Here did we stop; and here looked round While each into himself descends, For that last thought of parting Friends That is not to be found. Hidden was Grasmere Vale from sight, Our home and his, his heart's delight, His quiet heart's selected home. But time before him melts away, And he hath feeling of a day And Thou, sweet Flower, shalt sleep and Of blessedness to come. wake 24 30 35 All vanished in a single word, came, The meek, the brave, the good, was gone; V. That was indeed a parting! oh, But they as well as I have gains ;- 5 Like these, there comes a mild release; ΙΟ VI. 40 45 50 VII. -Brother and friend, if verse of mine And to the few who pass this way, 65 A mighty unison of streams! Loud is the Vale ;-this inland Depth 5 Sad was I, even to pain deprest, On any earthly hope, however pure1! 70 Upon this lonely road; Composed at Grasmere, during a walk one Even- 1 The plant alluded to is the Moss Campion (Silene acaulis, of Linnæus). See Note, p. 925 See among the Poems on the "Naming of Places," No. VI. And many thousands now are sad- A Power is passing from the earth What is it more than this That Man, who is from God sent forth, XI. INVOCATION TO THE EARTH. FEBRUARY, 1816. [Composed February, 1816.-Published 1816.] I. "REST, rest, perturbed Earth! 15 20 With tens of thousands rent from off the Yet for one happy issue;-and I look tree 5 read ;Upon my thoughts his saintly Spirit fed; He conned the new-born Lay with grateful heart Foreboding not how soon he must depart; Unweeting that to him the joy was given Which good men take with them from earth to heaven. XIII. ELEGIAC STANZAS. ΙΟ (ADDRESSED TO SIR G. H. B. UPON THE Ill-worthy, Beaumont ! were the grief 10 Sad doom, at Sorrow's shrine to kneel, Such once was hers-to think and think But nature to its inmost part 15 But hushed be every thought that springs No thorns can pierce her tender feet, As snowdrop on an infant's grave, As Vesper, ere the star hath kissed Thou takest not away, O Death! The future brightens on our sight; XIV. ELEGIAC MUSINGS. 40 45 Might have their record among sylvan 50 IN THE GROUNDS OF COLEORTON HALL, THE SEAT OF THE LATE SIR G. H. BEAUMONT, BART. In these grounds stands the Parish Church, wherein is a mural monument bearing an Inscription which, in deference to the earnest request of the deceased, is confined to name, dates, and these words:-"Enter not into judg. ment with thy servant, O Lord!" [Composed November, 1830.-Published 1835.] WITH copious eulogy in prose or rhyme Graven on the tomb we struggle against Time, Alas, how feebly! but our feelings rise And still we struggle when a good man dies. Such offering BEAUMONT dreaded and forbade, A spirit meek in self-abasement clad. 5 bowers. |