Thanks given to God for daily bread, and here, They are in truth the Substance, we the Shadows." So spake the mild Jeronymite, his griefs Melting away within him like a dream Ere he had ceased to gaze, perhaps to speak: And I, grown old, but in a happier land, Domestic Portrait! have to verse consigned In thy calm presence those heart-moving words: Words that can soothe, more than they agitate; Whose spirit, like the angel that went down Into Bethesda's pool, with healing virtue Informs the fountain in the human breast Which by the visitation was disturbed. -But why this stealing tear? Companion mute, On thee I look, not sorrowing; fare thee well, My Song's Inspirer, once again farewell! * 1834. * The pile of buildings, composing the palace and convent of San Lorenzo, has, in common usage, lost its proper name in that of the Escurial, a village at the foot of the hill upon which the splendid edifice, built by Philip the Second, stands. It need scarcely be added that Wilkie is the painter alluded to. XLI. THE FOREGOING SUBJECT RESUMED. AMONG a grave fraternity of Monks, For One, but surely not for One alone, Assigned to it in future worlds. Thou, too, Though but a simple object, into light Called forth by those affections that endear POEMS OF SENTIMENT AND REFLECTION. 319 power Or sacred wonder, growing with the whose love, On earth, will be revived, we trust, in heaven.* 1834. XLII. So fair, so sweet, withal so sensitive, Would that the little Flowers were born to live, That to this mountain-daisy's self were known * In the class entitled "Musings," in Mr. Southey's Minor Poems, is one upon his own miniature picture, taken in childhood, and another upon a landscape painted by Gaspar Poussin. It is possible that every word of the above verses, though similar in subject, might have been written had the author been unacquainted with those beautiful effusions of poetic sentiment. But, for his own satisfaction, he must be 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. And what if hence a bold desire should mount So might he ken how by his sovereign aid 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! Fond fancies! wheresoe'er shall turn thine eye, All vain desires, all lawless wishes quelled, XLIII. UPON SEEING A COLORED DRAWING OF THE BIRD OF PARADISE IN AN ALBUM. WHO rashly strove thy Image to portray? How could he think of the live creature, In all her brightness, from the dancing crest The motions that it graces, and forbear To drop his pencil! Flowers of every clime Or in the diver's grasp fetched up from caves Perhaps for touch profane, Plumes that might catch, but cannot keep, a stain; Resplendent Wanderer! followed with glad eyes A holy name, the Bird of Heaven! The Bird of God! whose blessed will |