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LIBRARY 
 
 UNIVERStTY OF 
 CALIFORNIA 
 
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 H.tf 
 

 JOSEPH CASTLE, B.A,, 
 
 Coastguard Chaplain, 
 dungknkss. 
 
 ashford : 
 printed by h. d. and b. headley. 
 
IpAN STACK 
 
753 
 
 TO THE DEAR MEMORY OF 
 
 MY MOTHEB, 
 
 THIS LITTLE BOOK IS LOVINGLY 
 INSCRIBED 
 
 695 
 
Digitized by tine Internet Archive 
 
 in 2007 with funding from 
 
 IVIicrosoft Corporation 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/dungenessballadsOOcastrich. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Dtmgeness 7 
 
 Charity 8 
 
 Drifting 10 
 
 Song of the Humming Bee 12 
 
 Frailty 14 
 
 A Grasp of the Hand 16 
 
 The VUlage Chiirch 18 
 
 Sympathy... ... 19 
 
 Smile Again : ... 21 
 
 The Prodigal's Return 23 
 
 Christian Love .'.. ... 25 
 
 ToaDog 28 
 
 Tolerance 29 
 
 Christmas Eve ... 31 
 
 On a. Falling Leaf in Summer 33 
 
 The Fisherman 35 
 
 To the Virginia Creeper 38 
 
 Hushed 39 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 The ensuing Verses are not, strictly speak- 
 ing, " Ballads," and their connection with 
 " Dungeness, " is certainly of the slightest 
 description. But I desire to connect my 
 memory with the locality to which God's 
 Providence has conducted me, and with 
 the people whom I have already learned to 
 love passing well. I shall be satisfied with 
 their applause; and shall think myself 
 amply recompensed for this, my first liter- 
 ary ver.lTire, if the publication of these 
 Versed shall have the effect of drawing them 
 nearer to me, and me to them. 
 
 I am aware that my lines have many 
 imperfections. May I hope that more will 
 be found in them to praise than to pardon ? 
 
 J. C. 
 Lydd, 
 
 Easter, 1887, 
 
DUNGENE8S. 
 
 AVAST expanse of wild and barren 
 strand, 
 But sparsely clothed with verdure and 
 
 with flowers 
 In sweet confusion mingled : while there 
 towers 
 High over all the Light-house. Close at 
 
 hand 
 
 In mighty force the storms rage, as I stand 
 
 To watch the vessels scud before the gale ; 
 
 And hear, of wrecks the horror-laden 
 
 tale 
 
 That thrilled impulsive hearts throughout 
 
 the land. 
 No spot, than this, more desolate remains, 
 Yet with the place, my fondest wishes 
 dwell. 
 For deeds of manly daring fling strong 
 chains 
 Of memory around it : I could tell 
 Of honest Truth and Love, with fewest 
 pains 
 All linked to Dungewess — Heaven blea? 
 it well ! 
 
8 
 
 CHARITY. 
 
 A BEGGAR sat beside the way 
 And told his mournful tale, 
 And there he sat the live-long day 
 
 To beg without avail : 
 For people passing did not stay, 
 Nor heeded they his wail. 
 
 A tear stood in the old man's eye, 
 His voice was sad and low, 
 
 And oft he heaved a broken sigh 
 Then told afresh his woe : 
 
 Yet still the people passing by 
 Went heedless to and fro. 
 
 A woman in a ragged dress 
 At length came down the street, 
 
 Who spied this brother in distress 
 And hasted him to greet : 
 
 And dropped, with words of kindline 
 A penny at his feet. 
 
9 
 
 Yet she without the market-gate 
 Full many an hour had stood, 
 
 'Ere Pity saw her friendless state 
 And gave her alms for food ; 
 
 While she still blessing kindly Fate, 
 Gave half her all for good. 
 
 O ! Charity, O ! Love Divine, 
 How seldom do we see 
 
 An act so pure, so noble, shine. 
 Done all for love of thee. 
 
 Sure Angels smiling then benign 
 Sang loud in ecstasy. 
 
10 
 
 DRIFTING. 
 
 OVER the waves white-crested, drifting 
 slow, 
 Helpless, along the tide's receding flow, 
 Dances my bark, as sinks the sunlight low 
 
 A gathering gloom envelopes all around, 
 The dreary vast exjjanse gives forth no 
 
 sound, 
 Yet onward still I drift. Ah ! whither 
 
 bound? 
 
 Those glittering joys that lured me from 
 
 afar, 
 When riding safe within the harbour bar, 
 Have vanished now; nor gleams one guiding 
 
 star. 
 
 Fierce storms may rend the ocean's turbid 
 
 And I engulphed amid the wild unrest 
 Sink in the awful depths, unloved, unblest. 
 
u 
 
 Fainter and fainter from the far oflF land 
 The flickering lights still twinkle on the 
 
 strand ; 
 Across the waste, methinks, the sounds 
 
 expand. 
 
 Ah ! would I ne'er had launched upon the 
 
 sea, 
 Nor left my Master's ship to wander free ; 
 Then peace were mine, not lonesome miseiy . 
 
 Say, will He cast a thought upon me now, 
 A base deserter, who has kept no vow ? 
 Mayhap He stands to watch upon the prow. 
 
 Full well I know His love will never fail, 
 For all His wilful creatures, reckless, frail. 
 He listens to my last despairing wail. 
 
 And see, where darkest shadows thickly 
 
 loom, 
 His glowing presence radiates the gloom : 
 He comes to save me from my self -sought 
 
 doom. 
 
12 
 
 SONG OF THE HUMMING BEE. 
 
 WARM is the day, and the skies are 
 bright, 
 All things are steeped in a dazzling light. 
 As over the flowers, 
 Through fairy -like bowers, 
 I skim and hum in my buzzing flight. 
 
 Over the hill I came with the mom, 
 And sailed on the breeze down the rustling 
 com, 
 
 I murmured my song. 
 
 As I hurried along 
 Mid drowsy scent, from the poppy borne. 
 
 Away, away to the gladsome plains 
 Where the clover blooms, down shadowy 
 lanes, 
 
 With buttercups gay, 
 
 I frisk in my play, 
 And liquid sweets are my treasured gains. 
 
13 
 
 My toil begins with the rising sun, 
 While all through the daj' my labour goes 
 on, 
 
 And ofttimes at night, 
 
 When nature is white 
 With silvery sheen, my task is not done. 
 
 I smile to think and laugh when I see 
 Man weary and anxious for what is to be. 
 
 When so much remains 
 
 To balance the pains 
 Which all must share in allotted degree. 
 
 I never think of the coming shower, 
 Too happy am I in the passing hour, 
 
 'Tis enough to know. 
 
 Wherever I go, 
 Forgery weed there's a fragrant flower. 
 
H 
 
 FRAILTY. 
 
 The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh 
 is weak" 
 
 LORD, I indeed desire to live for Thee : 
 For Thee alone. 
 I would that every hour my gaze should be 
 
 Fixed on Thy throne. 
 Each task a willing service would I raise, 
 And every word should sweetly sing Thy 
 praise. 
 
 When at the peep of dawn I gladly rise, 
 
 With strength anew, 
 My heart pours forth its raptures to the 
 skies 
 
 In fervour true : 
 But with the eve I chant this mournful 
 
 lay— 
 "How little have I served my God to-day." 
 
15 
 
 The busy world, and all its racking din, 
 
 Dulls heart and brain ; 
 Against each fond and oft-repeated sin 
 
 I strive in vain : 
 For helpless once bereft of Thee, am I, 
 And firm resolves with hopes and wishes 
 
 fly. 
 
 Saviour, once more to Thee I trembling 
 cry 
 
 For saving grace ; 
 As hurries every moment fleetly by, 
 
 Show me Thy face. 
 Then shall my path be bright, and glad my 
 
 days. 
 Strong in Thy strength, victorious in my 
 ways. 
 
16 
 
 A GRASP OF THE HAND. 
 
 /^ IVE me your hand, 
 Give me your hand : 
 Let us grasp once again 'ere you leave the 
 old land : 
 
 You're going from home 
 O'er the wild dancing foam 
 Other countries to roam : 
 So then give me your hand. 
 
 Give me your hand. 
 Give me your hand ; 
 For perhaps nevermore may we meet on 
 this strand ; 
 
 Should Fortune be kind 
 Or severe, never mind, 
 Here's a true friend behind : 
 So then give me your hand. 
 
17 
 
 Give me your hand, 
 Give me your hand,; 
 As a right honest pledge that our friendship 
 shall stand, 
 
 I ask in its place 
 Neither kiss, nor embrace. 
 Nor a tear-bedimmed face : 
 Only give me your hand. 
 
 Give me your hand, 
 Give me your hand ; 
 And O ! when 'tis given how do true hearts 
 expand ! 
 
 Each feels, as he knows 
 That warm fellowship glows, 
 And staunch confidence grows : 
 So then give me your hand. 
 
 Give me your hand, 
 Give me your hand : 
 Let us grasp once again 'ere you leave the 
 old Ituid ; 
 
 Ne'er may we forget 
 Old ties, binding yet, 
 Nor young Friendship regret : 
 So then give me your hand. 
 
18 
 
 THE VILLAGE CHURCH. 
 
 GIRT round with trees upon the sloping 
 hill, 
 The ancient village church in beauty 
 stands ; 
 A steadfast witness to the changeless will — 
 
 The will beneficient toward all lands. 
 Here in the fading light I musing lie 
 Communing with my thoughts, when all 
 have striven, 
 How many a Saint mid Seraph bands on 
 high 
 Will deem this lowly fane the gate of 
 heaven 1 
 Oft have I heard the full toned organ peal 
 Sonorous, down the minster's echoing 
 nave. 
 And felt sweet mystic thrillings o'er me 
 steal 
 As rose the measured chant in cadence 
 grave. 
 Yet in the village church, with simpler lays. 
 My soul seems nearer God, in prayer and 
 praise. 
 
19 
 
 SYMPATHY. 
 
 'nnWAS only a little action, 
 
 -■- 'Twas only a little word, 
 But I saw the pale face brighten. 
 
 And knew the heart was stirred : 
 For I watched the trembling eyelid, 
 
 The slowly trickling tear. 
 And after awhile a radiant smile 
 
 Shed glory far and near. 
 
 'Twas only a little action ; 
 
 The cost exceeding slight. 
 Yet it brought me a world of pleasure 
 
 To have made that moment bright : 
 'Twas only a kind word spoken. 
 
 Still a word has wondrous power. 
 As often again the tiny grain 
 
 Will blossom a fragrant flower. 
 
 The way is rugged and gloomy 
 
 To many a stricken soul. 
 That sighs 'neath its heavy burden 
 
 As changeless seasons roll : 
 
And God has His noblest heroes 
 
 In lowliest paths of life, 
 Who with no cheering ray, from day to 
 day 
 
 Press on in their joyless strife. 
 
 Oh ! think what an untold blessing 
 
 A kindly act may be, 
 What a load of grief be lightened 
 
 By a word of sympathy : 
 Then snatch at the moment golden 
 
 To soothe the nearest sigh, 
 Since each has the power to gladden 
 the hour 
 
 'Ere it hurries too swiftly by. 
 
21 
 
 SMILE AGAIN. 
 
 GENTLE maiden, smile again, 
 Long thy heart has shrouded been 
 With the chilly mists of pain : — 
 Little pleasure hast thou seen. 
 Smile again then maiden fair. 
 
 Look around, 
 Earth rejoices everywhere ; 
 Hark the sound, 
 Mirth floats on the laden air. 
 
 What though flowers in Autumn die, 
 
 And the birds no longer sing. 
 When harsh Winter passing by 
 Shadows all with sable wing : 
 PhcBbus bright will shine once more, 
 
 And the flowers 
 Bloom as they have bloomed before ; 
 
 Through the hours 
 Birds their merry songs will pour. 
 
 Care must come to everyone, 
 Brightest smiles subside in tears, 
 
 Grief will hush the gladdest tone 
 Bravest hearts be full of fears : 
 
22 
 
 Since they come, then come they may, 
 Though they bring 
 
 Transient sorrow for a day : 
 Soon their sting 
 
 Will with fleeting time away. 
 
 Weep not for the dead, dead Past ; 
 E'en intensest passions change : . 
 Firmest friendships seldom last, 
 
 Lovers, too, themselves estrange. 
 Still the world is full of love. 
 
 Though we meet 
 Changefulness where'er we move, 
 
 Just as sweet, 
 And truer, other hearts may prove. 
 
 Smile again, sweet maid, beware 
 
 Of tearful sighs— no longer grieve ; 
 Think how many a bitter fare 
 
 One such smile could oft relieve. 
 Sad with many and many a woe, 
 
 Hearts we see 
 Through the world despairing go, 
 
 Which should be 
 Warm with love, and all a-glow. 
 
23 
 
 THE PRODIGAL'S RETURN. 
 
 OMY Father ! I have strayed 
 Far from Thee and peaceful home, 
 I have trod the thorny way, 
 Plucked the flowers that soon decay. 
 
 Weary, weary, long delayed. 
 Father, now at length I come. 
 
 O ! my Father, once again, 
 Take me to Thy fostering care. 
 
 Mine the happy lot, to be 
 
 Lowliest hireling under Thee ; 
 For how gladly would I fain 
 
 Meanest food and favour share. 
 
 What is this I hear Thee say ? 
 
 "Rise beloved, repentant one. 
 Wayward long, but now retiuned ; 
 O I my heart for thee hath yearned : 
 
 Haste 1 the feast prepared to-day ; 
 This my own my long lost son. " 
 
24 
 
 O ! my Father, though so vile, 
 Yet I wake Thy loving voice ; 
 
 Deafened by the worldly din, 
 
 Sunk am I in wilful sin ; 
 But I catch Thy gracious smile, 
 
 And forgiven, now rejoice. 
 
25 
 
 CHRISTIAN LOVE. 
 
 " This ts my commandment. That we love 
 one another, as I have loved yau.^* 
 
 " C1EE how these Christians dwell 
 O In love and peace, amid surrounding 
 strife ; " 
 
 So said the pagan, as attention fell 
 On infant Christian life. 
 
 Those holy men of old 
 
 Still heard Christ's mandate ringing in 
 their ear, 
 And, knit in fervent love, serenely bold, 
 
 They knew not earthly fear. 
 
 Ages have rolled along. 
 
 Since brave apostles drank the gracious 
 word ; 
 But faint and fitful, by the teeming throng. 
 
 Is that soft message heard. 
 
 'Tis sad to look around 
 
 And see those souls for whom the SAVIOUR 
 died. 
 In links of holy love no longer bound, 
 
 But scattered far and wide. 
 
26 
 
 Envy and strife we see, 
 
 Lukewarmness, where should burn a 
 mighty zeal. 
 Alas ! what little truth, must all agree 
 
 Our changing lives reveal ! 
 
 How oft we envy, too, 
 
 The larger talent to another given. 
 Yet scorn to use our priceless treasures due, 
 
 Or strive where saints have striven. 
 
 A brother in distress 
 
 We ruthless leave, and simplest help de- 
 cline, 
 
 When 'twere our part, with all God's 
 blessedness. 
 To pour in oil and wine ! 
 
 The kindred tear alas ! 
 
 Too seldom now bedims another eye ; 
 How many a smile we coldly, slighting pass 
 
 Without a warm reply. 
 
27 
 
 Oh ! for the old, old love, 
 
 The simple faith and love of ancient years, 
 That woke a smiling answer, and could 
 move 
 
 Sweet sympathetic tears. 
 
 Oh ! for the old, old love, 
 To join our hearts, and clear the clouded 
 skies ; 
 Christ's love, that sheds while here we toil- 
 ing rove, 
 A ray from Paradise. 
 
28 
 
 TO A DOG. 
 
 SWEET winsome creature, full of lithe- 
 some grace, 
 As beautiful in form as fondly true, 
 Braver or gentler dog I never knew ; 
 Nor wilder playmate of thy nimble race. 
 Though far off still I see thy eager face, 
 Thy joyous bark rings loudly in my ears, 
 Those wistful eyes bedimmed with dewy 
 tears, 
 When sad, yet haunt me in this distant 
 
 place. 
 Ah ! Nell, e'en I could almost envy thee, 
 The love of many hearts that thou hast 
 won ; 
 For would that I might now more often 
 see 
 The love that loves me for myself alone, 
 And would that I but half as worthily 
 As thou, deserved such love, thou faith- 
 ful one. 
 
29 
 
 TOLERANCE. 
 
 " Peradventure it vxta an oversight." 
 
 Oh ! judge not too harshly the faults that 
 you see, 
 Nor smile at the follies that thickly 
 abound ; 
 For every offence — whatsoever it be — 
 A thought all-forgiving or plea may be 
 found. 
 
 Tis human to err, to forgive is divine ; 
 
 For many a brother that wanders astray, 
 As a beacon of goodness and honour might 
 shine, 
 Had his joiu-ney been strewn with less 
 thorns in the way. 
 
And those who would heartlessly judge and 
 condemn, 
 Are of ttimes more feeble than those whom 
 they scorn, 
 For had half the temptation but happened 
 to them 
 They had simk in the depths of despair 
 all forlorn. 
 
 Each life has its measure of sorrow and 
 pain, 
 And hard is the lot which full many must 
 bear : 
 Then think how a kind word may gladden 
 again, 
 But think how a harsh word embitters 
 their care. 
 
 Then blame not the guilty one, sunk in 
 disgrace ; 
 And if thy own pathway should skirt 
 pleasant ways, 
 Deem not that thyself art of loftier race, 
 But thank Gou for the blessing — be His 
 all the praise. 
 
31 
 
 CHRISTMAS EVE. 
 
 HARK ! the merry bells are ringing 
 Music fills the frosty air ; 
 Children's voices sweetly singing 
 Wake the night with praise and prayer. 
 Telling out in carol olden, 
 Of God's love the story golden ; 
 And good-will to men declare. 
 
 Countless stars' resplendent twinkle 
 
 Through the fair ethereal night, 
 Fretted frost-flakes weirdly sprinkle 
 Sombre bay and holly bright : 
 Dove- winged Peace as calm and holy, 
 Reigns as when the Saviour, lov/ly 
 Deigned to be the dark world's light. 
 
 Down the restless rolling ages 
 
 Comes the angels' song again ; 
 Jacob's star to Eastern sages 
 Shone, and shines no more to wane, 
 Guiding with transcendent glory, 
 Joyous youth and age all hoary, 
 Through the wild and trackless plain. 
 
32 
 
 Kneel beside the cradle-manger 
 This is the Incarnate Word, 
 Helpless Infant, feeble stranger, 
 God eternal, Christ the Lord, 
 
 Mighty King, earth's great Defender, 
 Thou hast left Thy regal splendour, 
 Though by myriad hosts adored. 
 
 May my heart a royal dwelling 
 
 Garnished be, where Thou can'st dwell ! 
 Deign to enter, tumults quelling, 
 Gracious Lord, Immanuel, 
 Though the world rage wildly, madly, 
 Scorn and spurn Thee, grieve Thee 
 sadly, 
 Yet my soul would love Thee well. 
 
3B 
 
 ON A FALLING LEAF IN 
 SUMMER. 
 
 ITIRAIL thing ! why fall so soon ? it is 
 
 -T not time to die ! 
 Hath pleasant life no charms for thee, 
 That thou should'st quit thy parent tree? 
 
 Autumn is not yet nigh ! 
 
 I scan the sylvan maze from whence thy 
 form hath come ; 
 Thy vacant place I cannot see, 
 The rest laugh still in leafy glee ; 
 
 A« when thou werb at home. 
 
 So from the stem of life 'ere half his days 
 have run, 
 Frail man may pine and fade away, 
 Unmissed, unwept, for day by day, 
 
 The world keeps hurrying on. 
 
34 
 
 Then like a flower may I, beside life's busy 
 road; 
 Spring upward to my Maker's praise, 
 And when He cutteth off my days, 
 
 Fall in the arms of God. 
 
36 
 
 THE FISHERMAN. 
 
 MERRILY, merrily leapt the waves, 
 So merrily wild and free, 
 And the " Driving Snow " danced high and 
 danced low, 
 Homeward-bound over the sea. 
 
 Merrily, merrily whistled the wind, 
 Whispering of swelling gales. 
 But the fisherman sang, and his bold voice 
 rang. 
 As he slackened the straining sails. 
 
 The gall swept by on her pinions white ; 
 Full sail on her ^vild career ! 
 Ho ! his heart was as light as her feathery 
 flight, 
 His breast was as free from fear. 
 
 And far away o'er the rolling tide, 
 'Neath the white cliffs towering high. 
 To his keen searching sight, through the 
 hazy light, 
 A dear little cot seemed nigh, — 
 
36 
 
 Where Fancy beheld a fair young wife, 
 Watching, stand at the open door, 
 And while her anxious eye marks the lower- 
 ing sky. 
 She sighs as the break-^-rs roar. 
 
 He knew that a soul-breathed prayer 
 would rise, 
 Swift wafted on wings of love, 
 That Omnipotent power would keep him 
 each hour, 
 Wherever his craft should rove. 
 
 The thought oft cheered the fisherman's 
 heart. 
 Allaying his rising fear, 
 When the billows ran high, and the storm- 
 bird's cry 
 Shrieked loudly of danger near. 
 
 O ! hearts were glad in that cottage home. 
 For a safe return once more, 
 Wliile through the live-long night, the 
 stonn at its height 
 Broke wild on the .shingly shore. 
 
37 
 
 Good luck to the fisherman's bounding 
 bark, 
 Kind angels attend her way, 
 And may favouring gales swell her snow- 
 white sails, 
 The waves skip high in their play. 
 
38 
 
 TO THE VIRGINIA CREEPER. 
 
 SWEET tree, that clings about the sacred 
 pile 
 And wreathes with graceful tendrils 
 
 russet red 
 
 The ashy walls, where wasting time has 
 
 spread 
 
 His crumbling hand around, but for awhile 
 
 Shall this thy wondrous glory sweetly smile 
 
 In dying splendour swinging from the 
 
 eaves, 
 Autumnal breezes sigh among thy leaves. 
 But O ! thy charms might Death itself 
 
 beguile. 
 Fleet harbinger of Winter's icy sway, 
 
 Fairest of all ten thousand ripened things, 
 When I have lived Life's passing pleasing 
 day. 
 And gloomy Death o'er me his mantle 
 
 Like thee more beauteous at the end, I 
 pray 
 Smiling to die, then mount on joy-spread 
 wings. 
 
39 
 
 HUSHED. 
 
 HUSHED is the tuneful lyre : the 
 quivering strings 
 No longer thrill in tremulous delight, 
 Nor steals the strain on silent silken wings 
 As soft and mellow as the deepening 
 night. 
 Hushed is the voice — the sweet- toned melody 
 That thrilled the soul with ecstasy in- 
 tense, 
 And bade each shade and thought unbliss- 
 ful flee. 
 Till peaceful joy pervaded every sense. 
 It was the music of another sphere, 
 The touch that thrilled those mystic 
 chords, divine, 
 Too fair for earth, some spirit hovering 
 near. 
 Resting awhile, entranced with grace 
 benighn. 
 Yet will the echoes of that cadence ring 
 Through life, and death, the strain once 
 more shall bring. 
 

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