Yet, all forgot, how oft the eye-lids close, Introduction-Ringing of bells in a neighboring Vil- How oft, as dead, on the warm turf we lie, And from the slack hand drops the gather'd rose! lage on the birth of an heir-General Reflections While many an emmet comes with curious eye; on Human Life-The Subject proposed-Child- And on her nest the watchful wren sits by! hood-Youth-Manhood-Love-Marriage-Domestic Happiness and Affliction-War-Peace- So like what once we were, and once again shall be! Nor do we speak or move, or hear or see; Civil Dissension-Retirement from active LifeOld Age and its Enjoyments-Conclusion.
THE lark has sung his carol in the sky: The bees have humm'd their noon-tide lullaby. Still in the vale the village-bells ring round, Still in Llewellyn-hall the jests resound: For now the caudle-cup is circling there,
And say, how soon, where, blithe as innocent, The boy at sun-rise whistled as he went, An aged pilgrim on his staff shall lean, Tracing in vain the footsteps o'er the green; The man himself how alter'd, not the scene! Now journeying home with nothing but the name; Wayworn and spent, another and the same! No eye observes the growth or the decay:
Now, glad at heart, the gossips breathe their prayer, To-day we look as we did yesterday;
And, crowding, stop the cradle to admire The babe, the sleeping image of his sire.
And we shall look to-morrow as to-day:
Yet while the loveliest smiles, her locks grow grey!
A few short years and then these sounds shall hail And in her glass could she but see the face
The day again, and gladness fill the vale; So soon the child a youth, the youth a man, Eager to run the race his fathers ran. Then the huge ox shall yield the broad sirloin; The ale, now brew'd, in floods of amber shine: And, basking in the chimney's ample blaze, 'Mid many a tale told of his boyish days, The nurse shall cry, of all her ills beguiled, "'T was on these knees he sate so oft and smiled." And soon again shall music swell the breeze; Soon, issuing forth, shall glitter through the trees Vestures of nuptial white; and hymns be sung, And violets scatter'd round; and old and young, In every cottage-porch with garlands green, Stand still to gaze, and, gazing, bless the scene; While, her dark eyes declining, by his side Moves in her virgin-veil the gentle bride.
And once, alas, nor in a distant hour, Another voice shall come from yonder tower; When in dim chambers long black weeds are seen, And weepings heard where only joy has been; When by his children borne, and from his door Slowly departing to return no more,
He rests in holy earth with them that went before. And such is Human Life; so gliding on, It glimmers like a meteor, and is gone! Yet is the tale, brief though it be, as strange, As fall, methinks, of wild and wondrous change, As any that the wandering tribes require, Stretch'd in the desert round their evening-fire; As any sung of old in hall or bower To minstrel-harps at midnight's witching hour! Born in a trance, we wake, observe, inquire; And the green earth, the azure sky admire. Of Elfin-size--for ever as we run, We cast a longer shadow in the sun! And now a charm, and now a grace is won! We grow in wisdom, and in stature too! And, as new scenes, new objects rise to view, Think nothing done while aught remains to do.
She'll see so soon amidst another race, How would she shrink!-Returning from afar, After some years of travel, some of war, Within his gate Ulysses stood unknown Before a wife, a father, and a son!
And such is Human Life, the general theme. Ah, what at best, what but a longer dream? Though with such wild romantic wanderings fraught, Such forms in Fancy's richest coloring wrought, That, like the visions of a love-sick brain, Who would not sleep and dream them o'er again? Our pathway leads but to a precipice; (1) And all must follow, fearful as it is! From the first step 't is known; but-No delay! On, 'tis decreed. We tremble and obey. A thousand ills beset us as we go.
"Still, could I shun the fatal gulf”—Ah, no, "Tis all in vain-the inexorable law! Nearer and nearer to the brink we draw. Verdure springs up; and fruits and flowers invite, And groves and fountains-all things that delight. "Oh I would stop, and linger if I might!"- We fly; no resting for the foot we find; (2) And dark before, all desolate behind! At length the brink appears-but one step more! We faint-On, on!-we falter-and 'tis o'er!
Yet here high passions, high desires unfold, Prompting to noblest deeds; here links of gold Bind soul to soul; and thoughts divine inspire A thirst unquenchable, a holy fire
That will not, cannot but with life expire!
Now, seraph-wing'd, among the stars we soar; Now distant ages, like a day, explore, And judge the act, the actor now no more; Or, in a thankless hour condemn'd to live, From others claim what these refuse to give, And dart, like Milton, an unerring eye Through the dim curtains of Futurity. (3) Wealth, Pleasure, Ease, all thought of self resign'd, What will not Man encounter for Mankind?
Behold him now unbar the prison-door, And, lifting Guilt, Contagion from the floor, To Peace and Health, and Light and Life restore; Now in Thermopyla remain to share Death-nor look back, nor turn a footstep there, Leaving his story to the birds of air;
And now like Pylades (in Heaven they write Names such as his in characters of light) Long with his friend in generous enmity, Pleading, insisting in his place to die!
Do what he will, he cannot realize
Half he conceives the glorious vision flies. Go where he may, he cannot hope to find The truth, the beauty pictured in his mind. But if by chance an object strike the sense, The faintest shadow of that Excellence, Passions, that slept, are stirring in his frame; Thoughts undefined, feelings without a name! And some, not here call'd forth, may slumber on Till this vain pageant of a world is gone; Lying too deep for things that perish here, Waiting for life-but in a nobler sphere!
Look where he comes! Rejoicing in his birth, Awhile he moves as in a heaven on earth! Sun, moon, and stars-the land, the sea, the sky To him shine out as 't were a galaxy!
But soon 'tis past-the light has died away! With him it came (it was not of the day) And he himself diffused it, like the stone That sheds awhile a lustre all its own, (4) Making night beautiful. "Tis past, 'tis gone, And in his darkness as he journeys on, Nothing revives him but the blessed ray That now breaks in, nor ever knows decay, Sent from a better world to light him on his way. How great the Mystery! Let others sing The circling Year, the promise of the Spring, The Summer's glory, and the rich repose Of Autumn, and the Winter's silvery snows. Man through the changing scene let me pursue, Himself how wondrous in his changes too! Not Man, the sullen savage in his den; But Man call'd forth in fellowship with men ; School'd and train'd up to Wisdom from his birth; (5) God's noblest work-His image upon earth!
The hour arrives, the moment wish'd and fear'd; (6) The child is born, by many a pang endear'd. And now the mother's ear has caught his cry; Oh grant the cherub to her asking eye!
He comes she clasps him. To her bosom press'd, He drinks the balm of life, and drops to rest.
Her by her smile how soon the Stranger knows; How soon by his the glad discovery shows! As to her lips she lifts the lovely boy, What answering looks of sympathy and joy! He walks, he speaks. In many a broken word His wants, his wishes, and his griefs are heard. And ever, ever to her lap he flies,
When rosy Sleep comes on with sweet surprise. Lock'd in her arms, his arms across her flung, (That name most dear for ever on his tongue) As with soft accents round her neck he clings, And cheek to cheek, her lulling song she sings, How blest to feel the beatings of his heart, Breathe his sweet breath, and kiss for kiss impart;
Watch o'er his slumbers like the brooding dove, And, if she can, exhaust a mother's love!
But soon a nobler task demands her care. Apart she joins his little hands in prayer, Telling of Him who sees in secret there!And now the volume on her knee has caught His wandering eye-now many a written thought Never to die, with many a lisping sweet His moving, murmuring lips endeavor to repeat. Released, he chases the bright butterfly; Oh he would follow-follow through the sky! Climbs the gaunt mastiff slumbering in his chain, And chides and buffets, clinging by the mane; Then runs, and, kneeling by the fountain-side, Sends his brave ship in triumph down the tide, A dangerous voyage; or, if now he can, If now he wears the habit of a man, Flings off the coat so long his pride and pleasure, And, like a miser digging for his treasure, His tiny spade in his own garden plies, And in green letters sees his name arise! Where'er he goes, for ever in her sight, She looks, and looks, and still with new delight! Ah who, when fading of itself away, Would cloud the sunshine of his little day! Now is the May of Life. Careering round, Joy wings his feet, Joy lifts him from the ground! Pointing to such, well might Cornelia say,
When the rich casket shone in bright array,
These are My Jewels!" (7) Well of such as he, When Jesus spake, well might his language be, Suffer these little ones to come to me!" (8) Thoughtful by fits, he scans and he reveres The brow engraven with the Thoughts of Years; (9) Close by her side his silent homage given
As to some pure Intelligence from Heaven; His eyes cast downward with ingenuous shame, His conscious cheeks, conscious of praise or blame, At once lit up as with a holy flame!
He thirsts for knowledge, speaks but to inquire; And soon with tears relinquish'd to the Sire, Soon in his hand to Wisdom's temple led, Holds secret converse with the Mighty Dead; Trembles and thrills and weeps as they inspire, Burns as they burn, and with congenial fire! Like Her most gentle, most unfortunate, (10) Crown'd but to die-who in her chamber sate Musing with Plato, though the horn was blown, And every ear and every heart was won, And all in green array were chasing down the sun! Then is the Age of Admiration (11)-Then Gods walk the earth, or beings more than men, Who breathe the soul of Inspiration round, Whose very shadows consecrate the ground! Ah, then comes thronging many a wild desire, And high imagining and thought of fire! Then from within a voice exclaims "Aspire!" Phantoms, that upward point, before him pass, As in the Cave athwart the Wizard's glass; They, that on Youth a grace, a lustre shed, Of every age-the living and the dead! Thou, all-accomplish'd Surrey, thou art known; The flower of Knighthood, nipt as soon as blown! Melting all hearts but Geraldine's alone! And, with his beaver up, discovering there One who lov'd less to conquer than to spare,
Lo, the Black Warrior, he, who, battle-spent, Bare-headed served the Captive in his tent! Young B in the groves of Academe, Or where Ilyssus winds his whispering stream; Or where the wild bees swarm with ceaseless hum, Dreaming old dreams-a joy for years to come; Or on the Rock within the sacred Fane ;- Scenes such as Milton sought, but sought in vain: (12) And Milton's self (13) (at that thrice-honored name Well may we glow-as men, we share his fame)— And Milton's self, apart with beaming eye, Planning he knows not what-that shall not die! Oh in thy truth secure, thy virtue bold, Beware the poison in the cup of gold, The asp among the flowers. Thy heart beats high, As bright and brighter breaks the distant sky! But every step is on enchanted ground; Danger thou lovest, and Danger haunts thee round. Who spurs his horse against the mountain-side; Then, plunging, slakes his fury in the tide? Draws, and cries ho; and, where the sun-beams fall, At his own shadow thrusts along the wall? Who dances without music; and anon Sings like the lark-then sighs as woe-begone, And folds his arms, and, where the willows wave, Glides in the moon-shine by a maiden's grave? Come hither, boy, and clear thy open brow: Yon summer-clouds, now like the Alps, and now A ship, a whale, change not so fast as thou.
He hears me not-Those sighs were from the heart; Too, too well taught, he plays the lover's part. He who at masques, nor feigning nor sincere, With sweet discourse would win a lady's ear, Lie at her feet, and on her slipper swear That none were half so faultless, half so fair, Now through the forest hies, a stricken deer, A banish'd man, flying when none are near; And writes on every tree, and lingers long Where most the nightingale repeats her song; Where most the nymph, that haunts the silent grove, Delights to syllable the names we love.
Two on his steps attend, in motley clad; One woeful-wan, one merrier yet as mad; Called Hope and Fear. Hope shakes his cap and bells, And flowers spring up among the woodland dells. To Hope he listens, wandering without measure Through sun and shade, lost in a trance of pleasure; And, if to Fear but for a weary mile, Hope follows fast and wins him with a smile.
At length he goes-a Pilgrim to the Shrine, And for a relic would a world resign! A glove, a shoe-tie, or a flower let fall- What though the least, Love consecrates them all! And now he breathes in many a plaintive verse; Now wins the dull ear of the wily nurse At early matins (t was at matin-time (14) That first he saw and sicken'd in his prime), And soon the Sibyl, in her thirst for gold, Plays with young hearts that will not be controll'd. "Absence from Thee-as self from self it seems!" Scaled is the garden-wall! and lo, her beams Silvering the east, the moon comes up, revealing His well-known form along the terrace stealing. -Oh, ere in sight he came, 't was his to thrill A heart that loved him though in secret still.
"Am I awake? or is it can it be An idle dream? Nightly it visits me! -That strain," she cries, "as from the water rose, Now near and nearer through the shade it flows!— Now sinks departing-sweetest in its close!" No casement gleams; no Juliet, like the day, Comes forth and speaks and bids her lover stay. Still, like aërial music heard from far, Nightly it rises with the evening-star.
She loves another! Love was in that sigh!" On the cold ground he throws himself to die. Fond Youth, beware. Thy heart is most deceiving. Who wish are fearful; who suspect, believing. -And soon her looks the rapturous truth avow Lovely before, oh, say how lovely now! (15) She flies not, frowns not, though he pleads his cause; Nor yet-nor yet her hand from his withdraws; But by some secret Power surprised, subdued (Ah how resist? Nor would she if she could),
Falls on his neck as half unconscious where, Glad to conceal her tears, her blushes there.
Then come those full confidings of the past; All sunshine now where all was overcast. Then do they wander till the day is gone, Lost in each other; and when Night steals on, Covering them round, how sweet her accents are! Oh when she turns and speaks, her voice is far, Far above singing!-But soon nothing stirs To break the silence-Joy like his, like hers, Deals not in words: and now the shadows close,
Now in the glimmering, dying light she grows Less and less earthly! As departs the day All that was mortal seems to melt away, Till, like a gift resumed as soon as given, She fades at last into a Spirit from Heaven!
Then are they blest indeed; and swift the hours Till her young Sisters wreathe her hair in flowers, Kindling her beauty-while, unseen, the least Twitches her robe, then runs behind the rest, Known by her laugh that will not be suppress'd. Then before All they stand-the holy vow And ring of gold, no fond illusions now, Bind her as his. Across the threshold led, And every tear kiss'd off as soon as shed, His house she enters there to be a light, Shining within, when all without is night; A guardian-angel o'er his life presiding, Doubling his pleasures, and his cares dividing; Winning him back, when mingling in the throng, Back from a world we love, alas, too long, To fire-side happiness, to hours of ease, Blest with that charm, the certainty to please. How oft her eyes read his; her gentle mind To all his wishes, all his thoughts inclined; Still subject-ever on the watch to borrow Mirth of his mirth, and sorrow of his sorrow. The soul of music slumbers in the shell, Till waked and kindled by the master's spell; And feeling hearts-touch them but rightly-pour A thousand melodies unheard before! (16)
Nor many moons o'er hill and valley rise Ere to the gate with nymph-like step she flies, And their first-born holds forth, their darling boy, With smiles how sweet, how full of love and joy, To meet him coming; theirs through every year Pure transports, such as cach to each endear!
And laughing eyes and laughing voices fill Whispers and sighs, and smiles all tenderness Their halls with gladness. She, when all are still, That would in vain the starting tear repress. Comes and undraws the curtain as they lie, In sleep how beautiful! He, when the sky Gleams, and the wood sends up its harmony, When, gathering round his bed, they climb to share His kisses, and with gentle violence there Break in upon a dream not half so fair, Up to the hill-top leads their little feet; Or by the forest-lodge, perchance to meet The stag-herd on its march, perchance to hear The otter rustling in the sedgy mere; Or to the echo near the Abbot's tree, That gave him back his words of pleasantry— When the House stood, no merrier man than he! And, as they wander with a keen delight, If but a leveret catch their quicker sight Down a green alley, or a squirrel then Climb the gnarl'd oak, and look and climb again, If but a moth flit by, an acorn fall,
Such grief was ours-it seems but yesterday- When in thy prime, wishing so much to stay, "T was thine, Maria, thine without a sigh At midnight in a Sister's arms to die! Oh thou wert lovely-lovely was thy frame, And pure thy spirit as from Heaven it came! And, when recall'd to join the blest above, Thou diedst a victim to exceeding love, Nursing the young to health. In happier hours, When idle Fancy wove luxuriant flowers, Once in thy mirth thou bad'st me write on thee; And now I write-what thou shalt never see!
He turns their thoughts to Him who made them all; These with unequal footsteps following fast, These clinging by his cloak, unwilling to be last.
The shepherd on Tornaro's misty brow, And the swart sea-man, sailing far below, Not undelighted watch the morning ray Purpling the orient-till it breaks away, And burns and blazes into glorious day! But happier still is he who bends to trace That sun, the soul, just dawning in the face; The burst, the glow, the animating strife, The thoughts and passions stirring into life; The forming utterance, the inquiring glance, The giant waking from his ten-fold trance, Till up he starts as conscious whence he came, And all is light within the trembling frame!
What then a Father's feelings? Joy and Fear Prevail in turn, Joy most; and through the year Tempering the ardent, urging night and day Him who shrinks back or wanders from the way, Praising each highly-from a wish to raise Their merits to the level of his Praise. Onward in their observing sight he moves, Fearful of wrong, in awe of whom he loves! Their sacred presence who shall dare profane? Who, when He slumbers, hope to fix a stain? He lives a model in his life to show,
That, when he dies and through the world they go, Some men may pause and say, when some admire, "They are his sons, and worthy of their sire!"
But Man is born to suffer. On the door Sickness has set her mark; and now no more Laughter within we hear, or wood-notes wild As of a mother singing to her child. All now in anguish from that room retire, Where a young cheek glows with consuming fire, And Innocence breathes contagion-all but one, But she who gave it birth-from her alone The medicine-cup is taken. Through the night, And through the day, that with its dreary light Comes unregarded, she sits silent by, Watching the changes with her anxious eye: While they without, listening below, above, (Who but in sorrow know how much they love?) From every little noise catch hope and fear, Exchanging still, still as they turn to hear,
At length the Father, vain his power to save, Follows his child in silence to the grave, (That child how cherish'd, whom he would not give, Sleeping the sleep of death, for all that live!) Takes a last look, when, not unheard, the spade Scatters the earth as "dust to dust" is said, Takes a last look and goes; his best relief Consoling others in that hour of grief, And with sweet tears and gentle words infusing The holy calm that leads to heavenly musing.
-But hark, the din of arms! no time for sorrow To horse, to horse! A day of blood to-morrow! One parting pang, and then-and then I fly, Fly to the field, to triumph-or to die!— He goes, and Night comes as it never came! (17) With shrieks of horror!-and a vault of flame! And lo! when morning mocks the desolate, Red runs the river by; and at the gate Breathless a horse without his rider stands! But hush!-a shout from the victorious bands! And oh the smiles and tears, a sire restored! One wears his helm, one buckles on his sword; One hangs the wall with laurel-leaves, and all Spring to prepare the soldier's festival; While She best-loved, till then forsaken never, Clings round his neck as she would cling for ever!
Such golden deeds lead on to golden days, Days of domestic peace-by him who plays On the great stage how uneventful thought; Yet with a thousand busy projects fraught, A thousand incidents that stir the mind To pleasure, such as leaves no sting behind! Such as the heart delights in-and records Within how silently-in more than words! A Holiday-the frugal banquet spread On the fresh herbage near the fountain-head With quips and cranks-what time the wood-lark there
Scatters her loose notes on the sultry air, What time the king-fisher sits perch'd below, Where, silver-bright, the water-lilies blow- A Wake-the booths whitening the village-green, Where Punch and Scaramouch aloft are seen; Sign beyond sign in close array unfurl'd, Picturing at large the wonders of the world; And far and wide, over the vicar's pale, Black hoods and scarlet crossing hill and dale, All, all abroad, and music in the gale:- A Wedding-dance-a dance into the night On the barn-floor, when maiden-feet are light; When the young bride receives the promised dower, And flowers are flung, herself a fairer flower :-
A morning-visit to the poor man's shed,
Down by the beech-wood side he turn'd away--
(Who would be rich while One was wanting bread?) And now behold him in an evil day
When all are emulous to bring relief,
And tears are falling fast-but not for grief:- A Walk in Spring-Grattan, like those with thee, By the heath-side (who had not envied me?) When the sweet limes, so full of bees in June, Led us to meet beneath their boughs at noon; And thou didst say which of the Great and Wise, Could they but hear and at thy bidding rise, Thou wouldst call up and question.
Come in their turn. Morning, and Evening, brings Its holy office; and the sabbath-bell, That over wood and wild and mountain-dell Wanders so far, chasing all thoughts unholy With sounds most musical, most melancholy, Not on his ear is lost. Then he pursues The pathway leading through the aged yews, Nor unattended; and, when all are there, Pours out his spirit in the House of Prayer, That House with many a funeral-garland hung (18) Of virgin-white-memorials of the young, The last yet fresh when marriage-chimes were ringing, And hope and joy in other hearts were springing; That House, where Age led in by Filial Love, Their looks composed, their thoughts on things above, The world forgot, or all its wrongs forgiven Who would not say they trod the path to Heaven? Nor at the fragrant hour-at early dawn- Under the elm-tree on his level lawn, Or in his porch is he less duly found, When they that cry for Justice gather round, And in that cry her sacred voice is drown'd; His then to hear and weigh and arbitrate, Like Alfred judging at his palace-gate. Heal'd at his touch, the wounds of discord close; And they return as friends, that came as foes. Thus, while the world but claims its proper part, Oft in the head but never in the heart, His life steals on; within his quiet dwelling That home-felt joy all other joys excelling. Sick of the crowd, when enters he-nor then Forgets the cold indifference of men?
Serving the State again-not as before, Not foot to foot, the war-whoop at his door,- But in the Senate: and (though round him fly The jest, the sneer, the subtle sophistry, With honest dignity, with manly sense, And every charm of natural eloquence,
Like Hampden struggling in his Country's cause, (20) The first, the foremost to obey the laws, The last to brook oppression. On he moves, Careless of blame while his own heart approves, Careless of ruin-("For the general good "T is not the first time I shall shed my blood.") On through that gate misnamed, (21) through which before
Went Sidney, Russel, Raleigh, Cranmer, More, On into twilight within walls of stone, Then to the place of trial; (22) and alone, (23) Alone before his judges in array
Stands for his life: there, on that awful day, Counsel of friends-all human help denied— All but from her who sits the pen to guide, Like that sweet Saint who sate by Russel's side Under the Judgment-scat, (24)-But guilty men Triumph not always. To his hearth again, Again with honor to his hearth restored, Lo, in the accustom'd chair and at the board, Thrice greeting those who most withdraw their claim,
(The lowliest servant calling by his name) He reads thanksgiving in the eyes of all, All met as at a holy festival!
-On the day destined for his funeral!
Lo, there the Friend, who entering where he lay, Breathed in his drowsy ear, "Away, away! Take thou my cloak-Nay, start not, but obey-- Take it and leave me." And the blushing Maid, Who through the streets as through a desert stray'd; And, when her dear, dear Father pass'd along, Would not be held-but, bursting through the throng, Halberd and battle-axe-kiss'd him o'er and o'er; Then turn'd and went-then sought him as before, Believing she should see his face no more!
-Soon through the gadding vine (19) the sun looks in, | And oh, how changed at once-no heroine here,
And gentle hands the breakfast-rite begin. Then the bright kettle sings its matin-song, Then fragrant clouds of Mocha and Souchong Blend as they rise; and (while without are seen, Sure of their meal, the small birds on the And in from far a school-boy's letter flies, Flushing the sister's cheek with glad surprise) That sheet unfolds (who reads, that reads it not?) Born with the day and with the day forgot; Its ample page various as human life, The pomp, the woe, the bustle and the strife! But nothing lasts. In Autumn at his plow Met and solicited, behold him now Leaving that humbler sphere his fathers knew, The sphere that Wisdom loves-and Virtue too, She who subsists not on the vain applause Majudging man now gives and now withdraws. T was morn-the sky-lark o'er the furrow sung As from his lips the slow consent was wrung; As from the glebe his fathers till'd of old, The plow they guided in an age of gold,
But a weak woman worn with grief and fear, Her darling Mother! "T was but now she smiled, And now she weeps upon her weeping child! --But who sits by, her only wish below At length fulfill'd-and now prepared to go? His hands on hers-as through the mists of night, She gazes on him with imperfect sight; Her glory now, as ever her delight! (25) To her, methinks, a second Youth is given; The light upon her face a light from Heaven!
An hour like this is worth a thousand pass'd In pomp or ease-T is present to the last! Years glide away untold-"T is still the same! As fresh, as fair as on the day it came!
And now once more where most he loved to be, In his own fields-breathing tranquillity— We hail him-not less happy, Fox, than thee! Thee at St. Anne's so soon of care beguiled, Playful, sincere, and artless as a child! Thee, who wouldst watch a bird's-nest on the spray Through the green leaves exploring, day by day.
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