A Voice-devoted to the love whose seeds Caught at propitious intervals, may win 45 50 And reconcile; and both with young and old XVII. TO A CHILD. WRITTEN IN HER ALBUM. SMALL service is true service while it lasts: 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 LADY! a Pen (perhaps with thy regard, 5 That had not been too timid to imprint Yet are by nature careless of the sun Whether he shine on them or not; and some, 15 20 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, Which She is pleased and proud to call her own, Witness how oft upon my noble Friend 26 29 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. Thus Virtue lives debarred from Virtue's meed; Thus, Lady, is retiredness a veil 40 That, while it only spreads a softening charm O'er features looked at by discerning eyes, Hides half their beauty from the common gaze; 46 And thus, even on the exposed and breezy hill 50 Her sacred recompense for many wants) joy; And benedictions not unheard in heaven: And friend in the ear of friend, where speech is free To follow truth, is eloquent as they. 55 Then let the Book receive in these prompt lines 60 A just memorial; and thine eyes consent And an habitual disregard of self 65 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 steed Fleet as the shadows, over down or field, Driven by strong winds at play among the clouds. Yet one word more-one farewell word wish 75 Which came, but it has passed into a prayer— 81 XIX. GRACE DARLING. AMONG the dwellers in the silent fields coast, Known unto few but prized as far as known, A single Act endears to high and low 5 Through the whole land-to Manhood, moved in spite Of the world's freezing cares-to generous Youth IO To Infancy, that lisps her praise—to Age 15 Save in the rolls of heaven, where hers may live A theme for angels, when they celebrate Of things which their united power called forth A Maiden gentle, yet, at duty's call, 21 Firm and unflinching, as the Lighthouse reared 26 |