45

A Voice-devoted to the love whose seeds
Are sown in every human breast, to beauty
Lodged within compass of the humblest sight,
To cheerful intercourse with wood and field, 40
And sympathy with man's substantial griefs-
Will not be heard in vain? And in those days
When unforeseen distress spreads far and wide
Among a People mournfully cast down,
Or into anger roused by venal words
In recklessness flung out to overturn
The judgment, and divert the general heart
From mutual good—some strain of thine, my

Book !
Caught at propitious intervals, may win
Listeners who not unwillingly admit
Kindly emotion tending to console
And reconcile; and both with young and old
Exalt the sense of thoughtful gratitude
For benefits that still survive, by faith
In progress, under laws divine, maintained. 55

RYDAL MOUNT, March 26, 1842.

50

XVII.

TO A CHILD.

WRITTEN IN HER ALBUM.

SMALL service is true service while it lasts :
Of humblest Friends, bright Creature! scorn

not one: The Daisy, by the shadow that it casts, Protects the lingering dew-drop from the Sun.

1834.

XVIII.

LINES

WRITTEN IN THE ALBUM OF THE COUNTESS OF

LONSDALE. NOVEMBER 5, 1834.

5

LADY! a Pen (perhaps with thy regard,
Among the Favoured, favoured not the least)
Left, ’mid the Records of this Book inscribed,
Deliberate traces, registers of thought
And feeling, suited to the place and time
That gave them birth :—months passed, and

still this hand,
That had not been too timid to imprint
Words which the virtues of thy Lord inspired,
Was yet not bold enough to write of Thee.
And why that scrupulous reserve? In sooth 10
The blameless cause lay in the Theme itself.
Flowers are there many that delight to strive
With the sharp wind, and seem to court the

shower, Yet are by nature careless of the sun Whether he shine on them or not; and some, 15 Where'er he moves along the unclouded sky, Turn a broad front full on his flattering beams : Others do rather from their notice shrink, Loving the dewy shade,-a humble band, Modest and sweet, a progeny of earth, Congenial with thy mind and character, High-born Augusta!

Witness Towers, and Groves ! And Thou, wild Stream, that giv'st the

honoured name Of Lowther to this ancient Line, bear witness From thy most secret haunts; and ye Parterres,

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Which She is pleased and proud to call her

own, Witness how oft upon my noble Friend Mute offerings, tribute from an inward sense Of admiration and respectful love, Have waited-till the affections could no more Endure that silence, and broke out in song, Snatches of music taken

up

and dropt Like those self-solacing, those under, notes 33 Trilled by the redbreast, when autumnal leaves Are thin upon the bough. Mine, only mine, The pleasure was, and no one heard the praise, Checked, in the moment of its issue, checked And reprehended, by a fancied blush From the pure qualities that called it forth.

40.

46

Thus Virtue lives debarred from Virtue's

meed; Thus, Lady, is retiredness a veil That, while it only spreads a softening charm O'er features looked at by discerning eyes, Hides half their beauty from the common

gaze; And thus, even on the exposed and breezy bill Of lofty station, female goodness walks, When side by side with lunar gentleness, As in a cloister. Yet the grateful Poor (Such the immunities of low estate, Plain Nature's enviable privilege,

50 Her sacred recompense for many wants) Open their hearts before Thee, pouring out All that they think and feel, with tears of

joy: And benedictions not unheard in heaven: And friend in the ear of friend, where speech is free

55 To follow truth, is eloquent as they

60

Then let the Book receive in these prompt

lines A just memorial; and thine eyes consent To read that they, who mark thy course, behold A life declining with the golden light Of summer, in the season of sere leaves; See cheerfulness undamped by stealing Time; See studied kindness flow with easy stream, Illustrated with inborn courtesy ; And an habitual disregard of self

65 Balanced by vigilance for others' weal.

And shall the Verse not tell of lighter gifts With these ennobling attributes conjoined And blended, in peculiar harmony, By Youth's surviving spirit?' What agile

grace!

70

A nymph-like liberty, in nymph-like form, Beheld with wonder; whether floor or path Thou tread; or sweep-borne on the managed

steedFleet as the shadows, over down or field, Driven by strong winds at play among the

clouds.

75

Yet one word more-one farewell word-a

wish Which came, but it has passed into a prayerThat, as thy sun in brightness is declining, Somat an hour yet distant for their sakes Whose tender love, here faltering on the way Of a diviner love, will be forgivenSo may it set in peace, to rise again For everlasting glory won by faith.

81 XIX.

GRACE DARLING.

IO

Among the dwellers in the silent fields
The natural heart is touched, and public way
And crowded street resound with ballad strains,
Inspired by ONE whose very name bespeaks
Favour divine, exalting human love;

5 Whom, since her birth on bleak Northumbria's

coast, Known unto few but prized as far as known, A single Act endears to high and low Through the whole land-to Manlood, moved

in spite Of the world's freezing cares--to generous

Youth To Infancy, that lisps her praise--to Age Whose eye reflects it, glistening through a tear Of tremulous admiration. Such true fame Awaits her now; but, verily, good deeds Do no imperishable record find

15 Save in the rolls of heaven, where hers may

live A theme for angels, when they celebrate The high-souled virtues which forgetful earth Has witnessed. Oh! that winds and waves

could speak Of things which their united power called forth From the pure depths of her humanity! A Maiden gentle, yet, at duty's call, Firm and unflinching, as the Lighthouse reared On the Island-rock, her lonely dwelling-place; Or like the invincible Rock itself that braves, Age after age, the hostile elements, As when it guarded holy Cuthbert's cell.

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