Areopening round her; those of middle age, Cast down while confident in strength they stand, The one by which a creature, whom his sins Have rendered prone, can upward look to heaven; 989 Like pillars fixed more firmly, as might The other that empowers him to perceive BOOK SIXTH. THE CHURCHYARD AMONG THE MOUNTAINS. ARGUMENT. Poet's Address to the State and Church of England. The Pastor not inferior to the ancient Worthies of the Church.-He begins his Narratives with an instance of unrequited Love.-Angue of mind subdued, and how.-The lonely Miner.--An instance of perseverance.-Which leads by con trast to an example of abused talents, irresolution, and weakness.-Solitary, applying this coverty to his own case, asks for an instance of some Stranger, whose dispositions may have led him to end his days here.--Pastor, in answer, gives an account of the harmonising influence of Solitude upen two men of opposite principles, who had encountered agitations in public life.-The rule by which Peace may be obtained expressed, and where.-Solitary hints at an overpowering Fatality.-Answer of the Pastor. What subjects he will exclude from his Narratives.-Conversation upon thisInstance of an unamiable character, a Female, and why given.-Contrasted with this, & merk sufferer, from unguarded and betrayed love.-Instance of heavier guilt, and its consequences to the Offender.--With this instance of a Marriage Contract broken is contrasted one of a Widow, evidencing his faithful affection towards his deceased wife by his care of their female Children. HAIL to the crown by Freedom shaped-to Besprent from shore to shore with steeri gird towers, An English Sovereign's brow! and to the And spires whose "silent finger points to throne' heaven1;" Whereon he sits! Whose deep foundations Nor wanting, at wide intervals, the bilk Made to the spiritual fabric of her Who, with ancestral feeling, can perce What in those holy structures ye poss Nor shall the elements be free to hurt 1 See Note, p. 933. "At morn or eve, in your retired domain, o meet such trial) from their spiritual sires 95 egenerate; who, constrained to wield Perchance you not unfrequently have the sword marked By unrequited love, he scaled the She lives another's wishes to con rocks, Dived into caves, and pierced the matted woods, 110 In hope to find some virtuous herb of power To cure his malady!" The Vicar smiled,— 'Alas! before to-morrow's sun goes down His habitation will be here: for him That open grave is destined." "Died he then 115 Of pain and grief?" the Solitary asked, "Do not believe it; never could that be!" "He loved," the Vicar answered, "deeply loved, Loved fondly, truly, fervently; and dared At length to tell his love, but sued in vain; plete, 'Joy be their lot, and happiness,' he cried. 'His lot and hers, as misery must be mine!' To books, and to the long-forsaken desk O'er which enchained by science he ha loved 120 To bend, he stoutly re-addressed self, Rejected, yea repelled; and, if with scorn Upon the haughty maiden's brow, 'tis but A high-prized plume which female Beauty Humiliation, when no longer free. That he could brook, and glory in;-but when Resolved to quell his pain, and search for truth With keener appetite (if that might bel And closer industry. Of what ensued Within the heart no outward sign 37 peared Till a betraying sickliness was seen To tinge his cheek; and through his fra it crept With slow mutation unconcealable; The tidings came that she whom he had Such universal change as autumn make wooed Was wedded to another, and his heart Was forced to rend away its only hope; 130 Then, Pity could have scarcely found on earth An object worthier of regard than he, That in the act of preference he had been 135 Unjustly dealt with; but the Maid was gone! Had vanished from his prospects and desires; Not by translation to the heavenly choir Who have put off their mortal spoils ah no! In the fair body of a leafy grove Discoloured, then divested. 'Tis affirm By poets skilled in nature's secret ways That Love will not submit to be control By mastery:-and the good Man laces not friends Who strove to instil this truth into mind, A mind in all heart-mysteries Go to the hills,' said one, remit a zá This baneful diligence :-at early mor Court the fresh air, explore the he and woods; And, leaving it to others to foretell. By calculations sage, the ebb and flo Of tides, and when the moon wi eclipsed, Do you, for your own benefit, construct A calendar of flowers, plucked as they blow Where health abides, and cheerfulness, and peace.' That, from his dying hand, she would accept Of his possessions that which most he prized; 175 A book, upon whose leaves some chosen plants, The attempt was made;-'tis needless to How hopelessly; but innocence is strong, 205 By his own hand disposed with nicest care, A thing most sacred in the eye of And various fluctuations in the breast; Heaven; That opens, for such sufferers, relief 180 Within the soul, fountains of grace divine; 210 To her, a monument of faithful love "Close to his destined habitation, lies And doth commend their weakness and One who achieved a humbler victory, disease pure Though marvellous in its kind. A place. there is High in these mountains, that allured a band 215 Of keen adventurers to unite their pains In search of precious ore: they tried, were foiled And all desisted, all, save him alone. Delight exhaling from the ground they He, taking counsel of his own clear tread." Urged unremittingly the stubborn work, Unseconded, uncountenanced; then, as time Passed on, while still his lonely efforts found "You do not err: the powers, that had No recompense, derided; and at length, been lost By slow degrees, were gradually regained; The fluttering nerves composed; the beating heart n rest established; and the jarring thoughts o harmony restored.-But yon dark-But when the lord of seasons had mould Vill cover him, in the fulness of his The fruits of earth through space of twice strength, Whom he had loved in passion; and to Not with more transport did Columbus send ome farewell words-with one, but one, request; greet Swain, A world, his rich discovery! But our 235 |