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XXII.

GRIEF, thou hast lost an ever-ready Friend
Now that the cottage spinning-wheel is mute;
And Care a Comforter that best could suit

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Her froward mood, and softliest reprehend;

And Love

a Charmer's voice, that used to lend,

More efficaciously than aught that flows

From harp or lute, kind influence to compose
The throbbing pulse, -else troubled without end:
Ev'n Joy could tell, Joy craving truce and rest
From her own overflow, what power sedate
On those revolving motions did await

Assiduously, to soothe her aching breast

And

to a point of just relief.

- abate

The mantling triumphs of a day too blest.

XXIII.

TO S. H.

EXCUSE is needless when with love sincere

Of occupation, not by fashion led,

Thou turn'st the Wheel that slept with dust o'erspread; My nerves from no such murmur shrink,- tho' near, Soft as the Dorhawk's to a distant ear,

When twilight shades bedim the mountain's head. She who was feigned to spin our vital thread Might smile, O Lady! on a task once dear

To household virtues. Venerable Art,

Torn from the Poor! yet will kind Heaven protect
Its own, not left without a guiding chart,

If Rulers, trusting with undue respect
To proud discoveries of the Intellect,
Sanction the pillage of man's ancient heart.

XXIV.

DECAY OF PIETY.

OFT have I seen, ere Time had ploughed my cheek,
Matrons and Sires - who, punctual to the call
Of their loved Church, on Fast or Festival
Through the long year the House of Prayer would seek:
By Christmas snows, by visitation bleak

Of Easter winds, unscared, from Hut or Hall
They came to lowly bench or sculptured Stall,
But with one fervour of devotion meek.

I see the places where they once were known,
And ask, surrounded even by kneeling crowds,
Is ancient Piety for ever flown?

Alas! even then they seemed like fleecy clouds
That, struggling through the western sky, have won
Their pensive light from a departed sun!

XXV.

COMPOSED ON THE EVE OF THE MARRIAGE OF A FRIEND, IN THE VALE OF GRASMERE.

WHAT need of clamorous bells, or ribands gay,
These humble Nuptials to proclaim or grace?
Angels of Love, look down upon the place,
Shed on the chosen Vale a sun-bright day!

Yet no proud gladness would the Bride display
Even for such promise: serious is her face,
Modest her mien; and she, whose thoughts keep pace
With gentleness, in that becoming way
Will thank you. Faultless does the Maid appear,
No disproportion in her soul, no strife:
But, when the closer view of wedded life
Hath shewn that nothing human can be clear
From frailty, for that insight may the Wife
To her indulgent Lord become more dear.

XXVI.

FROM THE ITALIAN OF MICHAEL ANGELO.

YES! hope may with my strong desire keep pace, And I be undeluded, unbetrayed;

For if of our affections none find

grace

In sight of Heaven, then, wherefore hath God made
The world which we inhabit? Better plea

Love cannot have, than that in loving thee
Glory to that eternal Peace is paid,
Who such Divinity to thee imparts

As hallows and makes pure all gentle hearts.
His hope is treacherous only whose love dies
With beauty, which is varying every hour;
But, in chaste hearts uninfluenced by the power

Of outward change, there blooms a deathless flower,
That breathes on earth the air of paradise.

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