On wings, from broad and stedfast poise let loose by this reply, For Allonville, o'er down and dale, away then did we fly; O'er town and tower we flew, and fields in May's fresh verdure drest; The wings they did not flag; the Child, though grave, was not deprest. But who shall show, to waking sense, the gleam of light that broke Forth from his eyes, when first the Boy looked down on that huge oak, For length of days so much revered, so famous where it stands For twofold hallowing-Nature's care, and work of human hands? Strong as an Eagle with my charge I glided round and round The wide-spread boughs, for view of door, window, and stair that wound Gracefully up the gnarled trunk; nor left we unsurveyed The pointed steeple peering forth from the centre of the shade. I lighted-opened with soft touch the chapel's iron door, Past softly, leading in the Boy; and, while from roof to floor From floor to roof all round his eyes the Child with wonder cast, Pleasure on pleasure crowded in, each livelier than the last. For, deftly framed within the trunk, the sanctuary showed, By light of lamp and precious stones, that glimmered here, there glowed, Shrine, Altar, Image, Offerings hung in sign of gratitude; Sight that inspired accordant thoughts; and speech I thus renewed: "Hither the Afflicted come, as thou hast heard thy Mother say, And, kneeling, supplication make to our Lady de la Paix; What mournful sighs have here been heard, and, when the voice was stopt By sudden pangs; what bitter tears have on this pavement dropt! "Poor Shepherd of the naked Down, a favoured lot is thine, Far happier lot, dear Boy, than brings full many to this shrine; From body pains and pains of soul thou needest no release, Thy hours as they flow on are spent, if not in joy, in peace. "Then offer up thy heart to God in thankfulness and praise, Give to Him prayers, and many thoughts, in thy most busy days; And in His sight the fragile Cross, on thy small hut, will be Holy as that which long hath crowned the Chapel of this Tree; "Holy as that far seen which crowns the sumptuous Church in Rome Where thousands meet to worship God under a mighty Dome; He sees the bending multitude, he hears the choral rites, Yet not the less, in children's hymns and lonely prayer, delights. "God for his service needeth not proud work of human skill; They please him best who labour most to do in peace his will: So let us strive to live, and to our Spirits will be given Such wings as, when our Saviour calls, shall bear to heaven." us up The Boy no answer made by words, but, so earnest was his look, Sleep fled, and with it fled the dream-recorded in this book, Lest all that passed should melt away in silence from my mind, As visions still more bright have done, and left no trace behind. But oh! that Country-man of thine, whose eye, loved Child, can see A pledge of endless bliss in acts of early piety, In verse, which to thy ear might come, would treat this simple theme, Nor leave untold our happy flight in that adventurous dream. Alas the dream, to thee, poor Boy! to thee from whom it flowed, Was nothing, scarcely can be aught, yet 'twas bounteously bestowed, If I may dare to cherish hope that gentle eyes will read Not loth, and listening Little-ones, heart-touched, their fancies feed.* XX. THE WESTMORELAND GIRL. TO MY GRANDCHILDREN. PART I. SEEK who will delight in fable * See note. Far and wide on hill and valley But, as chanced, a Cottage-maiden Whirled adown the rocky channel, Peace and rest, as seems, before them Oh! it was a frightful current Whose fierce wrath the Girl had braved; Clap your hands with joy my Hearers, Shout in triumph, both are saved; Saved by courage that with danger PART II. Now, to a maturer Audience, |