Checking the stream, make a pool smooth Rough ways my steps have trod;-too

And what if Duddon's spotless flood Languish the flowers; the waters seem to receive

Unwelcome mixtures as the uncouth Their vocal charm; their sparklings cease

Flung from yon cliff a shadow large and Of heroes, fallen, or struggling to advance, cold.

There dwelt the gay, the bountiful, the bold;

5

ill nightly lamentations, like the sweep Of winds-though winds were silentstruck a deep

Till doubtful combat issued in a trance 5
Of victory, that struck through heart and
reins

Even to the inmost seat of mortal pains,
And lightened o'er the pallid countenance.
Yet, to the loyal and the brave, who lie

And lasting terror through that ancient In the blank earth, neglected and for-
Hold.

lorn,

te line of Warriors fled;-they shrunk The passing Winds memorial tribute pay; when tried The Torrents chant their praise, inspiring

BOSE while yet the cattle, heat-opprest, rowded together under rustling trees rushed by the current of the waterbreeze;

And for their sakes, and love of all that rest,

In Duddon's margin, in the sheltering nest;

5 for all the startled scaly tribes that slink nto his coverts, and each fearless link of dancing insects forged upon his breast; or these, and hopes and recollections worn

lose to the vital seat of human clay; 10 ilad meetings, tender partings, that upstay

The drooping mind of absence, by vows

sworn

his pure presence near the trysting

thorn

thanked the Leader of my onward way.

XXIX.

o record tells of lance opposed to lance, Forse charging horse, 'mid these retired domains;

And glad acknowledgment, of lawful sway.

XXX.

WHO swerves from innocence, who makes divorce

Of that serene companion-a good name, Recovers not his loss; but walks with shame,

With doubt, with fear, and haply with

ells that their turf drank purple from Or the Indian tree whose branches, downthe veins

ward bent,

Soothed by the unseen River's gentle roar. The sweets of earth contentedly resigned And each tumultuous working left b

Nor hurled precipitous from steep to At seemly distance to advance like The Prepared, in peace of heart, in calm

Where mightiest rivers into powerless I THOUGHT of Thee, my partner and

With commerce freighted, or triumphant The elements, must vanish;—be it so! Enough, if something from our hands ha

YARROW REVISITED, AND OTHER

POEMS.

COMPOSED (TWO EXCEPTED) DURING A TOUR IN SCOTLAND, AND ON THE ENGLISH BORDER, IN THE AUTUMN OF 18311.

ΤΟ

SAMUEL ROGERS, ESQ.,

SA TESTIMONY OF FRIENDSHIP AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF INTELLECTUAL OBLIGATIONS, THESE MEMORIALS ARE AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED.

IBAL MOUNT, Dec. 11, 1834.

ed

following Stanzas are a memorial of a day | But breezes played, and sunshine gleampassed with Sir Walter Scott and other Friends visiting the Banks of the Yarrow under his guidance, immediately before his departure from Abbotsford, for Naples.

The forest to embolden;
Reddened the fiery hues, and shot
Transparence through the golden.

For busy thoughts the Stream flowed on
In foamy agitation;

And slept in many a crystal pool

For quiet contemplation:
No public and no private care

The freeborn mind enthralling,
We made a day of happy hours
Our happy days recalling.

15

20

The poems of this series, with two exceptions (conjectured by Prof. Knight to be Nos. xv. and 11, were written during the autumn of 1831, and first published in the vol. of 1835 entitled, Yarrow eisited, and Other Poems. In order to avoid needless repetition, separate chronological notes I not be added to the individual poems of the series, save where the particulars of composition or blication differ in some respect from those now given.-ED.

The blameless Muse, who trains her Sons Unsanctifies our tears-made sport

For hope and calm enjoyment;
Albeit sickness, lingering yet,
Has o'er their pillow brooded;
And Care waylays their steps-a Sprite
Not easily eluded.

For fanciful dejections:

45 Ah, no! the visions of the past

For thee, O SCOTT! compelled to change
Green Eildon-hill and Cheviot
50
For warm Vesuvio's vine-clad slopes;
And leave thy Tweed and Tiviot
For mild Sorento's breezy waves;

May classic Fancy, linking
With native Fancy her fresh aid,
Preserve thy heart from sinking!

Oh! while they minister to thee,
Each vying with the other,
May Health return to mellow Age,

Sustain the heart in feeling

Life as she is our changeful Life,
With friends and kindred dealing.
Bear witness, Ye, whose thoughts that
In Yarrow's groves were centred;
Who through the silent portal arch

Of mouldering Newark entered;
And clomb the winding stair that once
Too timidly was mounted

55 By the "last Minstrel," (not the last!) Ere he his Tale recounted.

Flow on for ever, Yarrow Stream!
Fulfil thy pensive duty,

Well pleased that future Bards sho
chant

For simple hearts thy beauty;

To dream-light dear while yet unseen,

Dear to the common sunshine,

With unimagined beauty shine,
Nor lose one ray of glory!

And dearer still, as now I feel,