ELEGIAC STANZAS, Suggested by a Picture of Peele Castle in a storm, painted by Sir George Beaumont. I WAS thy neighbour once, thou rugged pile! So pure the sky, so quiet was the air! How perfect was the calm! it seemed no sleep, Ah! then if mine had been the painter's hand, I would have planted thee, thou hoary pile, A picture had it been of lasting ease, Such, in the fond illusion of my heart, Such picture would I at that time have made; So once it would have been,—'tis so no more ; A power is gone, which nothing can restore; Not for a moment could I now behold This, which I know, I speak with mind serene. Then, Beaumont, friend! who would have been the friend If he had lived, of him whom I deplore, This work of thine I blame not, but commend, This sea in anger, and that dismal shore. Oh, 'tis a passionate work !—yet wise and well? And this huge castle, standing here sublime, Cased in the unfeeling armour of old time, Farewell, farewell the heart that lives alone. Is to be pitied; for 'tis surely blind. But welcome fortitude, and patient cheer, TO THE DAISY. SWEET flower! belike, one day, to have I welcome thee once more : But he, who was on land, at sea, Ah! hopeful, hopeful was the day His wish was gained : a little time Would bring him back in manhood's prime And free for life, these hills to climb, With all his wants supplied. And full of hope day followed day, The May had then made all things green, That ship was goodly to be seen, His pride and his delight! Yet then, when called ashore, he sought, To your abodes, bright daisy flowers; But hark the word !—the ship is gone; From her long course returns-anon Sets sail in season due, : Once more on English earth they stand; Ill-fated vessel! ghastly shock ! At length delivered from the rock, And through the stormy night they steer, Towards a safer shore-how near, Yet not to be attained! "Silence!" the brave commander cried! To that calm word a shriek replied, It was the last death-shriek. A few appear by morning light, Preserved upon the tall mast's height: |