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,
"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 aerial 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.
Planning he knows not what that shall not die! Fond Youth, beware. Thy heart is most deceiving.
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.
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, 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,
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!
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
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, (Who would be rich while One was wanting bread?) 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.
Down by the beech-wood side he turn'd away :- And now behold him in an evil day 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
Graver things 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,
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
Pours out his spirit in the House of Prayer,
Stands for his life: there, on that awful day,
Of virgin-white-memorials of the young,
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
That House with many a funeral-garland hung (18) Counsel of friends all human help denied
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
(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,
Forgets the cold indifference of men?
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 green; And in from far a school-boy's letter flies,
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?
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 Misjudging 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 glebo his fathers till'd of old, The plow they guided in an age of gold,
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.
How oft from grove to grove, from seat to seat, With thee conversing in hy loved retreat, I saw the sun go down!-Ah, then 't was thine Ne'er to forget some volume half divine, Shakspeare's or Dryden's-through the chequer'd
Borne in thy hand behind thee as we stray'd; And where we sate (and many a halt we made) To read there with a fervor all thy own, And in thy grand and melancholy tone, Some splendid passage not to thee unknown, Fit theme for long discourse-Thy bell has toll'd! -But in thy place among us we behold One who resembles thee.
The village-clock strikes from the distant tower. The plowman leaves the field; the traveller hears, And to the inn spurs forward. Nature wears Her sweetest smile; the day-star in the west Yet hovering, and the thistle's down at rest.
And such, his labor done, the calm He knows, Whose footsteps we have follow'd. Round him glows An atmosphere that brightens to the last;
The light, that shines, reflected from the Past, -And from the Future too! Active in Thought Among old books, old friends; and not unsought By the wise stranger-in his morning-hours, When gentle airs stir the fresh-blowing flowers, He muses, turning up the idle weed; Or prunes or grafts, or in the yellow mead Watches his bees at hiving-time; and now, The ladder resting on the orchard-bough, Culls the delicious fruit that hangs in air, The purple plum, green fig, or golden pear, 'Mid sparkling eyes, and hands uplifted there.
At night, when all, assembling round the fire, Closer and closer draw till they retire, A tale is told of India or Japan, Of merchants from Golcond or Astracan, What time wild Nature revell'd unrestrain'd, And Sinbad voyaged and the Caliphs reign'd :- Of some Norwegian, while the icy gale Rings in her shrouds and beats her iron-sail, Among the snowy Alps of Polar seas Immovable for ever there to freeze! Or some great caravan, from well to well Winding as darkness on the desert fell, In their long march, such as the Prophet bids, To Mecca from the land of Pyramids, And in an instant lost a hollow wave
Of burning sand their everlasting grave!- Now the scene shifts to Venice to a square Glittering with light, all nations masking there, With light reflected on the tremulous tide, Where gondolas in gay confusion glide, Answering the jest, the song on every side; To Naples next and at the crowded gate, Where Grief and Fear and wild Amazement wait, Lo, on his back a Son brings in his Sire, (26) Vesuvius blazing like a World on fire!- Then, at a sign that never was forgot,
A strain breaks forth (who hears and loves it not?) From lute or organ! '"T is at parting given, That in their slumbers they may dream of Heaven; Young voices mingling, as it floats along, In Tuscan air or Handel's sacred song!
And She inspires, whose beauty shines in all; So soon to weave a daughter's coronal, And at the nuptial rite smile through her tears;- So soon to hover round her full of fears, And with assurance sweet her soul revive In child-birth-when a mother's love is most alive.
No, 't is not here that Solitude is known. Through the wide world he only is alone Who lives not for another. Come what will, The generous man has his companion still; The cricket on his hearth; the buzzing fly That skims his roof, or, be his roof the sky, Still with its note of gladness passes by: And, in an iron cage condemn'd to dwell, The cage that stands within the dungeon-cell, He feeds his spider-happier at the worst Than he at large who in himself is curst.
O thou all-eloquent, whose mighty mind (27) Streams from the depth of ages on mankind, Streams like the day-who, angel-like, hast shed Thy full effulgence on the hoary head, Speaking in Cato's venerable voice,
"Look up, and faint not-faint not, but rejoice!" From thy Elysium guide him. Age has now Stamp'd with its signet that ingenuous brow; And, 'mid his old hereditary trees,
Trees he has climb'd so oft, he sits and sees His children's children playing round his knees : Then happiest, youngest, when the quoit is flung, When side by side the archer's bows are strung; His to prescribe the place, adjudge the prize, Envying no more the young their energies Than they an old man when his words are wise; His a delight how pure-without alloy; Strong in their strength, rejoicing in their joy!
Now in their turn assisting, they repay The anxious cares of many and many a day; And now by those he loves relieved, restored, His very wants and weaknesses afford A feeling of enjoyment. In his walks, Leaning on them, how oft he stops and talks, While they look up! Their questions, their replies, Fresh as the welling waters, round him rise, Gladdening his spirit: and, his theme the past, How eloquent he is! His thoughts flow fast, And, while his heart (oh can the heart grow old? False are the tales that in the World are told!) Swells in his voice, he knows not where to end; Like one discoursing of an absent friend.
But there are moments which he calls his own. Then, never less alone than when alone, Those that he loved so long and sees no more, Loved and still loves-not dead-but gone before, He gathers round him; and revives at will Scenes in his life-that breathe enchantment still- That come not now at dreary intervals- But where a light as from the Blessed falls, A light such guests bring ever-pure and holy- Lapping the soul in sweetest melancholy. -Ah then less willing (nor the choice condemn) To live with others than to think on them!
And now behold him up the hill ascending, Memory and Hope like evening-stars attending; Sustain'd, excited, till his course is run, By deeds of virtue done or to be done.
to know himself. He tells the proud and insolent, that they are but abjects, and humbles them at the instant. He takes the account of the rich man, and proves him a beggar, a naked beggar. He holds a glass before the eyes of the most beautiful, and makes them see therein their deformity; and they acknowledge it.
When on his couch he sinks at length to rest, Those by his counsel saved, his power redress'd, Those by the World shunn'd ever as unblest, At whom the rich man's dog growls from the gate, But whom he sought out, sitting desolate, Come and stand round-the widow with her child, As when she first forgot her tears and smiled! They, who watch by him, see not; but he sees, Sees and exults-Were ever dreams like these? They, who watch by him, hear not; but he hears, And Earth recedes, and Heaven itself appears!
Tis past! That hand we grasp'd, alas, in vain! Nor shall we look upon his face again! But to his closing eyes, for all were there, Nothing was wanting; and, through many a year, We shall remember with a fond delight The words so precious which we heard to-night; His parting, though awhile our sorrow flows, Like setting suns or music at the close!
Then was the drama ended. Not till then, So full of chance and change the lives of men, Could we pronounce him happy. Then secure From pain, from grief, and all that we endure, He slept in peace-say rather soar'd to Heaven, Upborne from Earth by Him to whom 'tis given In his right hand to hold the golden key That opes the portals of Eternity. -When by a good man's grave I muse alone, Methinks an angel sits upon the stone; Like those of old, on that thrice-hallow'd night, Who sate and watch'd in raiment heavenly-bright; And, with a voice inspiring joy, not fear, Says, pointing upward, that he is not here, That he is risen!
And stars are kindling in the firmament, To us how silent-though like ours perchance Busy and full of life and circumstance; Where some the paths of Wealth and Power pursue, Of Pleasure some, of Happiness a few; And, as the sun goes round-a sun not ours While from her lap another Nature showers Gifts of her own, some from the crowd retire, Think on themselves, within, without inquire; At distance dwell on all that passes there, All that their world reveals of good and fair; And, as they wander, picturing things, like me, Not as they are, but as they ought to be, Trace out the Journey through their little Day, And fondly dream an idle hour away.
Note 1, page 11, col. 2. Our pathway leads but to a precipice.
See Bossuet, Sermon sur la Résurrection.
Note 2, page 11, col. 2.
We fly; no resting for the foot we find.
"I have considered," says Solomon, "all the works that are under the sun; and behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit." But who believes it, till Death tells
O eloquent, just, and mighty Death! whom none could advise, thou hast persuaded; what none have dared, thou hast done; and whom all the world have flattered, thou only hast cast out and despised: thou hast drawn together all the far-stretched greatness, all the pride, cruelty and ambition of man, and covered it all over with these two narrow words, Hic jacet. RALEIGH.
Note 3, page 11, col. 2.
Through the dim curtains of Futurity.
Fancy can hardly forbear to conjecture with what temper Milton surveyed the silent progress of his work, and marked his reputation stealing its way in a kind of subterraneous current through fear and silence. I cannot but conceive him calm and confident, little disappointed, not at all dejected, relying on his own merit with steady consciousness, and waiting, without impatience, the vicissitudes of opinion, and the impartiality of a future generation. JOHNSON.
After line 57, col. 2, in the MS.
O'er place and time we triumph; on we go, Ranging in thought the realms above, below; Yet, ah, how little of ourselves we know! And why the heart beats on, or how the brain Says to the foot, 'Now move, now rest again,' From age to age we search, and search in vain.
Note 4, page 12, col. 1. - like the stone
That sheds awhile a lustre all its own.
See "Observations on a diamond that shines in the dark."-BOYLE'S Works, i, 789.
Schooled and trained up to Wisdom from his birth. Cicero, in his Essay De Senectute, has drawn his images from the better walks of life; and Shakspeare, in his Seven Ages, has done so too. But Shakspeare treats his subject satirically; Cicero as a Philosopher. In the venerable portrait of Cato we discover no traces of " the lean and slippered pantaloon."
Every object has a bright and a dark side; and I have endeavored to look at things as Cicero has done. By some however I may be thought to have followed too much my own dream of happiness; and in such a dream indeed I have often passed a solitary hour. It was castle-building once; now it is no longer so. But whoever would try to realize it, would not perhaps repent of his endeavor.
The hour arrives, the moment wished and feared. A Persian Poet has left us a beautiful thought on this subject, which the reader, if he has not met with it, will be glad to know, and, if he has, to remember.
Thee on thy mother's knees, a new-born child, In tears we saw, when all around thee smiled. So live, that, sinking in thy last long sleep, Smiles may be thine, when all around thee weep. For my version I am in a great measure indebted
it us? It is Death alone that can suddenly make man to Sir William Jones.
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