I, loving freedom, and untried, The task, in smoother walks to stray; But thee I now would serve more strictly, if I may, Through no disturbance of my soul, Or strong compunction in me wrought, But in the quietness of thought; My hopes no more must change their name, Stern law-giver! yet thou dost wear As is the smile upon thy face: Flowers laugh before thee on their beds; Thou dost preserve the stars from wrong; And the most ancient heavens, through thee, are fresh and strong. To humbler functions, awful power! I call thee! I myself commend Unto thy guidance from this hour: Give unto me, made lowly wise, The confidence of reason give ; And, in the light of truth, thy bondman let me live! FROM THE ITALIAN OF MICHAEL ANGELO. YES! hope may thy strong desire keep pace, For if of our affections none find grace In sight of Heaven, then wherefore hath God made Love cannot have, than that in loving thee Who such divinity to thee imparts As hallows and makes pure all gentle hearts. Of outward change, there blooms a deathless flower, FROM THE SAME. TO THE SUPREME BEING. THE prayers I make will then be sweet indeed, TO THE RIVER DUDDON. O MOUNTAIN stream! the shepherd and his cot |