Like a tutelary spirit Reverenced, like a sister loved. Christian meekness smoothed for all the path of life, Who, loving most, should wiseliest love, their only strife. XXVI. Mute memento of that union In a Saxon church survives, Where a cross-legged Knight lies sculptured Figures with armorial signs of race and birth, And the vain rank the pilgrims bore while yet on earth. 1830. XXXV. LOVING AND LIKING: IRREGULAR VERSES, ADDRESSED TO A CHILD. (BY MY SISTER.) THERE's more in words than I can teach : But you may love a screaming owl, And, if you can, the unwieldy toad A frog leaps out from bordering grass, In which he swims as taught by nature, Nor blush if o'er your heart be stealing A love for things that have no feeling: The Spring's first rose by you espied, May fill your breast with joyful pride; And you may love the strawberry-flower, And love the strawberry in its bower; But when the fruit, so often praised For beauty, to your lip is raised, But like it, enjoy it, and thankfully eat. Long may you love your pensioner mouse, I would not circumscribe your love : It may soar with the eagle and brood with the dove, May pierce the earth with the patient mole, Or track the hedgehog to his hole. Loving and liking are the solace of life, Rock the cradle of joy, smooth the death-bed of strife. You love your father and your mother, Your grown-up and your baby brother; That store the mind, the memory feed, 'Tis love that remains till our latest day: And will be our bliss with saints above. 1832. XXXVI. FAREWELL LINES. "HIGH bliss is only for a higher state," But, surely, if severe afflictions borne With patience merit the reward of peace, Peace ye deserve; and may the solid good, Sought by a wise though late exchange, and here With bounteous hand beneath a cottage-roof To you accorded, never be withdrawn, Nor for the world's best promises renounced. Most soothing was it for a welcome Friend, Fresh from the crowded city, to behold That lonely union, privacy so deep, Such calm employments, such entire content. So when the rain is over, the storm laid, A pair of herons ofttimes have I seen, Upon a rocky islet, side by side, Drying their feathers in the sun, at ease; And so, when night with grateful gloom had fallen, Two glowworms in such nearness that they shared, Each with the other, on the dewy ground, mind With hope that we, dear Friends! shall meet again. XXXVII. THE REDBREAST. (SUGGESTED IN A WESTMORELAND COTTAGE.) DRIVEN in by Autumn's sharpening air |