And free for life, these hills to climb; 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 In more than happy mood To your abodes, bright daisy Flowers! And loved you glittering in your bowers, But hark the word! the Ship is gone; Returns from her long course : Sets sail-in season due anon Once more on English earth they stand : They parted, sorrow was at hand For Him and for his crew. Ill-fated Vessel! - ghastly shock! - At length delivered from the rock, And through the stormy night they steer, "Silence!" the brave Commander cried ; A few (my soul oft sees that sight) Six weeks beneath the moving sea To quit the Ship for which he died, Vain service! yet not vainly done For such a gentle Soul and sweet, That neighborhood of grove and field The birds shall sing and ocean make A mournful murmur for his sake ; And Thou, sweet Flower, shalt sleep and wake 50 60 70 TO A YOUNG LADY, WHO HAD BEEN REPROACHED FOR TAKING LONG WALKS IN THE COUNTRY. 1805. - 1807. DEAR Child of Nature, let them rail! A harbor and a hold; Where thou, a Wife and Friend, shalt see There, healthy as a shepherd boy, And treading among flowers of joy Which at no season fade, Thou, while thy babes around thee cling, A Woman may be made. Thy thoughts and feelings shall not die, Nor leave thee, when gray hairs are nigh, A melancholy slave; But an old age serene and bright, And lovely as a Lapland night, Shall lead thee to thy grave. 13 ΙΟ CHARACTER OF THE HAPPY WARRIOR. 1806.-1807. WHO is the happy Warrior? Who is he That every man in arms should wish to be? It is the generous Spirit, who, when brought Among the tasks of real life, hath wrought Upon the plan that pleased his boyish thought: Whose high endeavors are an inward light That makes the path before him always bright: Who, with a natural instinct to discern What knowledge can perform, is diligent to learn ; Abides by this resolve, and stops not there, But makes his moral being his prime care; Who, doomed to go in company with Pain, And Fear, and Bloodshed, miserable train! Turns his necessity to glorious gain; In face of these doth exercise a power Which is our human nature's highest dower; Controls them and subdues, transmutes, bereaves Of their bad influence, and their good receives: By objects, which might force the soul to abate Her feeling, rendered more compassionate; Is placable because occasions rise So often that demand such sacrifice; More skilful in self-knowledge, even more pure, ΙΟ 20 'Tis he whose law is reason; who depends Upon that law as on the best of friends; 30 Whence, in a state where men are tempted still A constant influence, a peculiar grace; But who, if he be called upon to face Some awful moment to which Heaven has joined Is happy as a Lover; and attired With sudden brightness, like a Man inspired; And, through the heat of conflict, keeps the law Come when it will, is equal to the need: – He who, though thus endued as with a sense 40 50 |