XLII.

So fair, so sweet, withal so sensitive,

Would that the little Flowers were born to live, Conscious of half the pleasure which they give;

That to this mountain-daisy's self were known The beauty of its star-shaped shadow, thrown 5 On the smooth surface of this naked stone!

And what if hence a bold desire should mount High as the Sun, that he could take account Of all that issues from his glorious fount!

ΙΟ

So might he ken how by his sovereign aid
These delicate companionships are made;
And how he rules the pomp of light and shade;

And were the Sister-power that shines by night So privileged, what a countenance of delight Would through the clouds break forth on human sight!

15

Fond fancies! wheresoe'er shall turn thine eye On earth, air, ocean, or the starry sky, Converse with Nature in pure sympathy;

All vain desires, all lawless wishes quelled,
Be Thou to love and praise alike impelled,
Whatever boon is granted or withheld.

1844.

20

allowed thus publicly to acknowledge the pleasure those two Poems of his Friend have given him, and the grateful influence they have upon his mind as often as he reads them, or thinks of them.

XLIII.

UPON SEEING A COLOURED DRAWING

OF THE BIRD OF PARADISE IN AN
ALBUM.

WHо rashly strove thy Image to portray?
Thou buoyant minion of the tropic air;
How could he think of the live creature-gay
With a divinity of colours, drest

In all her brightness, from the dancing crest 5
Far as the last gleam of the filmy train
Extended and extending to sustain
The motions that it graces-and forbear
To drop his pencil! Flowers of every clime
Depicted on these pages smile at time;
And gorgeous insects copied with nice care
Are here, and likenesses of many a shell
Tossed ashore by restless waves,

ΙΟ

Or in the diver's grasp fetched up from caves
Where sea-nymphs might be proud to dwell: 15
But whose rash hand (again I ask) could dare,
'Mid casual tokens and promiscuous shows,
To circumscribe this Shape in fixed repose;
Could imitate for indolent survey,
Perhaps for touch profane,

20

Plumes that might catch, but cannot keep, a

stain;

And, with cloud-streaks lightest and loftiest, share

The sun's first greeting, his last farewell ray!

Resplendent Wanderer! followed with glad

eyes Where'er her course; mysterious Bird! 25 To whom, by wondering Fancy stirred,

Eastern Islanders have given

A holy name-the Bird of Heaven!

And even a title higher still,

The Bird of God! whose blessed will
She seems performing as she flies
Over the earth and through the skies
In never-wearied search of Paradise-

30

Region that crowns her beauty with the name She bears for us-for us how blest,

35

How happy at all seasons, could like aim
Uphold our Spirits urged to kindred flight
On wings that fear no glance of God's pure
sight,

No tempest from his breath, their promised rest
Seeking with indefatigable quest

Above a world that deems itself most wise
When most enslaved by gross realities!

40

1835.

Meet them half way." Vain boast! for These, the more

They thus would rise, must low and lower

sink

Till, by repentance stung, they fear to think; 5 While all lie prostrate, save the tyrant few Bent in quick turns each other to undo,

And mix the poison, they themselves must drink.

Mistrust thyself, vain Country! cease to cry, 'Knowledge will save me from the threatened woe."

66

For if than other rash ones more thou know, Yet on presumptuous wing as far would fly Above thy knowledge as they dared to go, Thou wilt provoke a heavier penalty.

II.

UPON THE LATE GENERAL FAST.

MARCH, 1832.

RELUCTANT call it was; the rite delayed;
And in the Senate some there were who doffed
The last of their humanity, and scoffed
At providential judgments, undismayed
By their own daring. But the People prayed 5
As with one voice; their flinty heart grew soft
With penitential sorrow, and aloft

Their spirit mounted, crying, "God us aid!"
Oh that with aspirations more intense,
Chastised by self-abasement more profound, 10
This People, once so happy, so renowned
For liberty, would seek from God defence
Against far heavier ill, the pestilence
Of revolution, impiously unbound!

III.

SAID Secrecy to Cowardice and Fraud, Falsehood and Treachery, in close council met, Deep under ground, in Pluto's cabinet, "The frost of England's pride will soon be thawed;

5

Hooded the open brow that overawed
Our schemes; the faith and honour, never yet
By us with hope encountered, be upset ;-
For once I burst my bands, and cry, ap-
plaud!"

Then whispered she, "The Bill is carrying out!"
They heard, and, starting up, the Brood of Night
Clapped hands, and shook with glee their matted

locks;

II