, By hunger roused he scours the groaning plain, Gaunt wolves and sullen tigers in his train ; Before them Death with shrieks directs their way, Fills the wild yell, and leads them to their prey. Sad was the hour, and luckless was the day, When first from Schiraz' walls I bent my way ! At that dead hour the silent asp shall creep, If aught of rest I find, upon my sleep ; Or some swoln serpent twist his scales around, And wake to anguish with a burning wound. Thrice happy they, the wise contented poor, From lust of wealth and dread of death secure ! They tempt no deserts, and no griefs they find ; Peace rules the day where reason rules the mind. Sad was the hour, and luckless was the day, When first from Schiraz' walls I bent my way ! O hapless youth ! for she thy love hath won, The tender Zara ! will be most undone. Big swelled my heart, and owned the powerful maid, When fast she dropped her tears, as thus she said : ' Farewell the youth whom sighs could not detain, Whom Zara's breaking heart implored in vain ! Yet as thou go'st may every blast arise Weak and unfelt as these rejected sighs ! "EACH BEAUTEOUS IMAGE OF THE BOUNDLESS MIND." COLLINS. "HOW BLESSED IS HE WHO CROWNS, IN SHADES LIKE THESE, ENGL ISH CO UNTR Y LIFE. I O I Safe o'er the wild no pearls mayst thou see, X* i No griefs endure, nor weep, false youth, like me.' Oh, let me safely to the fair return, Say with a kiss, she must not, shall not mourn ; Oh, let me teach my heart to lose its fears, Recalled by Wisdom's voice and Zara's tears. " He said, and called on Heaven to bless the day When back to Schiraz' walls he bent his way. UL LOVE." GOLDSMITH. [WILLIAM COLLINS. From the "Persian Eclogues."] X ENGLISH COUNTRY LIFE. THE VILLAGE SCHOOLMASTER AND THE VILLAGE INN. |B f gjg|ESIDE yon straggling fence that skirts the way, .OOfil With blossomed furze unprofitably gay, There, in his noisy mansion, skilled to rule, The village master taught his little school ; 1 A man severe he was, and stern to view I knew him well, and every truant knew ; 8 Well had the boding tremblers learned to trace The day's disasters in his morning face ; X Full well they laughed with counterfeited glee i At all his jokes, for many a joke had he ; X h Full well the busy whisper circling round, * Conveyed the dismal tidings when he frowned ; > Yet he was kind, or if severe in aught, The love he bore to learning was in fault ; Q Z a The village all declared how much he knew ; 'Twas certain he could write and cypher too ; Lands he could measure, times and tides presage, And even the story ran that he could gauge ; A YOUTH OF LABOUR WITH AN AGE OF EASE l" GOLDSMITH. "LET SCHOOL-TAUGHT PRIDE DISSEMBLE ALL IT CAN ; ENGLISH COUNTRY LIFE. In arguing, too, the parson owned his skill, For e'en though vanquished, he could argue still ; While words of learned length, and thund'ring sound, Amazed the gazing rustics ranged around, And still they gazed, and still the wonder grew, That one small head could carry all he knew. But past is all his fame. The very spot Where many a time he triumphed, is forgot. Near yonder thorn, that lifts its head on high, Where once the sign-post caught the passing eye, Low lies that house where nut-brown draughts inspired, Where grey-beard mirth and smiling toil retired, THESE LITTLE THINGS ARE GREAT TO LITTLE MAN." GOLDSMITH. 'BUT SMALL THE BLISS THAT SENSE ALONE BESTOWS. GOLDSMITH. ENGLISH COUNTRY LIFE. Where village statesmen talked with looks profound, And news much older than their ale went round. Imagination fondly stoops to trace The parlour splendours of that festive place ; The white-washed hall, the nicely sanded floor, The varnished clock that clicked behind the door ; ' EVEN HIS FAILINGS LEANED TO VIRTUE'S SIDE." GOLDSMITH. "GRIEF is ITSELF A MEDICINE, AND BESTOWED 104 BOADICEA. X* H The chest contrived a double debt to pay, S A bed by night, a chest of drawers by day ; X Q O The pictures placed for ornament and use, H S f The twelve good rules, the royal game of goose ; 3 7, The hearth, except when winter chilled the day, J H With aspen boughs and flowers and fennel gay, Q While broken tea-cups, wisely kept for show, g X H Ranged o'er the chimney, glistened in a row. M O M - [OLIVER GOLDSMITH, poet, novelist, essayist a man of delicate genius to and tender sympathies was born in 1728, died 1774. His best works are, S < " The Vicar of Wakefield," " Citizen of the World," " She Stoops to Con- W pj quer," " The Traveller," and " The Deserted Village." Our extract is from 2 the latter.] E W u K O w | E 5 BOADICEA.* W X IPW^lHEN the British warrior queen, O M X KAA]R| Bleeding from the Roman rods, ft W jz H Sought, with an indignant mien, O 8 u Counsel of her country's gods, u Q W u h Sage beneath the spreading oak j OH H Sat the Druid, hoary chief; K u H X Every burning word he spoke I O 2 Full of rage, and full of grief. fc " Princess ! if our aged eyes i X Weep upon thy matchless wrongs, H O h 'Tis because resentment ties O (4 H X All the terrors of our tongues. jjj g * Boadicea, or Bonduca, was Queen of the Iceni, an ancient British nation, h > and offered an heroic resistance to the Roman invaders, by whose orders s U she had been cruelly scourged. She attacked and captured the Roman colony of Camalodunum (Maldon), in Essex, destroyed Londinium and Verulamium (St. Albans), but was finally defeated by Suetonius (A.D. 62). In despair she committed suicide. T 'IMPROVE THE FORTITUDE THAT BEARS THE LOAD." COWPER. 'GOD MADE THE COUNTRY, AND MAN MADE THE TOWN. COWPER. BO A DICE A. 105 " Rome shall perish write that word In the blood that she has spilt ; Perish, hopeless and abhorred. Deep in ruin as in guilt. " Rome, for empire far renowned, Tramples on a thousand states ; Soon her pride shall kiss the ground- Hark ! the Gaul is at her gates ! " Other Romans shall arise, Heedless of a soldier's name ; Sounds, not arms, shall win the prize, Harmony the path to fame. 'SOME FRETFUL TEMPERS WINCE AT EVERY TOUCH." " NEGLECTED TALENTS RUST INTO DECAY." WILLIAM COWPER. 1 06 BOADICEA. 04 "Then the progeny that springs ij W From the forests of our land, cu R Armed with thunder, clad with wings, O J Shall a wider world command. S > W 2 96 " Regions Caesar never knew J a Thy posterity shall sway ; H * Where his eagles never flew, tii None invincible as they." X u f_ Q 8 Such the bard's prophetic words, 3 M M Pregnant with celestial fire, "w Bending as he swept the chords W o X Of his sweet but awful lyre. D U i She, with all a monarch's pride, 1 Felt them in her bosom glow ; o X H Rushed to battle, fought, and died ; X 1 Dying, hurled them at the foe. H X C/) h O h " Ruffians, pitiless as proud, W Q M Heaven awards the vengeance due ; X u Empire is on us bestowed, a o Q Q Shame and ruin wait for you." <; K O o [WILLIAM COWPER, a descriptive and didactic poet of deserved repute, M X who is endeared to our sympathies by the melancholy story of his life. Born 1731, died 1800. Wrote "The Task," "Conversation," "Retire- X < ment," " Table Talk," and numerous minor poems.] B X h J5 X g H w M H d. X H "HE IS THE FREEMAN WHOM THE TRUTH MAKES FREE*' COWPER. "OUR HAPPINESS DEPENDS, AS NATURE SHOWS, THE SOLITUDE OF ALEXANDER SELKIRK. 107 THE SOLITUDE OF ALEXANDER SELKIRK.* AM monarch of all I survey, My right there is none to dispute. From the centre all round to the sea, I am lord of the fowl and the brute. Solitude ! where are the charms, That sages have seen in thy face ? Better dwell in the midst of alarms Than reign in this horrible place. 1 am out of humanity's reach, I must finish my journey alone, * Alexander Selkirk, whose curious history may possibly have suggested to Daniel Defoe his romance of " Robinson Crusoe," was left on the deso- late island of Juan Fernandez, in the Pacific Ocean, by his captain, in 1704. It was his misfortune to spend upwards of four years in solitude. LESS ON EXTERIOR THINGS THAN MOST SUPPOSE. " ALL TRUTH IS PRECIOUS, IF NOT ALL DIVINE ; 108 THE SOLITUDE OF ALEXANDER SELKIRK. Never hear the sweet music of speech ; w I start at the sound of my own. E o M The beasts that roam over the plain J My form with indifference see ; w J They are so unacquainted with man, D J Q Z Their tameness is shocking to me. K W z z w h, Society, Friendship, and Love, w X h 8 Divinely bestowed upon man, 8 X u Oh, had I the wings of a dove, o z K How soon would I taste you again ! X H K My sorrows I then might assuage Id X H In the ways of religion and truth ; i J J Might learn from the wisdom of age, 5 E (4 h And be cheered by the sallies of youth. fa o Q u Z 1 Ye winds that have made me your sport, U g Convey to this desolate shore Q p" Some cordial endearing report 96 o Of a land I shall visit no more. m Q My friends, do they now and then send u < A wish or a thought after me ? H X U U Oh, tell me I yet have a friend, H O M W a Though a friend I am never to see. E- X z o u Q fa o How fleet is a glance of the mind ! a z Compared with the speed of its flight, Z M H The tempest itself lags behind, X H And the swift- winged arrows of light. U - When I think of my own native land, X u <; In a moment I seem to be there ; M But, alas ! recollection at hand Soon hurries me back to despair. AND WHAT DILATES THE POWERS, MUST NEEDS REFINE." COWPER. " FEW BOYS ARE BORN WITH TALENTS THAT EXCEL, LOSS OF THE ROYAL GEORGE. 1 09 as But the sea- fowl has gone to her nest, * | The beast is laid down in his lair: \ O y Even here is a season of rest, J : < U z H X o z z 1 H LOSS OF THE ROYAL GEORGE.* Z 5 U z H ER9OLL for the brave ! z U Z I0jol! ^ e k rave that are no more ! X a z All sunk beneath the wave u. (A Fast by their native shore ! O Z Z s w a u Eight hundred of the brave H D Whose courage well was tried, a z u z Had made the vessel heel, 2 z And laid her on her side. X E tf i z A land-breeze shook the shrouds, i 8 And she was overset ; z a z M Down went the Royal George, < g With all her crew complete. g o * The Royal George was a British man-of-war of 100 guns, which heeled : over while lying at Spithead, near Portsmouth, to have some injuries re- paired. Of twelve hundred men, women, and children then on board of her, nearly six hundred perished (August 29, 1782). " KR " WHAT IS BASE, NO POLISH CAN MAKE STERLING." COWPER. LOSS OF THE ROYAL GEORGE. Toll for the brave ! Brave Kempenfeldt * is gone; His last sea-fight fought, His work of glory done. It was not in the battle ; No tempest gave the shock ; She sprang no fatal leak, She ran upon no rock. His sword was in its sheath, His fingers held the pen, When Kempenfeldt went down With twice four hundred men. * Vice- Admiral Kempenfeldt, a gallant and distinguished seaman, in com- mand of the Royal George, was writing in his cabin when the catastrophe occurred. "THE LAURELS THAT A OESAR REAPS ARE WEEDS." COWPER. "TIME, THAT SHOULD ENRICH THE NOBLER MIND, A WINTER EVENING. Ill Weigh the vessel up 06 E Once dreaded by our foes ! E And mingle with the cup a J The tear that England owes. o a D Y U Her timbers yet are sound, \ O H And she may float again ~ Q Full charged with England's thunder, 3 x H U And plough the watery main : B a > u 3 B X (- But Kempenfeldt is gone, Q J ictories are o'er; 8 3 And he and his eight hundred j u M I Shall plough the wave no more. I h. Q [WILLIAM COWPER.] B Q a X u u 2 A WINTER EVENING. 1 3 |KJGjj| ( >\V stir the fire, and close the shutters fast, Q Let fall the curtains, wheel the sofa round, O 8 And while the bubbling and loud hissing urn H Throws up a steamy column, and the cups J That cheer but not inebriate, wait on each, X Q So let us welcome peaceful evening in. Not such his evening, who with shining face bf Sweats in the crowded theatre, and squeezed w And bored with elbow points through both his sides, (A Q Outscolds the ranting actor on the stage ; X O Nor his, who patient stands till his feet throb, And his head bumps, to feed upon the breath Of patriots, bursting with heroic rage, Or placemen, all tranquillity and smiles. NEGLECTED, LEAVES A DREARY WASTE BEHIND." COWPER. " FAULTS IN THE LIFE BREED ERRORS IN THE BRAIN." COWPER. A WINTER EVENING. This folio of four pages, happy work ! Which not even critics criticise ; that holds Inquisitive attention while I read, Fast bound in chains of silence, which the fair, Though eloquent themselves, yet fear to break ; What is it but a map of busy life, Its fluctuations and its vast concerns ? Here runs the mountainous and craggy ridge That tempts ambition. On the summit, see, The seals of office glitter in his eyes ; He climbs, he pants, he grasps them. At his heels, Close at his heels, a demagogue ascends, 'THERE is IN SOULS A SYMPATHY WITH SOUNDS." COWPER. " A NECESSARY ACT INCURS NO BLAME." WILLIAM COWI'ER. A WINTER EVENING. 1 13 And with a dexterous jerk soon twists him down, And wins them, but to lose them in his turn. Here rills of oily eloquence in soft Meanders lubricate the course they take ; The modest speaker is ashamed and grieved To engross a minute's notice, and yet begs, Begs a propitious ear for his poor thoughts, I However trivial all that he conceives. Sweet bashfulness ! it claims, at least, this praise ; The dearth of information and good sense, That it foretells us, always comes to pass. Cataracts of declamation thunder here, There forests of no meaning spread the page In which all comprehension wanders lost ; While fields of pleasantry amuse us there, With merry descants on a nation's woes. The rest appears a wilderness of strange But gay confusion ; roses for the cheeks And lilies for the brow of faded age, Teeth for the toothless, ringlets for the bald, Heaven, earth, and ocean plundered of their sweets, Nectareous essences, Olympian dews, Sermons and city feasts, and favourite airs, Ethereal journeys, submarine exploits, And Katerfelto* with his hair on end At his own wonders, wondering for his bread. 'Tis pleasant through the loopholes of retreat To peep at such a world ; to see the stir Of the great Babel, and not feel the crowd ; To hear the roar she sends through all her gates, * Dr. Katerfelto was a notorious quack who figured in London in 1782, and, by aid of the solar microscope, astonished his audiences with a variety of wonders. He was also a conjurer, and in his performances was attended by several black cats. " MEDITATION MAY THINK DOWN HOURS TO MOMENTS." COWI'ER. 10 "WORMS WIND THEMSELVES INTO OUR SWEETEST FLOWERS; 114 A WINTER EVENING. At a safe distance, where the dying sound M H EL, Falls a soft murmur on the uninjured ear. w s O Thus sitting, and surveying thus at ease 1 J The globe and its concerns, I seem advanced J "w fc To some secure and more than mortal height I 13 K That liberates and exempts me from them all. 2 (A M D O It turns submitted to my view, turns round W M a u With all its generations ; I behold U s | The tumult, and am still. The sound of war h Has lost its terrors ere it reaches me ; 2 M *] Grieves, but alarms me not. I mourn the pride Q Q 2 And avarice that make man a wolf to man, 2 Q Hear the faint echo of those brazen throats, K 8 o By which he speaks the language of his heart, \ H a And sigh, but never tremble at the sound. j h He travels and expatiates, as the bee From flower to flower, so he from land to land ; 2 Q The manners, customs, policy of all X O Pay contribution to the store he gleans ; o % He sucks intelligence in every clime, i W Q And spreads the honey of his deep research > 8 At his return, a rich repast for me. h 9 He travels, and I too. I tread his deck," I w w Ascend his topmast, through his peering eyes X H g Discover countries, with a kindred heart B H Suffer his woes, and share in his escapes; \ 2 3E While fancy, like the finger of a clock, H M s Runs the great circuit, and is still at home. 2 h [WILLIAM COWPER. From "The Task," Book IV. The opening lines S 0, of this beautiful domestic piece are frequently quoted. The whole is a very Q M X favourable specimen of Cowper's vigorously graphic style and quiet humour.] HERE EVERY DROP OF HONEY HIDES A STING." COWPER. "TAKE NOT AWAY THE LIFE YOU CANNOT GIVE, (DRYDEN) 777.fi: SHORES OF GREECE. 1 1 5 THE SHORES OF GREECE. JJ]M MORTAL Athens first, in ruin spread, G Q ||Q.D!| Contiguous lies at Port Liono's head ; u a Great source of science ! whose immortal name 35' Stands foremost in the glorious roll of fame : Here god-like Socrates* and Plato f shone, J And firm to truth eternal honour won ; > The first, in virtue's cause his life resigned, 8 By Heaven pronounced the wisest of mankind : D The last, proclaimed the spark of vital fire, 2 M The soul's fine essence, never could expire ; O Here Solon % dwelt, the philosophic sage Crt That fled Pisistratus' vindictive rage; h a Just Aristides|| here maintained the cause a Whose sacred precepts shine through Solon's K laws: > Of all her towering structures, now alone M J Some columns stand, with mantling weeds o'er- a grown ; I The wandering stranger near the port descries w A milk-white lion of stupendous size, M E o * Socrates, the great Athenian philosopher, " who of all with whom we a M are acquainted [in Ancient History] was in death the noblest, in life the . wisest and most just," was born about B.C 468, died B.C. 399. h E t Plato, the most poetical of philosophers, was born about B.C. 428, died a > B.C. 347. a* o J Solon remodelled the laws and government of Athens, and inaugurated d a system of polity which endured for centuries. He is supposed to have been born in B.C. 638. He died about B.C. 515. Pisistratus, the great ruler of Athens, was born in B.C. 612, died in B.C. 527. The power which he won by violence he exercised with consum- mate ability ; and we owe to his care the preservation of the Homeric poems. || Aristides, a statesman and general, illustrious through his integrity, died about B.C. 468. FOR ALL THINGS HAVE AN EQUAL KJGHT TO LIVE." DRYDEN. " THE MAN TO SOLITUDE ACCUSTOMED LONG, (WM. COWPER) 116 THE SHORES OF GREECE. Of antique marble; hence the haven's name, Unknown to modern natives whence it came. Next, in the Gulf of Engia, Corinth lies, Whose gorgeous fabrics seemed to strike the skies ; Whom, though by tyrant victors oft subdued, Greece, Egypt, Rome, with awful wonder viewed : Her name, for Pallas' * heavenly art renowned, Spread like the foliage which her pillars crowned ; * Pallas, a surname of Athena, one of the great divinities of the Greeks. ' Pallas' heavenly art" is that of architecture, but she was the patron of all PERCEIVES IN EVERY THING THAT LIVES A TONGUE." COWPER. "WORDS, WHICH ARE BUT PICTURES OF THE THOUGHT." COWLEY. THE SHORES OF GREECE. 117 But now, in fatal desolation laid, Oblivion o'er it draws a dismal shade. Then further westward, on Morea's land, Fair Misitra ! thy modern turrets stand : Ah ! who unmoved with secret woe, can tell That there great Lacedaemon's glory fell ! Here once she flourished, at whose trumpet's sound War burst his chains, and nations shook around ; Here brave Leonidas* from shore to shore, Through all Achaia, bade her thunders roar ; the useful and elegant arts ; invented numbers, the chariot, the trumpet, and navigation ; and was, in fact, recognized as the goddess of wisdom and knowledge. * Who does not know the story of Leonidas, the Spartan king ; how with a small body of Spartans he held the narrow pass of Thermopylae against the Persian host, and by his valour stimulated the enthusiasm of Greece, and afforded its children time to rally to the defence of their country? This famous event occurred in B.C. 480. " A CHANCE MAY WIN THAT BY MISCHANCE WAS LOST." SOUTHWELL. " BEAUTY IS ITS OWN EXCUSE TOR BEING." R. W. EMERSON. Il8 THE SHORES OF GREECE. He, when imperial Xerxes from afar Advanced with Persia's sumless hosts to war, Till Macedonia shrunk beneath his spear, | And Greece dismayed beheld the chief draw near ; O He, at Thermopylae's immortal plain, o H His force repelled with Sparta's glorious train ; H h O Tall CEta saw the tyrant's conquered bands U C/3 In gasping millions bleed on hostile lands : J W Thus vanquished Asia, trembling, heard thy name, O z Q And Thebes and Athens sickened at thy fame ; 5 W Thy State, supported by Lycurgus' * laws, fc U Gained, like thine arms, superlative applause ; K D K Even great Epaminondasf strove in vain O O To curb thy spirit with a Theban chain : < > But ah ! how low that free-born spirit now ! w Thy abject sons to haughty tyrants bow : U H A false, degenerate, superstitious race, 5 < Infest thy region, and thy name disgrace. X W Westward of these, beyond the isthmus, lies s H The long- sought Isle of Ithacus the wise ; <2 1 Where fair Penelope, J her absent lord, 2 H Full twice ten years, with faithful love deplored. K a * Lycurgus, the legislator of Sparta, flourished in the ninth century be- O 2 j fore Christ. After imposing his laws on his countrymen, he made them 2 5 swear not to make any alteration in them until his return, and immediately s U K withdrew from Sparta to finish his life in voluntary exile. "Where and H how he died, nobody could tell. He vanished from the earth like a god, U U leaving no traces behind but his spirit ; and he was honoured as a god at K td Sparta with a temple and yearly sacrifices down to the latest rimes." I H t Epaminondas was a Theban general of splendid ability. He won the f " great battle of Leuctra, in which the Spartans suffered a most severe and crushing defeat ; and in B. c. 362 crowned his fame by the remarkable vic- tory of Mantineia, in which, however, he received a mortal wound. He was buried on the battle-field. \ Penelope is reputed to have been the wife of Odysseus (or Ulysses), king of Ithaca, who accompanied the Greeks to Troy, served in the ten years' war against that city, and afterwards wandered over sea and land for a protracted period. There were many suitors for Penelope's hand, but "O DEATH IN LIFE, THE DAYS THAT ARE NO MORE." TENNYSON. IT IS THE END THAT CROWNS US, NOT THE FIGHT. R. HERRICK. THE SHORES OF GREECE. 119 Though many a princely heart her beauty won, She, guarded only by a stripling son, Each bold attempt of suitor-kings repelled, And undefiled the nuptial contract held ; With various arts to win her love they toiled, But all their wiles by virtuous fraud she foiled ; True to her vows, and resolutely chaste, The beauteous princess triumphed at the last. PLAIN OF ARCOS. Argos, in Greece forgotten and unknown, Still seems her cruel fortune to bemoan ; she remained faithful to her husband's memory, and eventually was re- warded by his return to Ithaca. ' THE WORLD KNOWS NOTHING OF ITS GREATEST MEN." H. TAYLOR. " MEN ARE THE SPORT OF CIRCUMSTANCES, WHEN (BYRON) 120 THE SHORES OF GREECE. > Argos, whose monarch* led the Grecian hosts ' U iJ Across the ^Egean main to Dardan coasts : M 5 x Unhappy prince ! who on a hostile shore, I PB Toil, peril, anguish, ten long winters bore ; Cu And when to native realms restored at last, < T s To reap the harvest of thy labours past, H K H, ,J u There found a perjured friend, and faithless wife, "p b. O Who sacrificed to impious lust thy life : K o Fast by Arcadia stretch these desert plains, M E And o'er the land a gloomy tyrant reigns. a O u [WILLIAM FALCONER, one of the self-taught men who have risen to o h M eminence in our English literature, was the son of an Edinburgh wig- Q g maker, and born on the nth of February 1732. His life was chiefly spent W Q on board ship, and the experience he thus acquired, and the scenes he wit- X 5 nessed, form the subject-matter of his fine poem of "The Shipwreck," pub- 3 > lished in May 1762. He afterwards compiled a work of very different s character, but, of its kind, of not inferior value, the well-known "Marine C/J K Dictionary." In 1769 he was appointed purser of the Aurora frigate, H < bound for East India on an important mission, but which never reached her E jg destination. She is believed to have been wrecked in the Mozambique 13 cc Channel probably in January 1770.] rf K H * Agamemnon, king of Argos, was appointed generalissimo of the Greek W army which waged the famous ten years' war against Troy the subject of O Homer's " Iliad." On his return home he was murdered by his treacherous Q X B friend ^Egisthus, and his false wife Clytemnestra. I H < 5 1 Fresh light, and gilt the prospect of the grave. W 1 H 3 o One day he lighter seemed, and they forgot s 5 i The care, the dread, the anguish of their lot ; E H D They spoke with cheerfulness, and seemed to think, u Q Yet said not so " Perhaps he will not sink ;" < H A sudden brightness in his look appeared, af 1 A sudden vigour in his voice was heard ; S o 1 X She had been reading in the Book of Prayer, Q 0, And led him forth, and placed him in his chair ; X o Lively he seemed, and spoke of all he knew, h h The friendly many, and the favourite few ; 8 i h Nor one did he to mind that day recall, 2 55 [I] But she has cherished, and she loves them all ; & u H Q" When in her way she meets them, they appear X 5 h Peculiar people death has made them dear. U > H M He named his friend, but then his hand she prest. h And fondly whispered, " Thou must go to rest ;" H J " I go," he said ; but, as he spoke, she found 03 s His hand more cold, and fluttering was the sound ! H O X Then gazed affrightened ; but she caught a last, M X > A dying look of love, and all was past ! h S3 0" o |Rev. GEORGE CRABBE, 1754-1832, author of "The Village Register," B " The Borough," "The Library," and other domestic poems of a peculiar 1 but powerful order. " Crabbe is distinguished from all other poets, both by o Q the choice of his subjects, and by his manner of treating them. By the X M mere force of his art, and the novelty of his style, he forces us to attend to H 1 objects that are usually neglected, and to enter into feelings from which in X ^ general we are but too eager to escape."] 8 X O to ^^^^^^=^ I ^^^ THE CHRISTIAN SPIRIT LOVES WITH AID TO GO." CRABBE. 'SHE WALKS THE WATERS LIKE A THING OF LIFE." BYRON. A SAILOR'S SONG. 129 A SAILOR'S SONG. HILE clouds on high are riding, The wintry moonshine hiding, The raging blast abiding, O'er mountain waves we go. With hind the dry land reaping, With townsman shelter keeping, With lord on soft down sleeping, Change we our lot ? Oh, no ! On stormy waves careering, Each sea-mate sea-mate cheering, 'ROLL ON, THOU DARK AND DEEP-BLUB OCEAN, ROLL!" BYRON. II " WITH SHIPS THE SEA WAS SPRINKLED FAR AND NIGH." WORDSWORTH. 130 A SERENADE. With dauntless helmsman steering, Our forthward course we hold. E h E Their sails with sunbeams whitened, M O O Themselves with glory brightened, W Q 1 From care their bosom lightened, H i K Who shall return ? The bold. J 1 E J [JOANNA BAILLIE, born at Bothwell, Lanarkshire, in 1762 ; died at O Q Hampstead, near London, 1851. A simple and energetic style, and con- O M siderable power of portraying the passions, distinguish her dramatic and w M 55 poetical works, of which the best are " De Montfort" and " Count Basil."] 1 U E 4 ' ' "0 Q S < as h ' H A SERENADE. u 5 o [5pj|EJj|i|P ! quit thy bower ! late wears the hour ; 13 u llll Long have the rooks cawed round the tower, u h 3 O'er flower and tree loud hums the bee, 96 W W a o And the wild kid sports merrily. E tf 8 The sun is bright, the sky is clear ; 1 Wake, lady, wake ! and hasten here. M z M S E H Up, maiden fair ! and bind thy hair, > Q And rouse thee in the breezy air ; A M 5 The lulling stream that soothed thy dream, H J Is dancing in the sunny beam. 1 Waste not these hours, so fresh, so gay ; 3 5 Leave thy soft couch, and haste away. ~ ! Up ! time will tell ; the morning-bell ] Q Its service-sound * has chimed well ; 5 The aged crone keeps house alone ; The reapers to the fields are gone. * Service-sound sound for matins, or morning prayers. *' OF THE OLD SEA SOME REVERENTIAL FEAR." WILLIAM WORDSWORTH. FOND WORDS HAVE OFT BEEN SPOKEN TO THEE, SLEEP. A SERENADE. Lose not these hours, so cool and gay ; Lo ! while thou sleep'st, they haste away. [JOANNA BAILLIE. From her " Fugitive Verses." J AND THOU HAST HAD THY STORE OK TEND*REST NAMES." WORDSWORTH. "THUS KINDRED OBJECTS KINDRED THOUGHTS INSPIRE; 132 A WISH. A WISH. be a cot beside the hill ; A bee-hive's hum shall soothe my ear j A willowy brook that turns a mill, With many a fall shall linger near. The swallow, oft, beneath my thatch, Shall twitter from her clay-built nest ; Oft shall the pilgrim lift the latch, And share my meal, a welcome guest. Around my ivied porch shall cling Each fragrant flower that drinks the dew ; And Lucy, at her wheel, shall sing, In russet gown and apron blue. The village church among the trees, W T here first our marriage-vows were given, With merry peals shall swell the breeze, And point with taper spire to heaven. [SAMUEL ROGERS, author of "The Vision of Columbus," "Italy,' " Human Life," " The Pleasures of Memory ;" born 1763, died 1855.] AS SUMMER-CLOUDS FLASH FORTH ELECTRIC FIRE." ROGERS. "AH, WHY SHOULD VIRTUE FEAR THE FROWNS OF FATE?" ROGERS. GINEVRA. 133 GINEVRA. 8 C/3 H 8 IE3ST3I ^ l h u shouldst ever come by choice or chance td 8 j gjjgj To Modena, where still religiously J td Among the ancient trophies is preserved "> I Bologna's bucket* Q td v> Stop at a Palace near the Reggio-gate, Q 2 Dwelt in of old by one of the Orsini. Q 0? Its noble gardens, terrace above terrace, 5 t And rich in fountains, statues, cypresses, 1 m 1 Will long detain thee ; but, ere thou go, < M Enter the house prythee, forget it not M M 3 And look awhile upon a picture there. Id (A ' 3 2 1 'Tis of a lady in her earliest youth, Q 6 The very last of that illustrious race. h H He who observes it, ere he passes on, 5 z" O Gazes his fill, and comes and comes again, u Q 5 That he may call it up, when far away. M i M o O i She sits, inclining forward as to speak, K Her lips half open, and her finger up, 5 3 As though she said " Beware !" her vest of gold M z Broidered with flowers, and clasped from head to foot, D O D An emerald stone in every golden clasp ; Cd 9 And on her brow, fairer than alabaster, M 1 X u A coronet of pearls. But then, her face, O D So lovely, yet so arch, so full of mirth, td Q Z The overflowings of an innocent heart, O Z 8 It haunts me still, though many a year has fled, Like some wild melody ! * Reputed to have been the bucket which once caused a war between Bologna and Modena. *' LIGHTER THAN AIR, HOPE'S SUMMER-VISIONS DIE." ROGERS. " BEWARE THE POISON IN THE CUP OF GOLD." ROGERS. 134 GINEVRA. Alone it hangs, Over a mouldering heirloom, its companion, K An oaken chest, half eaten by the worm, W CO K W But richly carved by Antony of Trent OJ 1 With Scripture stories from the life of Christ. w J E td Q W She was an only child ; from infancy O W Q The joy, the pride of an indulgent sire ; 1 The young GINEVRA was his all in life, CO p J CQ Still as she grew, for ever in his sight ; o Z o And in her fifteenth year became a bride, 3 o H O Marrying an only son, Francesco Doria, X E Her playmate from her birth, and her first love. x o Just as she looks there in her bridal dress, U K c- She was all gentleness, all gaiety, M U z 3~ Her pranks the favourite theme of every tongue. 8 2 But now the day was come, the day, the hour ; w K a Now frowning, smiling, for the hundredth time, fc J w The nurse, that ancient lady, preached decorum ; X K u Q And, in the lustre of her youth, she gave N O Her hand, with her heart in it, to Francesco. H 5 H T o Great was the joy. But at the bridal feast, Z i When all sat down, the Bride was wanting there. u a Nor was she to be found ! Her father cried, , o _f X " 'Tis but to make a trial of our love !" .j w K W And filled his glass to all ; but his hand shook, z K And soon from guest to guest the panic spread. 'S. H W 'Twas but that instant she had left Francesco, E Laughing and looking back, and flying still, O Her ivory tooth imprinted on his finger. : But now, alas ! she was not to be found ; Nor from that hour could anything be guessed, But that she was not ! "THE GENEROUS MAN HAS HIS COMPANION STILL." ROGERS. " THINK NOTHING DONE WHILE AUGHT REMAINS TO DO." ROGERS. GINEVRA. 135 Weary of his life, c/5 Francesco fled to Venice, and forthwith fl W i Flung it away in battle with the Turks. 1 & Orsini lived ; and long might you have seen J "tc An old man wandering as in quest of something, 3 2 1 Something he could not find he knew not what. w n s When he was gone, the house remained awhile Q H X H Silent and tenantless then went to strangers. W X 2 b Q W Full fifty years were past, and all forgot, & s g When, on an idle day, a day of search I B Q 'Mid the old lumber in the Gallery, Q 2 That mouldering chest was noticed ; and 'twas said g By one as young, as thoughtless as Ginevra, 10 b o B " Why not remove it from its lurking-place ?" X h j 'Twas done as soon as said ; but on the way M H It burst, it fell ; and, lo ! a skeleton, 2 J J With here and there a pearl, an emerald -stone, X (A A golden clasp, clasping a shred of gold. h S X h All else had perished, save a nuptial ring, 2 And a small seal, her mother's legacy, H ca U) Engraven with a name, the name of both, S CO " GINEVRA." X h b a (A There, then, had she found a grave ! x u D U Within that chest had she concealed herself, O h b 2 Fluttering with joy, the happiest of the happy ; r H fit. O When a spring lock, that lay in ambush there, M b) J Fastened her down for ever ! X O z. H X [SAMUEL ROGERS. From his poem of " Italy." This story is said to be J u *" founded on fact, and resembles the legend immortalized in the popular B song of "The Mistletoe Bough. "J Q 2 " CARELESS OF BLAME WHILE HIS OWN HEART APPROVES." ROGERS. "'TWAS MORN, THE SKYLARK O'ER THE FURROW SUNG." ROGERS. 136 THE SKYLARK. THE SKYLARK. j]IRD of the wilderness, Blithesome and cumberless, Sweet be thy matin o'er moorland and Emblem of happiness, Blest is thy dwelling-place Oh, to abide in the desert with thee ! Wild is thy lay and loud, Far in the downy cloud ; Love gives it energy, love gave it birth. Where, on -thy dewy wing, Where art thou journeying ? Thy lay is in heaven, thy love is on earth. O'er fell and fountain sheen, O'er moor and mountain green, O'er the red streamer that heralds the day, lea! "ETHEREAL MINSTREL! PILGRIM OF THE SKYJ" WORDSWORTH. LIKE A CLOUD OF FIRE, THE BLUE DEEP THOU WINGEST, MEL ROSE ABBEY. Over the cloudlet dim, Over the rainbow's rim, Musical cherub, soar, singing, away ! Then, when the gloaming comes, Low in the heather blooms, Sweet will thy welcome and bed of love be ! Emblem of happiness, Blest is thy dwelling-place Oh, to abide in the desert with thee ! [JAMBS HOGG, a Scotch poet of considerable genius, better known as " The Ettrick Shepherd," was born at Ettrick, in Selkirkshire, in 1770 ; died in 1835. His " Kilmcny" is a fairy tale of great beauty; and his prose works possess a distinctive and peculiar merit] MELROSE ABBEY. ]F thou wouldst view fair Melrose aright, Go, visit it by the pale moonlight ; For the gay beams of gladsome day Gild, but to flout, the ruins gray. When the broken arches are black in night, And each shafted oriel glimmers white ; AND SINGING STILL DOST SOAR, AND SOARING SINGESTl" SHELLEY. " TOMBSTONES GRAY GIRDLE ROUND THE FAIR ABBAYE." SCOTT. 138 MELROSE ABBEY. u When the cold light's uncertain shower u Streams on the ruined central tower ; h h J When buttress and buttress, alternately, O Q td Seem framed of ebony and ivory ; M td H Q H When silver edges the imagery, J X H And the scrolls that teach thee to live and die ; h o When distant Tweed is heard to rave, f 1 And the owlet to hoot o'er the dead man's grave ; J j 1 Then go but go alone the while i M X H Then view St. David's ruined pile ; Q | And home returning, soothly swear, H E Was never scene so sad and fair ! X O M J M X . Q H X Spreading herbs and flowerets bright, * Glistened with the dew of night ; \ (d (d Nor herb nor floweret glistened there, 3 Q But was carved on the cloister-arches as fair. 8 2 ij s I Full many a scutcheon and banner riven, z o X Shook to the cold night-wind of heaven, nT H 3 X Around the screened altar's pale ; H And there the dying lamps did burn X 1 Before thy low and lonely urn, o X K O gallant chief of Otterburne ! (d And thine, dark knight of Liddesdale ! M g X Oh, fading honours of the dead ! 8 M u K Oh, high ambition, lowly laid ! g Q W . M M The moon on the east oriel shone, K Q S Through slender shafts of shapely stone, (d X By foliaged tracery combined ; X h H Thou wouldst have thought some fairy's hand 'Twixt poplars straight the ozier wand, In many a freakish joint, had twined ; "THE PILLARS, WITH CLUSTERED SHAFTS so TRIM." SCOTT. "THE ROSE is FAIREST WHEN 'TIS BUDDING NEW, MARMION AND THE DOUGLAS. *39 Then framed a spell, when the work was done, And changed the willow wreaths to stone. The silver light, so pale and faint, ^ Showed many a prophet and many a saint, 8 t-' Whose image on the glass was dyed ; J 7 Full in the midst, his Cross of Red > I Triumphant Michael brandished, < * And trampled the Apostate's pride. I M The moonbeam kissed the holy pane, I J And threw on the pavement a bloody stain. a 2 j [Sir WALTER SCOTT, born 1771; died 1832. Our extract is from his $ Q Id stirring ballad-poem of " The Lay of the Last Minstrel," and shows how S admirable was his mastery over its rapid and spirited rhythm, how keen cc H his observation, and how graphic his description. Scott, however, is better z I known as the greatest of English novelists than as the successful writer of 5 X poetical romances, which, bright and vigorous as they are, nowhere display a C z the higher qualities of his genius.] < uf td Z X H o ^, td X O H Q THE QUARREL BETW T EEN MARMION AND oT a z THE DOUGLAS. u Id X H a M [KJGSlpT far advanced was morning day, H O BcCvil When Marmion did his troop array X o g To Surrey's camp to ride ; u td a td I le had safe-conduct for his band, X H 1 Beneath the royal seal and hand, 1 Id X And Douglas gave a guide : X The ancient Earl, with stately grace, s Would Clara on her palfrey place, And whispered, in an under tone, " Let the hawk stoop, his prey is flown." The train from out the castle drew ; But Marmion stopped to bid adieu. AND HOPE IS BRIGHTEST WHEN IT DAWNS FROM FEARS." SCOTT. "'TWERE SWEET TO THINK EACH HOUR TO MUSING GIVEN, 1 40 MA RMION A ND THE DO UGLAS. "Though something I might plain," he said, " Of cold respect to stranger guest, Sent hither by your King's behest, While in Tantallon's towers I stayed ; H Part we in friendship from your land, O W 3 And, noble Earl, receive my hand." i % But Douglas round him drew his cloak, & 2 Folded his arms, and thus he spoke : J E " My manors, halls, and bowers shall still "s w Be open, at my sovereign's will, 1 X To each one whom he lists, howe'er 03 O a Unmeet to be the owner's peer. 5 My castles are my King's alone, w > From turret to foundation-stone h M I The hand of Douglas is his own ; CQ M And never shall in friendly grasp, W u M H The hand of such as Marmiog clasp." Q h O Burned Marmion's swarthy cheek like fire, \ W And shook his very frame for ire, co 3 And, "This to me ! " he said. O S. " An 'twere not for thy hoary beard, 1 * Such hand as Marmion's had not spared CO | To cleave the Douglas' head ! M o H And, first, I tell thee, haughty peer, H] He who does England's message here, K 3 Although the meanest in her state, < ~ May well, proud Angus, be thy mate : W h And, Douglas, more I tell thee here, S Even in thy pitch of pride, Here in thy hold, thy vassals near (Nay, never look upon your lord, And lay your hands upon your sword), I tell thee, thou'rt defied ! A STEP UPON THE ROAD TO HEAVEN." SIR WALTER SCOTT. " WHEN MAN TO JUDGMENT WAKES FROM CLAY, MARMION AND THE DOUGLAS. 141 And if thou said'st I am not peer To any lord in Scotland here, h . Lowland or Highland, far or near, h Lord Angus, thou hast lied ! " h H T On the Earl's cheek the flush of rage 1 O'ercame the ashen hue of age : M Id a Fierce he broke forth " And darest thou then jj X Cd To beard the lion in his den, X H The Douglas in his hall ? ! X And hopest thou hence unscathed to go ? jj No, by Saint Bride of Bothwell, no ! H i Up drawbridge, grooms ! What, warder, ho ! i J 1 Let the portcullis fall ! " Cd 55 Lord Marmion turned well was his need X H I And dashed the rowels in his steed, Z O Like arrow through the archway sprung, a H The ponderous grate behind him rung : I To pass there was such scanty room, CO (A X The bars, descending, razed his plume. M X H g The steed along the drawbridge flies, 8 X Just as it trembled on the rise ; X X Nor lighter does the swallow skim I Along the smooth lake's level brim : - s 3 And when Lord Marmion reached his band, Id X He halts, and turns with clenched hand, V) H And shout of loud defiance pours, X H And shook his gauntlet at the towers. oj H " Horse ! horse !" the Douglas cried, " and H T D H H chase!" 2 But soon he reined his fury's pace : " A royal messenger he came, Though most unworthy of the name. A letter forged ! Saint Jude to speed ! Did ever knight so foul a deed ! BB THOU THE TREMBLING SINNER'S STAY." SCOTT. " THE HILL OF KNOWLEDGE I ESSAYED TO TRACE ; 1 42 THE A LBA TROSS. At first in heart it liked me ill, M* When the King praised his clerkly skill. o Q Thanks to Saint Bothan, son of mine, o 3 Save Gawain, ne'er could pen a line : Q 2 o u So swore I, and I swear it still, I h Let my boy-bishop fret his fill. J = f Saint Maiy, mend my fiery mood ! x' h w K Old age ne'er cools the Douglas blood H s I thought to slay him where he stood. O 'Tis pity of him, too," he cried : 2 8 " Bold can he speak, and fairly ride ; I warrant him a warrior tried." u X h With this his mandate he recalls, 1 o | And slowly seeks his castle halls. I Q (4 ( Sir WALTER SCOTT. From his poem of " Marmion."] ERING 2 Z X W M H 5 THE ALBATROSS. a 2 .jT 9 [jgpTfjlND now there came both mist and snow, H D O 1 feill A n d ^ grew wondrous cold : x O And ice, mast-high, came floating by, As green as emerald. Z M 2 j h X And through the drifts the snowy clifts u u X Did send a dismal sheen : Q h S3 Nor shapes of men nor beasts we ken X b U The ice was all between. 1 H X 2 5 T' e ice was here, the ice was there, 'i he ice was all around ; It cracked and growled, and roared and howled, Like noises in a swound. THAT VERDUROUS HILL WITH MANY A RESTING-PLACE." COLERIDGE. "LOVE, HOPE, AND PATIENCE, THESE MUST BE THY GRACES, THE BEST PR A YER. 143 At length did cross an Albatross Through the fog it came ; ui i As if it had been a Christian soul, g ~~ 5 We hailed it in God's name. V J It ate the food it ne'er had eat, J \ | And round and round it flew. x M O The ice did split with a thunder- fit ; g X The helmsman steered us through ! \ p p H And a good south wind sprung up behind ; K \ i The Albatross did follow, it And every day, for food or play, E hi h Came to the mariners' hollo ! X h X H D X h In mist or cloud, on mast or shroud, /> E It perched for vespers nine : g* X Whiles all the night, through fog-smoke white, CO H i Glimmered the white moon-shine. x h x M y [SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE, born 1772, died 1834, author of "The * Friend," "Aids to Reflection," "Confessions of an Inquiring Spirit," H i* " Schiller's ' Wallenstein,' " " Remorse," " Legend of Christabel," and 2 other works in prose and poetry. The extract is from "The Ancient J EJ Mariner" (Part I.) a wild romantic poem of great beauty.] M > 2? M H > K D a O X i THE BEST PRAYER. M 8 U D ISTvSTll^ praycth best who loveth best J K All things both great and small ; K For the dear Lord who loveth us, He made and loveth all. [SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE. From "The Ancient Mariner."] AND IN THINE OWN HEART LET THEM FIRST KEEP SCHOOL." COLERIDGE. " THE WORLD IS TOO MUCH WITH US J LATE AND SOON, ItlK. VVUKL1J IS 1 , LAIC, A1N1J bUUJN, 144 X PERFECT WOMAN. A PERFECT WOMAN. a a' IgjSggl HE was a phantom of delight H M 1 IJ5Si When first she gleamed upon my sight ; 1 a o A lovely apparition, sent Q M O T To be a moment's ornament ; g tf Her eyes as stars of twilight fair, 3 H M Like twilight's, too, her dusky hair ; jt H But all things else about her drawn J fc From Maytime and the cheerful dawn ; h M O A dainty shape, an image gay, 5 3 P j To haunt, to startle, and waylay. M w g 2; > Ct, a I saw her, upon nearer view, A spirit, yet a woman too ! 3 Her household motions light and free, Q 1 And steps of virgin liberty ; . 3 w A countenance in which did meet X Q Sweet records, promises as sweet ; o n A creature not too bright or good z 5 g For human nature's daily food, Bj M 5 For transient sorrows, simple wiles, & o w w Praise, blame, love, kisses, tears, and smiles. w J H And now I see with eye serene s H The very pulse of the machine ; K 1 A being breathing thoughtful breath, i A traveller betwixt life and death ; The reason firm, the temperate will, Endurance, foresight, strength, and skill : A perfect woman, nobly planned, To warn, to comfort, and command ; GETTING AND SPENDING, WE LAY WASTE OUR POWERS." WORDSWORTH. "THE STILL, SAD MUSIC OF HUMANITY I" WILLIAM WORDSWORTH. THE DANISH BOY. 145 X h And yet a spirit still and bright, 1 With something of an angel-light X* H H Q O B i g [WILLIAM WORDSWORTH, author of "The Excursion," "Sonnets," % J " Laodamia," "Ruth," and numerous poems in which depth of thought is 06 O x H nobly combined with splendour of language, was born 1770, died 1850.] S i 3 Q o ? ! J i THE DANISH BOY. i X H M X [pgglETWEEN two sister moorland rills o S, h. O IJ There is a spot that seems to lie 8 Sacred to flowerets of the hills, x And sacred to the sky. M U z I And in this smooth and open dell h M There is a tempest-stricken tree ; Q X H A corner-stone by lightning cut, Ul < The last stone of a lonely hut ; 3 And in this dell you see h (/> A thing no storm can e'er destroy X H H U U The shadow of a Danish boy. O x h H B U 5 In clouds above the lark is heard, < 2 But drops not here to earth for rest ; Q i Within this lonesome nook the bird b Did never build her nest Z M X H No beast, no bird hath here his home ; 1 S Bees, wafted on the breezy air, U U m 8 Pass high above those fragrant bells H H To other flowers ; to other dells X h X H Their burdens do they bear. = * The Danish boy walks here alone : The lovely dell is all his own. " THE IMMORTAL MIND CRAVES OBJECTS THAT ENDURE." WORDSWORTH. 12 DREAMS, BOOKS, ARE EACH A WORLD ; AND BOOKS, WE KNOW, 146 THE DANISH BOY. A spirit of noon-day is he, Yet seems a form of flesh and blood ; Nor piping shepherd shall he be, Nor herd-boy of the wood. A regal vest of fur he wears, In colour like a raven's wing ; It fears not rain, nor wind, nor dew ; But in the storm 'tis fresh and blue As budding pines in spring ; His helmet has a vernal grace, Fresh as the bloom upon his face. A harp is from his shoulder hung ; Resting the harp across his knee, To words of a forgotten tongue He suits its melody. Of flocks upon the neighbouring hills He is the darling and the joy ; And often, when no cause appears, The mountain-ponies prick their ears, . . . They hear the Danish boy, While in the dell he sings alone Beside the tree and corner-stone. There sits he : in his face you spy No trace of a ferocious air ; Nor ever was a cloudless sky So steady or so fair. The lovely Danish boy is blest, And happy in his flowery cove : From bloody deeds his thoughts are far ; And yet he warbles songs of war, That seem like songs of love, ARE A SUBSTANTIAL WORLD, BOTH PURE AND GOOD." WORDSWORTH. THE FOUNTAIN. M7 For calm and gentle is his mien ; Like a dead boy he is serene. [WILLIAM WORDSWORTH.) 3 THE FOUNTAIN. l^jJLg] Affectionate and true, A pair of friends, though I was young, And Matthew seventy-two. We lay beneath a spreading oak, Beside a mossy seat ; And from the turf a fountain broke, And gurgled at our feet ' Now, Matthew, let us try to match This water's pleasant tune With some old border song, or catch, That suits a summer noon. Or of the church-clock and the chimes Sing here beneath the shade, That half-mad thing of witty rhymes Which you last April made." In silence Matthew lay, and eyed The spring beneath the tree ; And thus the dear old man replied, The gray-haired man of glee : 'OUR BIRTH IS BUT A SLEEP AND A FORGETTING." WORDSWORTH. " HEAVEN LIES ABOUT US IN OUR INFANCY." WILLIAM WORDSWORTH. 148 THE FOUNTAIN. " Down to the vale this water steers ; How merrily it goes ! WORTH 'Twill murmur on a thousand years, And flow as now it flows. a' IAM WORDS " And here, on this delightful day, I cannot choose but think ! it J How oft, a vigorous man, I lay Beside this fountain's brink. Q s " My eyes are dim with childish tears, Ik O ACH BY NATURAL My heart is idly stirred, For the same sound is in my ears Which in those days I heard. " Thus fares it still in our decay ; iND THE FRESHNE B B u Q And yet the wiser mind Mourns less for what age takes away Than what it leaves behind. THE GLORY / D pg " The blackbird in the summer trees. The lark upon the hill, LIGHT, B Let loose their carols when they please, > Are quiet when they will. \ Q B a S " With Nature never do they wage A foolish strife : they see g I I COULD A happy youth, and their old age Is beautiful and free ; w 5 4 ' But we are pressed by heavy laws, And often, glad no more, We wear a face of joy because We have been glad of yore. "THE SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS, THE GLORY IN THE FLOWER !" WORDSWV.WTH. " EARTH FILLS HER LAP WITH PLEASURES OF HER OWN." WORDSWORTH. THE FOUNTAIN. 149 "If there is one who need bemoan His kindred laid in earth, X The household hearts that were his own, i | It is the man of mirth. I 1 " My days, my friend, are almost gone, J My life has been approved, 5 d And many love me ; but by none 3 i Am I enough beloved. " J i " Now both himself and me he wrongs, Z O 2 M The man who thus complains ! b i J I live and sing my idle songs 1 X Upon these happy plains ; g B H " And, Matthew, for thy children dead X H i I'll be a son to thec H H At this he grasped my hand, and said, J "Alas! that cannot be." H 8 I | M We rose up from the fountain side, And down the smooth descent 9 2 Of the green sheep-track did we glide, \ 9 And through the woods we went ; z s 2 > And, ere we came to Leonard's Rock, O O | He sang those witty rhymes B it About the crazy old church-clock, 1 D And the bewildered chimes. 3 [WILLIAM WORDSWORTH.] ""^^^JBfl^P^ " THY SOUL WAS LIKE A STAR, AND DWELT APART." WORDSWORTH. "TWO VOICES ARE THERE ; ONE IS OF THE SEA, 150 WE ARE SEVEN. X WE ARE SEVEN. x h i Q [jprajl SIMPLE child, O I O KSl&li That lightly draws its breath, Q 5 And feels its life in every limb, 1 a What should it know of death ? < | 2 j I met a little cottage girl : j She was eight years old, she said ; y h u s Her hair was thick with many a curl o H 2 That clustered round her head. M O i h She had a rustic, woodland air, o X E a And she was wildly clad ; rf u E Her eyes were fair, and very fair : 8 g u Her beauty made me glad. o K 03 U S '* Sisters and brothers, little maid, u o 2 How many may you be ?" u u H O " How many ? Seven in all," she said ; Q co And wondering looked at me. X H 2 > " And where are they ? I pray you tell." o (A She answered : " Seven are we ; 0, M And two of us at Conway dwell, O hi And two are gone to sea ; 2 u O o h z X " Two of us in the churchyard lie, J D O i My sister and my brother ; H H H M And, in the churchyard cottage, I Q X h Dwell near them, with my mother." 2 " You say that two at Conway dwell, And two are gone to sea, ONE OF THE MOUNTAINS EACH A MIGHTY VOICE." WORDSWORTH. " FAIR STAR OF EVENING, SPLENDOUR OF THE WEST l" WORDSWORTH. WE ARE SEVEN. 1 5 1 I Yet ye are seven ! I pray you tell, x d Sweet maid, how this may be ?" H o \ Then did the little maid reply, \ E \ en boys and girls are we ; \ 1 Two of us in the churchyard lie, Z 3 \ Beneath the churchyard tree," J f M J I 44 You run about, my little maid, Your limbs they are alive ; jj * If two are in the churchyard laid, X I Then ye are only five," 5 8 M 1 heir graves are green, they may be seen, 1 ' I The little maid replied, \ i " Twelve steps or more from my mother's door, H 5 And they are side by side. X s 1 " My stockings there I often knit, My kerchief there I hem ; o z - And there upon the ground I sit M B 1 sit and sing to them. X h f ' And often after sunset, sir, H Z i When it is light and fair, H i 3 I take my little porringer, 9 And eat my supper there. M 5 j 3 D H 14 The first that died was little Jane : 2 | In bed she moaning lay, 1 X Till God released her of her pain ; M . And then she went away. X 11 So in the churchyard she was laid ; And all the summer dry " IT IS A BEAUTEOUS EVENING, CALM AND FREE." WORDSWORTH. "A CHEERFUL LIFE IS WHAT THE MUSES LOVE 152 TO THE DAISY. Together round her grave we played, as My brother John and I. I " And when the ground was white with snow, ORTH. M O And I could run and slide, 1 J My brother John was forced to go, I 1 And he lies by her side." % 1 j 00 " How many are you, then," said I, \ h M " If they two are in heaven ?" J d B W a The little maiden did reply, i M " Oh, master, we are seven !" o tf) h a Q " But they are dead those two are dead ! o a a Their spirits are in heaven ! " M M g 'Twas throwing words away ; for still oa u oT The little maid would have her will, 2 h And said, " Nay, we are seven !" 5 oo a B [WILLIAM WORDSWORTH.] h [X. - 1 o i (/T i a H TO THE DAISY.* o B 00 [FfrarajITH little here to do or see a oo M P^H Of things that in the great world be, a s a Sweet daisy ! oft I talk to thee, a P For thou art worthy : JM 1 Thou unassuming commonplace a Of Nature, with that homely face, J" h I * This delightful ode the reader may advantageously compare with the poem on the same subject by Robert Burns. He will not fail to observe how in each the individuality of the poet strongly displays itself, and though both are beautiful, yet how different they are in sentiment and tone. A SOARING SPIRIT IS THEIR PRIME DELIGHT." WORDSWORTH. " YET A HIGH GUERDON WAITS ON MINDS THAT DARE, TO THE DAISY. 153 X And yet with something of a grace X o Which love makes for thee ! H g I Oft do I sit by thee at ease, g 5 And weave a web of similes, J % Loose types of things through all degrees, $ i Thoughts of thy raising ; \ 8 And many a fond and idle name I f I give to thee, for praise or blame, P As is the humour of the game, H I While I am gazing. \ | \ A nun demure, of lowly port ; fed g Or sprightly maiden of love's court, E Q Z In thy simplicity the sport o X g Of all temptations ; X z A queen in crown of rubies dressed ; u A starveling in a scanty vest ; X H i Are all, as seem to suit thee best, H s Thy appellations. s Z A little Cyclops, with one eye i fed 5 Staring to threaten and defy Z | That thought comes next ; and instantly fed ; The freak is over. | * The shape will vanish, and, behold ! X s A silver shield with boss of gold, E That spreads itself, some fairy bold X z I In fight to cover. i SI z H I see thee glittering from afar, Z Uj g And then thou art a pretty star : : r Not quite so fair as many are In heaven above thee ; IP AUGHT BE IN THEM OP IMMORTAL SEED. " WORDSWORTH. " HEAVEN-BORN, THE SOUL A HEAVEN-WARD COURSE MUST HOLD, " 154 TO A BUTTERFLY. Yet like a star, with glittering crest, < Self-poised in air, thou seem'st to rest ; x' H W May peace come never to his nest O X H Q Who shall reprove thee ! WORDS X* o Sweet flower ! for by that name at last, A Q W W When all my reveries are past, 1 E I call thee, and to that cleave fast, J H u Sweet silent creature ! d E w That breathest with me in sun and air, 55 K (if Do thou, as thou art wont, repair D t/3 :D C/3 My heart with gladness, and a share "o z 8 3 Of thy meek nature ! ! M X o [WILLIAM WORDSWORTH.] H t, O I u J 8 M g M U J3 Q TO A BUTTERFLY. Z td s o K lE3f2l] '^^ watched you now a full half-hour ' H W |[jgj}| Self-poised upon that yellow flower ; Z z a And, little Butterfly, indeed, 5 u I know not if you sleep or feed : > X h How motionless ! not frozen seas Q W More motionless ! and then w > 13 What joy awaits you, when the breeze X p X Hath found you out among the trees, And calls you forth again ! a o o Q i This plot of orchard ground is ours ; I My trees they are, my sister's flowers ; Here rest your wings when they are weary ; Here lodge as in a sanctuary ! "MORE BRAVE FOR THIS, THAT HE HATH MUCH TO LOVE. "WORDSWORTH. " HE WHOSE MIND IS BUT THE MIND CF HIS OWN EYES, THE REDBREAST AND THE BUTTERFLY. 155 Come often to us, fear no wrong, Sit near us on the bough ; We'll talk of sunshine and of song ; And summer days, when we were young ; Sweet childish days, that were as long As twenty days are now. [WILLIAM WORDSWORTH.] THE REDBREAST AND THE BUTTERFLY. | RT thou the bird whom man loves best, The pious bird with the scarlet breast, Our little English Robin ; The bird that comes about our doors When autumn winds are sobbing ? KB IS A SLAVS THE MEANEST WE CAN MEET I" WORDSWORTH. " BY OUR OWN SPIRITS ARE WE DEIFIED." WORDSWORTH. 156 THE REDBREAST AND THE BUTTERFLY. Art thou the " Peter" of Norway boors ? Their "Thomas" in Finland, And Russia far inland ? The bird, who by some name or other, All men who know thee call thee brother, The darling of children and men ? Could Father Adam open his eyes, And see this sight beneath the skies, He'd wish to close them again. If the butterfly knew but his friend, Hither his flight he would bend ; And find his way to me. Under the branches of the tree, In and out, he darts about ; Can this be the bird, to men so good, That after their bewildering, " SWEET LOOKS, BY HUMAN KINDNESS BRED." WORDSWORTH. 'THAT INWARD EYE, WHICH is THE BLISS OF SOLITUDE." WORDSWORTH. THE REDBREAST AND THE BUTTERFLY. 1 57 Did cover with leaves the little children, So painfully in the wood ? What ailed thee, Robin, that thou couldst pursue A beautiful creature, That is gentle by nature ? Beneath the summer sky From flower to flower let him fly ; The cheerer thou of our indoor sadness, 1 le is the friend of our summer gladness : What hinders, then, that ye should be Playmates in the sunny weather, And fly about in the air together ? His beautiful wings in crimson are dressed, A crimson as bright as thine own ! If thou would'st be happy in thy nest, O pious bird ! whom man loves best, Love him, or leave him alone ! f WILLIAM WORDSWORTH.] 'TEARS TO HCMAN SUFFERING ARE DUE." WILLIAM WORDSWORTH. " LEARN, BY A MORTAL YEARNING, TO ASCEND." WORDSWORTH. *5 8 TO THE SMALL CELANDINE. TO THE SMALL CELANDINE. X WORTH. |jpjf|J|ANSIES, lilies, kingcups, daisies, DSWORT 1 PJJ Let them live upon their praises ; M O O Long as there's a sun that sets, X i Primroses shall have their glory ; j 3 Long as there are violets, | They will have a place in story : J H There's a flower that shall be mine, H W X u 'Tis the little Celandine. X W E M Eyes of some men travel far oo 1 For the finding of a star ; X pa u Up and down the heavens they go, C M Men that keep a mighty rout ! 9 J I'm as great as they, I trow, a W Since the day I found thee out, < 3 rf Little flower ! I'll make a stir, 8 p Like a great astronomer. . H H H Modest, yet withal an elf X H X O Bold, and lavish of thyself ; hf H M Since we needs must first have met H W X H I have seen thee, high and low, & | Thirty years or more, and yet tk X 'Twas a face I did not know ; O H M O Thou hast now, go where I may, > s Fifty greetings in a day. K X o U u X 5 Ere a leaf is on a bush, H In the time before the thrush Has a thought about its nest, Thou wilt come with half a call, "THERE is A COMFORT IN THE STRENGTH OF LOVE." WORDSWORTH. " LEARN NEVER TO BLEND OUR PLEASURE OR OUR PRIDE TO THE SMALL CELANDINE. 159 Spreading out thy glossy breast Like a careless prodigal ; Telling tales about the sun, E h i When we've little warmth, or none. I i Poets, vain men in their mood ! I s 3 i Travel with the multitude ; Never heed them ; I aver That they all are wanton wooers. But the thrifty cottager, Who stirs little out of doors, \ 1 S LITTLEh Joys to spy thee near her home : Spring is coming thou art come ! X H | N ITS OWN MAJESTY, I Comfort have thou of thy merit, Kindly, unassuming spirit ! Careless of thy neighbourhood, Thou dost show thy pleasant face On the moor, and in the wood, In the lane there's not a place, flTH THE JOY OF ELEV/ I Howsoever mean it be, But 'tis good enough for thee. ? S I S Ill befall the yellow flowers, Children of the flaring hours ! \ x Buttercups, that will be seen, H Whether we will see or no : S 2 Others, too, of lofty mien ; 1 \ They have done as worldlings do, - Taken praise that should be thine, * Little, humble Celandine ! Prophet of delight and mirth, Scorned and slighted upon earth ! WITH SORROW OP THE MEANEST THING THAT FEELS." WORDSWORTH. " WISDOM AND SPIRIT OF THE UNIVERSE ! 1 60 SIMON LEE THE OLD HUNTSMAN. Herald of a mighty band, Of a joyous train ensuing, X x' ftj Singing at my heart's command, In the lanes my thoughts pursuing, 1 o I will sing, as doth behove, I Hymns in praise of what I love ! * a 3 13 [WILLIAM WORDSWORTH. This poem is a notable example of the way 3 c in which genius turns the humblest and meanest things to high advantage. 1 What thousands have gazed on the Celandine, yet to how few can the lowly s ' s Q flower have suggested the ideas which Wordsworth has embodied ! Here is d z a pregnant reason for gratitude to our poets : without their aid Nature would fa remain to most of us a sealed book.] s. o J u ^ Q z 2 M I K SIMON LEE THE OLD HUNTSMAN. 8 S B D X gGTgjlN the sweet shire of Cardigan, Z X 1 [ojnm Not far from pleasant Ivor Hall, z Q O An old man dwells, a little man, g O O I've heard he once was tall. 1 o Of years he has upon his back, z z h X o No doubt, a burthen weighty ; ! 5 0) He says he is threescore and ten, a 8 But others say he's eighty. 1 h $ S u A long blue livery coat has he, 1 h That's fair behind, and fair before ; H 8 Yet, meet him where you will, you see 1 u At once that he is poor. Id K 2 Full five-and-twenty years he lived ? A running huntsman merry ; And though he has but one eye left, His cheek is like a cherry. THOU SOUL THAT ART THE ETERNITY OF THOUGHT !" WORDSWORTH. " THERE ARE WHOSE CALMER MINDS IT WOULD CONTENT SIMON LEE THE OLD HUNTSMAN. 161 x No man like him the horn could sound, \\ And no man was so full of glee ; d 3 To say the least, four counties round J Had heard of Simon Lee. rf 1 His master's dead, and no one now td h I Dwells in the hall of Ivor ; 1 f Men, dogs, and horses, all are dead ; a. td td t ^ He is the sole survivor. Q 8 h 5 And he is lean and he is sick, td M E His dwindled body's half awry ; a * His ankles too are swoln and thick ; f His legs are thin and dry. g When he was young, he little knew H 2 Of husbandry or tillage, X E s And now is forced to work, though weak, V) E * The weakest in the village. x g M s O * He all the country could outrun, H td Could leave both man and horse behind ; > O | And often, ere the race was done, 2 | He reeled and was stone blind. U K And still there's something in the world 3 2 At which his heart rejoices ; CO H For when the chiming hounds are out, X h 1 I le dearly loves their voices ! H s ? t His hunting feats have him bereft s! t Of his right eye, as you may see ; 1 3 And then, what limbs those feats have left I I To poor old Simon Lee ! X Z 5 He has no son, he has no child ; X His wife, an aged woman, * Lives with him, near the waterfall, Upon the village common. TO HE AH UNCULLED FLOWERET OF THE GLEN." WORDSWORTH. " THE FORM REMAINS, THE FUNCTION NEVER DIES." WORDSWORTH. 162 SIMON LEE THE OLD HUNTSMAN. Old Ruth works out of doors with him, And does what Simon cannot do ; h 5 For she, not over stout of limb, o i Is stouter of the two. X E Q And, though you with your utmost skill H O i J From labour could not wean them, Q W y Alas, 'tis very little, all j O Which they can do between them. RJ J X 1 Beside their moss-grown hut of clay, h X 6 Not twenty paces from the door, M f) H A scrap of land they have, but they H X O X H Are poorest of the poor. 1 P ix This scrap of land he from the heath CQ X Inclosed when he was stronger ; y X | But what avails the land to them, i a Which they can till no longer ? U H 8 Few months of life has he in store, jj O 1 As he to you will tell, Z a For still, the more he works, the more jj u X B Do his weak ankles swell. h j j My gentle reader, I perceive b O H u How patiently you've waited, X g 3 And I'm afraid that you expect H X Some tale will be related. < o X Q J 3 O Oh, reader ! had you in your mind 1 U Such stores as silent thought can bring, X Oh, gentle reader ! you would find z. A tale in everything.* * Compare with Shakspeare : " Our life Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, Sermons in stones, and good in everything." " LOVE, AS NATURE LOVES, THE LONELY POOR." WORDSWORTH. " MKMUKV, I.IKK SLHKP, HATH POWEKS WHICH DREAMS OBEY SIMON LEE THE OLD HUNTSMAN. 163 What more I have to say is short, I hope you'll kindly take it : It is no tale ; but, should you think, I Perhaps a tale you'll make it. s I o E | One summer day I chanced to see K * This old man doing all he could E X To unearth the root of an old tree, 3 A stump of rotten wood. a J The mattock tottered in his hand ; ! M So vain was his endeavour, That at the root of the old tree h S He might have worked for ever. 8 1 S X " You're over- tasked, good Simon Lee, hi Give me your tool," to him I said ; rf And at the word right gladly he < < Received my proffered aid O 5 I struck, and with a single blow fl The tangled root I severed, 1 o At which the poor old man so long h. 5 1 vainly had endeavoured. a H i o The tears into his eyes were brought, f- i And thanks and praises seemed to run b e s So fast out of his heart, I thought - < They never would have done. s I've heard of hearts unkind, kind deeds ac M X With coldness still returning, : * Alas ! the gratitude of men lias oft'ner left me mourning. (WILLIAM WORDSWORTH.) DREAMS, VIVID DREAMS, THAT ARE HOT FUGITIVE." WORDSWORTH. " AUSPICIOUS HOPE ! IN THY SWEET GARDEN GROW 164 LORD ULLIN'S DAUGHTER. J J ca cu LORD ULLIN'S DAUGHTER. ^ J J [rarajj] CHIEFTAIN to the Highlands bound, CO U M gfeiM Cries, " Boatman, do not tarry ! 5 2 w And I'll give thee a silver pound f i To row us o'er the ferry !" H j h X " Now who be ye would cross Lochgyle,* H 3 This dark and stormy water?" S R H "Oh, I'm the chief of Ulva's isle, X s And this, Lord Ullin's daughter. Id u 3 en h H " And fast before her father's men J j M Three days we've fled together, i 55 For should he find us in the glen, j *c O U Q My blood would stain the heather. 'JLHOW ' " His horsemen hard behind us ride ; 5 1 Should they our steps discover, h M H J Then who will cheer my bonny bride O E y H W) When they have slain her lover ? " ca M ^ 5 u S Out spake the hardy Highland wight : H g " I'll go, my chief I'm ready : fc 3 It is not for your silver bright, ^ u K 13 But for your winsome lady : 5 Cz. z, w B " And by my word ! the bonny bird U 3- 1 In danger shall not tarry ; H u So though the waves are raging white H I'll row you o'er the ferry. " * Loch Goil, a lake which lies embosomed among wild precipitous moun- tains, in the south of Argyleshire. It opens into Loch Long. WREATHS FOR EACH TOIL, A CHARM FOR EVERY WOE." CAMPBELL. "LIKE \NGEL-VISITS, FEW AND FAR BETWEEN." THOMAS CAMPBELL. LORD ULLI1TS DAUGHTER. 165 By this the storm grew loud apace, 4 The water- wraith* was shrieking ; ji X And in the scowl of heaven each face | Grew dark as they were speaking. S J j H But still as wilder blew the wind, r S And as the night grew drearer, 2 i Adown the glen rode armed men ; o Q z Their trampling sounded nearer. \ I Oh, haste thee, haste !" the lady cries, \ . " Though tempests round us gather, i 1 I'll meet the raging of the skies ; 1 * But not an angry father." I Q Z 5 The boat has left a stormy land, H h. M B A stormy sea before her, 2 When, oh ! too strong for human hand M | The tempest gathered o'er her. |3 a | And still they rowed amidst the roar X Of waters fast prevailing : | I Lord Ullin reached that fatal shore, 1 His wrath was changed to wailing. H M S H For, sore dismayed, through storm and shade, 2 M His child he did discover : u. C/J I One lovely hand she stretched for aid, 1 1 And one was round her lover. CO k M i " Come back ! come back !" he cried in grief, H Z : " Across this stormy water : And I'll forgive your Highland chief, My daughter ! oh, my daughter !" * The water-spirit "VISITS, LIKE THOSE OF ANGELS, SHORT AND FEW BETWEEN." BLAIR. " TO BEAR IS TO CONQUER OUR FATE." THOMAS CAMPBELL. 1 66 BATTLE OF THE BALTIC. J J W ea 'Twas vain : the loud waves lashed the shore, J u Return or aid preventing : H a J The waters wild went o'er his child, | 2 M And he was left lamenting. j a X [THOMAS CAMPBELL, author of " The Pleasures of Hope," " Gertrude of u o < Wyoming," and several famous lyrics, born 1777, died 1844.] * Q o H X u 3 M u 1 M X h g BATTLE OF THE BALTIC.* h 3 [jppgRn|F Nelson and the North sr z Rji||y| Sing the glorious day's renown, M M When to battle fierce came forth n. K O H All the might of Denmark's crown, X Q W X h And her arms along the deep proudly shone ; M By each gun the lighted brand, B X h In a bold determined hand, o M h And the Prince of all the land o i 55 Led them on. a THOU, Like leviathans afloat, OUGHT X < Lay their bulwarks on the brine ; h tn Jj While the sign of battle flew X On the lofty British line : I U It was ten of April morn by the chime : 1 t/J As they drifted on their path, 3 M] There was a silence deep as death ; p J And the boldest held his breath, u X h M For a time. H Z 1 * On the 2nd of April 1801, Copenhagen was bombarded by the English u O under Lord Nelson and Admiral Sir Hyde Parker, and in their engagement : with the Danish fleet of twenty-three ships of the line, eighteen were taken or destroyed. "THE SENTINEL STARS SET THEIR WATCH IN THE SKY." CAMPBELL. "SONG is BUT THE ELOQUENCE OP TRUTH." THOMAS CAMPBELL. BATTLE OF THE BALTIC. 167 But the might of England flushed j j J To anticipate the scene ; GQ a. 8 And her van the fleeter rushed S 1 O'er the deadly space between. I i " Hearts of oak !" our captains cried ! when I o X each gun 9 J From its adamantine lips M *~ Spread a death-shade round the ships, h a Like the hurricane eclipse I M X Of the sun. P I H O K i Again ! again ! again ! Q" & And the havoc did not slack, Z Till a feeble cheer the Dane M Q a Z To our cheering sent us back ; H z J Their shots along the deep slowly boom : b F Then ceased and all is wail, Q M X As they strike the shattered sail ; J h Or, in conflagration pale, u E O 9 Light the gloom. a J J ^ Out spoke the victor then, Q As he hailed them o'er the wave : "z hi ** Ye are brothers ! ye are men ! D H D a And we conquer but to save : Z | So peace instead of death let us bring ; u. S But yield, proud foe, thy fleet, 9 M X H With the crews, at England's feet, X H _ And make submission meet 1 To our King." J B Then Denmark blessed our chief, = That he gave her wounds repose ; " FAITH LURED HIS BYE TO DEATHLESS HOPES SUBLIME." CAMPBELL. " BUT WHY SO SHORT IS LOVE'S DELIGHTED HOUR ? 1 68 BA TTLE OF THE JSA L TIC. And the sounds of joy and grief J J H J. 2 From her people wildly rose ; C s M As Death withdrew his shades from the day, Y (4 W While the sun looked smiling bright r M K H 2 O'er a wide and woeful sight, Z g X Where the fires of funeral light M M Died away. O h H O Now joy, Old England, raise ! Q 3 H Q For the tidings of thy might, H X * | By the festal cities' blaze, < Whilst the wine-cup shines in light ; | M in And yet amidst that joy and uproar, 8 \ Let us think of them that sleep, 2 H M Full many a fathom deep, 2 M 1 By thy wild and stormy steep, 5 ' Elsinore!* a 2" D X H X Brave hearts ! to Britain's pride V) H Once so faithful and so true, ! H Q On the deck of fame that died, With the gallant good Riou ; f a Soft sigh the winds of Heaven o'er their grave ! 2 While the billow mournful rolls, a Q . And the mermaid's song condoles, X en Singing glory to the souls Q Ed Of the brave ! X H [THOMAS CAMPBELL.] h 2 * Elsinore a seaport twenty-four miles north of Copenhagen. D a t Captain Riou, an able and gallant seaman, was killed in the action I b WHY FADES THE DEW ON BEAUTY'S SWEETEST FLOWER t" CAMPBELL. " TRUTH, EVER LOVELY SINCE THE WORLD BEGAN, MEN. OF ENGLAND. 169 J J MEN OF ENGLAND. 1 - i |JiijT| ' ^ of England ! who inherit u 3 EraLi Rig nts tnat cost vour s * res their blood ! 1 | Men whose undegenerate spirit o X (- f Has been proved on land and flood : ,1 r a By the foes ye've fought uncounted, Q M x R By the glorious deeds ye've done, h to. i Trophies captured breaches mounted, O 2 Navies conquered kingdoms won ! -r Yet, remember, England gathers Hence but fruitless wreath of fame, 8 If the freedom of your fathers 1 2 Glow not in your hearts the same. z fc \Yhat are monuments of bravery, z g Where no public virtues bloom ? 1 a B What avail, in lands of slavery, X H Trophied temples, arch and tomb ? > x E Pageants ! Let the world revere us M X h For our people's rights and laws, u. 9 And the breasts of civic heroes z 8 z Bared in Freedom's holy cause. o z 0. 1 Yours are Hampden's, Russel's glory, 8 1 Sydney's matchless shade is yours * 1 Martyrs in heroic story, M 1 Worth a hundred Agincourts ! M * John Hampden, the great patriot leader of the opposition to Charles I. Lord William Russel and Algernon Sydney were both executed in tho : reign of Charles II., for their resistance to the arbitrary measures of his government. THE FOB OF TYRANTS AND THE FRIEND OF MAN." CAMPBELL. "OH ! LIVES THERE, HEAVEN, BENEATH THY DREAD EXPANSE 1 70 HOHENLINDEN. We're the sons of sires that baffled J j H 1 Crowned and mitred tyranny : 0. w M They defied the field and scaffold < U W For their birthrights so will we ! 2 M o H K g [THOMAS CAMPBELL.] " TH O M j o w *H M h HOHENLINDEN.* ft. W K a H > jBj53jia|N Linden, when the sun was low, $ 1 IfcJ^JI All bloodless lay the untrodden snow, X M And dark as winter was the flow < M Of Iser, rolling rapidly. O w M M CL, ft. But Linden saw another sight, Q When the drum beat, at dead of night, M Commanding fires of death to light M J The darkness of her scenery. M s o By torch and trumpet fast arrayed, h O * Each horseman drew his battle blade, 1 w And furious every charger neighed, M O 3 To join the dreadful revelry. z z. H H X J Then shook the hills with thunder riven, o 5 SC Then rushed the steed to battle driven, W K And louder than the bolts of heaven, H S h Far flashed the red artillery. I * Hohenlinden a village in Bavaria. Its name signifies the "high lime- O trees." Here was fought a great battle, December 3, 1800, between the h Austrians under the Archduke John, and the French under General Moreau. The former were completely defeated. ONE HOPELESS, DARK IDOLATER OF CHANCE ?" -CAMPBELL. "SHAME TO THE COWARD THOUGHT THAT E'ER BETRAYED TO THE RA IN BO W. 1 7 1 J 1 But redder yet that light shall glow J 0) x On Linden's hills of stained snow, E j And bloodier yet the torrent flow \ a i jjl Of Iser, rolling rapidly. t Z i (fl z 'Tis mom, but scarce yon level sun h Can pierce the war-clouds, rolling dun, b o z w ^ Where furious Frank, and fiery Hun, h j P Shout in their sulph'rous canopy. 3 M I Z The combat deepens. On, ye brave, H Who rush to glory, or the grave ! i i as Wave, Munich ! all thy banners wave, 2 i Z And charge with all thy chivalry ! M M I u f h 2* Few, few, shall part where many meet ! h z I The snow shall be their winding-sheet, * a And every turf beneath their feet z" o a" Shall be a soldier's sepulchre. z o E [THOMAS CAMPBELL.] H U) J J z 1 E H TO THE RAINBOW. ^ M Z [K*S|RIUMPHAL arch, that fill'st the sky | a" When storms prepare to part, s UJ tfl I ask not proud philosophy % a j To teach me what thou art ;T THE | Still seem as to my childhood's sight o z M Z A midway station given, H For happy spirits to alight 5 Betwixt the earth and heaven. THE NOON OF MANHOOD TO A MYRTLE SHADE !" CAMPBELL. 172 " COME, BRIGHT IMPROVEMENT, ON THE CAR OF TIME, TO THE RAINBOW. Can all that optics teach, unfold Thy form to please me so, As when I dreamt of gems and gold Hid in thy radiant bow ? When Science from Creation's face Enchantment's veil withdraws, What lovely visions yield their place To cold material laws ? And yet, fair bow, no fabling dreams, But words of the Most High, AND RULE THE SPACIOUS WORLD FROM CLIME TO CLIME !" CAMPBELL. "OF NATURE'S SAVAGE GLORIES HE WOULD SPEAK TO THE RAINBOW. 173 Have told why first thy robe of beams J Was woven in the sky. I j * When o'er the green undeluged earth CQ J Heaven's covenant thou didst shine, 0, I jj How came the world's gray fathers forth Cfl i To watch thy sacred sign ? O H B J 1 And when its yellow lustre smiled fed d O'er mountains yet untrod, c. X ch mother held aloft her child, D To bless the bow of God. s i W U H K a. H Methinks thy jubilee to keep, u X h 1 The first-made anthem rang Q z i On earth delivered from the deep, h * And the first poet sang. ~ .j u. X fed X M Nor ever shall the Muse's eye, h Z H Un raptured greet thy beam ; U U 2 Theme of primeval prophecy, z Be still the poet's theme. 1 Ed 3 Z 8 8 a The earth to thee its increase yields, z S The lark thy welcome sings, 5 When glittering in the freshened fields, j i The snowy mushroom springs. E u 8 H 5 How glorious is thy girdle cast O'er mountain, tower, and town, Or mirrored in the ocean vast, A thousand fathoms down ! THE LONELINESS OF EARTH THAT OVERAWES." CAMPBELL. " THERE IS A LAND, OF EVERY LAND THE PRIDE, 174 THE AURORA BOREALIS. H As fresh in yon horizon dark, M O o As young thy beauties seem, C h 2 As when the raven from the ark X J First sported in thy beam. H jj For, faithful to its sacred page, h M U Heaven still rebuilds thy span, X h X H Nor lets the type grow pale with age, p | That first spoke peace to man. 2 X H X [THOMAS CAMPBELL.] 2 a H g U 2 X v) o h H Q 2 | THE AURORA BOREALIS h < &T U X h 5 [RJ^SJTjlIDNIGHT hath told his hour ; the moon, yet young j:" s |@J ffl Hangs in the argent west her bow unstrung ; C f Larger and fairer, as her lustre fades, E 1 Sparkle the stars amidst the deepening shades ; B H Jewels more rich than night's regalia gem 8 J a The distant Ice- Blink's spangled diadem ; X W B Like a new moon from orient darkness, there h X And as, when all the summer trees are seen Ui B b So bright and green, X h f The Holly leaves a sober hue display ] r Q Less bright than they ; h i But when the bare and wintry woods we see, i s What then so cheerful as the Holly- tree? fid I O u M J E So serious should my youth appear among * 2 X The thoughtless throng ; aT 5 t So would I seem among the young and gay, 8 E z More grave than they ; \ M That in my age as cheerful I might be % X w As the green winter of the Holly-tree. I X H [ROBERT SOUTHEY, poet-laureate, author of " Madoc," " Joan of Arc," M 2 "Thalaba," "The Curse of Kchama," and numerous works in prose and < fc poetry, born 1774, died 1843.] B a M j * 0. M 1 BISHOP BRUNO i H M prggllSHOP BRUNO awoke in the dead midnight, 9 X F .Rjjj And he heard his heart beat loud with affright : i D j* He dreamt he had rung the Palace-bell, O X K S And the sound it gave was his passing knell. M X " Bishop Bruno, the Bishop of Herbipolitanum, sailing in the river of | , H Danube with Henry the Third, then emperor, being not far from a place 5 which the Germans call Bon Strudel, or the Devouring Gulf, which is near unto Grinon, a castle in Austria, a spirit was heard clamouring aloud, ' Ho, ho, Bishop Bruno, whither art thou travelling? But dispose of thyself how thou pleasest, thou shall be my prey and spoil.' At the hearing of these words they were all stupefied, and the bishop, with the rest, crost and blest themselves. The issue was, that within a short time after, the bishop, feasting with the emperor in a castle belonging to the Countess of Esburch, ONWARD IN PAITH, AND LEAVE THE REST TO HEAVEN." SOUTHEY. "SAFE FROM THAT PRIDE OF IGNORANCE WERE THEY, 1 86 BISHOP BRUNO. Bishop Bruno smiled at his fears so vain ; He turned to sleep, and he dreamt again : He rang at the Palace-gate once more, _^. And Death was the porter that opened the door. ^ OUTHE' He started up at the fearful dream, E H w And he heard at his window the screech-owl scream : h g M CQ Bishop Bruno slept no more that night, M M JQ g T Oh, glad was he when he saw the daylight ! M r w M H Now he goes forth in proud array, M O M 'o H For he with the Emperor dines to-day ; g 3 There was not a baron in Germany H * HOPES That went with a nobler train than he. h < 3 Before and behind his soldiers ride ; h Q B g The people thronged to see their pride ; Q They bowed the head, and the knee they bent, H X If But nobody blessed him as he went h H o 8 H So he went on, stately and proud, CO M When he heard a voice that cried aloud X H 10 1 " Ho ! ho ! Bishop Bruno ! you travel with glee, H P J But I would have you know you travel to me !" 5 ca S til Q H 2 Behind and before, and on either side, 3 n He looked, but nobody he espied ; M 3 1 And the Bishop at that grew cold with fear, h ** For he heard the words distinct and clear. . And when he rang at the Palace-bell, He almost expected to hear his knell ; a rafter fell from the roof of the chamber wherein they sate, and struck him dead at the table." Thomas Heyivood's " Hierarchy of 'the Blessed Angek," THAT WITH SMALL KNOWLEDGE THINKS ITSELF FULL WIPE." POUTHEY. "THE VIRTUOUS HEART AND RESOLUTE MIND ARE FREE." SOUTHEY. BISHOP BRUNO. 187 And when the porter turned die key, He almost expected Death to see. tj z i But soon the Bishop recovered his glee, 1 | For the Emperor welcomed him royally ; J * And now the tables were spread, and there < *. Were choicest wines and dainty fare. fid Z j H a h And now the Bishop had blest the meat, 3 When a voice was heard as he sat in his seat, M S s " With the Emperor now you are dining with glee, hi 3 But know, Bishop Bruno, you sup with me ! " Z u d Q V. P The Bishop then grew pale with affright, | And suddenly lost his appetite ; z X All the wine and dainty cheer 5 BOYISI Could not comfort his heart. that was sick with fear. E S But by little and little recovered he, 3 z M For the wine went flowing merrily ; sT I Till at length he forgot his former dread, i at ft. And his cheeks again grew rosy red. 3 u | i 5 When he sat down to the royal fare, jj w Bishop Bruno was the saddest man there ; fc 2 But when the masquers entered the hall, 6 < He was the merriest man of all. 2 if ^ X Then from amid the masquers' crowd z h 5 There went a voice hollow and loud, % * " You have passed the day, Bishop Bruno, in glee ; I But you must pass the night with me ! " " His cheek grows pale, and his eyeballs glare, And stiff round his tonsure bristled his hair ; "GOOD THE BEGINNING, GOOD THE END SHALL BK." SOUTHEY. 1 88 " FOR MAN THE WINDS OF HEAVEN SUBSERVIENT BLOW ; A MOONLIGHT NIGHT. With that there came one from the masquers' band, And took the Bishop by the hand. The bony hand suspended his breath, His marrow grew cold at the touch of Death ; On saints in vain he attempted to call Bishop Bruno fell dead in the Palace-hall. [ROBERT SOUTHEY.] A MOONLIGHT NIGHT. j|OW beautiful is night ! A dewy freshness fills the silent air ; No mist obscures, nor cloud, nor speck, nor stain, Breaks the serene of heaven. EARTH TEEMS FOR HIM, FOR HIM THE WATERS FLOW." SOUTHEY. " STILL DOTH IGNORANCE MAINTAIN LARGE EMPIRE HERE, HENRY V. AND THE HERMIT OF DREUX. 189 In full-orbed glory yonder moon divine Rolls through the dark blue depths : Beneath her steady ray The desert circle spreads, Like the round ocean, girdled with the sky : How beautiful is night ! [ ROBERT SOUTHEY. From the epic poem of " Thalaba." J HENRY V. AND THE HERMIT OF DREUX.* a PHJBE passed unquestioned through the camp ; Their heads the soldiers bent HHMH In silent reverence, or begged A blessing as he went : And so the Hermit passed along And reached the royal tent. King Henry sate in his tent alone, The map before him lay ; Fresh conquests he was planning there To grace the future day. King Henry lifted up his eyes The intruder to behold : * " While Henry V. lay at the siege of Dreux, an honest hermit, unknown to him, came and told him the great evils he brought on Christendom by his unjust ambition, who usurped the kingdom of France, against all jr manner of right, and contrary to the will of God : wherefore, in His holy name, he threatened him with a severe and sudden punishment if he desisted not from his enterprise. Henry took this exhortation either as an idle whimsey, or a suggestion of the dauphin's, and was but the more confirmed in his design. But the blow soon followed the threatening ; for, within some few months after, he was smitten with a strange and incurable disease." DARK AND UNBLEST AMIDST SURROUNDING LIGHT.** SOUTHEY. " POUR BALM INTO OLD WOUNDS, AND BIND THEM UP ; 190 HENRY V. AND THE HERMIT OF DREUX. With reverence he the Hermit saw, For the holy man was old ; His look was gentle as a saint's, W X And yet his eye was bold. h H X o H CO " Repent thee, Henry, of the wrongs 1 K H Which thou hast done this land ; o O King, repent in time, for know O o Jl The judgment is at hand. I \ "w 5 P " I have passed forty years of peace Q Beside the river Blaise ; 2 8 But what a weight of woe hast thou h M H Laid on my latter days ! u Q O 2 z "^ 3 " I used to see along the stream K H The white sail sailing down, jj H That wafted food in better times M 5 To yonder peaceful town. o hi CQ cn w " Henry ! I never now behold h u, M The white sail sailing down ; 5 X H Famine, Disease, and Death, and thou H Destroy that wretched town. o H O J X P " I used to hear the traveller's voice M ID H As here he passed along ; I 33 Or maiden, as she loitered home, 1 SB Singing her even song. " " No traveller's voice may now be heard In fear he hastens by ; But I have heard the village maid In vain for succour cry. IMPROVE THE WILLING MIND, AND WIN THE HEART." SOUTHEV. " HOPELESS SORROW HAILS THE LAPSE OF TIME." SOUTHEY. HENRY V. AND THE HERMIT OF DREUX. 191 " I used to see the youths row down And watch the dripping oar, As pleasantly their viol's tones [j Came softened to the shore. > h X 8 44 King Henry ! many a blackened corpse 8 f I now see floating down : J P Thou bloody man, repent in time, !li And leave this leaguered town ! " H X X H 44 1 shall go on," King Henry cried, "And conquer this good land ; B E E M a U! J o Seest thou not, Hermit, that the Lord Hath given it to my hand ?" HEAVEN I.TS DRFAM, WHO PE< The Hermit heard King Henry speak, And angrily looked down ; His face was gentle, and for that More solemn was his frown. " What if no miracle from heaven The murderer's arm control, Think you for that the weight of blood VND PURIFIED, AND HATH IN * Lies lighter on his soul ? X H a a H "Thou conqueror King, repent in time, Or dread the coming woe ; For, Henry, thou hast heard the threat, And soon shalt feel the blow !" H h - W X W jj : King Henry forced a careless smile, ' As the Hermit went his way ; But Henry soon remembered him Upon his dying day. [ROBERT SOUTHEY.] " IT BOOTS NOT ON THE PAST TO DWELL." SOUTHEY. "ROUSE UP, MY SOUL, IT BOOTS NOT TO REPINE, *9 2 NAPOLEON BONAPARTE. NAPOLEON BONAPARTE.* 3ERT SOUTHEY. ' |EiFc&3|IS done but yesterday a king ! And armed with kings to strive And now thou art a nameless thing : So abject yet alive ! ERT SOUTHEY. J M Ts this the man of thousand thrones, Who strewed our earth with hostile bones, And can he thus survive ? J M M K Since he, miscalled the Morning Star, Nor man nor fiend hath fallen so far. % Q Z W tt Ill-minded man ! why scourge thy kind < E VERDURE W T ho bowed so low the knee ? By gazing on thyself grown blind, Thoii taught'st the rest to see. O 9 u | With might unquestioned power to save Thine only gift hath been the grave To those that worshipped thee ; M H cT ! Nor till thy fall could mortals guess Ambition's less than littleness ! 8 E Q W o X .... w VIRTUE, The triurrfph, and the vanity, The rapture of the strife A HOLLO Q The earthquake voice of Victory, s s H To thee the breath of life ; The sword, the sceptre, and that sway M M H Which man seemed made but to obey, Wherewith renown was rife All quelled ! Dark Spirit ! what must be The madness of thy memory ! * Written after the abdication of the Emperor Napoleon I. in 1815. FOR WORTHIER FEELINGS SHOULD BE THINE." SOUTHEY. 'TWILIGHT AND MOONLIGHT, DIMLY MINGLING, GAVE NAPOLEON BONAPARTE. 193 The Desolator desolate ! The Victor overthrown ! The Arbiter of others' fate A suppliant for his own ! Is it some yet imperial hope, That with such change can calmly cope ? Or dread of death alone ? To die a prince or live a slave Thy choice is most ignobly brave ! Then haste thee to thy sullen Isle,* And gaze upon the sea ; VIEW OF ST. HELENA. That element may meet thy smile It ne'er was ruled by thee ! Or trace with thine all-idle hand, In loitering mood upon the sand, That Earth is now as free ! * St. Helena, in the Atlantic, where Napoleon was confined, and where he died, May 5, 1821. AN AWFUL LIGHT OBSCURE." SOUTHEV. 15 " RELIGION, FREEDOM, VENGEANCE WHAT YOU WILL ; 1 94 NA POLE ON BON A PA R TE. That Corinth's pedagogue* hath now Transferred his by-word to thy brow. fc o K fc O Thou Timour ! in his captive's cage -f j 06 What thoughts will there be thine, Q While brooding in thy prisoned rage ? 3 a O } But one "The world was mine !" Q pi Q Unless, like he of Babylon, J * H i Q All sense is with thy sceptre gone, O M DC Life will not long confine 5 o h h That spirit poured so widely forth E p So long obeyed so little worth ! 1 w h Q u P h z, Or like the thief of fire from heaven, t " Wilt thou withstand the shock ? O u ffi And share with him, the unforgiven, O h His vulture and his rock ! h Q Foredoomed by God by man accurst, E K K And that last act, thought not thy worst, Q W M U K The very fiends arch mock ; K 5 h X E * Dionysius I., after ruling at Syracuse with tyrannical sway, was con- h E strained to resign his sceptre, and retire to Corinth, where he gained a live- lihood as a schoolmaster. h t Timour, the great Tartar chief, having defeated and taken prisoner, at fe as the battle of Angora, the Turkish emir, Bajazet I. (July 28, 1402), imprisoned W s him in an iron cage until his death, nine months afterwards, at Antioch, in H 1 Pisidia. So runs the story. W u M I Nebuchadnezzar (or Nabu-kudari-utsur), the most famous of the kings h h. of Babylon, died about 561 B.C. (See Daniel iii.) - * According to the ancient legend, the Titan hero, Prometheus, son of < Capetus, stole fire from heaven, and taught its use to the sons of men. At < this the gods were so enraged that they caused him to be bound to a rock, where a vulture constantly preyed upon his liver. This story whose esoteric meaning cannot here be developed suggested to the Greek drama- tist ^Eschylus his finest tragedy. It is also the subject of a poetic drama by Mrs. E. B. Browning, and of the " Prometheus Unbound," of Shelley. A WORD'S ENOUGH TO RAISE MANKIND TO KILL." BYRON. " NO WORDS SUFFICE THE SECRET SOUL TO SHOW, NIGHT BEFORE THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO. 195 Z He in his fall preserved his pride, o O i And, if a mortal, had as proudly died. 1 J [GEORGE GORDON, LORD BYRON, born 1788, died 1824, at Missolonghi, : | w z in Greece, whither he had gone to assist the Greeks in their struggle for 2, independence. He has been called, and not inaptly, the Poet of Passion. Ik u X A misanthropical colouring pervades all his works, which reflect, moreover, Z h in a singular degree, the peculiarities of his own temperament the faults u K as well as merits of his own character. He is himself the great sublime he o b. draws. No poet, however, has surpassed him in the force, vigour, and u graphic truth with which he has depicted certain moods of nature, and if h i there mingles in his poems much that is base and mean, there is also much p j that is lofty and even sublime. His principal works are " Bride of < b Abydo*," "Giaour,** " Lara," " Corsair," " Siege of Corinth," " Parisina," uf B Z " Childe Harold ; " the wild, irregular, but wonderful serio-comic poem of 3 j 44 Don Juan ;" the tragedies of i4 Sardanapalus," " The Two Foscari," and H 3 44 Marino Faliero ; " and the lyric dramas of " Heaven and Earth," " Cain," E and 4I Manfred." His minor poems are very numerous.] a z < M oi Z u H h a (A NIGHT BEFORE THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO. z. H - Z H Z IRTfF?! 11 k^E was a sound of revelry by night, h H jgjjpd And Belgium's capital had gathered then Z U Her Beauty and her Chivalry, and bright ^ f The lamps shone o'er fair women and brave men ; Z h J A thousand hearts beat happily ; and when J i Music arose with its voluptuous swell, q z Soft eyes looked love to eyes which spake again, u e And all went merry as a marriage-bell : a K fc But hush ! hark ! a deep sound strikes like a rising knell ! u z z H h Z Z Did ye not hear it ? No ; 'twas but the wind, n U 5 Or the car rattling o'er the stony street : tt i On with the dance ; let joy be unconfined ; c No sleep till morn, when Youth and Pleasure meet To chase the glowing hours with flying feet : FOR TRUTH DENIES ALL ELOQUENCE TO WOE." BYRON. "OH, TOO CONVINCING, DANGEROUSLY DEAR, 196 NIGHT BEFORE THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO. But, hark ! that heavy sound breaks in once more, As if the clouds its echo would repeat ; And nearer, clearer, deadlier than before ! Arm 5 arm ! it is it is the cannon's opening roar ! o 09 J Within a windowed niche of that high hall M > Sate Brunswick's fated Chieftain ; he did hear 1 H a o That sound the first amidst the festival, 1 it And caught its tone with Death's prophetic ear ; 3 i O H And when they smiled because he deemed it near, s o < His heart more truly knew that peal too well < Which stretched his father on a bloody bier, % M And roused the vengeance blood alone could quell ; 6 K 09 He rushed into the field, and, foremost fighting, fell. M O S H H Ah ! then and there was hurrying to and fro, H R H And gathering tears, and tremblings of distress, df X h And cheeks all pale, which but an hour ago E Blushed at the praise of their own loveliness ; z O And there were sudden partings, such as press i Q Q The life from out young hearts, and choking sighs M < Which ne'er might be repeated ; who could guess h E 13 If ever more should meet those mutual eyes, H th O Since upon night so sweet such awful morn could rise ? "w H W X i And there was mounting in hot haste : the steed, <5 The mustering squadron, and the clattering car, 1 i Went pouring forward with impetuous speed, K Q H X And swiftly forming in the ranks of war ; 3 " And the deep thunder peal on peal afar ; And near, the beat of the alarming drum Roused up the soldier ere the morning star ; While thronged the citizens with terror dumb, Or whispering, with white lips "The foe! they come! they come !" IN WOMAN'S EYE THE UNANSWERABLE TEAR ! " BYRON. ** NO WORDS SUFFICE THE SECRET SOUL TO SHOW, NIGHT BEFORE THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO. 197 And wild and high the " Cameron's Gathering" rose, The war-note of Lochiel, which Albyn's hills I lave heard and heard, too, have her Saxon foes : How in the noon of night that pibroch thrills 1 Savage and shrill ! But with the breath which fills eo T Their mountain-pipe, so fill the mountaineers J J With the fierce native daring which instils u E K D The stirring memory of a thousand years, 6 g And Evan's, Donald's fame rings in each clansman's ears. 06 Q I u And Ardennes waves above them her green leaves, Z O C Dewy with Nature's tear-drops as they pass, H O 1 Grieving, if aught inanimate e'er grieves, U x h Over the unreturning brave alas ! X i Ere evening to be trodden like the grass B B (A Which now beneath them, but above shall grow J V) 55 In its next verdure, when this fiery mass a | Of living valour, rolling on the foe, o i And burning with high hope, shall moulder cold and low ! n 5 o Last noon beheld them full of lusty life- M td i Last eve in Beauty's circle proudly gay ; o The midnight brought the signal-sound of strife Id The morn, the marshalling in arms the day, K m 9 Battle's magnificently-stern array ! H X | The thunder- clouds close o'er it, which, when rent, h Q o x The earth is covered thick with other clay, Z f Which her own clay shall cover, heaped and pent, M x Rider and horse friend, foe in one red burial blent ! H [GEORGE GORDON, LORD BYRON. From "Guide Harold," Canto III., stanzas xxl to xxviii.j ^^*^j^^fefcxP*5F^ FOR TRUTH DENIES ALL ELOQUENCE TO WOE." BYRON. " THE BEINGS OF THE MIND ARE NOT OF CLAY." LORD BYRON. 198 THE BURIAL OF SIR JOHN MOORE. THE BURIAL OF SIR JOHN MOORE.* |fcjJ*SWj|OT a drum was heard, not a funeral note, g fe O Bjgjjlj As his corse to the ramparts we hurried ; ft! m pa Not a soldier discharged his farewell shot M o Q s O'er the grave where our hero we buried. J J W o We buried him darkly, at dead of night, 3 The sod with our bayonets turning ; % ft! W > By the struggling moonbeam's misty light, I W 09 And the lantern dimly burning. w u W 6" Q h No useless coffin enclosed his breast, j M HI Nor in sheet nor in shroud we wound him t h K But he lay like a warrior taking his rest, 1 a With his martial cloak around him. W o X H s h Few and short were the prayers we said, H D And we spoke not a word of sorrow ; O But we steadfastly gazed on the face that was dead, 03 H u And we bitterly thought of the morrow. a z ' i rf w K We thought, as we hollowed his narrow bed, X H And smoothed down his lonely pillow, E J" That the foe and the stranger would tread o'er his head, J 1 i And we far away on the billow. M M s* Lightly they '11 talk of the spirit that 's gone, Q And o'er his cold ashes upbraid him ; * The battle of Corunna was fought between the British under Sir John Moore, and the French under Soult, January 16, 1809. The victory remained with the former ; but their gallant leader was mortally wounded, and buried at midnight on the ramparts of Corunna. As no coffin could be procured, the body was simply wrapped in a military cloak and blankets. "MANI THOU PENDULUM BETWIXT A SMILE AND TEAR." BYRON. " THE GOOD WANT POWER BUT TO WEEP BARREN TEARS." SHELLEY. TO THE NIGHT. 199 But little he'll reck if they let him sleep on In the grave where a Briton has laid him. | But half of our heavy task was done jj X When the clock struck the hour for retiring ; l X oa And we heard the distant and random gun 03 i That the foe was sullenly firing. Jf M I H i Slowly and sadly we laid him down, 8 E 1 From the field of his fame fresh and gory ; o We carved not a line, and we raised not a slone 2 X H But we left him alone with his glory. rf O [ Rev. CHARLES WOLFE, born at Dublin 179.1, died 1823, owes his fame \ y to this one brief but touchingly-beautiful composition, of which any poet J might have been proud. Some of Wolfe's other lyrics, however, are 2 55 characterized by intense pathos and great power of expression. He died a c of consumption, hastened by incessant clerical labour, in his thirty-third o Ot year.] X V) g "z o * 5 h 2 Z U O O X TO THE NIGHT. a I a |j|^|g|WIFTLY walk over the western wave, o M o f ^&H Spirit of Night ! J U J Out of the misty Eastern cave, B s Where all the long and lone daylight a o Thou wovest dreams of joy and fear, g > Which make thee terrible and dear^- i z o X Swift be thy flight ! X h Wrap thy form in a mantle gray, Star-inwrought ; Blind with thine hair the eyes of day, Kiss her until she is wearied out ; "YOUTH'S SMOOTH OCEAN, SMILING TO BETRAY." SHELIEY. "NECESSITY! THOU MOTHER OF THE WORLD." SHELLEY. TO THE NIGHT. Then wander o'er city, and sea, and land, Touching all with thine opiate wand Come, long-sought ! When I arose and saw the dawn, I sighed for thee ; When light rode high, and the dew was gone, And noon lay heavy on flower and tree, And the weary day turned to his rest, Lingering like an unloved guest, I sighed for thee. Thy brother Death came, and cried, Would'st thou me ? Thy sweet child Sleep, the filmy-eyed, Murmured like a noon-tide bee, 'THE GHASTLY PEOPLE OF THE REALM OF DREAM." SHELLEY. " THE FOUNTAINS MINGLE WITH THE RIVER ; " (SHELLEY) THE CLOUD. 201 Shall I nestle near thy side ? Would'st thou me ? And I replied, H No, not thee ! ' J fid X Death will come when thou art dead, 1 fid x Soon, too soon ea 1 Sleep will come when thou art fled ; J Of neither would I ask the boon rf fid I ask of thee, beloved Night : 1 T Swift be thine approaching flight B "z Come soon, come soon ! 2 8 fid u [PERCY BYSSHB SHELLEY, 1793-1824, author of "Queen Mab," < 1 "Hellas," the tragedy of "The Cenci," "Rosalind and Helen," "Alas- tor," " Adonais, an elegy in memory of the poet Keats," and numerous y 1 other works, all displaying a wonderful wealth of imagination and an X E J j apparently boundless command of richly poetic language.] 1 B o 1 X g THE CLOUD. tf H tf) H BRING fresh showers for the thirsting flowers, 2 H From the seas and the streams ; 2 fid fl K I bear light shades for the leaves when laid i Q In their noonday dreams. 5 Z i From my wings are shaken the dews that waken 1 1 The sweet buds every one, 1 When rocked to rest on their mother's breast, o o 1 9 As she dances about the sun. \ X I wield the flail of the flashing hail, fid X H And whiten the green plains under ; I And then again I dissolve it in rain, And laugh as I pass in thunder. I sift the snow on the mountains below, And their great pines grown aghast ; "AND THE RIVERS WITH THK OCF.AN." SHEI.I.KV. " AND THE SUNLIGHT CLASPS THE EARTH," (SHELLEY) 202 THE CLOUD. And all the night 'tis my pillow white, While I sleep in the arms of the blast. Sublime on the towers of my skyey bowers, H Lightning, my pilot, sits ; > . SHELI In a cavern under is fettered the thunder It struggles and howls at fits : 1 cu Over earth and ocean, with gentle motion, This pilot is guiding me, cd I i Lured by the love of the genii that move T M O In the depths of the purple sea ; Over the rills, and the crags, and the hills, Over the lakes and the plains, THOUGHT. AND TRUTH WE SEEK, BUT Wherever he dream, under mountain or stream, The Spirit he loves remains ; And I all the while bask in Heaven's blue smile, Whilst he is dissolving in rains. The sanguine Sunrise, with his meteor eyes, And his burning plumes outspread, Leaps on the back of my sailing rack, )SE WHICH TELL OF SADDEST BEAUTY, LOVE, When the Morning-star shines dead. As on the jag of a mountain- crag, Which an earthquake rocks and swings, An eagle alit one moment may sit X h H K 9 M X H In the light of its golden wings. And when sunset may breathe, from the lit sea beneath, ETEST 5 M Its ardours of rest and love, 1 W X And the crimson pall of Eve may fall From the depth of heaven above, tt D O With wings folded I rest on mine airy nest, As still as a brooding dove. That orbed maiden, with white fire laden, Whom mortals call the Moon, "AND THE MOONBEAMS KISS THE SEA." SHELLEY. " NO SISTER-FLOWER WOULD BE FORGIVEN . THE CLOUD. 203 Glides glimmering o'er my fleece-like floor, ^ M By the midnight breezes strewn ; 3 j Id And wherever the beat of her unseen feet, i J Which only the angels hear, j y May have broken the woof of my tent's thin roof, Q O z The stars peep behind her and peer ; CO H M And I laugh to see them whirl and flee, Z td Q Like a swarm of golden bees, B Z When I widen the rent in my wind-built tent, "td 8 Till the calm rivers, lakes, and seas, I u. H Like strips of the sky fallen through me on high, o X f Are each paved with the moon and these. r U, 14 I bind the Sun's throne with the burning zone, Q Z Id X And the Moon's with a girdle of pearl ; J The volcanoes are dim, and the stars reel and swim, g X H When the whirlwinds my banner unfurl. X o D 3 a From cape to cape, with a bridge-like shape, X fid Over a torrent sea, h Z Sunbeam proof, I hang like a roof, | B X The mountains its columns be. X CO The triumphal arch through which I march, y X B With hurricane, fire, and snow, Q z a, When the powers of the air are chained to my chair, O M 5 Is the million-coloured bow ; The sphere-fire above its soft colours wove, 9 2 C D J While the moist earth was laughing below. V) td X > H "o I am the daughter of Earth and Water, Z z i And the nursling of the Sky : 5 3 I pass through the pores of the ocean and shores ; 3 h I change, but I cannot die. 3 For after the rain, when with never a stain The pavilion of heaven is bare, IF IT DISDAINED ITS BROTHER." SHELLEY. " AMID THE SPLENDOUR-WINGED STARS, THE MOON 204 TO A SKYLARK. And the winds and sunbeams, with their convex gleams, Build up the blue dome of the air, I silently laugh at my own cenotaph, And out of the caverns of rain, Like a child from the womb, like a ghost from the tomb, I arise and unbuild it again. [ PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY. An admirable example of his rich fancy and remarkable felicity of poetic diction.] TO A SKYLARK. | AIL to thee, blithe Spirit ! Bird thou never wert, That from heaven, or near it, Pourest thy full heart In profuse strains of unpremeditated art. Higher still, and higher, From the earth thou springest, Like a cloud of fire ; The blue deep thou wingest, And singing still dost soar, and soaring ever singest. In the golden lightning Of the sunken sun, O'er which clouds are bright'ning, Thou dost float and run ; Like an unbodied Joy whose race has just begun. The pale purple even Melts around thy flight ; BURNS INEXTINGUISHABLY BEAUTIFUL." SHELLEY. "ODOURS, WHEN SWEET VIOLETS SICKEN, TO A SKYLARK. 205 Like a star of heaven, In the broad daylight Thou art unseen, but yet I hear thy shrill delight. Keen as are the arrows Of that silver sphere, Whose intense lamp narrows In the white dawn clear, Until we hardly see, we feel that it is there. All the earth and air With thy voice is loud, LIVE WITHIN THE SENSE THEY QUICKEN." SHELLEY. "THEY LEARN IN SUFFERING WHAT THEY TEACH IN SONG." SHELLEY. 206 TO A SKYLARK. As, when night is bare, From one lonely cloud The moon rains out her beams, and heaven is overflowed. h > X u i What thou art, we know not : ti What is most like thee ? X 3 X From rainbow clouds there flow not J h H -. Drops so bright to see, M D M u As from thy presence showers a rain of melody. s X U g as o z Like a poet hidden s X In the light of thought, s w W Singing hymns unbidden, X H Q Till the world is wrought O 9 To sympathy with hopes and fears it heeded not : h M X W o X H Like a high-born maiden p h X In a palace- tower, H O J M Soothing her love-laden M Q Q Soul in secret hour z w Q Z With music sweet as love, which overflows her bovver : X u > X H ^ D < Like a glowworm golden z O In a dell of dew, o o M Scattering unbeholden c* 2 Its aerial hue M Among the flowers and grass, which screen it from the view : Q U 5 X Like a rose embowered In its own green leaves, By warm winds deflowered, Till the scent it gives Makes faint with too much sweet these heavy-winged thieves. "EVIL MINDS CHANGE GOOD TO THEIR OWN NATURE." SHELLEY. " THE VERY WORM THAT CRAWLS BENEATH THE SOD, TO A SKYLARK. 2O"J Sound of vernal showers On the tinkling grass, Rain-awakened flowers, All that ever was M Joyous and clear and fresh, thy music doth surpass. J J I f Teach us, sprite or bird, g M _l What sweet thoughts are thine : 1 Z I have never heard CO b. Q Praise of love or wine jj Z H That panted forth a flood of rapture so divine. U E a Chorus hymeneal, H O S Q Or triumphal chaunt, Id Matched with thine would be all b) | But an empty vaunt H Z 2 A thing wherein we feel there is some hidden want. I What objects are the fountains z Of thy happy strain ? w H Z What fields, or waves, or mountains ? CO o J What shapes of sky or plain ? u z o What love of thine own kind ? what ignorance of pain ? g H Q k e With thy clear keen joyance s Z z o Languor cannot be ; M X 2 Shadow of annoyance y 3 Never came near thee : D u Thou lovest, but ne'er knew love's sad satiety. Waking or asleep, Thou of death must deem Things more true and deep Than we mortals dream, Or how could thy notes flow in such a crystal stream ? IN LOVE AND WORSHIP LIFTS ITSELF TO GOD." SHELLEY. " IN THEIR OWN HEARTS THE EARNEST OF THE HOPE 2oS TO A SKYLARK. We look before and after, And pine for what is not : Our sincerest laughter With some pain is fraught ; H Our sweetest songs are those that tell of saddest thought. * W J M J W a J Yet if we could scorn 1 V Hate and pride and fear, 6 1 If we were things born 1 i h Not to shed a tear, y K O I know not how thy joy we ever should come near. I to O W Q Better than all measures J a. M Of delightful sound, g H Q Better than all treasures s W That hi books are found, h K O H Thy skill to poet were, thou scorner of the ground ! E b j a h H Teach me half the gladness Q s That thy brain must know, M W Such harmonious madness O ft Id From my lips would flow, Q z H The world should listen then, as I am listening now. co O H H [PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY. This is probably the finest lyric in the Z o K English language. Shelley has made the skylark, as Keats has made the s K nightingale, his own.] K > z M < S "We poets in our youth begin in gladness, H But thereof comes in the end despondency and madness." WORDSWORTH. "Most wretched men Are cradled into poetry by wrong ; They learn in suffering what they teach in song. " ** SHELLEY. WHICH MADE THEM GREAT, THE GOOD WILL EVER FIND." SHELLEY. "STILL FURTHER, LOFTIER LET YOUR SOARINGS BE." MRS. HEMANS. IVAN THE CZAR. 209 IVAN THE CZAR. d (Ivan the Terrible in his old age besieged Novgorod. The Russian 2 a nobles, perceiving his enfeebled state, solicited him to give the command of j: 3 X the assault to his son. So great was his rage at this proposal that nothing hi d could appease it. In vain his son flung himself at his feet ; he repulsed him 06 H with a blow so violent that two days afterwards the unfortunate young man 1 J died. His father then fell a prey to despair, became indifferent equally to ? war and power, and survived his son but a few months. See Madame de R E Steffi "Dix Annies d'Exil"} w 3 D W) *M E (jTgSTj) E sat in silence on the ground, W 2 The old and haughty Czar, 8 1 Lonely, though princes girt him round, H And leaders of the war ; H 2* H He had cast his jewelled sabre, i O S That many a field had won, 2 To the earth beside his youthful dead 2 s His fair and first-born son. X H h i J With a robe of ermine for its bed 9 w 1 Was laid that form of clay, y X Where the light a stormy sunset shed as" H 2* Through the rich tent made way ; 5 i And a sad and solemn beauty en O 2 H On the pallid face came down, I 2 Which the lord of nations mutely watched, 5 if K o In the dust, with his renown. O X X h | 2 Low tones, at last, of woe and fear, M H From his full bosom broke < a A mournful thing it was to hear M 2 X h How then the proud man spoke ! H The voice that through the combat Had shouted far and high, Came forth in strange, dull, hollow tones, Burdened with agony. " CARES WAIT YOUR PRESENCE IN LIFE'S DAILY TRACK." MRS. HEMANS. " BEAR UP THY DREAM, THOU MIGHTY AND THOU WEAK ! 210 IVAN THE CZAR. "There is no crimson on thy cheek, And on thy lip no breath ; IS. HEMANS. I call thee, and thou dost not speak They tell me this is death ! And fearful things are whispering That I the deed have done For the honour of thy father's name, " MRS. HEMANS. 3 Look up, look up, my son ! W REATH 1 "- " Well might I know Death's hue and mien But on thine aspect, boy ! S ta J j What, till this moment, have I seen O 1 Save pride and tameless joy ? Swiftest thou wert to battle, And bravest there of all M a h X g How could I think a warrior's frame Thus like a flower should fall ? FILLED & 1 5 " I will not bear that still, cold look- Rise up, thou fierce and free ! Wake as the storm wakes ! I will brook NG STRAIN, w X h All, save this calm, from thee ! Lift brightly up, and proudly, JREATHI IG MUSIC J STIR Once more thy kindling eyes ! Hath my word lost its power on earth ? I say to thee, Arise ! " Didst thou not know I loved thee well ? ITH A SOLEMN I B M Thou didst not ! and art gone, O to 5 In bitterness of soul, to dwell Where man must dwell alone. s- Come back, young fiery spirit ! If but one hour, to learn The secrets of the folded heart That seemed to thee so stern. HEART STRONG AS DEATH, YET AS A REED TO BREAK." HEMANS. "THE SUDDEN IMAGES OF VANISHED THINGS, IVAN THE CZAR. 211 " Thou art the first, the first, fair child, That in mine arms I pressed : Thou wert the bright one, that has smiled z z Like summer on my breast ! I X z i I reared thee as an eagle, J " x To the chase thy steps I led, z 2 I bore thee on my battle-horse, J I look upon thee dead ! s [_; o X o 3 J til " Lay down my warlike banners here, E Q a Never again to wave, z I And bury my red sword and spear, h j Chiefs ! in my first-born's grave ! M z D And leave me ! I have conquered, D X H I have slain : ray work is done ! 1 H Whom have I slain ? Ye answer not 3 o M Thou too art mute, my son ! " X < Z And thus his wild lament was poured z < 3 Z Through the dark resounding night, i Q o H And the battle knew no more his sword Su h Z Nor the foaming steed his might Q Z i He heard strange voices moaning J X In every wind that sighed ; O X O From the searching stars of heaven he shrank h a ^ Humbly the conqueror died. z o X M [FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS, author of "The Forest Sanctuary," and 3 h o numerous songs, ballads, and lyrics, characterized by much grace and tender- 5 Z ness of melody, was born in 1793, died in 1835. "Almost all her poems," E says Lord Jeffrey, "are rich with fine descriptions, and studded over with X images of visible beauty. But these are never idle ornaments : all her pomps have a meaning ; and her flowers and her gems are arranged as they are said to be among Eastern lovers so as to speak the language of truth and of passion."] THAT O'ER THE SPIRIT FLASH, WE KNOW NOT WHY." HEMANS. <4 212 HENRY I. AFTER THE DEATH OF HIS SON. HENRY I. AFTER THE DEATH OF HIS SON.* en 2 in [ra^jHE bark that held a prince went down, at W < The sweeping waves rolled on ; K H And what was England's glorious crown 1 K To him that wept a son ? J J He lived, for life may long be borne \ M Ere sorrow break its chain? w 5 Why comes not death to those who mourn ? a S He never smiled again ! z w o u g There stood proud forms around his throne, 2 The stately and the brave, 5 * But which could fill the place of one, * That one beneath the wave ? h g Before him passed the young and fair, > Q In pleasure's reckless train, O | But seas dashed o'er his son's bright hair | t> O He never smiled again ! w K h O [if He sat where festal bowls went round, df 5 H He heard the minstrels sing ; 1 a He saw the tourney's victor crowned b o u u Amidst the knightly ring : X h o A murmur of the restless deep 1 E Was blent with every strain ; 1 s A voice of winds that would not sleep a H X He never smiled again ! tt O 2 Hearts in that time closed o'er the trace X o Of vows once fondly poured, * It is recorded of Henry I., that after the death of his son Prince Wil- liam, who perished in a shipwreck off the coast of Normandy, he was never seen to smile. AS MID THE WASTE AN ISLE OF FOUNT AND PALM." HEMANS. " COME TO ME WITH YOUR TRIUMPHS AND YOUR WOES, LANDING OF THE PILGRIM FA THERS. 2 13 And strangers took the kinsman's place At many a joyous board ; Graves which true love had bathed with tears 7J z Were left to heaven's bright rain, Fresh hopes were born for other years z U X He never smiled again ! X . 8 T [MRS. HEMANS.] 7. B w 5 o a b. THE LANDING OF THE PILGRIM FATHERS t LOWLY M a IN NEW ENGLAND.* [kVcJ 1 1 E breaking waves dashed high On a stern and rock-bound coast, iROUGH THEM; X H And the woods against a stormy sky Their giant branches tossed. h Q Z a. IROUND OUR And the heavy night hung dark, The hills and waters o'er, When a band of exiles moored their bark ILIAR THING! J _j On the wild New England shore. tx, h Not as the conqueror comes, Q i a They, the true-hearted, came ; fc " THERE' j Not with the roll of the stirring drums, And the trumpet that sings of fame : U H Z U Not as the flying come, In silence and in fear ; * New England was first settled by the Puritans whom persecution drove from England, in 1620. The vessel which carried them was the famous Mayflower. * " YET SHALL OUR HOPE RISE, FANNED BY QUENCHLESS FAITH, 2I 4 LANDING OF THE PILGRIM FATHERS. - T They shook the depths of the desert gloom With their hymns of lofty cheer. Amidst the storm they sang, And the stars heard and the sea ! And the sounding aisles of the dim woods rang To the anthem of the free. The ocean-eagle soared From his nest by the white wave's foam, And the rocking pines of the forest roared This was their welcome home ! There were men with hoary hair, Amidst that pilgrim band ; Why had they come to wither there Away from their childhood's land ? There was woman's fearless eye, Lit by her deep love's truth ; AS A FLAME FOSTERED BY SOME WARM WIND'S BREATH." HEMANS. " FREED SOUL OF SONG I YES, THOU HAST FOUND THE SOUGHT CCEUR DE LION AT THE BIER OF HIS FATHER. 215 There was manhood's brow serenely high, And the fiery heart of youth. What sought they thus afar ? MANS. (0 z Bright jewels of the mine ! X 1 The wealth of seas, the spoils of war ? H X (/) They sought a faith's pure shrine ! 1 I j Q J Ay, call it holy ground, I! 1 The soil where first they trode ! H B They have left unstained what there they found D Q Freedom to worship God. 8 X 1 [MRS. HEMANS,] \ 2 J X b u. 1 i Jj 2 X f- CCEUR DE LION AT THE BIER OF HIS FATHER * Q 2 2 |psjpi|ORCHES were blazing clear, 2 2 Hymns pealing deep and slow, < 2 Where a king lay stately on his bier f-T 1 In the church of Fontivraud. o i Banners of battle o'er him hung, D O X X h And warriors slept beneath, H 2 fid And light, as noon's broad light, was flung 2 .. On the settled face of death. Q 2 fid X H fid On the settled face of death u. O : A strong and ruddy glare ; td Though dimmed at times by the censer's breath, X h Yet it still fell brightest there : * " On the day after King Henry's death, when he was being carried out for burial in the Church of the Nuns at Fontevraud, Earl Richard, his son and heir, came to meet him, and, smitten with remorse, wept bitterly." Roger de Hoveden. BORNE TO THY HOME OF BEAUTY AND OF THOUGHT j" HEMANS. " THE BEAUTY OF OUR FREE AND VERNAL DAYS." MRS. HEMANS. 2l6 CCEUR DE LION AT THE BIER OF HIS FATHER. As if each deeply furrowed trace Of earthly years to show, Alas ! that sceptred mortal's race CO w M Had surely closed in woe ! 1 W VI s The marble floor was swept By many a long dark stole, J S NORTH As the kneeling priests round him that slept Sang mass for the parted soul ; Q O H B H h And solemn were the strains they poured Through the stillness of the night, O 5 M With the cross above, and the crown and sword, H > And the silent king in sight. M O AND FLOWERS TO A There was heard a heavy clang As of steel-girt men the tread, And the tombs and the hollow pavement rang With a sounding thrill of dread ; And the holy chant was hushed awhile, HAST ALL SEASONS J g H 9 H As, by the torch's flame, A gleam of arms, up the sweeping aisle, With a mail-clad leader came. O s H _f h D > HAVE THEIR He came with haughty look, An eagle glance and clear, But his proud heart through his breastplate shook, When he stood beside the bier ! g W O H 8 a > He stood there still with drooping brow, H w W And clasped hands o'er it raised ; Q 3 For his father lay before him low ; < It was Cceur de Lion gazed ! And silently he strove With the workings in his breast ; " OUR COMMUNINGS WITH SEA, AND HILL, AND SKY." MRS. HEMANS. "SING TO YOUR SONS THOSE MELODIES, CCEUR DE LION A T THE BIER OF HIS FA THER. 21"J But there's more in late repentant love Than steel can keep suppressed ! And his tears broke forth at last like rain ; in Z i X Men held their breath in awe, For his face was seen by his warrior-train, And he recked not that they saw. RS. HEMANS H He looked upon the dead, And sorrow seemed to lie, J Q H i A weight of sorrow even like lead, Pale on the fast-shut eye. He stooped, and kissed the frozen cheek, B W H $ M And the heavy hand of clay, Till bursting words, yet all too weak, O 12 Gave his soul's passion way. X X i SKYLARK'S WING, THAT SEBKS " Oh, father ! is it vain, This late remorse and deep ? Speak to me, father, once again : I weep behold, I weep ! Alas, my guilty pride and ire ! Were but this work undone, I would give England's crown, my sire, To have thee bless thy son ! GIVE UNTO THE THINGS THAT M X M g *' Speak to me ! mighty grief, X u x" o Ere now the dust hath stirred ! Hear me ! but hear me, father, chief! S. 8 My king ! I must be heard. - Hushed, hushed; how is it that I call, And that thou answerest not ? When was it thus ? woe, woe for all The love my soul forgot ! THE SONGS YOUR FATHERS LOVED." MRS. HEMANS. "FEARFULLY, WONDROUSLY OUR SOULS ARE MADE 2l8 CCEUR DE LION A T THE BIER OF HIS FA THER. " Thy silver hairs I see, So still, so sadly bright ! And father, father ! but for me They had not been so white ! I bore thee down, high heart ! at last No longer couldst thou strive ; Oh, for one moment of the past To kneel and say, * Forgive ! ' " Thou wert the noblest king On royal throne e'er seen ; And thou didst wear, in knightly ring, Of all the stateliest mien ; And thou didst prove, where spears are proved In war, the bravest heart Oh, ever the renowned and loved Thou wert ; and there thou art ! " Thou, that my boyhood's guide Didst take fond joy to be ! The times I've sported by thy side, And climbed the parent-knee ! And there before the blessed shrine, My sire ! I see thee lie ; How will that still sad face of thine Look on me till I die !" [MRS. HEMANS.] LET US WALK HUMBLY ON, BUT UNDISMAYED.' HEMANS. ' EARTH MUST HER BREAST." HEMANS. THE VOICE OF SPRING. 219 i T a THE VOICE OF SPRING. COME, I come ! ye have called me long; I come o'er the mountains with light and song. Ye may trace my step o'er the wakening earth, By the winds which tell of the violet's birth, By the primrose stars in the shadowy grass, By the green leaves opening as I pass. I have breathed on the south, and the chestnut flowers By thousands have burst from the forest bowers ; And the ancient graves and the fallen fanes Are veiled with wreaths on Italian plains : But it is not for me, in my hour of bloom, To speak of the ruin or the tomb. I have looked o'er the hills of the stormy north, And the larch has hung all his tassels forth ; And the fisher is out on the sunny sea, And the rein-deer bounds o'er the pastures free ; And the pine has a fringe of softer green, And the moss looks bright, where my foot hath been. I have sent through the wood-paths a glowing sigh, And called out each voice of the deep blue sky ; "AND WHAT is HOME, AND WHERE, BUT WITH THE LOVING?" HEMANS. " OH, THE GLAD SOUNDS OF THE JOYOUS EARTH ! "MRS. HEMANS. 220 THE VOICE OF SPRING. From the night-bird's lay through the starry time In the groves of the soft Hesperian clime, w To the swan's wild note by the Iceland lakes, 3 W T here the dark fir branch into verdure breaks. I H X 1 2 J From the streams and founts I have loosed the chain : \ They are sweeping on to the silvery main. X M They are flashing down from the mountain brows, in M X They are flinging spray o'er the forest boughs, J H They are bursting fresh from their sparry caves, r M And the earth resounds with the joy of waves. 3 H K H a g Come forth, O ye children of gladness, come ! X H 1 Where the violets lie may be now your home. 1 w Ye of the rose-lip and dew-bright eye, tk X h And the bounding footstep, to meet me fly ! O X 3 With the lyre, and the wreath, and the joyous lay, a g E Come forth to the sunshine : I may not stay. o o Q H W H" K H Away from the dwellings of care-worn men, H The waters are sparkling in grove and glen : D O g Away from the chamber and sullen hearth, H U X The young leaves are dancing in breezy mirth. 3 Their light stems thrill to the wild- wood strains, H" 5 And youth is abroad in my green domains. X H g H a [MRS. HEMANS.] \ < o 5 ssate- "THEY COME WITH A BREATH FROM THE FRESH SPRING-TIME." HEMANS. SWEEP TOWARDS HEAVEN WITH TIRELESS WING. MOTHERWELL. FACTS FROM FAIRYLAND. 221 ~ ^ m ! < V. - i D g FACTS FROM FAIRYLAND. ' Oh, then, I see, Queen Mab hath been with you !" SHAKSPEARE, SIOULDST thou know of me Where our dwellings be ? Tis under this hill, Where the moonbeam chill Silvers the leaf and brightens the blade, 'Tis under this mound Of greenest ground, That our crystal palaces are made. Wouldst thou know of me What owe food may be ? 'Tis the sweetest breath Which the bright flower hath That blossoms in wilderness afar, 'ONE COMMON END O'ERTAKES LIFE'S IDLE DREAMING." MOTHERWELL. " HOUR AFTER HOUR, DAY AFTER DAY, 222 FA C TS FROM FAIR YLA ND. And we sip it up, In a harebell cup, j H By the winking light of the towering star. K j M I Wouldst thou know of me 14 J What our drink may be ? \ "h 'Tis the freshest dew, f M a Id And the clearest, too, J >' S H That can hang on leaf or flower ; o H And merry we skink 1/3 H That wholesome drink " M H 2 Through the quiet of the midnight hour. "o O M O > Wouldst thou know of me J M X What our pastimes be ? 2* H Cfl 'Tis the hunt and halloo, a The dim greenwood through ; Q 5 Oh, bravely we prance it with hound and horn, * H O'er moor and fell, M 2 td ftj And hollow dell, o (Q Till the notes of our woodcraft wake the morn. Cfl "z h < i SB Q 3 Wouldst thou know of me Q Z Q What our garments be ? j, 2 'Tis the viewless thread < U Which the gossamers spread b a As they float in the cool of a summer eve bright, s td And the down of the rose a o H Form doublet and hose " 3 For our Squires of Dames on each festal night. Wouldst thou know of me When our revelries be ? SOME GENTLE FLOWER OR LEAF GIVES WAY." MOTHERWELL. "AN ENDLESS FOUNTAIN OF IMMORTAL DRINK." KEATS. ROBIN HOOD. 223 Tis in the still night, t When the moonshine white M Glitters in glory o'er land and sea, : That, with nimble foot, H z To tabor and flute, fid i i M We whirl with our loves round yon glad old tree. J X si! "Q [WILLIAM MOTHBRWELL, a Scotch poet, born at Glasgow in 1797, died Z < 1835. He is chiefly remembered by his fine ballads, in which, as Professor h i o Wilson observes, the style is simple, but in the tenderest movements manly. Frequently it rises to lyrical fervour.] Hi 3 < 3 fid O a. H M o 1 X H 1 ROBIN HOOD. X h *0 i* (irjCjll' } those days are gone away, 2 fid | ^M^ And their hours are old and gray, i 9 And their minutes buried all j H X Under the down-trodden pall B X H Of the leaves of many years : a X i Many times have Winter's shears, H Frozen North and chilly East, fid "o < Sounded tempests to the feast Q E Of the forest's whispering fleeces, j Since men knew not rent nor leases. o X u p o M a. No ! the bugle sounds no more, i And the twanging bow no more ; fid i fid Silent is the horn shrill, X h | Past the heath and up the hill ; * There is no mid- forest laugh, * Where lone Echo gives the half To some wight, amazed to hear Jesting, deep in forest drear. "WHERE SOIL is, MEN GROW, WHETHER TO WEEDS OR FLOWERS." KEATS. " WHENCE THAT COMPLETED FORM OF ALL COMPLETENESS ? 224 ROBIN HOOD. On the fairest time of June You may go, with sun or moon, Or the seven stars, to light you, Or the polar ray to right you ; But you never may behold Little John or Robin bold Never one of all the clan Thrumming on an empty can Some old hunting ditty, while He doth his green way beguile WHENCE CAME THAT HIGH PERFECTION OF ALL SWEETNESS ?" KEATS. " THE POETRY OF EARTH IS NEVER DEAD." KEATS. ROBIN HOOD. 225 To fair hostess Merriment, Down beside the pasture hent ; 6 For he left the merry tale J H Messenger for spicy ale. h u M X Gone, the merry morris din ! 5 H O h Gone, the song of Gamelyn ! M 2 Gone, the tough- belted outlaw M Idling in the " grene shawe ! " H O All are gone away and past ! X h H h And if Robin should be cast b. u Sudden from his tufted grave, a /> And if Marian should have 3 I Once again her forest days, Id X h <2 She would weep and he would craze : 2 h" He would swear, for all his oaks, J J 9 Fallen beneath the Dockyard strokes, U. H Have rotted on the briny seas ; > U She would weep that her wild bees E - Sang not to her Strange, that honey M 8 2 Can't be got without hard money ! X 2 M So it is : yet let us sing 8 (A X Honour to the old bow-string ! 1 x Honour to the bugle-horn ! < p Honour to the woods unshorn ! id X u Honour to the Lincoln green ! O O h Honour to the archer keen ! u I - Honour to light Little John, 2 And the horse he rode upon ! a. O Honour to bold Robin Hood, a Sleeping in the underwood ! < Honour to Maid Marian, And to all the Sherwood clan ! " THERE ARE FOUR SEASONS IN THE MIND OF MAN." KEATS. "WHEN THOU ART VEXT, THEN TURN AGAIN, AND SEE 226 THE SPA NJSH A RMA DA . Though their days have hurried by, Q 8 Let us two a burden try. K J [JOHN KEATS, born 1796, died 1821, author of "Hyperion," "Endy- Q 8 W mion," "Isabella," "Lamia," "Eve of St. Agnes," and other poems, all K O characterized by a rich imagination, a deep sense of the inner meanings of J h Nature, and an almost unequalled wealth of poetical language.] X fc H o w K W h K THE SPANISH ARMADA. S A.D. 1588. O Q h |rgry| TTEND all ye who list to hear our noble England's 3 W praise, Q K J I tell of the thrice famous deeds she wrought in an- D W $5 o cient days, h 5 When the great fleet invincible against her bore in vain O H K The richest stores of Mexico, the stoutest hearts in Spain. "Z K S * u Q It was about the lovely close of a warm summer's day, J W W There came a gallant merchant - ship full sail to Plymouth o o a Bay; o S Her crew had seen Castile's black fleet beyond Aurigny's isle, jj < At earliest twilight, on the waves lie heaving many a mile ; k, o u K At sunset she escaped their van, by God's especial grace ; D H And the tall Pinta* till the noon had held her close in 1 X chase. X Q 5 Forthwith a guard at every gun was placed along the wall ; h h~ The beacon blazed upon the roof of Edgcumbe's lofty hall ; f 9 E W Many a light fishing- barque put out to pry along the coast ; I S H And with loose rein and bloody spur rode inland many a post. * The Pinta, merchant-ship, was a pinnace commanded by one Captain * Fleming, who carried the news of the Spanish approach to the Lord High Admiral at Plymouth, July 19, 1588. t Mount Edgcumbe, near Plymouth, the seat of the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe. THOU HAST LOVED HOPE, BUT MEMORY LOVED THEE." HOOD. " LOVE IS LOVELIEST WHEN EMBALMED IN TEARS." SCOTT. THE SPA NISH ARMADA. 227 With his white hair unbonneted the stout old Sheriff comes ; Behind him march the halberdiers, before him sound the drums; The yeomen round the market -cross make clear an ample or! Z A TWIN." BYRON. space, For there behoves him to set up the standard of her Grace. And haughtily the trumpets peal, and gaily dance the bells, As slow upon the labouring win4 the royal blazon swells. Look how the lion of the sea lifts up his ancient crown, J S X (A t/j g Z i And underneath his deadly paw treads the gay lilies down. So stalked he when he turned to fight on that famed Picard J E fiAPPINESS WAS field,* Bohemia's plume, and Genoa's bow, and Caesar's ea^le shield; So glared he when at Agincourt in wrath he turned to THE FLOWER, h M (A | S bay, And crushed and torn beneath his claws the princely hunters lay. Ho ! strike the flag-staff deep, Sir Knight ; ho ! scatter flowers, fair maids ; PREAD YOU SEIZE r WOULD WIN i Ho ! gunners, fire a loud salute ; ho ! gallants, draw your blades : Thou sun, shine on her joyously, ye breezes waft her wide, Our glorious SEMPER EADEMf the banner of our pride ! .IKE POPPIES S z 1 The freshening breeze of eve unfurled that banner's massive fold, The parting gleam of sunshine kissed that haughty scroll of gold; EASURES ARE I Night sank upon the dusky beach, and on the purple sea Such night in England ne'er had been, nor ne'er again shall be. * The "famed Picard field" was the battle of Crec.y, won by Edward III. and the Black Prince. t "Always the same "Elizabeth's motto. " WRONGS UNREDRESSED, OR INSULTS UNAVENGED." WORDSWORTH. " THE NOBLEST MIND THE BEST CONTENTMENT HAS." SPENSER. 228 THE SPANISH ARMADA. From Eddystone to Berwick bounds, from Lynn to Milford Bay, That time of slumber was as bright and busy as the day. For swift to east, and swift to west, the warning radiance spread ; High on St. Michael's Mount it shone it shone on Beachy Head: Far on the deep the Spaniard saw, along each southern shire, Cape beyond cape, in endless range, those twinkling points of fire; " ILLUSTRIOUS ACTS HIGH RAPTURES DO INFUSE." WALLER. "ERRORS, LIKE STRAWS, UPON THE SURFACE FLOW ; THE SPANISH ARMADA. 22g The fisher left his skiff to rock on Tamar's glittering waves -, The rugged miners poured to war from Mendip's sunless caves : Ed M O'er Longleat's towers,* o'er Cranbourne's oaks, the fiery I 2 herald flew ; J h 9 He roused the shepherds of Stonehenge, the rangers of ca J Beaulieu. g H Right sharp and quick the bells all night rang out from Bristol T X town, J H And ere the day three hundred horse had met on Clifton down. | 3 The sentinel on Whitehall gate looked forth into the night, Q Q And saw, o'erhanging Richmond Hill, the streak of blood- red i Z Q fid light. Cfl f- X H Then bugle's note and cannon's roar the death-like silence z 1 broke, M ca Z And with one start, and with one cry, the royal city woke : t D At once on all her stately gates arose the answering fires ; X O 8 At once the loud alarum clashed from all her reeling spires ; X h i i From all the batteries of the Tower peeled loud the voice of J "o 9 fear, * M And all the thousand masts of Thames sent back a louder M X M Z cheer ; H n M And from the farthest wards was heard the rush of hurrying H J OS feet, 5 c And the broad stream of flags and pikes dashed down each M X H X roaring street H B And broader still became the blaze, and louder still the din, H M X As fast from every village round the horse came spurring in : D Oi H H And eastward straight, from wild Blackheath, the warlike errand went, And raised in many an ancient hall the gallant squires of Kent ; * Longleat, in Wiltshire, the seat of the Marquis of Bath. HE WHO WOULD SEARCH FOR PEARLS MUST DIVE BELOW." DRYDEN. " TO KNOW, TO ESTEEM, TO LOVE, AND THEN TO PART, 230 THE SPANISH ARMADA. Southward, from Surrey's pleasant hills, flew those bright couriers forth ; High on bleak Hampstead's swarthy moor they started for the north. And on, and on, without a pause, untired they bounded still ; All night from tower to tower they sprang, they sprang from hill to hill, Till the proud Peak unfurled the flag o'er Darwin's rocky dales fc Till like volcanoes flared to Heaven the stormy hills of Wales- Till twelve fair counties saw the blaze on Malvern's lonely height Till streamed in crimson on the wind the Wrekin's crest of light Till, broad and fierce, the star came forth on Ely's stately fane, And tower and hamlet rose in arms o'er all the boundless plain Till Belvoir's lordly terraces the sign to Lincoln sent, And Lincoln sped the message on o'er the wide vale of Trent Till Skiddaw saw the fire that burned on Gaunt's embattled pile, And the red glare of Skiddaw roused the burghers of Carlisle. [THOMAS BABINGTON MACAULAY, LORD MACAULAY, born 1800, died 1859, was greatly distinguished as an essayist and an historian, while he also showed no ordinary powers as a statesman, an orator, and a poet. His " Historical Essays" and his picturesque " History of England" will endure as long as the English language.] MAKES UP LIFES TALE TO MANY A FEELING HEART." COLERIDGE. "OUR WISHES LENGTHEN AS OUR SUN DECLINES." YOUNG. THE BA TTL E OF I VR Y. 231 THE BATTLE OF IVRY. a lE^njOW glory to the Lord of Hosts, from whom all glories X a IKJCVJI are ! 3 o U And glory to our sovereign liege, King Henry of z X Navarre ! ~w J Now let there be the merry sound of music and of dance, z o o H H Through thy corn-fields green and sunny vines, O pleasant Q Z > land of France ! z Z And thou, Rochelle, our own Rochelle, proud city of the Id in H waters, Z E Again let rapture light the eyes of all thy mourning daughters ! 2 h H i As thou wert constant in our ills, be joyous in our joy, 5 I B For cold, and stiff, and still are they who wrought thy walls m H H annoy. J Hurrah ! hurrah ! a single field hath turned the chance of war ; - 5 X H Hurrah ! hurrah ! for Ivry and King Henry of Navarre ! * 1 D ! Oh ! how our hearts were beating when at the dawn of day fid 3 We saw the army of the League drawn out in long array, M z H With all its priest-led citizens and all its rebel peers, ' 3 And AppenzePs stout infantry and Egmont's Flemish spears ! O 8 M There rode the blood of fals.e Lorraine, the curses of our land ; X H Z And dark Mayennef was in the midst, a truncheon in his hand. Id 3 And, as we looked on them, we thought of Seine's impurpled O g flood; Z B And good Coligni's hoary hair, all dabbled with his blood ; u. "z And we cried unto the living God, who rules the fate of war, I 8 To fight for His own holy name and Henry of Navarre. " The King is come to marshal us, in all his armour dressed, And he has bound a snow-white plume upon his gallant crest. Henry IV. t The Duke of Mayenne, who commanded the army of the League. " CONDEMN THE FAULT, BUT NOT THE ACTOR OF IT." SHAKSPEARE. "THE PURPOSE FIRM is EQUAL TO THE DEED." YOUNG. 232 THE BA TTLE OF IVR Y. He looked upon his people, and a tear was in his eye ; He looked upon the traitors, and his glance was stern and M H high ; Q K 1 Right graciously he smiled on us, as rolled from wing to wing, Q 1 Down all our line, a deafening shout, " God save our lord the Q H King!" J i ' ' And if my standard-bearer fall, as fall full well he may "ia 1 For never saw I promise yet of such a bloody fray H o Press where ye see my white plume shine amidst the ranks of > to O M war, H en M And be your oriflamme to-day the helmet of Navarre ! " 1 M H 0, Hurrah ! the foes are moving ! Hark to the mingled din h H PC Of fife and steed, and trump and drum, and roaring culverin ! * "w h The fiery Duke is pricking fast across St. Andre's plain, O b With all the hireling chivalry of Guelders arid Almayne. t 1 1 Now, by the lips of those we love, fair gentlemen of France. D UQ Charge for the Golden Lilies now upon them with the lance ! * in A thousand spurs are striking deep, a thousand spears in rest Q h A thousand knights are pressing close behind the snow-white LI D crest ; e Q And in they burst, and on they rushed, while, like a guiding bT Q fe star, en K Amidst the thickest carnage blazed'the helmet of Navarre ! g en W > M Now God be praised ! the day is ours ! Mayenne hath turned O vJ his rein ; o M D'Aumale f hath cried for quarter ; the Flemish Count J is H 3 H slain : s 5 Their ranks are breaking like thin clouds before a Biscay gale ; Q B The field is heaped with bleeding steeds, and flags, and cloven f mail. * A species of ancient cannou. f The Governor of Paris. * Count Egmont, commander of the Flemish troops sent by Philip II. "SWEET ARE THE PLEASURES THAT TO VERSE BELONG." KEATS. "HOW BLESSINGS BRIGHTEN AS THEY TAKE THEIR FLIGHT !" YOUNG. V And then we thought of vengeance ; and all along our van, " Remember St. Bartholomew ! " was passed from man to man. But out spoke gentle Henry * ' No Frenchman is my foe : Down, down with every foreigner ! but let your brethren go." j Q Oh ! was there ever such a knight, in friendship or in war, As our sovereign lord King Henry, the Soldier of Navarre ? ! i j Ho ! maidens of Vienna ho ! matrons of Lucerne, HEARD Weep, weep, and rend your hair for those who never shall return ; Q 2 Q Ho ! Philip,* send for charity thy Mexican pistoles, That Antwerp monks may sing a mass for thy poor spearmen's souls ; Ho ! gallant nobles of the League, look that your arms be B 2 bright ; Ho ! burghers of Saint Genevieve,f keep watch and ward to- ), SO COLDLY S night For our God hath crushed the tyrant, our God hath raised the slave, And mocked the counsel of the wise and the valour of the brave. M O Then glory to His holy name, from whom all glories are ! g And glory to our sovereign lord, King Henry of Navarre ! 9 1 [LORD MACAULAY.] , " ALO^E ! THAT V * Philip II., of Spain, t Paris, St. Genevieve being the patron saint of the city. I The battle of Ivry (near Evreux, in the north-west of France) was fought on the i4th of March 1590, between the Huguenot forcrs, under Henry IV., and the army of the Roman Catholic League, led by the Duke of Guise. Henry of Navarre won a complete victory. ; -^*- "THE CHOICE AND MASTER-SPIRITS OF THIS AGE." SHAKSPEARE. < 234 #>J NNIBA L *SJ)A TH. HANNIBAL'S OATH. a o w S ireiregil ND the night was dark and calm, 3 J H^B There was not a breath of air, H > The leaves of the grove were still, a* J Q IN As the presence of death was there : S o o o H J Only a moaning sound cu S Came from the distant sea ; a H H It was as if, like life, i h It had no tranquillity. H a Q H H c/) 2 5 A warrior and a child a H Passed through the sacred wood, $ O a Which, like a mystery, * Around the temple stood. I M 2 M 2 o h The warrior's brow was worn 8 O With the weight of casque and plume, < a And sunburnt was his cheek, 3 g And his eye and brow were gloom. a h - 2 z 5 The child was young and fair, a But the forehead large and high, H W a And the dark eyes flashing light y H H Seemed to feel their destiny. J H s *" They entered in the temple, And stood before the shrine ; It streamed with the victim's blood, With incense and with wine. " THE POWER OF THOUGHT, THE MAGIC OF THE MIND." BYRON. " AND FOR A CI.OAK, WHAT IS THERE THAT CAN BE THE ROMANCE OF THE SWAN'S NEST. 235 | _ The ground rocked beneath their feet, a H The thunder shook the dome ; j fid J But the boy stood firm, and swore J 1 tu Eternal hate to Rome. 1 4 9 a There's a page in history 1 M O'er which tears of blood were wept, H X 3 And that page is the record O F- X How that oath of hate was kept* a H M [L. . LANDON (Mrs. MACLEAN), an English poetess and novelist, born cf M J 1802, died 1838, at Cape Coast Castle, on the west coast of Africa, under Z Z sorrowful circumstances. Her best works are, " The Improvisatore," W X 91 " Ethel Churchill," and " Francesca Carrara. " She U best known as L.E.L.] o z Q D Z y 'I < 1 x Ed THE ROMANCE OF THE SWAN'S NEST. X X u H a M Q igTRjSlITTLE Ellie sits alone, z 3 |jjJ|5J| 'Mid the beeches of a meadow, x z j By a stream-side on the grass ; Q j u. And the trees are showering down 1 D Doubles of their leaves in shadow O U H On her shining hair and face. H J Ik She has thrown her bonnet by, And her feet she has been dipping | X h In the shallow water's flow : Z g Now she holds them nakedly H O z In her hands, all sleek and dripping, u i While she rocketh to and fro. 3 * Hannibal was only nine years old when he accompanied his father, o ft .H Hamilcar, the Carthaginian general, to Spain, and was made to swear upon x u - the altar eternal hostility to Rome, the enemy of his country. " The story z was told by Hannibal himself, many years afterwards, to Antiochus, and is one of the best attested in ancient history." E. K. Bunbury t in Dr. o x Smith's " Dictionary ofGretk and Roman Biography" SO DIFFICULT TO PIERCE AS GAIETY ?" L. E. LANDON. " THE OLD WOUND, IF STRICKEN, IS THE SOREST ; 236 THE ROMANCE OF THE SWAN'S NEST. Little Ellie sits alone ; And the smile she softly uses 6 z (9 Fills the silence like a speech, * o Z Z While she thinks what shall be done ; M e 1 And the sweetest pleasure chooses a For her future within reach. w H . f Little Ellie, in her smile, M | a. d Chooses "I will have a lover, Q s Riding on a steed of steeds ; Z z He shall love me without guile ; X z And to him I will discover g H The swan's nest among the reeds. D 3 on " And the steed shall be red-roan ; O O X And the lover shall be noble, u h With an eye that takes the breath : | And the lute he plays upon X O M Shall strike ladies into trouble, g K O As his sword strikes men to death. CO 6 s H " And the steed it shall be shod In silver, housed in azure ; z" w tt g And the mane shall swim the wind ; Q J (L 3 And the hoofs along the sod X u Shall flash onward and keep measure, o z 5 Till the shepherds look behind. 1 Z jj " But my lover will not prize All the glory that he rides in, u X H U X When he gazes in my face : j h He will say, * O Love, thine eyes U h Build the shrine my soul abides in, I And I kneel here for thy grace. ' = z " Then, ay, then he shall kneel low, With the red- roan steed anear him, THE OLD HOPE IS HARDEST TO BE LOST." E. B. BROWNING. " BUT LOVE STRIKES ONE HOUR LOVE. THOSE NEVEX LOVED THE ROMANCE OF THE SWAN'S NEST. 237 Which shall seem to understand, Till I answer, * Rise, and go ; o" 3 For the world must love and fear him z m I Whom I gift with heart and hand.' o ot "a j " Then he will arise so pale, tt 5 a I shall feel my own lips tremble id z With a Yes I must not say, Q 1 Natheless maiden-brave ; * Farewell,' J * o I will utter and dissemble 1 ' Light to-morrow with to-day.' z w" d u "Then he'll ride among the hills X h E To the wide world past the river ; i p There to put away all wrong, h at To make straight distorted wills, K Q 7 And to empty the broad quiver Z ae a M Which the wicked bear along. M 3 " Three times shall a young foot-page \ o Swim the stream and climb the mountain, a M And kneel down beside my feet i rf ' Lo, my master sends this gage, K U O Lady, for thy pity's counting ! O < What wilt thou exchange for it?' X M X " And the first time 1 will send 0. tu A white rosebud for a guerdon ; Id E ~ And the second time, a glove ; M X M X But the third time I may bend H Z k. From my pride, and answer * Pardon, | i If he comes to take my love.' o z * " Then the young foot-page will run ; 1 Then my lover will ride faster, Ttti he kneeleth at my knee : ' I am a duke's eldest son, WHO DREAM THAT THEY LOVED ONCE." E. B. BROWNING. " OF THOSE WHO SIT AND LOVE YOU, UP IN HEAVEN, 238 THE ROMANCE OF THE SWAN'S NEST, Thousand serfs do call me master ; But, O Love, I love but theeT 11 He will kiss me on the mouth Then, and lead me as a lover i Through the crowds that praise his deeds : d u M h And when soul-tied by one troth, 1 3 Unto him I will discover, 9 That swan's nest among the reeds. " pi N | U Little Ellie, with her smile n 9B Not yet ended, rose up gaily, Q W E- Tied the bonnet, donned the shoe, H K E h And went homeward round a mile, U Q H Just to see, as she did daily, O D What more eggs were with the two. ~ H O 2 M Pushing through the elm-tree copse, 6 X Winding up the stream, light-hearted, - oo 5 Where the osier pathway leads, u. M h Q Past the boughs, she stoops and stops. h c/> H fcu Lo, the wild swan had deserted, fiT h U And a rat had gnawed the reeds ! D I Ellie went home sad and slow. K O 1 If she found the lover ever, sf l With his red-roan steed of steeds, z X Sooth I know not ; but I know K 2 She could never show him never, That swan's nest among the reeds ! [ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING was born in 1809, married to Robert Browning, the poet, in 1846, died in 1861. Her poetical genius was of a lofty order ; with the heart of a woman she combined a man's brain. Her principal works are "The Drama of Exile," " Casa Guidi Windows," "Aurora Leigh," and "Poems before Congress." Her minor poems are instinct with the true afflatus.] SAY NOT, ' WE LOVED THEM ONCE.' " E. B. BROWNING. " SING OUT, CHILDREN, AS THE LITTLE THRUSHES DO." MRS. BROWNING. A DEAD ROSE. 239 A DEAD ROSE. z Z z ||VjaJ^| ROSE, who dares to name thee ? z f i KAg&A No longer roseate now, nor soft, nor sweet, M 03 e But pale, and hard, and dry as stubble- wheat OQ CO Kept seven years in a drawer, thy titles shame thee. f J J 3 The breeze that used to blow thee S U i Between the hedge-row thorns, and take away O Q Id An odour up the lane, to last all day H O W If breathing now, unsweetened would forego thee. Z a oo The sun that used to smite thee, o z J S H And mix his glory in thy gorgeous corn, 3 Till beam appeared to bloom, and flower to burn, DC h Q Z If shining now, with not a hue would light thee. * * z" J The dew that used to wet thee, o O And, white first, grew incarnadined, because -. B It lay upon thee where the crimson was 1 O o If dropping now, would darken where it met thee. z M j H _ The fly that lit upon thee, W M U z H To stretch the tendrils of its tiny feet Q h o 35 Along thy leaf's pure edges after heat J a If lighting now, would coldly overrun thee. D h 5 The bee that once did suck thee, SB h Q O And build thy perfumed ambers up his hive, M U And swoon in thee for joy, till scarce alive O If passing now, would blindly overlook thee. The heart doth recognize thee, Alone, alone ! The heart doth smell thee sweet, '"THE YOUNG BIRDS ARE CHIRPING IN THE NEST." MRS. BROWNING. " HE MAKES NO FRIEND WHO NEVER MADE A FOE." TENNYSON. 240 INCITEMENT TO PERSEVERANCE. a j u 2 D Doth view thee fair, doth judge thee most complete K W K J Perceiving all those changes that disguise thee. K K J O Yes, and the heart doth owe thee Q > More love, dead rose ! than to such roses bold H ffi X U Which Julia wears at dances, smiling cold : h K u Lie still upon this heart which breaks below thee ! D 2 e/T o [ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING.] & o M h a u O D s H ! INCITEMENT TO PERSEVERANCE. K h 8 M 'g^jggiAY not, the struggle nought availeth, o E U SS| The labour and the wounds are vain ; M K The enemy faints not, nor faileth, H O O And as things have been they remain. W en If hopes were dupes, fears may be liars ; ^ M I It may be, in yon smoke concealed, Q o Your comrades chase e'en now the fliers, Z h H M And, but for you, possess the field. O U h K w Q For while the tired waves, vainly breaking, H Q Seem here no powerful inch to gain, g Far back, through creeks and inlets 'making, M Comes silent, flooding in, the main. H a aT And not by eastern windows only, J O When daylight comes, comes in the light ; a In front, the sun climbs slow, how slowly, u bT But westward, look, the land is bright. K ^ Tells of countless sunny hours, S2 j Long days, and solid banks of flowers ; 00 x h Of gulfs of sweetness without bound z h In Indian wildernesses found ; z ^ Of Syrian peace, immortal leisure, O H g Finnest cheer, and bird-like pleasure. . . . U cf H X o o Ik O I Wiser far than human seer, u i Yellow-breeched philosopher ! u V) fid a Seeing only what is fair, I j o Sipping only what is sweet, D 8 Thou dost mock at fate and care, a Leave the chaff and take the wheat. X When the fierce north-western blast Cools sea and land so far and fast, Thou already slumberest deep ; Woe and want thou canst outsleep ; "OUR LITTLE LIFE IS ROUNDED WITH A SLEEP." SHAKSPEARE. "THRICE is HE ARMED THAT HATH HIS QUARREL JUST." SHAKSPEARE. 246 THE MESSAGE. M W Want and woe which torture us, J Thy sleep makes ridiculous. J? z J [RALPH WALDO EMERSON.] o H H "w M % X, O Z ^ X H M THE MESSAGE. M W But I had my task to finish, X And she had gone to rest : w X H To rest in the far bright heaven 1 H K Oh, so far away from here ! H Jj It was vain to speak to my darling, O H For I knew she could not hear. X H u W o M M I had a Message to send her, h W "o So tender, and true, and sweet, X h > I longed for an angel to hear it, X o Q And lay it down at her feet. o ft I placed it, one summer's evening, h Q On a little white cloud's breast ; X H But it faded in golden splendour, K W X And died in the crimson west. X H W 5 I gave it the lark next morning, r o W And I watched it soar and soar ; * K But its pinions grew faint and weary, X C/3 1 And it fluttered to earth once more. o X X 1 cried, in my passionate longing, J* Has the earth no angel friend Who will carry my love the Message My heart desires to send ? "WHAT STRONGER BREASTPLATE THAN A HEART UNTAINTED?" SHAKSPEARE. AM AS F T MADE MAN, A DO UB TING HE A RT. 247 Then I heard a strain of music, So mighty, so pure, so clear, i That my very sorrow was silent, h And my heart stood still to hear. fe It rose in harmonious rushing H I Of mingled voices and strings, | And I tenderly laid my Message 2 On Music's outspread wings. I a 2 And I heard it float farther and farther, i In sound more perfect than speech, tu "S. b Farther than sight can follow, 1x1 X M H Farther than soul can reach. 1 M H And I know that at last my Message X y Has passed through the golden gate ; h X So my heart is no longer restless, S And 1 am content to wait. D J [ADELAIDE ANNS PROCTER. This amiable poetess, the daughter of a i p poet (Bryan Waller Proctor, better known by his nom dt plume of " Barry 2 B Cornwall"), was born in 1825, and died, in the very promise of her powers, * D in 1864. Her poems, all characterized by delicacy of sentiment and depth > of feeling, have been collected in two volumes. "The Message" is given a. X U in an abridged form.] X H U X J ~ u |j < o A DOUBTING HEART. 1 [jTrajjiHERE are the swallows fled? 1 u rt(4jkj] Frozen and dead h B Perchance upon some bleak and stormy g h shore. 2 : Oh, doubting heart ! Far over purple seas, They wait in sunny ease, The balmy southern breeze, To bring them to their northern home once more. WHEN WILD IN WOODS THE NOBLE SAVAGE RAN." DRYDEN. " REASON'S WHOLE PLEASURE, ALL THE JOYS OF SENSE, 248 A DOUBTING HEART. Why must the flowers die ? w C-, O a Prisoned they lie J ft! In the cold tomb, heedless of tears or rain. H a o Q Oh, doubting heart ! 2 X They only sleep below X h The soft white ermine snow f While winter winds shall blow, 05 I To breathe and smile upon you soon again. U K 8 u H The sun has hid its rays 1 Z, These many days ; M i Will dreary hours never leave the earth ! 1 Oh, doubting heart ! u X The stormy clouds on high pa _ 8 H Veil the same sunny sky "z U That soon for spring is nigh u 1 Shall wake the summer into golden mirth. * Fair hope is dead, and light O 2: Is quenched in night. H 3 M What sound can break the silence of despair ? Id 1 Oh, doubting heart ! _ 3 h The sky is overcast, I td Yet stars shall rise at last, U M j? Brighter for darkness past, h t/j And angels' silver voices stir the air. td Q h i (.ADELAIDE ANNE PROCTER. From her " Legends and Lyrics."] I y D s a Q O cc f /-JjtlvjA S ** oi g LIE IN THREE WORDS HEALTH, PEACE, AND COMPETENCE." POPE. "THE POETRY OF EARTH is CEASING NEVER." KEATS. THE BOOK OF NA TURE. 249 THE BOOK OF NATURE. H Z jj HHERE is a book who runs may read, i i Which heavenly truth imparts, J And all the lore its scholars need, 'I CULLEI Pure eyes and Christian hearts. z Q i * The works of God above, below, X h r Within us and around, I I Are pages in that book to show i u 9 How God himself is found. 2 h "S The glorious sky, embracing all, H e Is like the Maker's love, s z Wherewith encompassed, great and small Q u In peace and order move. Z 1 M 2 Q Z The dew of heaven is like His grace. a M h? It steals in silence down ; Z i But where it lights, the favoured place h I z By richest fruit is known. H M o E M K Thou, who hast given me eyes to see E s And love this sight so fair, 1 z Give me a heart to find out Thee, z 1 And read Thee everywhere. M 8 (Rev. JOHN KEBLE, Vicar of Hursley, in Hampshire, died in 1867. He h U is best known by his " Lyra Innocentium," and his fine volume of devo- < tional poetry, "The Christian Year."] J^n^S^WjJSS^fe^ > a "EARTH, WITH HER THOUSAND VOICES, PRAISES GOD." COLERIDGE. " HOPE ON, HOPE EVER ! THOUGH TO-DAY BE DARK, 250 BARBARA. BARBARA. |jig53H|N the Sabbath day, .1 jg|U Through the churchyard old and gray, y M td Over the crisp and yellow leaves I held my rustling a K h way; 1 o And amid the words of mercy, falling on my soul like balms ; U J 'Mong the gorgeous storms of music in the mellow organ < 9B calms, *i X 'Mong the upward streaming prayers, and the rich and solemn M a psalms, M s I stood heedless, Barbara ! Q s 0, My heart was otherwhere 1 5 While the organ filled the air, fe u And the priest, with outstretched hands, blessed the people 8 i K h with a prayer ; h Q But when rising to go homeward, with a mild and saint-like S shine 2 U Gleamed a face of airy beauty with its heavenly eyes on mine < 8 Gleamed and vanished hi a moment. Oh, the face was like to thine, jj 1 Ere you perished, Barbara ! 8 Oh, that pallid face ! E a Those sweet, earnest eyes of grace ! M When last I saw them dearest, it was in another place ; 5 You came running forth to meet me, with my love-gift on your wrist, And a cursed river killed thee, aided by a murderous mist. Oh, a purple mark of agony was on the mouth I kissed, When last I saw thee, Barbara ! THE SWEET SUN BURST MAY SMILE TO-MORROW." MASSEY. " SONGS SUNG OF OLD BENEATH THE PURPLE NIGHT, BARBARA. 2$ I These dreary years eleven Have you pined within your heaven, And is this the only glimpse of earth that in that time was given? And have you passed unheeded all the fortunes ot your race Your father's grave, your sister's child, your mother's quiet face To gaze on one who worshipped not within a kneeling place ? Are you happy, Barbara ? 'Mong angels, do you think Of the precious golden link I bound around your happy arm while sitting on yon brink ? Or when that night of wit and wine, of laughter and guitars, Was emptied of its music, and we watched, through lattice-bars, The silent midnight heaven moving o'er us with its stars, Till the morn broke, Barbara ? In the years I've changed ; \Yild and far my heart has ranged, And many sins and errors deep have been on me avenged ; But to you I have been faithful, whatsoever good I've lacked : 1 loved you, and above my life still hangs that love intact Like a mild consoling rainbow, on a savage cataract. Love has saved me, Barbara. O Love ! I am unblest ; With monstrous doubts opprest Of much that's dark and nether, much that's holiest and best. Could I but win you for an hour from off that starry shore, The hunger of my soul were stilled ; for Death has told you more Than the melancholy world doth know things deeper than all lore, Will you teach me, Barbara ? SONGS HEARD IN HEAVEN BY THE BREATHLESS STARS." ALEX. SMITH. 1 ' 1 " A SINGLE SOUL IS RICHER THAN ALL WORLDS, . . 252 BARBARA. Z In vain, in vain, in vain ! p w You will never come again, EC h M 3 There droops upon the dreary hills a mournful fringe of rain ; C/5 z The gloaming closes slowly round, unblest winds are in the tree, tt g Round selfish shores for ever moans the hurt and wounded sea : Z H Z There is no rest upon the earth, peace is with Death and thee X J H I am weary, Barbara ! f K\ [ALEXANDER SMITH, born 1830, died 1867. This graceful essayist and J to H true poet died before his powers had fully ripened, being struck down by 6 5 typhoid fever, acting on an enfeebled nervous system the result of con- s Sj tinuous and excessive literary toil. He had won, however, a high rank H H among modern poets by his " Life Drama," " Edwin of Deira," and " City H H H Poems;" while his " Dream thorpe," a volume of essay and criticism, his M Q O "Summer in Sky e," and his domestic novel of "Alfred Hagart's House- H o hold," show that as a prose writer he would have attained an enduring re- "?. H x h putation.] a h Q X o til 3 M X H 1 B Q h h Z O O Q H Z Z H 1^. dt xA\ vt 4 3 ^ *>IA *$Ks temfyi3vrG(i$Ki>'^~ H to Z h ^^S^B^^^^Kfe. D O a ^%B WflflEdSBBfefl^yjBBBJvVr^ s E M M X u h x \ D a fc p M ) taj o Q Z .' ITS ACTS ARE ONLY SHADOWS OF ITSELF." ALEX. SMITH. PKUM B. W. PROCTER, A.D. 1790, TO WIUJAM MORRIS. "HOPE'S GAYEST WREATHS ARE MADE OF EARTHLY FLOWERS J PART IV. THE RETURN OF THE ADMIRAL. IOW gallantly, how merrily We ride along the sea ! The morning is all sunshine, The wind is blowing free. The billows are all sparkling And bounding in the light, Like creatures in whose sunny veins The blood is running bright. All nature knows our triumph, Strange birds about us sweep ; Strange things come up to look at us, The masters of the deep : In our wake, like any servant, Follows ever the bold shark : Oh, proud must be our Admiral Of such a bonny barque ! Proud, proud must be our Admiral, (Though he is pale to-day), Of twice five hundred iron men Who all his nod obey ; THINGS THAT ARE MADE TO FADE AND FALL AWAY." MRS. NORTON. "GREAT is THE GLORY, FOR THE STRIFE is HARD." WORDSWORTH. 256 THE RETURN OF THE ADMIRAL. Who fought for him, and conquered, Who've won, with sweat and gore, i Nobility ! which he shall have Whene'er he touch the shore. tVORTH. M Oh, would I were our Admiral, To order, with a word ; To lose a dozen drops of blood, ." WORDS 1 O i h And so rise up a lord ! I'd shout e'en to yon shark, there, Who follows in our lee, WITHDRAWS SURVIVE, " Some day I'll make thee carry me Like lightning through the sea. " 1MOOH M 1 h W a The Admiral grew paler And paler as we flew ; Still talked he to his officers, INTO NARRO w" 1 And smiled upon his crew ; And he looked up at the heavens, a h E Q W H C/5 a And he looked down on the sea, And at last he spied the creature That kept following in our lee. He shook 'twas but an instant ; MODEST SENSl MANNE For speedily the pride Ran crimson to his heart, W O , ANCIENT Till all chances he defied : It threw boldness on his forehead, It gave firmness to his breath ; > O fj h o And he stood like some grim warrior New risen up from death. EMNANT That night a horrid whispei Fell on us where we lay ; And we knew our old fine Admiral Was changing into clay ; "THIS WORLD is ALL A FLEETING SHOW." MOORE. " THE ROSE IS FAIREST WHEN 'TIS BUDDING NEW, THE OWL. 257 X h And we heard the wash of waters, O Though nothing could we see, i 8 H And a whistle and a plunge h u O Among the billows in our lee ! 8 J 'Till dawn we watched the body * H In its dead and ghastly sleep, M Z And next evening, at sunset, I u It was slung into the deep ! < 1 And never, from that moment < i Save one shudder through the sea, < cu 2 Saw we or heard the shark 2 z g That had followed in our lee ! 3 X H [BRYAN WALLER PROCTER, better known by his tiom de plume of Z > " Barry Cornwall," born 1790. He has given to the world numerous works, X J the best of which are the "Dramatic Scenes," " Marcian Colonna," and Q Z < "Mirandola;" but is most likely to be remembered by his songs, which g All mock him outright by day ; 1 tn But at night, when the woods grow still and dim, Id a Q Z The boldest will shrink away ; u s. H Oh, when the night falls, and roosts the fowl, CO I Then, then is the reign of the horned owl ! i And the owl hath a bride who is fond and bold, And loveth the wood's deep gloom ; AND HOPE IS BRIGHTEST WHEN IT DAWNS FROM FEARS." SCOTT. 19 DELIGHT AND LIBERTY, THE SIMPLE CREED 258 THE OWL. And with eyes like the shine of the moonshine cold She awaiteth her ghastly groom ! Not a feather she moves, not a carol she sings, As she waits in her tree so still ; But when her heart heareth his flapping wing, She hoots out her welcome shrill ! Oh, when the moon shines, and the dogs do howl, Then, then is the cry of the horned owl ! Mourn not for the owl nor his gloomy plight ! The owl hath his share of good k If a prisoner he be in the broad daylight, He is lord in the dark green wood ! OF CHILDHOOD, WHETHER BUSY OR AT REST." WORDSWORTH. ' EARTH FILLS HER LAP WITH PLEASURES OF HER OWN. WORDSWORTH. THE STORMY PETREL. 259 Nor lonely the bird, nor his ghastly mate ; They are each unto each a pride Thrice fonder, perhaps, since a strange dark fate Hath rent them from all beside ! So when the night falls, and dogs do howl, Sing ho ! for the reign of the horned owl ! We know not alway who are kings by day, But the king of the night is the bold brown owl. [BARRY CORNWALL. From " English Songs."] THE STORMY PETREL. THOUSAND miles from land are we, Tossing about on the roaring sea ; From billow to bounding billow cast, Like fleecy snow on the stormy blast : The sails are scattered abroad, like weeds, The strong masts shake like quivering reeds ; The mighty cables, and iron chains, The hull, which all earthly strength disdains, They strain and they crack, and hearts like stone, Their natural, hard, proud strength disown. Up and down ! up and down ! From the base of the wave to the billow's crown ; And amidst the flashing and feathery foam The Stormy Petrel finds a home A home, if such a place may be, For her who lives on the wide, wide sea, On the craggy ice, in the frozen air, And only seeketh her rocky lair ' HEAVEN LIES ABOUT US IN OUR INFANCY." WORDSWORTH. 260 "FAR AS THE BREEZE CAN BEAR, THE BILLOWS FOAM, THE STORMY PETREL. To warm her young, and to teach them spring At once o'er the waves on their stormy wing ! O'er the deep ! O'er the deep ! Where the whale, and the shark, and the sword-fish sleep, Outflying the blast and the driving rain, The Petrel telleth her tale in vain : For the mariner curseth the waniing bird, Who bringeth him news of the storm unheard ! Ah, thus the prophet, of good or ill, Meet hate from the creatures he serveth still ! Yet he ne'er falters : So, Petrel ! spring Once more o'er the waves with thy stormy wing ! [BARRY CORNWALL. From " English Songs."] SURVEY OUR EMPIRE, AND BEHOLD OUR HOME. BYRON. "OTHER MEN'S SINS WE EVER BEAR IN MIND; MARCH. 26l MARCH. irsrjsil 1 1 E stormy March has come at last, With wind, and cloud, and changing skies. i I hear the rustle of the blast \ z o That through the snowy valley flies. I II H 3 1 Z Ah, passing few are they who speak, J fr- Wild stormy month, in praise of thee ; 1 J Yet, though thy winds are loud and bleak, E X V) Thou art a welcome month to me. M i D O p X z h < Q For thou to northern lands again M g The glad and glorious sun dost bring, E 5 X h And thou hast joined the gentle train o h M M And wear'st the gentle name of Spring. S2 3 H a O j o And in thy reign of blast and storm, Z X p Smile many a long bright sunny day, H z When the changed winds are soft and warm, H h O And heaven puts on the blue of May. 13 00 B Then sing aloud the gushing rills O X x" And the full springs from frost set free, O z That, brightly leaping down the hills, 1 Are just set out to meet the sea. The year's departing beauty hides Of wintry storms the sullen threat ; But in thy sternest frown abides A look of kindly promise yet. NONE SEES THE FARDEL OF HIS FAULTS BEHIND." HERRICK. "THE WISH FOR FAME is FAITH IN HOLY THINGS 262 THE ANGEL AND THE CHILD. Thou bring'st the hope of those calm skies, And that soft time of sunny showers, o When the wide bloom on earth that lies, H h SB Seems of a brighter world than ours. J 3 [WALTER CULLEN BRYANT, born in the state of Massachusetts, in North bi a Q America, in 1794. His finest poems are the "Thanutopsis" and " Forest M 3 Hymn," but many of his minor pieces display a "tender pensiveness" and X H "moral melancholy" which interest and delight the reader.] Q J 1 5? -0 . O H 2 Pi h i THE ANGEL AND THE CHILD. J M 3 j OH 1 |gga i ||PON a barren steep, a K h b R!i Above a stormy deep, H I saw an angel watching the wild sea ; 3 B Earth was that barren steep, Q 1 Time was that stormy deep, < H And the opposing shore Eternity ! cf H 3 8 a M " Why dost thou watch the wave ? y X H Thy feet the waters lave, E 8 The tide engulfs thee if thou dost delay." X i* " Unscathed I watch the wave, X o PS Time not the Angel's grave, if 1 I wait until the ocean ebbs away." \ o & M o X H Hushed on the Angel's breast (A I saw an Infant rest, Smiling upon the gloomy hell below. a "What is the infant pressed, O Angel, to thy breast?" * * The child God gave me in the long ago : THAT SOOTHE THE LIFE, AND SHALL OUTLIVE THE TOUCH." LYTTON. " KNOWLEDGE IS PROUD THAT HE HAS LEARNED SO MUCH : BIRDS IN SUMMER. 263 " Mine all upon the earth, x t- 1 The Angel's angel-birth, o J Sweeping each terror from the howling wild." 1 i Never may I forget I * The dream that haunts me yet, i | Of Patience nursing Hope the Angel and the Child. j s [LORD LYTTON, one of the most brilliant of living novelists successful, H x I too, as poet, historian, essayist, and orator was bora in 1805. His prin- X X cipal poem is the epic of " King Arthur."] S X i ff 2 fc 1 i BIRDS IN SUMMER. \ > mOW pleasant the life of a bird must be, * Flitting about in each leafy tree ; H i In the leafy trees, so broad and tall, X h 1 Like a green and beautiful palace-hall, k, I With its airy chambers, light and boon, R That open to sun, and stars, and moon. X f That open unto the bright blue sky, w s And the frolicsome winds as they wander by. g g 2 They have left their nests in the forest bough ; jjj I Those homes of delight they need not now ; i 8 And the young and the old they wander out, t And traverse their green world round about : > M S And hark ! at the top of this leafy hall, I 9 j How one to the other they lovingly call ; a " Come up, come up ! " they seem to say, H X P " Where the topmost twigs in the breezes sway !" | h " Come up, come up, for the world is fair, Where the merry leaves dance in the summer air !" WISDOM IS HUMBLE THAT HE KNOWS NO MORE." COWPER, " HOW BEAUTIFUL IS ALL THIS VISIBLE WORLD 1 264 BIRDS IN SUMMER. And the birds below give back the cry, "We come, we come, to the branches high !" How pleasant the life of a bird must be, Flitting about in a leafy tree ; And away through the air what joy to go, And look on the bright green earth below ! How pleasant the life of a bird must be, Skimming about on the breezy sea, Cresting the billows like silvery foam, And then wheeling away to its cliff- built home ! What joy it must be to sail, upborne By a strong free wing, through the rosy morn, To meet the young sun face to face, And pierce like a shaft the boundless space ! HOW GLORIOUS IN ITS ACTION AND ITSELF ! "BYRON. i "WHERE'ER WE TREAD, 'TIS HAUNTED, HOLY GROUND." BYRON. THE VOICE OF SPRING. 265 How pleasant the life of a bird must be, Wherever it listeth, there to flee ; To go, when a joyful fancy calls, ' S. T. COLERIDGE. Dashing adown 'mong the waterfalls, Then wheeling about with its mate at play, Above and below, and among the spray, Hither and thither, with screams as wild As the laughing mirth of a rosy child ! " S. T. COLERIDGE. 3E FOUND t What joy must it be, like a living breeze, To flutter about 'mong the flowering trees ; Lightly to soar, and to see beneath a X H MAY DOMESTIC PEACE The wastes of the blossoming purple heath, And the yellow furze, like fields of gold, That gladdens some fairy regions old ! On mountain tops, on the billowy sea, On the leafy stems of the forest tree, How pleasant the life of a bird must be ! LISTENING TO THE SABI HOLY GROUND [MARY HOWITT, born 18 . This gifted and genial poet, novelist, and essayist, who is so deserved a favourite with the youth of England, is the wife of William Howitt, a well-known man of letters.] SHE DWELLS, 1 H M J X c I THE VOICE OF SPRING. IRTTFJl AM coming, I am coming ! \ J gjjv Hark ! the little bee is humming ; 8 hi H See, the lark is soaring high In the blue and sunny sky ; And the gnats are on the wing, 8 Wheeling round in airy ring. See the yellow catkins cover All the slender willows over ; "LOVE STANDS NOT STILL, BUT OR DECAYS OR GROWS." BYRON. " HE WHO ASCENDS TO MOUNTAIN-TOPS SHALL FIND 266 THE VOICE OF SPRING. And on banks of mossy green Star-like primroses are seen ; And, their clustering leaves below, White and purple violets blow. Hark ! the new-born lambs are bleating, And the cawing rooks are meeting In the elms a noisy crowd ! All the birds are singing loud ; And the first white butterfly In the sunshine dances by. Look around thee look around ! Flowers in all the fields abound ; Every running stream is bright ; All the orchard trees are white, And each small and waving shoot Promises sweet flowers and fruit. Turn thine eyes to earth and heaven ! God to thee the Spring has given, THE LOFTIEST PEAKS MOST WRAPT IN CLOUDS AND SNOW." BYRON. ,, PACTS ARE FACTS, A LI C I NOT , STUD . .BON THE REAPER AND THE FLOWERS. 267 Taught the birds their melodies, Clothed the earth, and cleared the skies For thy pleasure or thy food : o Pour thy soul in gratitude ! | d J u. [MARY HOWITT.] S 1 3 "s ""*"" 1 X M THE REAPER AND THE FLOWERS. I E td u. [Ea'pal 1 1 ERE is a Reaper, whose name is Death, S 5 And, with his sickle keen, 5 He reaps the bearded grain at a breath, ** 1 ^ And the flowers that grow between. i ^, H < o - " Shall I have naught that is fair?" said he ; X H X *' Have nought but the bearded grain ? H 3 Though the breath of these flowers is sweet to me, J H I will give them all back again." g s He gazed at the flowers with tearful eyes, O z M X H He kissed their drooping leaves ; H Z to. o It was for the Lord of Paradise, I s He bound them in his sheaves. M x h O.ME WITH OR 1 if He goes on Sunday to the church, And sits among his boys ; He hears the parson pray and preach M Q Z He hears his daughter's voice | Singing in the village choir, And it makes his heart rejoice. 1 g M | M i It sounds to him like her mother's voice Singing in Paradise : X H J He needs must think of her once more, M Z How in the grave she lies ; i And with his hard, rough hand he wipes A tear out of his eyes. Toiling rejoicing sorrowing Onward through life he goes : YOU ALWAYS DO TOO LITTLE OR TOO MUCH." COWPER. " NATURE WITH FOLDED HANDS SEEMED THERE, 272 , A SPRING LANDSCAPE. Each morning sees some task begin, Each evening sees it close ; Something attempted, something done, Has earned a night's repose. J Thanks, thanks to thee, my worthy friend, For the lessons thou hast taught : Thus at the flaming forge of life Our fortunes must be wrought Thus on its sounding anvil shaped Each burning deed and thought. [HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW.] A SPRING LANDSCAPE. j] HE green trees whispered low and mild : It was a sound of joy ; They were my playmates when a child, And rocked me in their arms so wild, Still they looked at me and smiled, As if I were a boy ; And ever whispered, mild and low, " Come, be a child once more !" And waved their long arms to and fro, And beckoned solemnly and slow : Oh ! I could not choose but go Into the woodlands hoar ; Into the blithe and breathing air, Into the solemn wood KNEELING AT HER EVENING PRAYER." LONGFELLOW. WONDROUS TRUTHS, AND MANIFOLD AS WONDROUS, THE WRECK OF THE HESPERUS. 273 Solemn and silent everywhere : Nature with folded hands seemed there, Kneeling at her evening prayer Like one in prayer I stood. Before me rose an avenue Of tall and sombrous pines ; Abroad their fan-like branches grew, And where the sunshine darted through, Spread a vapour soft and blue, In long and sloping lines. And falling on my weary brain, Like a fast-falling shower, The dreams of youth came back again Low lispings of the summer rain, Dropping on the ripened grain, As once upon the flower. (HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW.] THE WRECK OF THE HESPERUS. JT was the schooner Hesperus, That sailed the wintry sea ; And the skipper had taken his little daughter, To bear him company. Blue were her eyes as the fairy-flax, Her cheeks like the dawn of day, And her bosom white as the hawthorn buds That ope in the month of May. GOD HATH WRITTEN IN THOSE STARS ABOVE." LONGFELLOW. 20 "THE FOET CAN BEHOLD THINGS MANIFOLD, 274 77/.E WRECK OF THE HESPERUS. The skipper he stood beside the helm, With his pipe in his mouth, T And watched how the veering flaw did blow . 3 w The smoke now west, now south. o o W fc E 2 1 Then up and spake an old sailor, o s Had sailed the Spanish Main Q " I pray thee, put into yonder port, 1 Q For I fear a hurricane. H x E H o 1 " Last night the moon had a golden ring, u w O And to-night no moon we see.'* m g The skipper he blew a whiff from his pipe, i 3 o And a scornful laugh laughed he. ! * s Q o" J Colder and louder blew the wind , 2 o A gale from the north-east ; M U g The snow fell hissing in the brine, W g And the billows frothed like yeast. Q X U Down came the storm, and smote amain K g H The vessel in its strength ; She shuddered and paused, like a frighted steed, J Then leaped her cable's length M u fc O M d " Come hither, come hither, my little daughter, fa O K And do not tremble so ; M < M For I can weather the roughest gale M X U That ever wind did blow. " X H H " He wrapped her warm in his seaman's coat, Against the stinging blast ; He cut a rope from a broken spar, And bound her to the mast. THAT HAVE NOT YET BEEN WHOLLY TOLD." LONGFELLOW. " HOW BEAUTIFUL THE RAIN, AFTER THE DUST AND HEAT THE WRECK OF THE HESPERUS. 27$ " O father, I hear the church-bells ring ! O say, what may it be ? " " 'Tis a fog-bell on a rock-bound coast !" And he steered for the open sea. " O father, I hear the sound of guns ! O say, what may it be ?" " Some ship in distress, that cannot live In such an angry sea ! " " O father, I see a gleaming light ! O say, what may it be ?* But the father answered never a word A frozen corpse was he ! Lashed to the helm, all stiff and stark, L With his face to the skies, The lantern gleamed through the gleaming snow On his fixed and glassy eyes. Then the maiden clasped her hands and prayed That saved she might be ; And she thought of Christ, who stilled the waves On the Lake of Galilee. And fast through the midnight dark and drear, Through the whistling sleet and snow, Like a sheeted ghost, the vessel swept Towards the reef of Norman's Woe. And ever, the fitful gusts between, A sound came from the land ; It was the sound of the trampling surf On the rocks and the hard sea-sand. IN THE BROAD AND FIERY STREET ! "LONGFELLOW. PEACE BE TO THOSE WHOSE GRAVES ARE MADE 276 THE WRECK OF THE HESPER US. 3 J &T h The breakers were right beneath her bows, She drifted a dreary wreck, And a whooping billow swept the crew Like icicles from her deck. BENEATH THE BRIGHT AND SILVER SEA I " LONGFELLOW. "SO PERISH THE OLD GODS 1 OUT OF THE SEA Of TIME AUTUMN. 277 She struck where the white and fleecy waves Looked soft as carded wool ; But the cruel rocks they gored her side, Like the horns of an angry bull. Her rattling shrouds, all sheathed in ice, With the masts went by the board ; Like a vessel of glass, she stove and sank Ho ! ho ! the breakers roared ! At daybreak, on the bleak sea-beach, A fisherman stood aghast, To see the form of a maiden fair Lashed close to a drifting mast. The salt sea was frozen on her breast, The salt tears in her eyes ; And he saw her hair, like the brown sea-weed, On the billows fall and rise. Such was the wreck of the Hesperus, In the midnight and the snow : Christ save us all from a death like this, On the reef of Norman's Woe ! [HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW.] AUTUMN. jjHINE, Autumn, is unwelcome lore To tell the world its pomp is o'er : To whisper in the Rose's ear That all her beauty is no more ; RISES A NEW LAND OF SONG, FAIRER THAN THE OLD." LONGFELLOW. " NOT WITHOUT HOPE WE SUFFER AND WE MOURN." WORDSWORTH. 278 AUTUMN. And bid her own the faith how vain, Which Spring to her so lately swore. > K 5 O A queen deposed, she quits her state : j Be > The nightingales her fall deplore ; u ui Cfl D 3 The hundred- voiced bird may woo h M Bu < The thousand-leaved flower no more. H D 0> tL z j H i The jasmine sinks its head in shame Q z < Q O s The sharp east wind its tresses shore ; c/f Q J t/J I jj 5 < The lily's sword is broken now, i pf H H That was so bright and keen before : s 5 U < X < X And not a blast can blow, but strews u c/3 With leaf of gold the Earth's dank floor. k 5 < a 2 00 The piping winds sing Nature's dirge, 2 h As through the forest bleak they roar ; O h U i > M X Whose leafy screen, like locks of eld, M X b O Each day shows scantier than before. Q 5 id y g w Thou fadest as a flower, O Man ! j Of food for musing here is store. O Man ! thou fallest as a leaf : Pace thoughtfully Earth's leaf-strewn floor ; " THE GOOD IN GRAVES AS HEAVENLY SEED ARE SOWN." DAVENANT. " PRAISE TO THE BARD 1 HIS WORDS ARE DRIVEN ENGLAND. 279 Welcome the sadness of the time, J And lay to heart this natural lore. 8 I [RICHARD CHENEVIX TRENCH, D.D., Archbishop of Dublin, born 1807, 2 K 9 a divine and poet of genuine powers, and author of numerous theological, J H 2 philological, and poetical works.] 5 a a M ^ X E i K ENGLAND. 2 H X a |jfg| Far as eye could reach he saw them, multitudes equipped for O z O i u war, X H M K Medians with their bows and quivers, linked armour and tiar ; M M X h From beneath the sun of Afric, from the snowy hills of Thrace, h M And from India's utmost borders, nations gathered at one Q X u place : X At a single mortal's bidding all this pomp of war unfurled bf a o All in league against the freedom and the one hope of the 9 H world. O J h J 5 "What though once some petty trophies from my captains J K X H thou hast won, h 1 Think not, Greece, to see another such a day as Marathon : O w u X Wilt thou dare await the conflict, or in battle hope to stand, ID h H When the lord of sixty nations takes himself his cause in hand ? u O Lo ! they come, and mighty rivers, which they drink of once, E X w w are dried, X h u And the wealthiest cities beggared, that for them one meal M I provide. s 2 Power of number by their numbers infinite are overborne ; g Lo ! I measure men by measure, as a husbandman his corn. SINCE ALL ALONE, SO HEAVEN HAS WILLED, WE DIE?" KEBLE. " EACH IN HIS HIDDEN SPHERE OF JOY OR WOE THE SPILT PEARLS. 28 1 Mine are all this sceptre sways them ; mine is all in every part" And he named himself most happy, and he blessed himself in 35 j heart : O h jr Blessed himself ; but on that blessing, tears abundant followed H 1 straight, J Q For that moment thoughts came o'er him of man's painful brief H E H estate ^ (A O z Ere a hundred years were finished, where would all these Q M H myriads be ? j O J Hellespont would still be rolling his blue waters to the sea ; j < But of all these countless numbers not one living would be X h found e/5 M if A dead host, with a dead monarch, silent in the silent ground. \ 3 [RICHARD CHENEVIX TRENCH.] X u M X K h | E S z o CO Q M Z THE SPILT PEARLS. I o" It] |B T OT f a|IS courtiers of the Caliph crave ^ 1 * * Oh, say how this may be, en Z o That of thy slaves this Ethiop slave X h H Is best beloved of thee ? I X h E M " For he is hideous as the night ; M u h And when has ever chose S X A nightingale, for its delight, S X : A hueless, scentless rose ? " H O h The Caliph then "No features fair Nor comely mien are his : Love is the beauty he doth wear, And love his glory is. OUR HERMIT SPIRITS DWELL, AND RANGE APART." KEBLE. " THERE IS, IN THAT SAME SOLITUDE, A TASTE 282 THE SPILT PEARLS. " Once when a camel of my train There fell in narrow street, From broken basket rolled amain Rich pearls before my feet. bf U " I, nodding to my slaves, that I ! U x h C/l s Would freely give them these ; At once upon the spoil they fly, The costly boon to seize. RORS BLIND. h a K H M | " One only at my side remained Beside this Ethiop, none ; He, moveless as the steed he reined, STRONGER X H U Behind me sat alone. O S j CO Q Z a, 2 " ' What will thy gain, good fellow, be, Thus lingering at my side ? ' * My king, that I shall faithfully Have guarded thee,' he cried. D O O h Q Z E X U *' True servant's title he may wear, H J D U, U He only, who has not For his lord's gifts, how rich soe'er, Q Z 2 His lord himself forgot." i M 1 Z So thou alone dost walk before Thy God with perfect aim, From Him desiring nothing more E j M u Beside Himself to claim. For if thou not to Him aspire, But to His gifts alone, Not love, but covetous desire, Has brought thee to His throne. OF PLEASURE WHICH THE SOCIAL NEVER KNOW." B. PROCTER. " WHO ON THINGS REMOTE CAN FIX HIS SIGHT, THE LENT JEWELS. 283 M While such thy prayer, it mounts above In vain ; the golden key ft! 8 Of God's rich treasure-house of love Ed *t Thine own will ever be. j z o [RICHARD CHENEVIX TRENCH.] X h te u H o | I y 1 THE LENT JEWELS. p u o J J) 1 IE3TZ31 ^ sc hk f wisdom all the day was spent ; 1 J IH.Bl His steps at eve the Rabbi homeward bent, z J With homeward thoughts, which dwelt upon the wife Q z And two fair children, who consoled his life. Z X H She, meeting at the threshold, led him in, 0. M X And with these words preventing,* did begin : X U H H ** Ever rejoicing at your wished return, J Yet am I most so now ; for since this morn Ed O Z X I have been much perplexed and sorely tried X h M z Upon one point, which you shall now decide. Ed" H h Some years ago a friend unto my care Z j Ed Some jewels gave rich, precious gems they were : Z h But having given them in my charge, this friend Ed Z Did afterwards nor come for them nor send, a Ex. But left them in my keeping for so long, X H 1 That now it almost seems to me a wrong J X H That he should suddenly arrive to-day d fc To take those jewels which he left away. u. Ed What think you ? Shall I freely yield them back, I (A And with no murmuring ? so henceforth to lack a. O X X Those gems myself which I had learned to see 5 h Almost as mine for ever, mine in fee ? " * That is, anticipating him. The word preventing is here used in its original sense, as it is in the English Common Prayer-Book. THAT'S ALWAYS IN A TRIUMPH OR A FIGHT?" COWLEV. "TEARS, IDLE TEARS, i KNOW NOT WHAT THEY MEAN." TENNYSON. 284 HOPE. " What question can be here ? Your own true heart Must needs advise you of the only part. M That may be claimed again which was but lent, And should be yielded with no discontent. X o p Not surely can we find herein a wrong, 5j Q That it was left us to enjoy so long." J ART'S " Good is the word," she answered : " may we now 3 o X And evermore that it is good allow ! " U. M & EC And, rising, to an inner- chamber led, 6 o And there she showed him, stretched upon one bed, M u jj Two children pale : and he the jewels knew, M in Which God had lent him, and resumed anew. K B O [RICHARD CHENEVIX TRENCH.] X h U $ o X u M M X h 3 HOPE. < O Q W i^l'^BiHE night is mother of the day, x Q W The winter of the spring, M X h And ever upon old decay X o O The greenest mosses cling. 1 | 1 W Behind the cloud the starlight lurks ; J u 3 M Through showers the sunbeams fall ; For God, who loveth all his works, X >T Has left his hope with all. & tk [JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER, born in 1808, an American poet of high X reputation, author of " Snow-bound," and other works.] w "IF WINTER COMES, CAN SPRING BE FAR BEHIND?" SHELLEY. "GENIUS AND ITS REWARDS ARE BRIEFLY TOLD THE FROST SPIRIT. 285 r h X O z THE FROST SPIRIT. i IRTvJTSI ^ comes ne comes the frost spirit comes ! OJ 3 You may trace his footsteps now 2 U1 X On the naked woods, and the blasted fields, h Z And the broad hill's withered brow. 3 D 8 He has smitten the leaves of the gray old trees, S * h Where their pleasant green came forth, U J And the winds which follow where'er he goes, Z U t Have shaken them down to earth. O Z o u H X h He comes he comes the frost spirit comes ! X M g From the frozen Labrador h Z Q From the icy bridge of the Northern Seas, I Z Which the white bear wanders o'er 04 h Where the fisherman's sail is stiff with ice, h And the luckless forms below Z 3 X o In the sunless cold of the atmosphere 8 y. Into marble statues grow ! r 1 o af i <* o M j He comes he comes the frost spirit comes ! H M U u On the rushing northern blast, a o H z And the dark Norwegian pines have bowed < As his fearful breath went past. z i With an unscorched wing he has hurried on, I M u Where the fires of Hecla grow u z X H On the darkly beautiful sky above a \ And the ancient ice below. H i Q He comes he comes the frost spirit comes ! Z td And the quiet lake shall feel " The torpid touch of his glazing breath, And ring to the skater's heel ; A LIBERAL NATURE AND A NIGGARD DOOM." FORSTER. "BUT TRUE IT IS, ABOVE ALL LAW AND FATE 286 THE FROST SPIRIT. And the streams which danced on the broken rocks, Or sang on the leaning grass, Shall bow again to the winter's chain And in mournful silence pass. h He comes he comes the frost spirit comes ! Let us meet him as we may, And turn with the light of the parlour fire His evil power away ; And gather closer the circle round, When that fire-light dances high, IS FAITH, ABIDING THE APPOINTED DAY." H. COLERIDGE. THE PLANETS, ALL THE INFINITE HOST OF HEAVEN, THE VALUE OF THE HOURS. 287 And laugh at the shriek of the baffled fiend As his sounding wing goes by. UOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER.] THE VALUE OF THE HOURS. " Ruit Hora." [The Hour rushes by.] pgjglELIEVE not that your inner eye Can ever in just measure try The worth of hours as they go by ; For every man's weak self, alas ! Makes him to see them while they pass As through a dim or tinted glass : But if in earnest care you would Mete out to each its part of good, Trust rather to your after mood. These surely are not fairly spent, M ~ That leave your spirit bowed and bent In sad unrest, and ill content. And more though free from seeming harm, You rest from toil of mind or arm, Or slow retire from pleasure's charm If then a painful sense comes on, Of something wholly lost and gone, Vainly enjoyed, or vainly done ARE SHINING ON THE SAD ABODES OF DEATH." BRYANT. "NOT ONCE OR TWICE, IN OUR ROUGH ISLAND STORY, 288 THE LORD OF BUR LEIGH. Of something from your* being's chain o Broke off, nor to be linked again M By all mere memory can retain H j. wi O Upon your heart this truth may rise 1 5 Nothing that altogether dies M y Suffices man's just destinies : g w K fa & S So should we live, that every hour J J h M May die as dies the natural flower J D O A self-reviving thing of power ; M M X h z That every thought and every deed H o May hold within itself the seed d P4 J Of future good, and future meed ; O h > 3 Esteeming sorrow, whose employ K K o Is to develop, not destroy, Q O Far better than a barren joy. O O O 5 03 [LORD HOUGHTON, author of " Palm Leaves," and other poems, born 1809.] H h H M 2 h h K O u fa THE LORD OF BURLEIGH.* O p H h ||HV*jjN her ear he whispers gaily, I |Ba.o| " If my heart by signs can tell, 8 a Maiden, I have watched thee daily, 2 M And I think thou lovest me well." h 3 fa She replies, in accents fainter, ffi " There is none I love like thee." H He is but a landscape painter, And a village maiden she. * This ballad is founded on a true story. THE PATH OF DUTY WAS THE WAY TO GLORY." TENNYSON. "WHAT KNOW WE GREATER THAN THE SOUL?" TENNYSON. 7V/.E LORD OF BURLEIGH. 289 He to lips, that fondly falter, z o z z Presses his without reproof; z m z Leads her to the village altar, J z W And they leave her father's roof. Q Z J *' I can make no marriage-present j 1 g Little can I give my wife ; z 8 3 Love will make our cottage pleasant, i u. And I love thee more than life. " < They by parks and lodges going B See the lordly castles stand : o j Summer woods, about them blowing, X i Made a murmur in the land. H a X From deep thought himself he rouses, i 3 a Says to her that loves him well U 06 " Let us see these handsome houses jjj I Where the wealthy nobles dwell." at o m So she goes by him attended, z H X Hears him lovingly converse, 1 Sees whatever fair and splendid , i Lay betwixt his home and hers \ I z E Parks with oak and chestnut shady, H (A Parks and ordered gardens great, (A "Q J Ancient homes of lord and lady, o M O Built for pleasure and for state. a X All he shows her make him dearer : 3 | Evermore she seems to gaze z M On that cottage growing nearer, H i Where they twain shall spend their days. O j i Oh, but she will love him truly ! Z X He shall have a cheerful home ; O z ' She will order all things duly, 5 When beneath his roof they come, I Thus her heart rejoices greatly, s Till a gateway she discerns "ON GOD AND GODLIKE MEN WE BUII.D OUR TRUST." TEN.N 21 " BUT ILL FOR HIM WHO, BETTERING NOT WITH TIME, 290 THE LORD OF BURLEIGH. With armorial bearings stately, s And beneath the gate she turns ; z Sees a mansion more majestic E h Than all those she saw before : i J 5 Many a gallant, gay domestic H 1 Bows before him at the door. J 2 And they speak in gentle murmur, jj H When they answer to his call, i/i While he treads with footstep firmer, 3 g Leading on from hall to hall. oo g And, while now she wonders blindly, < W 14 Q" a Nor the meaning can divine, 1 Proudly turns he round and kindly, H 2 Pi D "All of this is mine and thine." W H > Here he lives in state and bounty, i h Lord of Burleigh, fair and free, 3 H Not a lord in all the county s O H Is so great a lord as he. o Q~ All at once the colour flushes o h H Her sweet face from brow to chin : w K H Though at times her spirit sank : K O | Shaped her heart with woman's meekness CO Q To all duties of her rank : K H O And a gentle consort made he, * And her gentle mind was such That she grew a noble lady, And the people loved her much. CORRUPTS THE STRENGTH OF HEAVEN-DESCENDED WILL." TENNYSON. "MADE WEAK BY TIME AND FATE, BUT. STRONG IN WILL THE LORD OF BURLEIGH. 2$l But a trouble weighed upon her, And perplexed her, night and mom, With the burden of an honour Unto which she was not bom. z" Faint she grew, and ever fainter, g | And she murmured, "Oh, that he z z z Were once more that landscape painter *f H Which did win my heart from me !" z So she drooped and drooped before him, 1/5 ft X Fading slowly from his side ; M X o z Three fair children first she bore him, b. O M Then before her time she died. % Id 3 Weeping, weeping late and early, z Walking up and pacing down, 0. M z o Deeply mourned the Lord of Burleigh, X h o Burleigh House by Stamford town. X H M And he came to look upon her, a X H And he looked at her and said, 1 " Bring the dress, and put it on her, 9 O That she wore when she was wed. " M X H Then her people, softly treading, < | Bore to earth her body, drest Z h In the dress that she was wed in, b. 1 That her spirit might have rest i o r [ALFRED TENNYSON, the Poet Laureate, was born in 1810. He has en- B' > riched our English literature with some poems " which the world will not X H - willingly let die;" with "The Princess," "The Idylls of the King," M " Maud," " In Memoriam," " Enoch Arden," and numerous ballads, odes, E lyrics, and songs, which are cherished in the heart of every true lover of Q poetry.] TO STRIVE, TO SEEK, TO FIND, AND NOT TO YIELD." TENNYSON. 'LIKE MEN, LIKE MANNERS; LIKE BREEDS LIKE, THEY SAY. TENNYSON. 292 LITTLE BIRDIE. LITTLE BIRDIE. jjHAT does little Birdie say In her nest at peep of day ? Let me fly, says little Birdie, Mother, let me fly away. Birdie rest a little longer, Till the little wings are stronger. So she rests a little longer, Then she flies away. What does little Baby say In her bed at peep of day ? Baby says, like little Birdie, Let me rise and fly away. Baby, sleep a little longer, Till the little limbs are stronger. If she sleeps a little longer, Baby too shall fly away. [ALFRED TENNYSON. This exquisite songlet occurs in " Enoch Arden, and Other Poems," published in 1864.] THE MIND DOTH SHAPE ITSELF TO ITS OWN WANTS. JOANNA BAILLIE. . "PROSPERITY DOTH BEWITCH MEN, SEEMING CLEAR; THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE. 293 z' I THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE.* z 2 z* fid (fjSTJlALF a league, half a league, I T Half a league onward, z z d z Into the Valley of Death w h i Rode the Six Hundred. ' K O 1 : Forward the Light Brigade ; b] X h S Charge for the guns ! " he said : X M M 9 Into the Valley of Death u Id H z Rode the Six Hundred. 1 ^ D fid M 44 Forward the Light Brigade !" H J Was there a man dismayed ? D H Not though the soldier knew X B Some one had blundered : H M H I Theirs not to make reply, I h h Theirs not to reason why, V) CA X Theirs but to do or die ! bd U V! Into the Valley of Death X H z Rode the Six Hundred. M i M Cannon to right of them, i 9 Cannon to left of them, i P o Cannon in front of them z M i Volleyed and thundered : a z fid s Stormed at with shot and shell, cf H Boldly they rode, and well, c fid Into the jaws of Death, M H Into the mouth of Hell, H D Z Rode the Six Hundred. a - z M * Celebrating a gallant feat of arms which occurred during the war with Russia. About six hundred (607) British cavalry, obeying a mistaken order, charged a greatly superior force of Russians, and cut their way through them, with heavy loss. Only a hundred and ninety-eight returned. October 35, 1854. BUT SEAS DO LAUGH, SHOW WHITE, WHEN ROCKS ARE NEAR." WEBSTER. "THE OLD ORDER CHANGETH, YIELDING PLACE TO NEW." TENNYSON. 294 THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE. Flashed all their sabres bare, Flashed as they turned in air, bf Sabring the gunners there, SB U Charging an army, while z, W M Q All the world wondered : t W Plunged in the battery smoke t Q K D Right through the line they broke ; W g Cossack and Russian < O K Reeled from the sabre- stroke, W X Q Shattered and sundered. h Then they rode back but not, o D Not the Six Hundred. Q h W !fl h K Cannon to right of them, h Cannon to left of them, 5 O Cannon behind them M E be. C S h Volleyed and thundered : to Stormed at with shot and shell, o M Q While horse and hero fell, H ffl They that had fought so well, fc s Came through the jaws of Death, ~ Back from the mouth of Hell, w All that was left of them, tt M Left of Six Hundred. h t/5 When can their glory fade ? Oh, the wild charge they made ! g All the world wondered. < 1 Honour the charge they made ! H 2 Honour the Light Brigade, K H Noble Six Hundred ! [ALFRED TENNYSON. From "Maud, and Other Poems."] " MORE THINGS ARE WROUGHT BY PRAYER THAN THIS WORLD DREAMS OF." " HE IS ALL FAULT WHO HATH NO FAULT AT ALL." TENNYSON. THE TOURNAMENT. 295 i THE TOURNAMENT. 1 . H HT was the point of noon, 1 y B The lists were ready.* Empanoplied and plumed z M We entered in, and waited ; fifty there h Q H Opposed to fifty ; till the trumpet blared i S At the barrier like a wild horn in a land 5 1 Of echoes, and a moment, and once more j The trumpet, and again : at which the storm en 5 E E Of galloping hoofs bare on the ridge of spears i Q 5 And riders front to front, until they closed f 3 In conflict with the crash of shivering points, > i And thunder. g B On his haunches rose the steed, i j 2 And into fiery splinters leapt the lance, j * H And out of stricken helmets sprang the fire. * 3 I 'art sat like rocks : part reeled, but kept their scats : u 3 P Part rolled on the earth, and rose again, and drew : z p H Part stumbled, mixt with floundering horses. Down 1 u a From those two bulks at Arac's side, and down Q 1 From Arac's arm, as from a giant's flail, 8 H H S The large blows rained, as here and everywhere i z I I le rode the mellay, lord of the ringing lists, 5 M S H And all the plain brand, mace, and shaft, and shield 5 i * In the chivalric spectacle of the Tournament, the place of combat was h 2 B called the lists : an extensive area surrounded by ropes or palings in single 00 z or double row. Two opposite entrances were provided, and at these stood U B the heralds and pursuivants, in sumptuous attire, filling the air with the H M music of their trumpets. Without the lists were raised tier upon tier of scats, " adorned with rich hangings, garlands, and gay streamers, and glittering < with lords and ladies, squires and gentles, all decked out in the brightest - attire. A gallery, more splendidly decorated than any other, was occupied by the sovereigns and their train ; and a conspicuous place was reserved for the lady whom the victor in the mfUe might select as Queen of Love and Beauty. "OBEDIENCE is THE COURTESY DUE TO KINGS." TENNYSON. " IF YOU FEAR, CAST ALL YOUR CARES ON GOD." TENNYSON. 2 9 6 THE TOURNAMENT. Shocked, like an iron-clanging anvil banged With hammers. I glanced aside, and saw the palace-front Alive with fluttering scarfs and ladies' eyes. A.KS. TENNYSON. OH, VET WE . . . 77/ TOURNAMENT. 297 With that I drave 2 Among the thickest and bore down a prince. I 2 2 ****** Ss 2 fid But that large-moulded man, y. T His visage all agrin as at a wake,* fid Made at me through the press, and, staggering back T 9 With stroke on stroke the horse and horseman, came d o o z E As comes a pillar of electric cloud, H i Flaying the roofs and sucking up the drains, * s" 2 And shadowing down the champain till it strikes I w i On a wood, and takes, and breaks, and cracks and splits H h j And twists the grain with such a roar that Earth i Reels, and the herdsmen cry ; for everything fid 8 Gave way before him : only Florian, he s 5 That loved me closer than his own right eye, I 2 Thrust in between ; but Arac rode him down : U S And Cyril seeing it, pushed against the prince, 2 t- 2 Strong, supple, sinew-corded, apt at arms ; i S But tougher, heavier, stronger, he that smote X And threw him : last I spurred ; I felt my veins 2 W Stretch with fierce heat ; a moment, hand to hand Z S z And sword to sword, and horse to horse we hung, 2 H x Till I struck out and shouted ; the blade glanced ; fc I did but shear a feather, and dream and truth 3 fid 3; Flowed from me ; darkness closed me ; and I fell fid H Z s [ALFRED TBNNVSON. From "The Princess: A Medley."] b. f- - ' At wakfs, or country fairs, it was a common amusement for peasants to '? outvie one another in grinning through a horse collar. *^&uNKiM&^. J^-TVjSSS/'Cr*''" WILL BE THE FINAL GOAL OF ILL!" TBNNVSON. THOUGHT IS THE SOUL OF ACT ; AND, STAGE BY STAGE, HOW THEY BROUGHT THE GOOD NEWS. HOW THEY BROUGHT THE GOOD NEWS FROM GHENT TO AIX. SPRANG to the stirrup, and Joris, and he ; I galloped, Dirck galloped, we galloped all three ; "Good speed!" cried the watch, as the gate-bolts undrew ; " Speed !" echoed the wall to us galloping through ; Behind shut the postern, the lights sank to rest, And into the midnight we galloped abreast Not a word to each other ; we kept the great pace Neck by neck, stride by stride, never changing our place ; I turned in my saddle, and made its girths tight, Then shortened each stirrup, and set the pique right, Rebuckled the cheek-strap, chained slacker the bit, Nor galloped less steadily Roland a whit. 'Twas moonset at starting ; but, while we drew near Lokeren, the cocks crew and twilight dawned clear ; At Boom, a great yellow star came out to see ; At Duffeld, 'twas morning as plain as could be ; And from Mechlin church-steeple we heard the half- chime, So Joris broke silence with, " Yet there is time !" At Aerschot, up leaped of a sudden the sun, And against him the cattle stood black every one, To stare through the mist at us galloping past, And I saw my stout galloper, Roland, at last, W T ith resolute shoulders each butting away The haze, as some bluff river headland its spray ; SOUL IS FROM BODY STILL TO DISENGAGE." BROWNING. " LET FRIEND TRUST FRIEND, AND LOVE DEMANDS ITS LIKE." BROWNING. HOW THEY BROUGHT THE GOOD NEWS. 299 (5 2 And his low head and crest, just one sharp ear bent back, 6 H For my voice, and the other pricked out on his track ; o H And one eye's black intelligence ever that glance z Id O'er its white edge at me, his own master, askance ! o i a And the thick heavy spume-flakes which aye and anon j His fierce lips shook upwards in galloping on. E id on o o K J | By Hasselt Dirck groaned ; and cried Joris, " Stay spur ! h a Your Roos galloped bravely, the fault's not in her, 8 3 We'll remember at Aix" for one heard the quick wheeze B i Of her chest, saw the stretched neck, and staggering knees, < x u And sunk tail, and horrible heave of the flank, j X As down on her haunches she shuddered and sank. Q 9 fc M td* H So we were left galloping, Joris and I, H Past Loos and past Tongres, no cloud in the sky ; Id K t The broad sun above laughed a pitiless laugh, J I 'Neath our foot broke the brittle bright stubble like chaff ; X o U Till over by Dalhem a dome-tower sprang white, 1 1 And " Gallop," cried Joris, " for Aix is in sight ! " B H Q M 5 Si X X " How they'll greet us !" and all in a moment his roan "Q i Rolled neck and croup over, lay dead as a stone ; o o H And there was my Roland to bear the whole weight g 1 Of the news which alone could save Aix from her fate, z With his nostrils like pits full of blood to the brim, B (A And with circles of red for his eye-sockets' rim. td Sq 5 j X E Then I cast my loose buff- coat, each holster let fall, 5* Shook off both my jack-boots, let go belt and all, Stood up in the stirrup, leaned, patted his ear, Called my Roland his pet name, my horse without peer ; " ALL SERVICE RANKS THE SAME WITH GOD." ROBERT BROWNING. "O PIETY ! O HEAVENLY PIETY 1 3 TUBAL CAIN. Clapped my hands, laughed and sang, any noise, bad or good, Till at length into Aix Roland galloped and stood. And all I remember is friends flocking round As I sate with his head 'twixt my knees on the ground, And no voice but was praising this Roland of mine, As I poured down his throat our last measure of wine, Which (the burgesses voted by common consent) Was no more than his due who brought good news from Ghent. [ROBERT BROWNING, in some respects the greatest of living poets, and scarcely less remarkable for his wealth of language than his depth of thought, his insight into character, and suggestiveness, is the author of " Paracelsus," " The Blot in the 'Scutcheon," " Dramatis Personae," " Pippa Passes," "Men and Women," "The Ring and the Book," and numerous lyrics and ballads.] TUBAL CAIN. j|LD Tubal Cain was a man of might In the days when Earth was young ; By the fierce red light of his furnace bright o The strokes of his hammer rung ; 3 And he lifted high his horny hand On the glowing iron clear, Till the sparks rushed out in scarlet showers, As he fashioned the sword and the spear. And he sang " Hurra for my handiwork ! Hurra for the spear and the sword ! Hurra for the hand that shall wield them well, For he shall be king and lord ! " SHE IS NOT RIGID AS FANATIC'S DREAM." MACKAY. "SWEET PIETY! DIVINEST PIETY : TUBAL CAIN. 3OI II. To Tubal Cain came many a one, As he wrought by his roaring fire, And each one prayed for a strong steel blade z" As the crown of his desire ; X u z M And he made them weapons sharp and strong, Till they shouted loud for glee, 9 H U And gave him gifts of pearl and gold, f And spoils of the forest free. And they sang ** Hurra for Tubal Cain, Id* Z O Who hath given us strength anew ! 5 Id Hurra for the smith, hurra for the fire, Id And hurra for the metal true ! " Id X in. bu But a sudden change came o'er his heart g Ere the setting of the sun, And Tubal Cain was filled with pain SKV3NJ H 1 tn For the evil he had done ; He saw that men, with rage and hate, Made war upon their kind, That the land was red with the blood they shed fERFLOWING SI " DIG CHANNEL In their lust for carnage blind. And he said " Alas ! that ever I made Or that skill of mine should plan The spear and the sword for men whose joy Is to slay their fellow- man." O VI X Id Q Z IV. For many a day old Tubal Cain Sat brooding o'er his woe ; And his hand forbore to smite the ore, And his furnace smouldered low. SHE HAS A SOUL CAPACIOUS AS THE SPHERES." MACKAY. " SO THE FEW FAMOUS MEN OF OLD COMBINED, 302 YOUTH'S WARNING. Q But he rose at last with a cheerful face, 5 J d And a bright courageous eye, Q 2 o And bared his strong right arm for work, M O 5 While the quick flames mounted high. W K h W And he sang " Hurra for my handiwork ! " h X erf And the red sparks lit the air ; H J " Not alone for the blade was the bright steel made !" E i And he fashioned the first ploughshare. O K a. l Crf v. J J U 2 H And men, taught wisdom from the past, f In friendship joined their hands, < M Hung the sword in the hall, the spear on the wall, K U And ploughed the willing lands ; X u And sang" Hurra for Tubal Cain ! V) h Our stanch good friend is he ; Q S And for the ploughshare and the plough U fc To him our praise should be. U a But while oppression lifts its head, a h h Or a tyrant should be lord, H [3 Crf Though we may thank him for the plough, O 1 We'll not forget the sword ! " jfl "j O h [DR. CHARLES MACKAY, a justly popular poet, song-writer, and litttra- V) a, J teur, author of "The Salamandrine," "Egeria," "Under Green Leaves," H S and various prose works, was born in 1812.] 33 h Z o" S M M S h h h, O YOUTH'S WARNING. O a u ItTg^lEWARE, exulting youth, beware, ^ Crf When life's young pleasures woo, M That ere you yield you shrive your heart, h And keep your conscience true ! AND LET THE MULTITUDE RISE UNDERNEATH." BROWNING. "THOU SEA, WHO WAST TO ME A PROPHET DEEP, THE SANDS OF DEE 303 For sake of silver spent to-day, z' Why pledge to-morrow's gold ? 5 Or in hot blood implant Remorse, M J To grow when blood is cold ! w id M If wrong you do, if false you play, (/) M H In summer among the flowers, x e/> U You must atone, you shall repay, * X H X In winter among the snowers. a 2 J M H To turn the balances of Heaven a H Surpasses mortal power ; ^ U o For every white there is a black, a. z For every sweet a sour. u u X u X For every up there is a down, Id J g For every folly, shame ; i i And retribution follows guilt, a D As burning follows flame. "z X en If wrong you do, if false you piny, H 3 i In summer among the flowers, 1 You must atone, you shall repay, X h M X h In winter among the showers. x H t/5 2 [CHARLES MACKAY.] X g X u H Z Id H M H U en H THE SANDS OF DEE. * M td H " I&TB^H) M arv g an d ca -H the cattle home, a. X H X i tjgj And call the cattle home, u X And call the cattle home, Across the sands o' Dee." The western wind was wild and dank wi' foam, And all alone went she. THROUGH ALL THY RESTLESS WAVES AND WASTING SHORES." C. KINGSLEY. "WISDOM, SELF-SACRIFICE, DARING, AND LOVE, 304 THE STARLINGS. The creeping tide came up along the sand, And o'er and o'er the sand, And round and round the sand, 2 As far as eye could see ; m M The blinding mist came down and hid the land (0 X h And never home came she. J 3 " Oh, is it weed, or fish, or floating hair \ g A tress o' golden hair, H M O' drowned maiden's hair, 3 o X Above the nets at sea ? g Was never salmon yet that shone so fair, I M X H Among the stakes on Dee." ft! Q * They rowed her in across the rolling foam, K u o The cruel crawling foam, fc Q The cruel, hungry foam, M 1 To her grave beside the sea : Q J But still the boatmen hear her call the cattle home, O I Across the sands o' Dee. M E M X [Rev. CHARLES KINGSLEY, M.A., born 1819; author of " Yeast," "An- w H Q dromeda," "The Saint's Tragedy," "Alton Locke," " Hypatia," "Two Q Years," " Here ward," "Westward Ho!" "Glaucus," "Sermons," "The < 0, Roman and the Teuton," and other works.] fc) p X M en O O o J* '> Q Q J i THE STARLINGS. Id H M X h IjS'raBlARLY in spring time, on raw and windy mornings, Q 2 IH.EJiij Beneath the freezing house-eaves I heard the starlings sing "Ah, dreary March month, is this then a time for building wearily ? Sad, sad, to think that the year is but begun. " HASTE TO THE BATTLEFIELD, STOOP FROM ABOVE." C. KINGSLEY. "GRANT us TO KEEP AT LEAST A PROMPT DESIRE THE THREE FISHERS. 305 Late in the autumn, on still and cloudless evenings, H Among the golden reed-beds I heard the starlings sing < " Ah, that sweet March month, when we and our mates were x M courting merrily ; h 7. y < i Sad, sad, to think that the year is all but done." W5 M w 5 2 d [Rev. CHARLES KINCSLEV. From "Andromeda, and Other Poems,"] 2 < X w J 1 J NONE. THE THREE FISHERS. NDEUR M HHREE fishers went sailing away to the west, < K O j Away to the west as the sun went down ; H Each thought on the woman who loved him best, i And the children stood watching them out of the town ; to h 5? a For men must work, and women must weep, u. V. 8 And there's little to earn, and many to keep, fe Though the harbour bar be moaning. 1 n b J Three wives sat up in the lighthouse tower, 5 < M And they trimmed the lamps as the sun went down ; y y X They looked at the squall, and they looked at the shower, X H . And the night-rack came rolling up ragged and brown ; V) < Z > < But men must work, and women must weep, M I 5 Though storms be sudden, and waters deep, g X h And the harbour bar be moaning. tt y d J < Three corpses lay out on the shining sands i < g In the morning gleam as the tide went down, (/> M < And the women are weeping and wringing their hands c For those who will never come home to the town ; =" For men must work, and women must weep, And the sooner 'tis over, the sooner to sleep, And good-bye to the bar and its moaning. [Rev. CHARLES KINCSLEY. From " Andromeda, and Other Poems."] CONTINUAL READINESS FOR PRAYER AND PRAISE." R. C. TRENCH. 2-2 " LET KNOWLEDGE GROW FROM MORE TO MOKE, 306 EARL H ALDAN'S DA UGHTER. EARL HALDAN'S DAUGHTER. i. w 1 KINGJ lElfH'^ was ^ ar ^ Haldan's daughter, KINGS 3 lo 19 She looked across the sea ; M 3 X She looked across the water, M X And long and loud laughed she ! u Q " The locks of six princesses P 1 Must be my marriage fee, X H K So hey bonny boat, and ho bonny boat ! h h Who comes a- wooing me?" Q y. O K R H " h II. K H X h It was Earl Haldan's daughter, a, i < O She walked along the sand ; H j When she was aware that a knight so fair, H S Come sailing to the land. '\ Q His sails were all of velvet, B s 0, His mast of beaten gold, H 3 2 And, *' Hey bonny boat, and ho bonny boat ! 6 o Who saileth here so bold?" w < fc o E in. H u u M X H " The locks of five princesses e I won beyond the sea ; h J o I clipt their golden tresses H s To fringe a cloak for thee. 5 One handful yet is wanting, But one of all the tale ; So hey bonny boat, and ho bonny boat, Furl up thy velvet sail ! " BUT MORE OF REVERENCE IN US DWELL." TENNYSON. " NOTHING IS THERE TO COME, AND NOTHING PAST, A FAREWELL. 37 IV. He leapt into the water, M That rover young and bold ; X O H He gript Earl Haldan's daughter, ri M He dipt her locks of gold ; > h " Go weep, go weep, proud maiden, * The tale is full to-day. X 3 Now hey bonny boat, and ho bonny boat ! ~ i Sail westward ho away ! " B z X [Rev. CHARLES KINGSLEY. From "Andromeda, ana Other Poems."] h h a p o X Q M ^ c V) h b A FAREWELL. D o (/) ipej 1 !] V fairest child, I have no song to give you ; W 1 igjgjj No lark could pipe to skies so dull and gray : X . H j Yet, ere we part, one lesson I can leave you < 1 For every day. 0. Id b] Be good, sweet maid, and let who will be clever ; H H X Do noble things, not dream them, all day long ; Q h H And so make life, death, and that vast For-ever < O One grand, sweet song. ^ M 2 [Rev. CHARLES KINGSLEY.] H H X M H f M u ^ a g THE FOUNTAIN. < HNTO the sunshine, Of o Full of light, Leaping and flashing From morn to night ! BUT AN ETERNAL NOW DOES ALWAYS LAST." COWLEY. " EARTH'S COMMON PLEASURES, NEAR THE GROUND LIKE GRASS 308 THE FOUNTAIN. Into the moonlight, Whiter than snow, Waving so flower-like When the winds blow ! Into the starlight, Rushing in spray, Happy at midnight, Happy by day ! Ever in motion, Blithesome and cheery, Still climbing heavenward, Never a- weary ; ARE BEST OF ALL ; NOR DIE, ALTHOUGH THEY FADE. ALLINGHAM. " I DO NOT THINK THAT GOD WILL TAKE AWAY, THE SEASONS. 309 Glad of all weathers, s s Still seeming best, o 2 S Upward or downward, 3 | Motion thy rest ; J J J S Full of a nature | J Nothing can tame, 2 | Changed every moment, U J Ever the same ; I Q U 8 J* Ceaseless, aspiring ; h g g Ceaseless, content ; Jj 2 Darkness or sunshine U I Thy element ; h. o td Glorious fountain ! X 8 2 Let my heart be 1 h Fresh, changeful, constant, h a Upward, like thee ! H g a [JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL, an American poet of original genius, with a a j o bold fancy, liberal and exalted sympathies, and a rich vein of humour, was 2 a born in 1819. He is the author of "The Biglow Papers," and other td 2 popular productions.] O X fid (f> H a K U 2 THE SEASONS. h> S IgyYgll BLUE-EYED child, that sits amid the noon, 6. E l&xYj! O'erhung with a laburnum's drooping sprays, Q 2 j Singing her little songs, while softly round * Along the grass the chequered sunshine plays. All beauty that is throned in womanhood, Pacing a summer-garden's fountained walks, EVEN IN HEAVEN, THIS PRECIOUS EARTHLY LOVE." ALLINGHAM. " AND SO IT IS THE SWEETEST BLOSSOM DIES ; 310 BABY MAY. X O 2; That stoops to smooth a glossy spaniel down, J J To hide her blushing cheek from one who talks. X < o J A happy mother with her fair-faced girls, 13 Z In whose sweet spring again her youth she sees, \ g With shout and dance and laugh and bound and song, J Stripping in Autumn orchard's laden trees. | < < * H o An aged woman in a wintry room Q h Frost on the pane, without the whirling snow fif Reading old letters of her far-off youth, PH g Of sorrows past and joys of long ago. | [WILLIAM Cox BENNETT, a popular song-writer, born in 1820.] O X J M w 1 o X X * H BABY MAY. O "x H H ISJSSBI HEEKS as soft as July peaches ; % K u y-ll Lips whose dewy scarlet teaches w J Poppies paleness ; round large eyes, M 13 S Q Ever great with new surprise ; 1 i Minutes filled with shadeless gladness, M H en Minutes just as brimmed with sadness jB "w S Happy smiles and wailing cries, O V) H Crows and laughs and tearful eyes X H "o Lights and shadows swifter born S Than on wind-swept autumn corn ; h Q Ever some new tiny notion, M O \ Making every limb all motion K H X Catchings up of legs and arms, H H Throwings back and small alarms, X h Clutching fingers, straightening jerks, Twining feet whose each toe works, THE WRINKLED LEAF HANGS ON, THOUGH FALLING FAIN." ALLINGHAM. GOD, IN THK DREARIEST PATH WHICH MEN HAVE TROD, BABY MAY. 3*1 Kickings up and straining risings ; Mother's ever-new surprisings ; Hands all wants, and looks all wonder At all things the heavens under ; Tiny scorns of smiled reprovings That have more of love than lovings ; Mischiefs done with such a winning Archness, that we prize such sinning ; Breakings dire of plate and glasses ; Graspings small at all that passes ; Pullings off of all that's able To be caught from tray or table ; Silences small meditations, Deep as thoughts of cares for nations, SHOWS PRINTS OF SAVING FEET, BOTH OLD AND NEW." MACDONALD. " WHO KNOWS GOD'S DAY, GOD'S THOUSAND YEARS, SHALL FEEL 3 12 LITTLE WHITE LILY. Breaking into wisest speeches, In a tongue that nothing teaches, All the thoughts of whose possessing Must be wooed to light by guessing ; Slumbers such sweet angel-seemings, d That we 'd ever have such dreamings, Till from sleep we see thee breaking, 1 And we 'd always have thee waking ; \ H O Wealth for which we know no measure, J 1 Pleasure high above all pleasure, 3 o Gladness brimming over gladness, M X Joy in care, delight in sadness, Q a Loveliness beyond completeness, Q g j W C/3 Sweetness distancing all sweetness, M Beauty all that beauty may be ; O z That's May Bennett, that's my baby. h H K K [WILLIAM Cox BENNETT.] W W h h o 1 o z HOOD o s M * LITTLE WHITE LILY.* h S j to O K [|'g5s|ITTLE White Lily j Sat by a stone, ~ Drooping and waiting 1 Till the sun shone. S Little White Lily H Sunshine has fed ; Little White Lily Is lifting her head. * We suppose the poet refers to the lily generally called the " lily of the valley," which lifts its " little green- tipt lamps of white" among the eme- rald foliage of the spring, like (as Leigh Hunt says) "detected light." NO ANXIOUS HEART, SHALL LIFT NO TREMBLING HAND." MACDONALD. "A DEEPER CHILDHOOD FIRST AWAY MUST WIPE LITTLE WHITE LILY. 313 Little White Lily Said, "It is good- Little White Lily's Clothing and food." Little White Lily, d Drest like a bride ; < tf Shining with whiteness, u i And crowned beside. s X 8 h j i Little White Lily Droopeth with pain, u b z < Waiting and waiting h For the wet rain. 1 E Little White Lily X Id H Holdeth her cup ; B w j K Rain is fast falling < M Id > And filling it up. rf u _ K Z o q Q j 3 o Little White Lily I H Said, " Good again a < s When I am thirsty H H ui To have nice rain : a 3 Now I am stronger, u X D Now I am cool ; H s _w 8 Heat cannot burn me, "id Z * My veins are so full. " Z < Q Little White Lily Smells very sweet ; On her head sunshine, Rain at her feet " Thanks to the sunshine, Thanks to the rain, THE CONSCIOUSNESS WHICH WAS OUR MANHOOD'S PAIN." MACDONALD. " NEW TRUTH, AS CHILD BRINGS LOVE, COMES NOT IN VAIN, 314 THE SHADOWS. Little White Lily Is happy again." [GEORGE MACDONALD, LL.D., author of " Within and Without," " Guild Court," " Adela Cathcart," " David Elginbrod," " Unspoken Sermons," &c., born 1826.] O 3 oo r. 03 s Q K U H THE SHADOWS. g 2 J K 8 |FfSj*i]Y little boy, with pale round cheeks, W oo 5 Hj K||J And large, brown, dreamy eyes, h Not often, little wisehead, speaks, H | But yet will make replies. H His sister, always glad to show H S Q Her knowledge, for its praise, K H W Q 2 Said yesterday, " God's here, you know; | M pa He's everywhere, always. OJ o 8 " He's in this room." His large brown eyes CO H 1 Went wandering round for God ; X In vain he looks, in vain he tries jj X x His wits are all abroad. O 5 CH (4 " He is not here, mamma? No, no ; 8 M I don't see Him at all. g * He's not the shadows, is He?" So His doubtful accents fall Fall on my heart, like precious seed, Grow up to flowers of love ; For as my child, in love and need, Am I to Him above. BUT BRINGS THE NEW FAITH FRESH FROM OUT THE DEEP." MACDONALD. " 'TIS GOD WHO BRINGETH LIFE FROM OUT DECAYS, THE FIGHTING TEMERAIRE. 315 How oft, before the vapours break, And day begins to be, Q In our dim-lighted rooms we take J The shadows, Lord, for thee ! Q J 1 U While every shadow lying there, 1 Slow remnant of the night, U J Is but an aching, longing prayer J z' o For thee, O Lord, the Light. d g 1 2 2 [GEORGE MACDONALD. I X X 1 M THE FIGHTING TEMERAIRE. o X j. u g TUGGED TO HER LAST BERTH IN PORTSMOUTH HARBOUR. 8 Z o X [The Tentfraire was one of the men-of-war engaged in the great sea- jj jj fight off Trafalgar. The following vigorous lyric appears to have been X u u suggested by Turner's well-known picture.] z o X [FgTgjlT is a glorious tale to tell, X o H |B9.|j|| When nights are long and mirk, III H U H How well she fought our fight ; how well H O z She did our England's work. M Our good ship Temeraire ; I X H M The fighting Temeraire ! h H X H She goeth to her last long home, X h 3 z X Our grand old Temeraire.* a M h Bravely over the breezy blue, O X z They went to do or die ; z And proudly on herself she drew p H X The battle's burning eye ! M h Round her the glory fell in flood, 3 From Nelson's loving smile, When, raked with fire, she ran with blood, In England's hour of trial ! * This refrain, or " burden," is repeated at the end of each verse. LIGHT OUT OF DARKNESS, SNOWDROPS FROM THE EARTH." MACDONALD. "STRANGE GLORY STREAMS THROUGH LIFE'S WILD RENTS." MASSEY. 3 1 6 THE FIGHTING TEMERAIRE. And when our darling of the sea K Sank dying on his deck, S3 W ca W With her revengeful thunders, she M 2 Struck down his foe a wreck ! J z 5 And when our victory stayed the rout, a M w f And Death had stilled the storm, < s 1 . How gallantly she led them out s Her prize on either arm ! D X Id h O ss Her day now draweth to its close, o With solemn sunset crowned ; w a To death her crested beauty bows ; o 1 The night is folding round. w K B No more the big heart in her breast 1 g Will heave from wave to wave ; M M M Weary and war-worn, ripe for rest, 3 O Z She glideth to her grave. M S X In her dumb pathos desolate W trt s As night among the dead ! U Yet wearing an exceeding weight u o w Of glory on her head. Z s h Good-bye ! good-bye ! old Temeraire ; u h A sad, a proud good-bye ! hi O g The stalwart spirit that did wear 2 M M W Your sternness shall not die. O S Through battle blast, and storm of shot, S C/J > Your banner we shall bear : s h E And fight for it, like those who fought " Your guns, old Temeraire ! 2 [GERALD MASSEY, born 1828, one of our self-taught poets, and the author of "The Ballad of Babe Christabel," "Craigcrook Castle," "Havelock's March," and of a very able work on " Shakspeare's Sonnets."] "GOD'S ICHOR FILLS THE HEARTS THAT BLEED." GERALD MASSEY. ' THE SOUL OF MAN IS LARGER THAN THE SKY." H. COLERIDGE. ROBIN REDBREAST. 3*7 ROBIN REDBREAST. A CHILD'S SONG. JOOD-BYE, good-bye to Summer ! For Summer's nearly done ; The garden smiling faintly, Cool breezes in the sun : Our thrushes now are silent, Our swallows flown away ; But Robin 's here, in coat of brown, With ruddy breast-knot gay. Robin, Robin Redbreast ! O Robin dear ! ' FLOWERS SICKEN WHEN THE SUMMER FLIES." B. W. PROCTER. "IN HEAVEN AMBITION CANNOT DWELL," (SOUTHEY) 318 R OBIN REDBREA S T. H Robin sings so sweetly 5 w In the falling of the year. w w E Bright yellow, red, and orange, W 1 The leaves come down in hosts ; in r h The trees are Indian princes, K in K OH But soon they'll turn to ghosts ; U The leathery pears and apples _] Hang russet on the bough : | K Q It's Autumn, Autumn, Autumn late, 5 'Twill soon be Winter now. > J Robin, Robin Redbreast ! X O Robin dear ! o H h And what will this poor Robin do ? W CQ 5 For pinching days are near. 5 u en h The fireside for the cricket, w K W K The wheatstack for the mouse, ffi u M When trembling night-winds whistle 5 And moan all round the house. | The frosty ways like iron, g O The branches plumed with snow : o Alas ! in Winter dead and dark, j W t Where can poor Robin go ? 1 w K W Robin, Robin Redbreast ! o Z E eu O Robin dear ! H en And a crumb of bread for Robin, O p Q His little heart to cheer. U Q K [WILLIAM ALLINGHAM, author of " Day and Night Songs," " The Music W 5 Master," "Laurence Bloomfield in Ireland," and other poems.] K NOTE. The robin's song varies according to the season of the year. It is K u merry in summer, sweet but sad in autumn, and a jerking, irregular chirp = W in the winter. At all times, however, we are well content to listen to the s music of " The bird whom man loves best, The pious bird with the scarlet breast, Our English Robin." " NOR AVARICE IN THE HAUNTS OF HELL." SOUTHEY. ' FRIENDSHIP IS A SHELTERING TREE." S. T. COLERIDGE. OUTWARD BOUND. 319 OUTWARD BOUND. jl LINK ! clink ! clink ! goes our windlass "Ahoy!" "Haul in!" "Let go!" Yards braced and sails set, Flags uncurl and flow. Some eyes that watch from shore are wet, (How bright their welcome shone !) ' HEAVEN LIES ABOUT US IN OUR INFANCY." WORDSWORTH. " LET KNOWLEDGE GROW FROM MORE TO MORE, 3 20 HOMEWARD BOUND. While, bending softly to the breeze, _ And rushing through the parted seas, S Our gallant ship glides on. | tt W Though one has left a sweetheart, K W $ And one has left a wife, 3 GO 'Twill never do to mope and fret, J Or curse a Sailor's life. T R See, far away they signal yet ! V; S h They dwindle fade they're gone ! 5 o* u 2 For, dashing outward, bold and brave, w CO w a And springing light from wave to wave, O H Our merry ship flies on. 5 I H Gay spreads the sparkling ocean ; K M E But many a gloomy night U U >T And stormy morrow must be met Q K 1 Ere next we heave in sight. K The parting look we'll ne'er forget, H 0. K H The kiss, the benison, X g As round the rolling world we go : O God bless you all ! blow, breezes, blow ! W Q U Sail on, good ship, sail on ! a en X H [WILLIAM ALLINGHAM.] D Jz; * : Tom will to his parents ; d JTGOME: Jack will to his dear ; Joe to wife and children ; 1 o Bob to pipes and beer ; fc s Dicky to the dancing-room, To hear the fiddles play ; Q H J Round the world and home again, H w Q That's the Sailor's way ! g EC H [WILLIAM ALLINGHAM.] M Q O H Q Q O fc O J J SUMMER MOON, O SUMMER MOON. H K H M O w" o h H h t, W Ig^BHalUMMER Moon, O Summer Moon, across the west You gaze on half the earth at once, with sweet and steadfast eye ; Summer Moon, O Summer Moon, were I aloft with thee, I know that I could look upon my boy who sails at sea. ' TIME THEY SHARE, TH/ J O s H X h Summer Moon, O Summer Moon, you throw your silver showers O H & h Upon a glassy sea that lies round shores of fruit and flowers ; 3 2 The blue tide trembles on the shore, with murmuring as of bees, 9 8 And the shadow of the ship lies dark near shades of orange- trees. o H Summer Moon, O Summer Moon, now wind and storm have fled, Your light creeps through a cabin-pawl and lights a flaxen head ; "MEN ARE BUT CHILDREN OF A LARGER GROWTH." DRYDEN. THINK NOUGHT A TRIFLE, THOUGH IT SMALL APPEAR, SUMMER MOON, O SUMMER MOON. 323 He tosses with his lips apart, lies smiling in your gleam, For underneath his folded lids you put a pleasant dream. Summer Moon, O Summer Moon, his head is on his arm ; He stirs with balmy breath and sees the moonlight on the Farm; He stirs and breathes his mother's name, he smiles and sees once more The moon above, the fields below, the shadow at the door. Summer Moon, O Summer Moon, across the lift you go ; Far south you gaze and see my boy, where groves of orange grow ! Summer Moon, O Summer Moon, you turn again to me, And seem to have the smile of him who sleeps upon the sea. [ROBERT BUCHANAN born 1841 author of " Undertones," " Idyls and Legends of Inverburn," " City Poems," " North Coast, and Other Poems," and a volume of graceful prose sketches entitled, " David Gray, and Essays on Poetry and Poets."] SMALL SANDS THE MOUNTAIN, MOMENTS MAKE THE YEAR." YOUNG. " WHAT TIMES ARE LITTLE ? TO THE SENTINEL 3 2 4 IRIS THE RAINBOW. IRIS THE RAINBOW. "5T w '[K^SjTjlID the cloud-enshrouded haze pi P h i.Swi.U Of Olympus I arise, * h h 5 With the full and rainy gaze 5 3 Of Apollo in mine eyes ; 6 a 2 But I shade my dazzled glance !s X K With my dripping pinions white, O T O 2 Where the sunlight sparkles dance j w X O In a many-tinctured light : K M S t My foot upon the woof Q z I K Of a fleecy cloudlet small, < Q I glimmer through the roof O 2 < M Of the paven banquet-hall. tu | And a soft pink radiance dips 1 2 Through the floating mists divine, 3 a M o Touching eyes and cheeks and lips a h p Of the mild-eyed gods supine, o" z Q" And the pinky odour rolls E SB Round their foreheads, while I stain, Q Id With a blush like wine, the bowls O | Of foam-crusted porcelain : M X (H cf M Till the whole calm place has caught M M < & A deep gleam of rosy fire < h s When I darken to the thought j D M M In the eyes of Zeus the Sire, f M H < z M 2 o Then Zeus, arising, stoops h > 2 O'er the ledges of the skies, H Looking downward, through the loops Of the starry tapestries, * The Greek poets personified the rainbow under the name of Iris. t Zeus, the father of gods and men, the supreme divinity of Olympus, transformed by the Romans into Jupiter (that is, Zeus-pater). THAT HOUR IS REGAL WHEN HE MOUNTS ON GUARD." GEORGE ELIOT. " VIRTUOUS LOVE IS ONE SWEET ENDLESS FIRE." HABINGTON. IRIS THE RAINBOW. 325 On the evident * dark plain Speckled with wood and hill and stream, On the wrinkled tawny main Where the ships, like snowflakes, gleam ; 6 And with finger without swerve, z 3 Swiftly lifted, swiftly whirled, M He draws a magic curve Z U aT j O'er the cirrus f of the world ; J h When with waving wings displayed, a < On the Sun-god's threshold bright j H H B I upleap, and seem to fade U z h In a humid flash of light ; .0 h. B Q But I plunge through vapours dim O tt z To the dark low-lying land, 1 'x And I tumble, float, and swim Q On the strange curve of the Hand : J W E From my wings that drip, drip, drip, M H With cool rains, shoot jets of fire, M 3 As across green capes I slip Z Z With the thought of Zeus the Sire. U o b. U) ( Thence, with drooping wings bedewed, X 3 H CO Folded close about my form, o H g I alight with feet unviewed H Q * On the ledges of the storm ; b b For a moment, cloud-enrolled, Id O Z j 'Mid the murm'rous rain I stand, 3 And with meteor eyes behold u X h Vapoury ocean, misty land ; Till the thought of Zeus outsprings From my ripe mouth with a sigh, * Evident (from e and video] here used in its primary meaning of "visible." f Cirrus a form of cloud, consisting of tendril-like fibres. " THE NET THAT HOLDS NO GREAT, TAKES LITTLE FISH." SOUTHWELL. " PRIDE CANNOT SEE ITSELF BY MID-DAY LIGHT J 326 THE WARBLING OF BLACKBIRDS. ri ft "3" M And unto my lips it clings H M Like a shining butterfly ; % I When I brighten, gleam, and glow, J T And my glittering w r ings unfurl, a CH And the melting colours flow m h To my foot of dusky pearl ; 09 And the ocean, mile on mile, "u 5 h Gleams through capes and straits and bays, H h W And the vales and mountains smile, w 5 u And the leaves are wet with rays, T- K While I wave the humid Bow _3 I U Of my wings with flash of fire, M And the Tempest, crouched below, Z 5| Knows the thought of Zeus the Sire. K fc p [ROBERT BUCHANAN (see page 318). From his "Undertones," a volume Q | of truly exquisite poetry. The reader may compare the preceding with O oo Shelley's "Cloud," p. 194.] X h H X g Q Z X h h W THE WARBLING OF BLACKBIRDS. h X O O co H IfffPsSZjHEN I hear the waters fretting, W O H i JMjH When I see the chestnut letting z X h o All her lovely blossom falter down, I h fe think, "Alas the day!" > o t/5 Once with magical sweet singing, s i Blackbirds set the woodland ringing, O M S3 H That awakes no more while April hours wear themselves away. u O hJ h W M In our hearts fair hope lay smiling, 33 H X Sweet as air, and all-beguiling ; O 2 And there hung a mist of blue-bells on the slope and down the oo dell; THE PEACOCK'S TAIL is FURTHEST FROM HIS SIGHT." B. HOLYDAY. " THE GOOD IN GRAVES AS HEAVENLY SEED ARE SOWN." DAVENANT. THE PRIVATE OF THE BUFFS. 327 And we talked of joy and splendour That the years unborn would render, z' And the blackbirds helped us with the story, for they knew it 8 well d z Z 5 3 X Piping, fluting, bees are humming, tj z April's here, and summer's coming ; X J Don't forget us when you walk, a man with men, in pride and .1 M f-' joy; o D H Think on us in alleys shady, U O U When you step a graceful lady ; W J For no fairer day have we to hope for, little girl and boy. I < a Laugh and play, O lisping waters, 3 B Lull our downy sons and daughters ; 5 Come, O wind, and rock their leafy cradle in thy wanderings O H X * coy; O X H When they wake we'll end the measure X .. With a wild sweet cry of pleasure, 1 U D And a " Hey down deny, let's be merry ! little girl and boy !" X U a (JEAN INCELOW, born about 1830. From "A Story of Doom, and Other X d Poems."] tlf H p Q J "S. H z I THE PRIVATE OF THE BUFFS. jj B [Some Sikhs, and a private of the Buffs, during the last Chinese war, fell U S into the hands of the enemy. On the next morning they were brought be- ^ D fore the authorities, and commanded to prostrate themselves. The Sikhs co 8 obeyed ; but Moyse, the English soldier, heroically declared he would not M H humble himself before any Chinaman alive. He was immediately led out X H and executed.] s IgTtesU^T* NIGHT, among his fellow roughs, I Ie jested, quaffed, and swore ; A drunken private of the Buffs, Who never looked before. "BEAUTY is ITS OWN EXCUSE FOR BEING." R. w. EMERSON. " POETS THEMSELVES MUST FALL, LIKE THOSE THEY SUNG, 328 THE PRIVATE OF THE BUFFS. To-day, beneath the foeman's frown, He stands in Elgin's* place, Ambassador from Britain's crown, O h And type of all her race. \ H L 8 8 in j Poor, reckless, rude, low-bom, untaught, a < Bewildered, and alone, K SB X jsj. A heart, with English instinct fraught, j M He yet can call his own. K M W g Ay, tear his body limb from limb, W Q M Bring cord, or axe, or flame : 8 1 He only knows, that not through him I Shall England come to shame. 8 K s u 1 For Kentish hop-fields round him seemed, 8 3 3 Like dreams, to come and go ; ~ E Bright leagues of cherry-blossom gleamed, < M D One sheet of living snow ; X O a The smoke above his father's door, < h M X In gray soft eddyings hung : f-T h Must he then watch it rise no more, w X h Doomed by himself, so young ? a u W * | Yes, honour calls ! with strength like steel SORRO h 2 He put the vision by ; > H Let dusky Indians whine and kneel PC 8 An English lad must die. o K H And thus, with eyes that would not shrink, Q s" With knee to man unbent, "^ Unfaltering on its dreadful brink, To his red grave he went. * The Earl of Elgin accompanied the British army (which was com- manded by Sir Hope Grant) as ambassador to the Emperor of China. DEAF THE PRAISED EAR, AND MUTE THE TUNEFUL TONGUE." POI'E. " WHERE SOIL IS MEN GROW, WHETHER TO WEEDS OR FLOWERS." KEATS. APOLLO AND MARSYAS. . 3*9 Vain, mightiest fleets of iron framed ; Vain, those all-shattering guns ; Unless proud England keep, untamed, ^ The strong heart of her sons. a So, let his name through Europe ring H M z A man of mean estate, W M X Who died, as firm as Sparta's king,* z X I Because his soul was great. - J z x [Sir FRANCIS HASTINGS DOYLE, Professor of Poetry at the University if. H H M of Oxford. This spirited ballad first appeared in Macmillaris Magazine.] ui z" o o 8 Q i APOLLO AND MARSYAS. x H z [According to an old Greek legend, Apollo, the god of poetry, contended Q with Marsyas, a Phrygian faun, for the prize of music, and Marsyas being M i/> vanquished, was flayed alive by order of his cruel conqueror. The fable is h M reproduced in the following stanzas with all the elegance and fine colouring z H of the Greek poetry. ] x h d [gyrolS the sky- brightening south wind clears the day, > u H H fleajql And makes the massed clouds roll, u Q M "o The music of the lyre blows away M s The clouds that wrap the soul. O 7-. O X Oh, that Fate had let me see H u. The triumph of the sweet persuasive lyre ! Z 1 kJ That famous, final victory Q O When jealous Pan with Marsyas did conspire ! O M ca x o H When, from far Parnassus' side, H Young Apollo, all the pride Of the Phrygian flutes to tame, To the Phrygian highlands came ! * Leonidas, king of Sparta, who, with his famous Three Hundred, de- fended the Pass of Thermopylae against the Persians. " PLACES OF NESTLING GREEN FOR POETS MADE." LEIGH HUNT. "WHAT MORE FELICITY CAN FALL TO CREATURE, 33 APOLLO AND MARSYAS. Where the long green reed-beds sway In the rippled waters gray sf h Of that solitary lake \ K h Where Meander's springs are born ;* x 1 SS o Where the ridged pine- wooded roots v i ri H Of Messogis westward break, X 1 Mounting westward, high and higher. $ X 2 There was held the famous strife ; X There the Phrygian brought his flutes, h W u H O And Apollo brought his lyre ; CH co iJ And, when now the westering sun < 1 Touched the hills, the strife was done, 1 8 And the attentive Muses said to U " Marsyas ! thou art vanquished." E fc Then Apollo's minister [3 w S Hanged upon a branching fir 09 Z, < Marsyas, that unhappy faun, h g And began to whet his knife. E But the Moenads, who were there, 1 3 Left their friend, and with robes flowing o pq In the wind, and loose dark hair h O'er their polished bosoms blowing, w U Each her ribboned tambourine M S o as Flinging on the mountain-sod, o With a lovely frightened mien | u g Came about the youthful god. s H But he turned his beauteous face h O g 5 Haughtily another way, co M u From the grassy sun- warmed place P. Where in proud repose he lay, z With one arm over his head, Watching how the whetting sped. * A river in Asia Minor, famous for its winding course ; whence our word meandering. It flows into the Archipelago. THAN TO ENJOY DELIGHT WITH LIBERTY?" SPENSER. " BEAUTY IS TRUTH, TRUTH BEAUTY THAT IS ALL APOLLO AND MARSYAS. 331 KEATS But aloof, on the lake strand, l! J Did the young Olympus stand, 3 U o 2 Weeping at his master's end ; 2 55 For the faun had been his friend. O O 1 2 M For he taught him how to sing, J so "2 And he taught him flute-playing. jj fa 9 Many a morning had they gone J j J To the glimmering mountain lakes, b 5 And had torn up by the roots M Id Q B The tall crested water reeds i H h. With long plumes, and soft brown seeds, h bu O o" And had carved them into flutes, H 2 Sitting on a tabled stone 1 2 Where the shoreward ripple breaks. M D U And he taught him how to please Z The red-snooded Phrygian girls, 2 Whom the summer evening sees a O 2 Flashing in the dance's whirls S | Underneath the starlit trees o a u In the mountain villages. u. o o Therefore now Olympus stands, H U y At his master's piteous cries 3 u I Pressing fast with both his hands t 2 His white garment to his eyes, 8 X Not to see Apollo's scorn ; cu J Ah, poor faun, poor faun ! ah, poor faun ! J V) 5 0" fcf z [MATTHEW ARNOLD, born 1822, son of the late illustrious Dr. Thomas Ed X M H Arnold, Head Master of Rugby School. Mr. Arnold is the author of a H M tragedy named " Merope," of "Empedocles on Etna" the poem from h b ' 2 which the foregoing extract is taken and of several minor poems, as well a 2 as of various prose essays, remarkable for their elegance of style and keen- < x ness of criticism. He was Professor of Poetry at Oxford from 1857-1867.] X YE KNOW ON EARTH, AND ALL YE NEED TO KNOW." KEATS. " LIFE IS THE ROSE'S HOPE, WHILE YET UNBLOWN ; .332 A CROSS IN EACH ONE'S LOT. A CROSS IN EACH ONE'S LOT.* i h M M 1 |B|PT|J| WILFUL, headlong river, J X O |fey| That turned not to left or right ; Z 1 You might hear the passionate rushing < < Far in the silent night. 5 S M X h " Where was it hasting, the river, H p H H z Flowing so straight and true ?" H X * I cannot tell you, my darling, h For only the river knew. H j o h i Nay, do not smile ; to the river M w It was a matter of life and death : X h To have watched it hurrying onwards M H Had taken away your breath. P co JP K Perchance, in depths of a far blue lake > H Its waters yeanied to rest ; M > Perchance the many- voiced sea had called U H U The river home to his breast. X - K Whatever the dream, it might not be ; O 3 For they laid great stones, and hard, H M ca In the bed of the shining river, w co 5 X And all its purpose marred. M X O X And if you had heard the sobbing O M H Of waters, the passionate moan, U h O O You would have thought a human heart U h Was breaking against the stone. Q z * The moral of these verses we take to be, that we cannot always look * for the fulfilment of our dearest wishes, but though the disappointment breed great sorrow in our hearts, yet will it assuredly work out some wise and beneficent end. THE READING OF AN EVER-CHANGING TALE." KEATS. "SWEET ARE THE PLEASURES THAT TO VERSE BELONG." KEATS. A GYPSY ENCAMPMENT. 333 3 Yet now, in the thirsty meadows, Q J P Is water enough and to spare ; O Z H Y The drooping flowers in the gardens < Q Raise faces so fresh and fair ! J Z M a z fid U Well was it well for the river ? M Id P You think, " It was better far." J O E i I cannot tell : is the trailing light X o Sweet to the falling star ? h O z Z 13 z as But if you had heard the sobbing u H id E Of waters, the passionate moan, c/T 2 You would have thought a human heart E i Was breaking against the stone. j | [ELIZABETH D. CROSS (MRS. BULLOCK), author of "An Old Story, and M x~ Other Poems," published in 1868.] X o Q X Z I z M H 5 (A U. A GYPSY ENCAMPMENT. M M 3 lEjTjSJ 1 HIS is Moorish land, j en H JJgjj Where Allah lives unconquered in dark breasts, M Q And blesses still the many-nourishing earth 5 i With dark-anned industry. See from the steep H X j The scattered olives hurry in gray throngs fc 1 u Down towards the valley, where the little stream X h Parts a green hollow 'twixt the gentler slopes ; u. X And in that hollow, dwellings: not white homes Of building Moors, but little swarthy tents Z w d Such as of old perhaps on Asian plains, Q 5 Or wending westward past the Caucasus, Z Our fathers raised to rest in. Close they swarm About two taller tents, and viewed afar " MIND IS THE SPELL WHICH GOVERNS EARTH AND HEAVEN." ARNOLD. " BUT TRUE IT IS, ABOV 334 A GYPSY ENCAMPMENT. Might seem a dark-robed crowd in penitence That silent kneel ; but come now in their midst And watch a busy, bright-eyed, sportive life ! Tall maidens bend to feed the tethered goat, The ragged kirtle fringing at the knee Above the living curves, the shoulder's smoothness Parting the torrent strong of ebon hair. Women with babes, the wild and neutral glance Swayed now to sweet desire of mothers' eyes, Rock their strong cradling arms and chant low strains Taught by monotonous and soothing winds That fall at night-time on the dozing ear. The crones plait reeds, or shred the vivid herbs Into the caldron: tiny urchins crawl, Or sit and gurgle forth their infant joy. Lads lying sphynx-like with uplifted breast Propped on their elbows, their black manes tossed back, Fling up the coin and watch its fatal fall, Dispute and scramble, run and wrestle fierce, Then fall to play and fellowship again ; Or in a thieving swarm they run to plague The grandsires, who return with rabbits slung, And with the mules fruit-laden from the fields. Some striplings choose the smooth stones from the brook * To serve the slingers, cut the twigs for snares, Or trim the hazel wands, or at the bark Of some exploring dog they dart away With swift precision towards a moving speck. These are the brood of Zarca's Gypsy tribe ; Most like an earth-born race bred by the Sun On some rich tropic soil, the father's light * "And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook" (i Sam. xvii. 40). IS FAITH, ABIDING THE APPOINTED DAY." H. COLERIDGE. "HOPE is OUR LIFE, WHEN FIRST OUR LIFE GROWS CLEAR; A SONG OF APRIL. 335 Flashing in coal-black eyes, the mother's blood M O With bounteous elements feeding their young limbs. 1 2 O . [This vigorous piece of word-painting occurs in "The Spanish Gypsy," % H a poem of remarkable power and beauty, by which GEORGE ELIOT or, 2 rather, Miss EVANS has shown herself possessed of abilities as a poet, J U X equal to those she had already displayed as a novelist. Miss Evans was f Id born about 1820. Her first work, " Scenes of Clerical Life," appeared in J O Blackwood's Magazine. Her later novels are "Adam Bede," " The Mill Z Z z on the Floss," " Romola," and " Felix Holt the Radical."] > H (A O U z X H - X h -o H 1 s o JH H U. A SONG OF APRIL. Z O j H X [BfiSJBI FAIR mid-spring, besung so oft and oft, o h O X MJM How can I praise thy loveliness enow ? Z H Thy sun that burns not, and thy breezes soft . Z That o'er the blossoms of the orchard blow, Z- i The thousand things that 'neath the young leaves grow, o a The hopes and chances of the growing year, z" Winter forgotten long, and summer near. B, K U When Summer brings the lily and the rose, u H She brings us fear : her very death she brings O X Hid in her anxious heart, the forge of woes \ H And, dull with fear, no more the mavis sings. 6" But thou ! thou diest not, but thy fresh life clings z 5 About the fainting Autumn's sweet decay, z When in the earth the hopeful seed they lay. u E , J Ah, life of all the year, why yet do I, * Amid thy snowy blossoms' fragrant drift, Still long for that which never draweth nigh, HOPE AND DELIGHT, SCARCE CROSSED BY LINES OF FEAR." MORRIS. * " IS THERE NO BRIGHT REVERSION IN THE SKY, 336 SONNETS. Striving my pleasure from my pain to sift, Some weight from off my fluttering mirth to lift ; Now, when far bells are ringing, fk Come again, Come back, past years ! why will ye pass in vain ? " Q 1 O SB [WILLIAM MORRIS, a poet of great and increasing reputation, author of K 3 "The Defence of Queen Guenevere," "The Life and Death of Jason," 1 and "The Earthly Paradise." From the latter we have borrowed the j 5 foregoing beautiful stanzas.] O w c/5 O W > < H M A SCORE OF SONNETS. Q as H fc [The Sonnet, although originally borrowed from Italy, has taken firm h 2 root in English ground ; and being successively cultivated by our greatest M .W w poets, has developed admirable flower and fruit. Though somewhat rigid * to in form, consisting always of fourteen lines, it shows a remarkable capa- 85 Q bility of adapting itself to the genius of the artist making use of it ; and the ^ reader will observe the wide difference in music and character of the speci- w LI mens which follow, notwithstanding an apparent similarity of structure. K M W In the hands of a master, it is a peculiarly graceful and fascinating instru- z. S ment ; and the melody educed from it may be, at will, stirring as the sound fc tc y of a trumpet, or sweet and soothing as the strain of a lute.] z (/) ^ I. THE LOVELINESS OF TRUTH. 3 M **" 0. w* Q ijSjsjniH, how much more doth beauty beauteous seem J 8 IJ^^JI By that sweet ornament which truth doth give ! h O 1 The rose looks fair, but fairer we it deem w 5 For that sweet odour which doth in it live. in W * The canker-blooms * have full as deep a dye E- 5 As the perfumed tincture of the roses, n Hang on such thorns, and play as wantonly w When summer's breath their masked buds discloses : But, for their virtue only is their show, They live unwooed, and unrespected fade ; * The wild, or dog-rose, is the plant to which Shakspeare here alludes FOR THOSE WHO GREATLY THINK, OR BRAVELY DIE ? "POPE. " RISE TO PREVENT THE SUN ; SLEEP DOTH SIN*S GLUT, SONNETS. 337 Die to themselves. Sweet roses do not so ; y Of their sweet deaths are sweetest odours made : K o 31 And so of you, beauteous and lovely youth, H When that shall fade, by verse distils your truth. h > J H [WILLIAM SHAKSPEARE (see p. 24). The construction of the foregoing Z 1 is the same as of the Italian sonnet alternate rhymes, terminating with a ji o couplet. Shakspeare wrote one hundred and fifty-four sonnets, some of 1 J which are equal to any hi the language, but a mystery attaches to the ta object of their composition.] en "o | 8 h 5 SHINE II. A COMPARISON AND A MORAL, | K MOOK how the flower which lingeringly doth fade, w X h I The morning's darling late, the summer's queen, X H J E Spoiled of that juice which kept it fresh and green, M * As high as it did raise, bows low the head : Q i U Z Right so my life, contentments being dead, <>r in their contraries but only seen, 1 Q Z With swifter speed declines than erst it spread, CQ w And, blasted, scarce now shows what it hath been. h O As doth the pilgrim therefore, whom the night X o J Hastes darkly to imprison on his way, o z Think on thy home, my soul, and think aright Q Si b Of what yet rests thee of life's wasting day ; X M Thy sun posts westward, passed is thy morn, H i And twice it is not given thee to be born. X K a Q [WILLIAM DRUMMOND, of Hawthornden, born 1585, died 1649, was a E poet of graceful sentiment, and much force, eloquence, and purity of ex- i (A pression. His principal works are : "Tears on the Death of Moeliades" H W Z (Prince Henry), "Wandering Muses," "Flowers of Zion," and his "Son- t/3 o nets" the latter remarkable for pathos, fancy, and harmonious versifica- s tion.] ^^^j^f^ AND HEAVEN'S GATE OPENS WHEN THE WORLD'S is SHUT." VAUGHAN. " FRAIL LIFE I IN WHICH, THROUGH MISTS OF HUMAN BREATH 338 SONNETS. III. ON THE LATE MASSACRE IN PIEDMONT.* j|VENGE, O Lord, thy slaughtered saints, whose bones Lie scattered on the Alpine mountains cold ; Even them who kept thy truth so pure of old, When all our fathers worshipped stocks and stones, Forget not : in thy book record their groans Who were thy sheep, and in their ancient fold * Written on the occasion of the persecution of the Vaudois, inaugurated by the Church of Rome in 1625. WE GROPE FOR TRUTH, AND MAKE OUR PROGRESS SLOW. DAVENANT. " HUMBLE WE MUST BE, IF TO HEAVEN WE GO ; SONNETS. 339 Slain by the bloody Piemontese that rolled Mother with infant down the rocks. Their moans The vales redoubled to the hills, and they 2* X To heaven. Their martyred blood and ashes sow O D 6 O'er all the Italian fields, where still doth sway J S H The triple tyrant ; * that from these may grow p| i X A hundred fold, who, having learned thy way, B 2 Early may fly the Babylonian woe. GLORY s [JOHN MILTON. See p. 62.] O B 2 X O 2 J o < 8 M W Z w X h IV. DEATH NOT THE CONQUEROR. g Q d HTgKjlKATH, be not proud, though some have called thee | u ftliYM Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so ;f 1 u For those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow 1 Be Q Die not, poor Death ; nor yet canst thou kill me. C W U h From rest and sleep, which but thy picture be, 2 X O Much pleasure then from thee much more dost flow : h a And soonest our best men with thee do go, 9 Rest of their bones, and soul's delivery. X in 2 Thou'rt slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men, 1 3 And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell ; M tj M O 2 And poppy or charms can make us sleep as well, 2 And better than thy stroke. Why swelTst thou then ? I b) ' * Alluding to the tiara, or triple crown, worn by the Pope of Rome. 1 f We may be reminded here of the fine thought of Henry Vaughan 8 (born 1621, died 1695) : " Dear, beauteous death the jewel of the just, Shining nowhere but in the dark What mysteries do He beyond thy dust, Could man outlook that mark ! " HIGH IS THE ROOF THERE, BUT THE GATE IS LOW." HERRICK. " THOSE SMALLEST THINGS OF NATURE LET ME KNOW, 340 SONNETS. One short sleep past, we wake eternally ; And Death shall be no more Death, thou shalt die ! IB" K X [Dr. JOHN DONNE, born 1573, died 1631. This learned and metaphysical W h writer overloads his poems with abstruse conceits, and clothes his thoughts H H with a shroud of obscurity which is not easily penetrated. They contain, * i however, many noble passages and pregnant sentiments, which may well Id O i incline us to forgive the ruggedness of their versification. His principal 1 s. works are his " Elegies," " The Pseudo-Martyr," and some remarkable Sermons.] J a M w w H Q V. IN MEMORY OF A DEPARTED FRIEND. a I ta 8 ||Hg7tjJ| N vain to me the smiling mornings shine, O W 8SEI.B! And reddening Phoebus lifts his golden fire ; s The birds in vain their amorous descant join,* fc, i Or cheerful fields resume their green attire. z 1 K These ears, alas ! for other notes repine, h E A different object do these eyes require ; < rf My lonely anguish melts no heart but mine, M Q CO And in my breast the imperfect joys expire ; S W M Yet morning smiles the busy race to cheer, i And new-born pleasure brings to happier men ; 2 1 The fields to all their wonted tribute bear, x td 1 To warm their little loves the birds complain ; a H 3 I fruitless mourn to him that cannot hear, 6 M And weep the more, because I weep in vain. X 1 W [THOMAS GRAY. See p. 97. This beautiful sonnet was a tribute to the Q g H memory of his friend, Richard West. ] i W M .f* O * "Amorous descant." Milton. RATHER THAN ALL MEN*S GREATEST ACTIONS DO." COWLEY. "ALL THINGS ARE WONDER SINCE THE WORLD BEGAN ; SONNETS. 341 VI. TO THE RIVER LODUON.* irgprejir, what a weary race my feet have run, fl M H Since first I trod thy bank with alders crowned, c/5 a And thought my way was all through fairy ground, jj T Beneath thy azure sky and golden sun ; o* fc Where first my Muse to lisp her notes begun ! (ft g While pensive Memory traces back the round u Z Q Which fills the varied interval between, u. t Much pleasure, more of sorrow, marks the scene. h 3 w Sweet native stream ! those skies and suns so pure X X No more return to cheer my native road ; Q Z Yet still one joy remains that not obscure M b Nor useless all my vacant days have flowed, < From youth's gay dawn to manhood's prime mature, w X t Nor with the Muse's laurel unbestowed. H z tf u Z D [THOMAS WARTON, D.D., born 1728, died 1790. An elegant critic, an K O X accomplished scholar, and a graceful if somewhat feeble poet. He ren- B dered some useful service to English literature. His " History of English < h Poetry, ** though incomplete, is not unworthy of the subject, nor of the 5 s occupant of the Chair of Poetry at Oxford.] o J D X z H u 0" B K | 9 VII. EVENING. u u. < jpygsSlT is a beauteous evening, calm and free ; X : JQJj The holy time is quiet as a nun Breathless with adoration ; the broad sun Is sinking down in its tranquillity ; The gentleness of heaven is on the sea : Listen ! the mighty being is awake, * One of the sweet Berkshire rivers ; flows into the Thames. THE WORLD'S A RIDDLE, AND THE MEANING'S MAN." HOLYDAY. WHAT STRONGER BREAST-PLATE THAN A HEART UNTAINTED ? 34 2 SONNETS. T And doth with his eternal motion make A sound like thunder everlastingly. Dear child ! dear girl ! that walkest with me here, If thou appear'st untouched by solemn thought, Thy nature therefore is not less divine ; Thou liest "in Abraham's bosom" all the year, And worshipp'st at the temple's inner shrine ; God being with thee when we know it not. [WILLIAM WORDSWORTH. See p. 139.] THRICE IS HE ARMED THAT HATH HIS QUARREL JUST." SHAKSPEARE. " LO, EVERY SWEET WITH SOUR IS TEMPERED STILL, SUNNTS. 343 VIII. WORLDLINESS. [E|j*j3J]HE world is too much with us ; late and soon, i 1 CB Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers : 55 M E Little we see in nature that is ours ; 3 5 E We have given our hearts away a sordid boon ! X 1 I This sea that bares her bosom to the moon ; t[ i The winds that will be howling at all hours, 7, S And are up-gathered now like sleeping flowers ; 7. 1 g For this, for everything, we are out of tune ; td M It moves us not. Great God ! I'd rather be X fc A pagan suckled in a creed outworn ; U. O i So might I, standing on this pleasant lea, H 03 I lave glimpses that would make me less forlorn, 1 O 1 Have sight of Proteus coming from the sea, U W x I Or hear old Triton blow his wreathed horn. H H *2 [WILLIAM WORDSWORTH. See p. 139.] Z M IS s 3 E g 1 i IX. THE FIRST MAN. X g o H M BCTBHAT was't awakened first the untried ear t/5 5 liAjfcn ( >f tluit >olo man \sliu w;\^ all human kind? S. 2 Was it the gladsome welcome of the wind, U 1 Stirring the leaves that never yet were sere ? * M The four mellifluous streams f which flowed so near, X Their lulling murmurs all in one combined ? The note of bird unnamed ? The startled hind Bursting the brake in wonder, not in fear * A beautiful line, conveying, as it seems to me, a very striking picture of the young and fadeless charms of Eden, t Pison, Gihon, Hiddekel, Euphrates (Genesis ii. 10-14). ,, " FOR EASY THINGS THAT MAY BE GOT AT WILL 344 SONNETS. Of her new lord ? Or did the holy ground Send forth mysterious melody to greet The gracious pressure of immaculate feet ? Did viewless seraphs rustle all around, 2 Making sweet music out of air as sweet ? 2 SB I Or his own voice awake him with its sound ? i a H [HARTLEY COLERIDGE, son of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, born 1796, died 3 o 1849. His life was a sad example of neglected opportunities and misapplied B abilities. Of a fine, keen, brilliant genius, a lovable and generous disposi- H Q tion, and with a heart pure and innocent as a child's, he was cursed with Z < the vice of irresolution, and a terrible want of self-control. The fatal habit fc M O of intoxication spoiled all his noble gifts, and instead of bequeathing to pos- M ** terity some great work which the world would not willingly let die, he has 5 left but the shadow of a name to point a moral and adorn a tale.] < a i fc s 5 M < Q j. 1 ^ M e/5 S X. THE BELLS. M M h |FjPj||OW sweet the tuneful bells responsive peal ! X in O B t g| As when, at opening morn, the fragrant breeze u 1 Breathes on the trembling sense of wan disease, M M So piercing to my heart their force I feel ! H And hark ! with lessening cadence now they fall, 1 J And now along the white and level tide I 2 i They fling their melancholy music wide, W Bidding me many a tender thought recall H a Of summer days, and those delightful years ,J H S When by my native streams, in life's fair prime, 1 3 The mournful magic of their mingling chime 1 First waked my wondering childhood into tears ; But seeming now, when all those days are o'er, The sounds of joy once heard, and heard no more. [Rev. WILLIAM LISLE BOWLES, born 1762, died 1850. The sonnets of this amiable man and pleasing writer are distinguished by a graceful fancy MOST SORTS OF MEN DO SET BUT LITTLE STORE." SPENSER. "HOW BEAUTIFUL IS ALL THIS VISIBLE WORLD! SONNETS. 345 and a smooth melodious rhythm ; but his two great merits are these that he wrote naturally, and with a true love of nature, at a time when our literature was corrupted by imitations of Pope, and worse imitations of the M artificial French style ; and that he inspired Coleridge and Byron with a H poetical enthusiasm which led in either case to splendid though very un- equal results. He survived by many years both of his disciples disciples M who were afterwards, pre-eminently, his masters.] a z s M ' M < 3 Q 5 XL THE THRUSH'S NEST. J i I p H ITU IN a thick and spreading hawthorn bush h That overhung a molehill large and round, H V) P g I heard from morn to morn a merry thrush g | Sing hymns of rapture, while I drank the sound * With joy ; and oft, an unintruding guest, Q t I watched her secret toils from day to day ; a How true she warped the moss to form her nest, * z 2, And modelled it within with wood and clay. s jj And by-and-by, like heath-bells gilt with dew, 1 I There lay her shining eggs as bright as flowers, X u Ink-spotted over, shells of green and blue : H H i And there I witnessed in the summer hours M h d A brood of nature's minstrels chirp and fly, X i < g Glad as the sunshine and the laughing sky. 1 rf [JOHN CLARK, the "Northamptonshire poet," bora 1793, died 1864. 3 < The story of his life is a melancholy one : The son of a poor peasant, and H u himself a peasant, he sang as the bird sings, literally out of the fulness of CO "i his heart ; and, worn down by poverty and hard labour, yet contrived to | b pour out strains of great beauty, fresh and fascinating in their accurate de- z scriptions of rural scenes and sounds. He rises in his poetry to a higher M 5 level than Bloomfield, also a peasant-poet, ever attained ; and to read his songs is like going out into a bright green meadow, with the odour of flowers and the music of streams about you. His intellect at length gave way beneath the pressure of heavy sorrows and unfulfilled aspirations, and poor Clare spent the last years of his life in a madhouse.] HOW GLORIOUS IN ITS ACTION AND ITSELF'" BYRON. "FLOWERS ARE LOVELY; LOVE is FLOWER-LIKE; 346 SONNETS. XII. THE GRASSHOPPER AND THE CRICKET. ^ 5 M O [Eg|ffl|REEN little vaulter on the sunny grass, J s lyfJOti Catching your heart up at the feel of June, W o a H Sole voice that's heard amidst the lazy noon, S - When even the bees lag at the summoning brass ; o Emblem, methought, of the departed soul ! H u To whose white robe the gleam of bliss is given ; < H And by the breath of mercy made to roll T 5! Right onwards to the golden gates of heaven, 2 Q Where, to the eye of faith, it peaceful lies, CH \ And tells to man his glorious destinies. O W [JOHN WILSON, born 1785, died 1844. His principal poems, which con- \ 2 tain many graceful descriptive passages, and are instinct with a very tender < w" and subdued pathos, are "The City of the Plague" and "The Isle of Q s Palms ;" but he is more generally known by the remarkable papers which, u X g XVIII. NOT DEATH, BUT LOVE. h E eT I53TZ9I THOUGHT once how Theocritus f had sung 1 E IB.pM Of the sweet years, the dear and wished-for years, I 3 H Who each one, in a gracious hand, appears X H To bear a gift for mortals, old and young ; 03 J H * So Shelley tells us, that " The very worm that creeps beneath the sod In love and worship lifts itself to God." f Theocritus, the Greek pastoral poet, flourished about 360-310 B.C. STILL SO IT FLOWS; YET NEVER IS THE SAME." HOLYDAY. " THE LIGHT THAT NEVER WAS, ON SEA OR LAND, 350 SONNETS. Aud as I nursed it in his antique tongue Z O I saw a gradual vision through my tears c/5 > < The sweet sad years, the melancholy years, $ j Those of my own life, who by turns had flung w M OH A shadow across me. Straightway I was 'ware, "w s So weeping, how a mystic shape did move h S Behind me, and drew me backwards by the hair, O z. H > And a voice said in mastery, while I strove b O W " Guess now who holds thee ? " " Death," I said ; but a 1 there H h ti - H 9B The silver answer rang " Not Death, but Love." 5 H H 2 [ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING. See p. 235.] tk K W H M K U H H i O H w 9 XIX. WORLDLY PLACE. Id K El q 3 < H * ' RFiHP^^" * n a P a ^ ace ^ e ma y be led well ! " a H M S 2 t> I.EtPJI So spake the inspired sage, purest of men, < M Q W Marcus Aurelius.* But the stifling den W X Of common life, where, crowded up pell mell, M H O H h Our freedom for a little bread we sell, 2 tq And drudge under some foolish master's ken, H t> A 6 3 Who rates us if we peer outside our pen X < S Matched with a palace, is not this a hell ? w J W (^ < " Even in a palace !" On his truth sincere < s in g Who spoke these words, no shadow ever came ; Z. H 5 o ft And when my ill-schooled spirit is aflame H M s Some nobler, ampler stage of life to win, h O Q K I'll stop, and say " There were no succour here ! h H i The aids to noble life are all within." O 2 [MATTHEW ARNOLD. See p. 326.] * Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, one of the wisest and noblest of the Roman emperors, was born in A.D. 121, died in A.D. 180. THE CONSECRATION, AND THE POET'S DREAM." WORDSWORTH. " E'ETN FROM THE TOMB THE VOICE OF NATURE CARIES, SONNETS. 351 XX. A PRAYER FOR SUMMER. X H |5>53JB| WINTER, wilt thou never, never go? X* 9 O IHjoLII O Summer, but I weary for thy coming ; p (A Ed Longing once more to hear the Luggie flow,* i J h And frugal bees, laboriously humming. o jg O Now the east wind diseases the infirm, 5 o X h And I must crouch in corners from rough weather ; J J h. Sometimes a winter sunset is a charm H When the fired clouds, compacted, blaze together, J X And the large sun dips red behind the hills. H X H I, from my window, can behold this pleasure ; 1 2 And the eternal moon, what time she fills X 3 Her orb with argent, treading a soft measure, b. O I With queenly motions of a bridal mood, y g t Through the white spaces of infinitude. S Q < I [DAVID GRAY, born 1838, died 1861. This young poet, who may claim J Z to be one of Shelley's "inheritors of unfulfilled renown," was the son of a J Scotch weaver, and born near Kirkintilloch, in Stirlingshire. He received B M his education at the parish school ; early displayed a strong passion for M x 8 poetry; and, smitten with an unquenchable longing for fame, boldly H launched himself on the great sea of London life, with few friends and no B 8 resources but his genius, at the age of twenty. What he might have be- 5 B come we can only surmise from the abundant promise of his youth for h 2 2 consumption marked him as its own, and, returning to his father's cottage, W < he lingered through a few months of pain, and died with all his hopes un- s realized. His remains have been edited, with a graceful memoir, by Mr. g > James Hedderwick, under the title of " The Luggie, and Other Poems."] X * A stream near the poet's house at Kirkintilloch, in Stirlingshire. X H E'EN IN OUR ASHES LIVE THEIR WONTED FIRES." GRAY. 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