Nor heat, nor cold, nor weary ways, That would unite in prayer and praise; Shall tottering Age, bent earthward, hear And all shall welcome the new ray V. Nor deem the Poet's hope misplaced, 40 A shade upon the future cast, Sound o'er the lake with gentle shock At evening, when the ground beneath VI. Lives there a man whose sole delights Hardening a heart that loathes or slights VII. A soul so pitiably forlorn, If such do on this earth abide, May turn indifference to pride; VIII. Alas! that such perverted zeal Should spread on Britain's favored ground! 50 60 70 That public order, private weal, Should e'er have felt or feared a wound God, whom their passions dare defy, And boast that they alone are free IX. But turn we from these "bold, bad" men; With this day's work, in thought and word. X. Heaven prosper it! may peace, and love, To kneel together, and adore their God! 80 90 100 "O DEARER FAR THAN LIGHT AND LIFE ARE DEAR." 1824. - 1827. O DEARER far than light and life are dear, Trembling, through my unworthiness, with fear Misgivings, hard to vanquish or control, Mix with the day, and cross the hour of rest; That sigh of thine, not meant for human ear, Peace settles where the intellect is meek, Through Thee communion with that Love I seek: IO The faith Heaven strengthens where he moulds the Creed. WRITTEN IN A BLANK LEAF OF MACPHERSON'S OSSIAN. 1824. - 1827. OFT have I caught, upon a fitful breeze, Fragments of far-off melodies, With ear not coveting the whole, A part so charmed the pensive soul: Nor felt a wish that heaven would show The image of its perfect bow. What need, then, of these finished Strains? Away with counterfeit Remains ! An abbey in its lone recess, A temple of the wilderness, Wrecks though they be, announce with feeling The majesty of honest dealing. Spirit of Ossian ! if imbound In language thou mayst yet be found, If aught (intrusted to the pen Or floating on the tongues of men, In concert with memorial claim Of old gray stone, and high-born name ΙΟ 20 |