No longer; ye,1 whom to the saving rite
The Altar calls; come early under laws
That can secure for you a path of light

ΙΟ

Through gloomiest shade; put on (nor dread its weight) Armour divine, and conquer in your cause!

XXVI

THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY*

Composed 1842.-Published 1845

THE Vested Priest before the Altar stands ;
Approach, come gladly, ye prepared, in sight
Of God and chosen friends, your troth to plight
With the symbolic ring, and willing hands 2
Solemnly joined. Now sanctify the bands,
O Father!to the Espoused thy blessing give,
That mutually assisted they may live
Obedient, as here taught, to thy commands.
So prays the Church, to consecrate a Vow

1845.

Here must my Song in timid reverence pause:
But shrink not ye

1827.

2 1842.

Together they kneel down who come in sight
Of God and chosen friends their troth to plight.

This have they done, by words, and prayers, and hands

C.

In a letter to Professor Henry Reed, dated "Rydal Mount, Sept. 4, 1842," Wordsworth says: "A few days ago, after a very long interval, I returned to poetical composition; and my first employment was to write a couple of Sonnets upon subjects recommended by you to take place in the Ecclesiastical Series. They are upon the Marriage Ceremony and the Funeral Service. I have, about the same time, added two others, both upon subjects taken from the Services of our Liturgy."-ED.

THANKSGIVIng after chILDBIRTHI

"The which would endless matrimony make Union that shadows forth and doth partake A mystery potent human love to endow

With heavenly, each more prized for the other's sake; Weep not, meek Bride! uplift thy timid brow.

XXVII

THANKSGIVING AFTER CHILDBIRTH

Composed 1842.--Published 1845

WOMAN! the Power who left his throne on high,
And deigned to wear the robe of flesh we wear,
The Power that thro' the straits of Infancy

Did pass dependent on maternal care,

His own humanity with Thee will share,

Pleased with the thanks that in his People's eye
Thou offerest up for safe Delivery

5

From Childbirth's perilous throes. And should the Heir
Of thy fond hopes hereafter walk inclined

To courses fit to make a mother rue
That ever he was born, a glance of mind
Cast upon this observance may renew
A better will; and, in the imagined view
Of thee thus kneeling, safety he may find.

* Compare Spenser's Epithalamion, stanza xl. ll. 216, 217— The sacred ceremonies these partake,

The which do endlesse matrimony make;

Also, Southey's All for Love, or a sinner well saved, Part IV. stanza 46

While they the sacred rites partake

Which endless matrimony make.

ED.

IO

XXVIII

VISITATION OF THE SICK

Composed 1842.-Published 1845

THE Sabbath bells renew the inviting peal;
Glad music! yet there be that, worn with pain
And sickness, listen where they long have lain,
In sadness listen. With maternal zeal
Inspired, the Church sends ministers to kneel
Beside the afflicted; to sustain with prayer,
And soothe the heart confession hath laid bare-
That pardon, from God's throne, may set its seal
On a true Penitent. When breath departs
From one disburthened so, so comforted,
His Spirit Angels greet; and ours be hope
That, if the Sufferer rise from his sick-bed,
Hence he will gain a firmer mind, to cope
With a bad world, and foil the Tempter's arts.

XXIX

THE COMMINATION SERVICE

Published 1845

SHUN not this rite, neglected, yea abhorred,

By some of unreflecting mind, as calling

Man to curse man, (thought monstrous and appalling.) Go thou and hear the threatenings of the Lord;1 Listening within his Temple see his sword

Unsheathed in wrath to strike the offender's head,

5

FUNERAL SERVICE

Thy own, if sorrow for thy sin be dead,
Guilt unrepented, pardon unimplored.

Two aspects bears Truth needful for salvation ;

97

Who knows not that?-yet would this delicate age 10 Look only on the Gospel's brighter page:

Let light and dark duly our thoughts employ ;

So shall the fearful words of Commination
Yield timely fruit of peace and love and joy.

XXX

FORMS OF PRAYER AT SEA

Published 1845

To kneeling Worshippers no earthly floor
Gives holier invitation than the deck

Of a storm-shattered Vessel saved from Wreck
(When all that Man could do avail'd no more)
By him who raised the Tempest and restrains :
Happy the crew who this have felt, and pour
Forth for his mercy, as the Church ordains,
Solemn thanksgiving. Nor will they implore
In vain who, for a rightful cause, give breath
To words the Church prescribes aiding the lip
For the heart's sake, ere ship with hostile ship
Encounters, armed for work of pain and death.
Suppliants! the God to whom your cause ye trust
Will listen, and ye know that He is just.

5

IO

XXXI

FUNERAL SERVICE

Composed 1842.—Published 1845

FROM the Baptismal hour, thro' weal and woe,
The Church extends her care to thought and deed;

VOL. VII

H

Nor quits the Body when the Soul is freed,
The mortal weight cast off to be laid low.
Blest Rite for him who hears in faith, "I know
That my Redeemer liveth,"—hears each word
That follows-striking on some kindred chord
Deep in the thankful heart ;—yet tears will flow.
Man is as grass that springeth up at morn,
Grows green, and is cut down and withereth
Ere nightfall-truth that well may claim a sigh,
Its natural echo; but hope comes reborn
At JESU's bidding. We rejoice: "O Death

5

ΙΟ

Where is thy Sting ?-O Grave where is thy Victory?"

XXXII

RURAL CEREMONY *

CLOSING the sacred Book1 which long has fed

Our meditations,2 give we to a day

Of annual 3 joy one tributary lay;

4

This day, when, forth by rustic music led,

1 1822.

precious Book

2 1845.

With smiles each happy face was overspread,
That trial ended.

Content with calmer scenes around us spread

And humbler objects,

3 1827.

C.

1822.

1827.

1822.

Of festal

4 1827. That

1822.

It takes

This is still continued in many churches in Westmoreland. place in the month of July, when the floor of the stalls is strewn with fresh rushes; and hence it is called the "Rush-bearing."-W. W. 1822.