They knelt in prayer, or sang to blissful When first I saw that family forlorn. Mary. ith old poetic feeling, not for this, all ye, by Poets even, be judged amiss! or shall your presence, howsoe'er it mar be loveliness of Nature, prove a bar 5 >the Mind's gaining that prophetic sense future change, that point of vision, whence ay be discovered what in soul ye are. Ispite of all that beauty may disown your harsh features, Nature doth embrace 10 er lawful offspring in Man's art; and Time, eased with your triumphs o'er his brother Space, ccepts from your bold hands the proffered crown Speak Thou, whose massy strength and stature scorn 5 Fall if ye must, ye Towers and Pinnacles, E hope, and smiles on you with cheer With what ye symbolise; authentic Story Will say, Ye disappeared with England's Glory! sublime. XLIII. CALLED HE MONUMENT COMMONLY Composed 1821.-Published 18221; ed. 1827.] In the little book entitled, A Description of Scenery of the Lakes, etc.-ED. XLV. TO THE EARL OF LONSDALE. "Magistratus indicat virum." LONSDALE! it were unworthy of a Guest, Whose heart with gratitude to thee inclines, If he should speak, by fancy touched, of signs 2 See Note, p. 925. [Composed before 1827 (1807-8?).-Published 1835.] LIST, ye who pass by Lyulph's Tower2 Doth Aira-force, that torrent hoarse, Fit music for a solemn vale! And holier seems the ground To him who catches on the gale The spirit of a mournful tale, Embodied in the sound. Not far from that fair site whereon The Pleasure-house is reared, As story says, in antique days A stern-browed house appeared; Foil to a Jewel rich in light There set, and guarded well; Cage for a Bird of plumage bright, To win this bright Bird from her cage, 1 See Note, p. 925. 5 But one She prized, and only one; Full happy season, when was known, Their mutual loyalty Known chiefly, Aira! to thy glen, That all but love is folly; But in old times Love dwelt not long Best throve the fire of chaste desire, A conquering lance is beauty's test, They parted.-Well with him it fared 10 Though faint, compared with spear and 15 20 2 A pleasure-house built by the late Duke of Norfolk upon the banks of Ullswater. FORCE is the word used in the Lake District for Water fall. He comes not back; an ampler space He ranges on from place to place, But what her fancy breeds. His fame may spread, but in the past And, drawing nigh, with his living eye, He recognised the face; 121 And whispers caught, and speeches small, Ionth falls on month with heavier Some muttered to the torrent-fall ; Thile 'mid the fern-brake sleeps the doe, white arrayed, glides on the Maid The downward pathway taking, hat leads her to the torrent's side And to a holly bower; y whom on this still night descried? y whom in that lone place espied? By thee, Sir Eglamore! 95 ΙΟΙ wandering Ghost, so thinks the Knight, His coming step has thwarted, Eneath the boughs that heard their Vows, Within whose shade they parted. hat means the Spectre? Why intent "Roar on, and bring him with thy call; 126 I heard, and so may He!" Soul-shattered was the Knight, nor knew If Emma's Ghost it were, Or boding Shade, or if the Maid Her very self stood there. 130 He touched; what followed who shall tell? The soft touch snapped the thread Of slumber-shrieking back she fell, And the Stream whirled her down the dell The rescued Maiden lay, Her eyes grew bright with blissful light, She heard, ere to the throne of grace 140 His voice-beheld his speaking face; She felt that he was true. So was he reconciled to life: Brief words may speak the rest; And there was Sorrow's guest; 145 150 110 Where clouds that spread in solemn Ought Eglamore, by which I swore Infading constancy? shade, Are edged with golden rays! Our own domestic mountain. Thing and If Thought and Love desert us, from the day thought Mix strangely; trifles light, and partly Let us break off all commerce with th vain, Muse: Can prop, as you have learnt, our nobler With Thought and Love companions ( being: Yes, Lady, while about your neck is wound 10 (Your casual glance oft meeting) this bright cord, our way, Whate'er the senses take or may refuse her dews Of inspiration on the humblest lay. POEMS OF SENTIMENT AND REFLECTION. I. EXPOSTULATION AND REPLY. WHY, William, on that old grey stone, Where are your books?-that light be- 6 Beings else forlorn and blind! You look round on your Mother Earth, s if you were her first-born birth, nd none had lived before you!" 5 ne morning thus, by Esthwaite lake, The eye-it cannot choose but see; ir bodies feel, where'er they be, gainst or with our will. 20 Nor less I deem that there are Powers She has a world of ready wealth, Think you, 'mid all this mighty sum 25 May teach you more of man, things for ever speaking, Of moral evil and of good, Than all the sages can. 20 |