332 Poems Dedicated to National Independence and Liberty. Their solemn joy-praising the Eternal But in the bosom, with devout respect Lord For tyranny subdued, And for the sway of equity renewed, X. But hark-the summons!-down the placid lake 205 Floats the soft cadence of the churchtower bells; Bright shines the Sun, as if his beams would wake The tender insects sleeping in their cells; Bright shines the Sun-and not a breeze to shake The drops that tip the melting icicles. 210 O, enter now his Temple gate! Inviting words-perchance already flung (As the crowd press devoutly down the aisle Of some old Minster's venerable pile) cast Forth towards empyreal Heaven, As if the fretted roof were riven. Us humbler ceremonies now await; 216 220 MEMORIALS OF A TOUR ON THE CONTINENT'. 1820. DEDICATION. (SENT WITH THESE POEMS, IN MS., TO- Can hope the general eye thereon would gaze, RYDAL MOUNT, Nov., 1821. 1 These Memorials were published as a separate volume early in 1822. The poems were mostly written between January and November, 1821, the latest written of all, the Dedication, being dated November. To save needless repetition, none of the following poems will be furnished with the usual chronological note, except those to which the preceding observation does not apply. Where the usual note is wanting, the following general note may be taken as appropriate :-Composed 1821.Published 1822.—Exceptions will be duly noted.—ED. Of future war. Advance not-spare to It was a breezy hour of eve; O gentle Power of darkness! these mild Quivered and seemed almost to heave, INCIDENT AT BRUGÈS. [Composed after July, 1828.-Published: vol. of 1835.] IN Brugès town is many a street Whence busy life hath fled; A harp that tuneful prelude made The measure, simple truth to tell, Though from the same grim turret fell When silent were both voice and chords, The strain seemed doubly dear, 5 ΙΟ Clothed with innocuous fire; Not always is the heart unwise, If even a passing Stranger sighs Such feeling pressed upon my soul, By one soft trickling tear that stole Fresh from the beauty and the bliss V. 20 30 35 AFTER VISITING THE FIELD OF WATERLOO, A WINGED Goddess-clothed in vesture wrought Of rainbow colours; One whose port was bold, Whose overburthened hand could scarcely hold The glittering crowns and garlands which it brought Hovered in air above the far-famed Spot She vanished; leaving prospect blank and cold Of wind-swept corn that wide around rolled In dreary billows, wood, and meagre cot, And monuments that soon must disap pear: Yet a dread local recompense we found: While glory seemed betrayed, whit patriot-zeal Yet sad as sweet,-for English words 15 Sank in our hearts, we felt as men show'd Had fallen upon the ear. feel With such vast hoards of hidden carnage near, If from a traveller's fortune I might claim And horror breathing from the silent Then would I seek the Pyrenean Breach ground! 10 That ROLAND clove with huge two-handed o tend their silent boats and ringing Hath failed; and now, ye Powers! whose wains, hr strip the bough whose mellow fruit bestrews The ripening corn beneath it. As mine eyes 10 gorgeous wings And splendid aspect yon emblazonings repeat II arn from the fortified and threatening This vast design might tempt you to hill, How sweet the prospect of yon watery Strains that call forth upon empyreal glade, ground With its grey rocks clustering in pensive Immortal Fabrics, rising to the sound Her feeble columns? and that scanty chair! Of penetrating harps and voices sweet! IX. IN A CARRIAGE, UPON THE BANKS OF THE AMID this dance of objects sadness steals As in a fit of Thespian jollity, Beneath her vine-leaf crown the green Backward, in rapid evanescence, wheels 5 And what the Dell unwillingly reveals This sword that one of our weak times Near the bright River's edge. Yet why might wear! Objects of false pretence, or meanly true! To muse, to creep, to halt at will, to gaze Such sweet wayfaring-of life's spring To follow in his track of silver light, the pride, JESU! bless our slender Boat, Saviour, for our warning, seen Bleeding on that precious Rood; If, while through the meadows green Gently wound the peaceful flood, We forgot Thee, do not Thou Disregard Thy Suppliants now! Hither, like yon ancient Tower Watching o'er the River's bed, Fling the shadow of thy power, Else we sleep among the dead; Thou who trod'st the billowy sea, Shield us in our jeopardy! Mounts on rapt wing, and with a mộ ment's flight Hath reached the encincture of tha gloomy sea Whose waves the Orphean lyre forbad t meet In conflict; whose rough winds forge their jars To waft the heroic progeny of Greece; When the first Ship sailed for the Golde Fleece ARGO exalted for that daring feat To fix in heaven her shape distinct wit stars. XII. ON APPROACHING THE STAUB-BACH, UTTERED by whom, or how inspired designed For what strange service, does this ca cert reach Our ears, and near the dwellings of man kind! 'Mid fields familiarised to huns speech? 15 No Mermaids warble-to allay the wind Driving some vessel toward a dangero beach More thrilling melodies; Witch answer ing Witch, To chant a love-spell, never intertwined Notes shrill and wild with art m musical: Alas! that from the lips of abject Wants enthral, And with regret and useless pity haunt This bold, this bright, this sky-bor WATERFALL 3! XIII. THE FALL OF THE AAR-HANDEC. FROM the fierce aspect of this Rive throwing His giant body o'er the steep rock's brink Back in astonishment and fear we shrink * See Note, p. 905 |