396 THE LABOURER'S NOON-DAY HYMN. Fathers engaged with their daily labours in the fields and woods. How gratifying would it be to me could I be assured that any portion of these stanzas had been sung by such a domestic concert under such circumstances. A friend of mine has told me that she introduced this Hymn into a village-school which she superintended, and the stanzas in succession furnished her with texts to comment upon in a way which without difficulty was made intelligible to the children, and in which they obviously took delight, and they were taught to sing it to the tune of the old 100th Psalm.] Up to the throne of God is borne Nor will he turn his ear aside What though our burthen be not light, Blest are the moments, doubly blest, Each field is then a hallowed spot,1 An altar is in each man's cot, A church in every grove that spreads 1 1845. Why should we crave a hallowed spot? 1835. THE REDBREAST. Look up to heaven! the industrious Sun He cannot halt nor go astray, Lord! since his rising in the East, Help with thy grace, through life's short day, And glorify for us the west, When we shall sink to final rest. 397 [Written at Rydal Mount. All our cats having been banished the house, it was soon frequented by redbreasts. Two or three of them, when the window was open, would come in, particularly when Mrs Wordsworth was breakfasting alone, and hop about the table picking up the crumbs. My sister being then confined to her room by sickness, as, dear creature, she still is, had one that, without being caged, took up its abode with her, and at night used to perch upon a nail from which a picture had hung. It used to sing and fan her face with its wings in a manner that was very touching.] DRIVEN in by Autumn's sharpening air From half-stripped woods and pastures bare, Not like a beggar is he come, But enters as a looked-for guest, As if it were a natural shield Charged with a blazon on the field, 398 THE REDBREAST. Due to that good and pious deed And, caught by glimpses now-now missed, If the soft voice he throws about Comes from within doors or without! He's at your elbow-to your feeling Till you have marked his heaving chest Heart-pleased we smile upon the Bird Where now, she3 daily hears a strain THE REDBREAST. That cheats her1 of too busy cares, Of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, and John Above and round the sacred places They guard, with winged baby-faces. 399 1S35. 1835. 1835. are part of a child's prayer, still in general use through the northern counties.-W. W., 1835. 400 THE REDBREAST. Thrice happy Creature! in all lands. Free entrance to this cot has he, And he belike will flinch or start, One chiefly, who with voice and look On human nature's second infancy. |