Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB

The infection of the ground partakes,
Longing for his Beloved - who makes
All happiness her own.

Then why should conscious Spirits fear
The mystic stirrings that are here,

The ancient faith disclaim?

The local Genius ne'er befriends
Desires whose course in folly ends,
Whose just reward is shame.

Smile if thou wilt, but not in scorn,
If some, by ceaseless pains outworn,
Here crave an easier lot;

If some have thirsted to renew

A broken vow, or bind a true,

With firmer, holier knot.

And not in vain, when thoughts are cast
Upon the irrevocable past,

Some Penitent sincere

May for a worthier future sigh,

While trickles from his downcast eye

No unavailing tear.

The Worldling, pining to be freed

From turmoil, who would turn or speed

The current of his fate,

Might stop before this favored scene,
At Nature's call, nor blush to lean
Upon the Wishing-gate.

40

50

60

The Sage, who feels how blind, how weak
Is man, though loath such help to seek,
Yet, passing, here might pause,

And thirst for insight to allay
Misgiving, while the crimson day
In quietness withdraws;

Or when the church-clock's knell profound
To Time's first step across the bound

Of midnight makes reply;

Time pressing on with starry crest,

To filial sleep upon the breast
Of dread eternity.

70

THE WISHING-GATE DESTROYED.

'Tis gone,

1828.-1842.

with old belief and dream

That round it clung, and tempting scheme

Released from fear and doubt;

And the bright landscape too must lie,
By this blank wall from every eye
Relentlessly shut out.

Bear witness, ye who seldom passed
That opening but a look ye cast
Upon the lake below,

What spirit-stirring power it gained

From faith which here was entertained,
Though reason might say no.

[blocks in formation]

Blest is that ground, where, o'er the springs
Of history, Glory claps her wings,

Fame sheds the exulting tear;
Yet earth is wide, and many a nook
Unheard of is, like this, a book
For modest meanings dear.

It was in sooth a happy thought
That grafted, on so fair a spot,

So confident a token

Of coming good; the charm is fled;
Indulgent centuries spun a thread,

Which one harsh day has broken.

Alas for him who gave the word!
Could he no sympathy afford,

Derived from earth or heaven,
To hearts so oft by hope betrayed
Their very wishes wanted aid

Which here was freely given?

Where, for the love-lorn maiden's wound,

Will now so readily be found

A balm of expectation?

Anxious for far-off children, where

Shall mothers breathe a like sweet air

Of home-felt consolation?

And not unfelt will prove the loss 'Mid trivial care and petty cross

And each day's shallow grief;

30

20

Though the most easily beguiled
Were oft among the first that smiled
At their own fond belief.

If still the reckless change we mourn,
A reconciling thought may turn

To harm that might lurk here,
Ere judgment prompted from within
Fit aims, with courage to begin,
And strength to persevere.

Not Fortune's slave is Man: our state
Enjoins, while firm resolves await
On wishes just and wise,
That strenuous action follow both,
And life be one perpetual growth
Of heavenward enterprise.

So taught, so trained, we boldly face
All accidents of time and place;

Whatever props may fail,

Trust in that sovereign law can spread
New glory o'er the mountain's head,

Fresh beauty through the vale.

That truth informing mind and heart,
The simplest cottager may part,

Ungrieved, with charm and spell;
And yet, lost Wishing-gate, to thee
The voice of grateful memory

Shall bid a kind farewell!

40

50

60

"IN THESE FAIR VALES HATH MANY A TREE."

1830.-1835.

In these fair vales hath many a Tree

At Wordsworth's suit been spared;
And from the builder's hand this Stone,
For some rude beauty of its own,
Was rescued by the Bard:
So let it rest; and time will come
When here the tender-hearted
May heave a gentle sigh for him,
As one of the departed.

THE PRIMROSE OF THE ROCK.

1831. - 1835.

A Rock there is whose homely front

The passing traveller slights;

Yet there the glow-worms hang their lamps,
Like stars, at various heights:

And one coy Primrose to that Rock

The vernal breeze invites.

What hideous warfare hath been waged,

What kingdoms overthrown,

Since first I spied that Primrose-tuft
And marked it for my own;
A lasting link in Nature's chain
From highest heaven let down!

IO

« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »