Farewell! no Minstrels now with harp new-strung For summer wandering quiet their household bowers; Yet not for this wants Poesy a tongue To cheer the Itinerant on whom she pours II. WHY should the Enthusiast, journeying through this Isle, Repine as if his hour were come too late? 'Mid fruitful fields that ring with jocund toil, mate Of Truth and Beauty, strives to imitate,. If that be reverenced which ought to last. III. THEY called thee MERRY ENGLAND, in old time; A happy people won for thee that name, With envy heard in many a distant clime; To the heart's fond belief; though some there are Which foolish birds are caught with. Can, I ask, For discontent, and poverty, and crime; IV. TO THE RIVER GRETA, NEAR KESWICK. GRETA, what fearful listening! when huge stones : Combat, while darkness aggravates the groans I, of his bold wing floating on the gale, Where thy deep voice could lull me! Faint the beam Of human life when first allowed to gleam Such thy meek outset, with a crown, though frail, Of thy soft breath! Less vivid wreath entwined VI. IN SIGHT OF THE TOWN OF COCKERMOUTH. (Where the Author was born, and his Father's remains are laid.) A POINT of life between my Parents' dust And, to the sinner, mercifully bent ; And meekly bear the ills which bear I must: VII. ADDRESS FROM THE SPIRIT OF COCKERMOUTH CASTLE. "THOU look'st upon me, and dost fondly think, Of light was there ; - and thus did I, thy Tutor, Make thy young thoughts acquainted with the grave; While thou wert chasing the winged butterfly Through my green courts; or climbing, a bold suitor, Up to the flowers whose golden progeny Still round my shattered brow in beauty wave." VIII. NUN'S WELL, BRIGHAM. THE cattle, crowding round this beverage clear To slake their thirst, with reckless hoofs have trod The encircling turf into a barren clod, Through which the waters creep, then disappear, Born to be lost in Derwent, flowing near; Yet, o'er the brink, and round the limestone cell Of the pure spring, (they call it the "Nun's Well," Name that first struck by chance my startled ear,) A tender Spirit broods, the pensive Shade Of ritual honors to this Fountain paid By hooded Votaresses with saintly cheer; Looked down with pity upon eyes beguiled IX. TO A FRIEND. (On the Banks of the Derwent.) PASTOR and Patriot! at whose bidding rise These modest walls, amid a flock that need, For one who comes to watch them and to feed, A fixed abode, keep down presageful sighs. Threats, which the unthinking only can despise, - Perplex the Church; but be thou firm, — be true |