XXII. DECAY OF PIETY. OFT have I seen, ere Time had ploughed my cheek, Of their loved Church, on fast or festival Through the long year the House of Prayer would seek: Of Easter winds, unscared, from hut or hall I see the places where they once were known, Alas! even then they seemed like fleecy clouds That, struggling through the western sky, have won Their pensive light from a departed sun! XXIII. COMPOSED ON THE EVE OF THE MARRIAGE OF A FRIEND IN WHAT need of clamorous bells, or ribands gay, Will thank you. Faultless does the Maid appear; Hath shown that nothing human can be clear XXIV. FROM THE ITALIAN OF MICHAEL ANGELO. YES! hope may with my strong desire keep pace, And I be undeluded, unbetrayed; For if of our affections none find grace In sight of Heaven, then, wherefore hath God made The world which we inhabit? Better plea As hallows and makes pure all gentle hearts. XXV. FROM THE SAME. No mortal object did these eyes behold When first they met the placid light of thine, And hope of endless peace in me grew bold: Heaven-born, the Soul a heaven-ward course must hold; Beyond the visible world she soars to seek (For what delights the sense is false and weak) Ideal Form, the universal mould. The wise man, I affirm, can find no rest In that which perishes: nor will he lend XXVI. FROM THE SAME. TO THE SUPREME BEING. THE prayers I make will then be sweet indeed No man can find it: Father! thou must lead. By which such virtue may in me be bred The fetters of my tongue do Thou unbind, |