Part 3

Frown ever opposite, the angel cried, Who, with an earthquake's might and giant hand, Severed these riven rocks, and bade them stand Severed for ever! The vast ocean-tide, Leaving its roar without at his command, Shrank, and beneath the woods through the green land Went gently murmuring on, so to deride The frowning barriers that its force defied! But Art, high o'er the trailing smoke below Of sea-bound steamer, on yon summit's head Sat musing; and where scarce a wandering crow Sailed o'er the chasm, in thought a highway led; Conquering, as by an arrow from a bow, The scene's lone Genius by her elfin-thread.

CLIFTON, _27th August 1836._

PICTURE OF AN OLD MAN.

Old man, I saw thee in thy garden chair Sitting in silence 'mid the shrubs and trees Of thy small cottage-croft, whilst murmuring bees Went by, and almost touched thy temples bare, Edged with a few flakes of the whitest hair. And, soothed by the faint hum of ebbing seas, And song of birds, and breath of the young breeze, Thus didst thou sit, feeling the summer air Blow gently;--with a sad still decadence, Sinking to earth in hope, but all alone. Oh! hast thou wept to feel the lonely sense Of earthly loss, musing on voices gone! Hush the vain murmur, that, without offence, Thy head may rest in peace beneath the churchyard stone.

PICTURE OF A YOUNG LADY.

When I was sitting, sad, and all alone, Remembering youth and love for ever fled, And many friends now resting with the dead, While the still summer's light departing shone, Like many sweet and silent summers gone; Thou camest, as a vision, with a mien And smile like those I once on earth had seen, And with a voice of that remembered tone Which I in other days, long since, had heard: Like Peace approaching, when distempers fret Most the tired spirit, thy fair form appeared; And till I die, I never shall forget,-- For at thy footstep light, the gloom was cheered,-- Thy look and voice, oh! gentle Margaret.

HOUR-GLASS AND BIBLE.

Look, Christian, on thy Bible, and that glass That sheds its sand through minutes, hours, and days, And years; it speaks not, yet, methinks, it says, To every human heart: so mortals pass On to their dark and silent grave! Alas For man! an exile upon earth he strays, Weary, and wandering through benighted ways; To-day in strength, to-morrow like the grass That withers at his feet!--Lift up thy head, Poor pilgrim, toiling in this vale of tears; That book declares whose blood for thee was shed, Who died to give thee life; and though thy years Pass like a shade, pointing to thy death-bed, Out of the deep thy cry an angel hears, And by his guiding hand thy steps to heaven are led!

MILTON.

ON THE BUSTS OF MILTON, IN YOUTH AND AGE, AT STOURHEAD.

IN YOUTH.

Milton, our noblest poet, in the grace Of youth, in those fair eyes and clustering hair, That brow untouched by one faint line of care, To mar its openness, we seem to trace The front of the first lord of human race, 'Mid thine own Paradise portrayed so fair, Ere Sin or Sorrow scathed it: such the air That characters thy youth. Shall time efface These lineaments as crowding cares assail! It is the lot of fall'n humanity. What boots it! armed in adamantine mail, The unconquerable mind, and genius high, Right onward hold their way through weal and woe, Or whether life's brief lot be high or low!

IN AGE.

And art thou he, now "fall'n on evil days," And changed indeed! Yet what do this sunk cheek, These thinner locks, and that calm forehead speak! A spirit reckless of man's blame or praise,-- A spirit, when thine eyes to the noon's blaze Their dark orbs roll in vain, in suffering meek, As in the sight of God intent to seek, 'Mid solitude or age, or through the ways Of hard adversity, the approving look Of its great Master; whilst the conscious pride Of wisdom, patient and content to brook All ills to that sole Master's task applied, Shall show before high heaven the unaltered mind, Milton, though thou art poor, and old, and blind!

TO SIR WALTER SCOTT.

ON ACCIDENTLY MEETING AND PARTING WITH SIR WALTER SCOTT, WHOM I HAD NOT SEEN FOR MANY YEARS, IN THE STREETS OF LONDON, MAY 1828.

Since last I saw that countenance so mild, Slow-stealing age, and a faint line of care, Had gently touched, methought, some features there; Yet looked the man as placid as a child, And the same voice,--whilst mingled with the throng, Unknowing, and unknown, we passed along,-- That voice, a share of the brief time beguiled! That voice I ne'er may hear again, I sighed At parting,--wheresoe'er our various way, In this great world,--but from the banks of Tweed, As slowly sink the shades of eventide, Oh! I shall hear the music of his reed, Far off, and thinking of that voice, shall say, A blessing rest upon thy locks of gray!

ELEGY WRITTEN AT THE HOTWELLS, BRISTOL,

JULY, 1789.

INSCRIBED TO THE REV. W. HOWLEY.[16]

The morning wakes in shadowy mantle gray, 1 The darksome woods their glimmering skirts unfold, Prone from the cliff the falcon wheels her way, And long and loud the bell's slow chime is tolled.

The reddening light gains fast upon the skies, 2 And far away the glistening vapours sail, Down the rough steep the accustomed hedger hies, And the stream winds in brightness through the vale.

Mark how those riven rocks on either shore 3 Uplift their bleak and furrowed fronts on high; How proudly desolate their foreheads hoar, That meet the earliest sunbeams of the sky!

Bound for yon dusky mart,[17] with pennants gay, 4 The tall bark, on the winding water's line, Between the riven cliffs slow plies her way, And peering on the sight the white sails shine.

Alas! for those by drooping sickness worn, 5 Who now come forth to meet the cheering ray; And feel the fragrance of the tepid morn Round their torn breasts and throbbing temples play![18]

Perhaps they muse with a desponding sigh 6 On the cold vault that shall their bones inurn; Whilst every breeze seems, as it whispers by, To breathe of comfort never to return.

Yet oft, as sadly thronging dreams arise, 7 Awhile forgetful of their pain they gaze, A transient lustre lights their faded eyes, And o'er their cheek the tender hectic plays.

The purple morn that paints with sidelong gleam 8 The cliff's tall crest, the waving woods that ring With songs of birds rejoicing in the beam, Touch soft the wakeful nerve's according string.

Then at sad Meditation's silent hour 9 A thousand wishes steal upon the heart; And, whilst they meekly bend to Heaven's high power, Ah! think 'tis hard, 'tis surely hard to part:

To part from every hope that brought delight, 10 From those that loved them, those they loved so much! Then Fancy swells the picture on the sight, And softens every scene at every touch.

Sweet as the mellowed woods beneath the moon, 11 Remembrance lends her soft-uniting shades; "Some natural tears she drops, but wipes them soon:"-- The world retires, and its dim prospect fades!

Airs of delight, that soothe the aching sense; 12 Waters of health, that through yon caverns glide; Oh! kindly yet your healing powers dispense, And bring back feeble life's exhausted tide!

Perhaps to these gray rocks and mazy springs 13 Some heart may come, warmed with the purest fire; For whom bright Fancy plumes her radiant wings, And warbling Muses wake the lonely lyre.

Some orphan Maid, deceived in early youth, 14 Pale o'er yon spring may hang in mute distress; Who dream of faith, of happiness, and truth, Of love--that Virtue would protect and bless.

Some musing Youth in silence there may bend, 15 Untimely stricken by sharp Sorrow's dart; For friendship formed, yet left without a friend, And bearing still the arrow at his heart.

Such was lamented RUSSELL'S[19] early doom, 16 The gay companion of our stripling prime; Ev'n so he sank unwept into the tomb, And o'er his head closed the dark gulph of time.

Hither he came, a wan and weary guest, 17 A softening balm for many a wound to crave; And wooed the sunshine to his aching breast, Which now seems smiling on his verdant grave!

He heard the whispering winds that now I hear, 18 As, boding much, along these hills he passed; Yet ah! how mournful did they meet his ear On that sad morn he heard them for the last!

So sinks the scene, like a departed dream, 19 Since late we sojourned blythe in Wykeham's bowers,[20] Or heard the merry bells by Isis' stream, And thought our way was strewed with fairy flowers!

Of those with whom we played upon the lawn 20 Of early life, in the fresh morning played; Alas! how many, since that vernal dawn, Like thee, poor RUSSELL, 'neath the turf are laid!

Joyous a while they wandered hand in hand, 21 By friendship led along the springtide plain; How oft did Fancy wake her transports bland, And on the lids the glistening tear detain!

I yet survive, now musing other song, 22 Than that which early pleased my vacant years; Thinking how days and hours have passed along, Marked by much pleasure some, and some by tears!

Thankful, that to these verdant scenes I owe 23 That he[21] whom late I saw all drooping pale, Raised from the couch of sickness and of woe, Now lives with me these mantling views to hail.

Thankful, that still the landscape beaming bright, 24 Of pendant mountain, or of woodland gray, Can wake the wonted sense of pure delight, And charm a while my solitary way.

Enough:--through the high heaven the proud sun rides, 25 My wandering steps their silent path pursue Back to the crowded world where fortune guides: Clifton, to thy white rocks and woods adieu!

[16] Afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury.

[17] Bristol.

[18] From a latin prize poem, by W. Jackson--

"Et lacerum Pectus zephyri mulcere tepentes."

[19] The Rev. Thomas Russell, Fellow of New College, Oxford, author of some beautiful sonnets, died at the Hotwells 1788, in the twenty-sixth year of his age. His poems were first published by Mr Howley, with whom we wooed the Muses together on the banks of Itchen. Headley was a pupil of Dr Parr.

[20] Winchester College.

[21] The Rev. Dr Howley, afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury.

MONODY ON HENRY HEADLEY.

To every gentle Muse in vain allied, In youth's full early morning HEADLEY died! Too long had sickness left her pining trace, With slow, still touch, on each decaying grace: Untimely sorrow marked his thoughtful mien! Despair upon his languid smile was seen! Yet Resignation, musing on the grave, (When now no hope could cheer, no pity save), And Virtue, that scarce felt its fate severe, And pale Affection, dropping soft a tear 10 For friends beloved, from whom she soon must part, Breathed a sad solace on his aching heart. Nor ceased he yet to stray, where, winding wild, The Muse's path his drooping steps beguiled, Intent to rescue some neglected rhyme, Lone-blooming, from the mournful waste of time; And cull each scattered sweet, that seemed to smile Like flowers upon some long-forsaken pile.[22] Far from the murmuring crowd, unseen, he sought Each charm congenial to his saddened thought. 20 When the gray morn illumed the mountain's side, To hear the sweet birds' earliest song he hied; When meekest eve to the fold's distant bell Listened, and bade the woods and vales farewell, Musing in tearful mood, he oft was seen The last that lingered on the fading green. The waving wood high o'er the cliff reclined, The murmuring waterfall, the winter's wind, His temper's trembling texture seemed to suit; 29 As airs of sadness the responsive lute. Yet deem not hence the social spirit dead, Though from the world's hard gaze his feelings fled: Firm was his friendship, and his faith sincere, And warm as Pity's his unheeded tear, That wept the ruthless deed, the poor man's fate, By fortune's storms left cold and desolate. Farewell! yet be this humble tribute paid To all his virtues, from that social shade Where once we sojourned.[23] I, alas! remain To mourn the hours of youth, yet mourn in vain, 40 That fled neglected. Wisely thou hast trod The better path; and that High Meed, which GOD Ordained for Virtue towering from the dust, Shall bless thy labours, spirit pure and just!

[22] Alluding to the _Beauties of Ancient Poetry_, published by Mr Headley, a short time before his death. He was also the author of some pleasing original poetry.

[23] Trinity College, Oxford. Among my contemporaries were several young men of literary taste and talent, Headley, Kett, Benwell, Dallaway, Richards, and Dornford; Thomas Warton was one of the Senior Fellows.

ON MR HOWARD'S ACCOUNT OF LAZARETTOS.

Mortal! who, armed with holy fortitude, The path of good right onward hast pursued; May HE, to whose eternal throne on high The sufferers of the earth with anguish cry, Be thy protector! On that dreary road That leads thee patient to the last abode Of wretchedness, in peril and in pain, May HE thy steps direct, thy heart sustain! 'Mid scenes, where pestilence in darkness flies; In caverns, where deserted misery lies; 10 So safe beneath His shadow thou may'st go, To cheer the dismal wastes of human woe. O CHARITY! our helpless nature's pride, Thou friend to him who knows no friend beside, Is there in morning's breath, or the sweet gale That steals o'er the tired pilgrim of the vale, Cheering with fragrance fresh his weary frame, Aught like the incense of thy sacred flame? Is aught in all the beauties that adorn The azure heaven, or purple lights of morn; 20 Is aught so fair in evening's lingering gleam, As from thine eye the meek and pensive beam That falls like saddest moonlight on the hill And distant grove, when the wide world is still! Thine are the ample views, that unconfined Stretch to the utmost walks of human kind: Thine is the spirit that with widest plan Brother to brother binds, and man to man. But who for thee, O Charity! will bear Hardship, and cope with peril and with care! 30 Who, for thy sake, will social sweets forego For scenes of sickness, and the sights of woe! Who, for thy sake, will seek the prison's gloom, Where ghastly Guilt implores her lingering doom; Where Penitence unpitied sits, and pale, That never told to human ears her tale; Where Agony, half-famished, cries in vain; Where dark Despondence murmurs o'er her chain; Where gaunt Disease is wasted to the bone, And hollow-eyed Despair forgets to groan! 40 Approving Mercy marks the vast design, And proudly cries--HOWARD, the task be thine! Already 'mid the darksome vaults profound, The inner prison deep beneath the ground, Consoling hath thy tender look appeared: In horror's realm the voice of peace is heard! Be the sad scene disclosed; fearless unfold The grating door--the inmost cell behold! Thought shrinks from the dread sight; the paly lamp Burns faint amid the infectious vapours damp; 50 Beneath its light full many a livid mien, And haggard eye-ball, through the dusk are seen. In thought I see thee, at each hollow sound, With humid lids oft anxious gaze around. But oh! for him who, to yon vault confined, Has bid a long farewell to human kind; His wasted form, his cold and bloodless cheek, A tale of sadder sorrow seem to speak: Of friends, perhaps now mingled with the dead; Of hope, that, like a faithless flatterer, fled 60 In the utmost hour of need; or of a son Cast to the bleak world's mercy; or of one Whose heart was broken, when the stern behest Tore him from pale affection's bleeding breast. Despairing, from his cold and flinty bed, With fearful muttering he has raised his head: What pitying spirit, what unwonted guest, Strays to this last retreat, these shades unblest? From life and light shut out, beneath this cell Long have I bid the cheering sun farewell. 70 I heard for ever closed the jealous door, I marked my bed on the forsaken floor, I had no hope on earth, no human friend: Let me unpitied to the dust descend! Cold is his frozen heart--his eye is reared To Heaven no more--and on his sable beard The tear has ceased to fall. Thou canst not bring Back to his mournful heart the morn of spring;-- Thou canst not bid the rose of health renew Upon his wasted cheek its crimson hue; 80 But at thy look, (ere yet to hate resigned, He murmurs his last curses on mankind), At thy kind look one tender thought shall rise, And his full soul shall thank thee ere he dies! Oh ye, who list to Pleasure's vacant song, As in her silken train ye troop along; Who, like rank cowards, from affliction fly, Or, whilst the precious hours of life pass by, Lie slumbering in the sun! Awake, arise, To these instructive pictures turn your eyes; 90 The awful view with other feelings scan, And learn from HOWARD what man owes to man! These, Virtue! are thy triumphs, that adorn Fitliest our nature, and bespeak us born For loftier action; not to gaze and run From clime to clime; nor flutter in the sun, Dragging a droning flight from flower to flower, Like summer insects in a gaudy hour; Nor yet o'er love-sick tales with fancy range, And cry--'Tis pitiful, 'tis wondrous strange! 100 But on life's varied views to look around, And raise expiring sorrow from the ground:-- And he who thus has borne his part assigned In the sad fellowship of human kind, Or for a moment soothed the bitter pain Of a poor brother, has not lived in vain! But 'tis not that Compassion should bestow An unavailing tear on want or woe: Lo! fairer Order rises from thy plan, Befriending virtue, and adorning man. 110 That Comfort cheers the dark abode of pain, Where wan Disease prayed for relief in vain; That Mercy soothes the hard behest of law; That Misery smiles upon her bed of straw; That the dark felon's clan no more, combined, Murmur in murderous leagues against mankind; That to each cell, a mild yet mournful guest, Contrition comes, and calms the laboring breast, Whilst long-forgotten tears of virtue flow; Thou, generous friend of all--to thee we owe! 120 To thee, that Pity sees her views expand To many a cheerless haunt, and distant land! Whilst warm Philanthropy extends her ray, Wide as the world, and general as the day! HOWARD! I view those deeds, and think how vain The triumphs of weak man, the feeble strain That Flattery brings to Conquest's crimson car, Amid the bannered host, and the proud tents of war! From realm to realm the hideous War-fiend hies Wide o'er the wasted earth; before him flies 130 Affright, on pinions fleeter than the wind; Whilst Death and Desolation fast behind The havoc of his echoing march pursue: Meantime his steps are bathed in the warm dew Of bloodshed, and of tears;--but his dread name Shall perish--the loud clarion of his fame One day shall cease, and, wrapt in hideous gloom, Forgetfulness bestride his shapeless tomb! But bear thou fearless on;--the God of all, To whom the afflicted kneel, the friendless call, 140 From His high throne of mercy shall approve The holy deeds of Mercy and of Love: For when the vanities of life's brief day Oblivion's hurrying wing shall sweep away, Each act by Charity and Mercy done, 145 High o'er the wrecks of time, shall live alone, Immortal as the heavens, and beauteous bloom To other worlds, and realms beyond the tomb.

THE GRAVE OF HOWARD.