232 233 TO THE LADY MARGARET, COUNTESS OF HE that of such a height hath built his mind, and rear'd the dwelling of his thoughts so strong, his settled peace, or to disturb the same: where all the storms of passions mainly beat where greatness stands upon as feeble feet, as frailty doth; and only great doth seem He is not moved with all the thunder-cracks of power, that proudly sits on others' crimes; S. DANIEL 234 THE GRAVE HERE is a calm for those who weep; a rest for weary pilgrims found, they softly lie and sweetly sleep low in the ground. The storm that wrecks the winter sky There is a calm for those who weep; the soul, of origin divine, God's glorious image, freed from clay, J. MONTGOMERY 235 236 PROOF AGAINST FORTUNE FORTUNE, that with malicious joy proud of her office to destroy, promotes, degrades, delights in strife, I can enjoy her while she's kind; but when she dances in the wind, and shakes the wings and will not stay, I puff the prostitute away; 1 the little or the much she gave is quietly resigned: content with poverty my soul I arm, and virtue, though. in rags, will keep me warm. What is't to me, who never sail in her unfaithful sea, if storms arise, and clouds grow black; Then let the greedy merchant fear and pray to gods that will not hear, For me, secure from Fortune's blows, 237 in my small pinnace I can sail, ON RETURNING A BLANK BOOK AKE back the virgin page, TAKE white and unwritten still; some hand, more calm and sage, the leaf must fill: thoughts come, as pure as light, pure as e'en you require: but oh! each word I write love turns to fire. Yet let me keep the book; oft shall my heart renew, 238 Haply when from those eyes worthy those eyes to meet; thoughts that not burn, but shine, And, as o'er ocean far seamen their records keep, led by some hidden star through the cold deep; so may the words I write tell through what storms I stray; you still the unseen light, guiding my way. J. DRYDEN T. MOORE 239 THE PROGRESS OF POESY FROM GREECE TO WOODS, that wave o'er Delphi's steep, isles, that crown th' Ægean deep, fields, that cool Ilissus laves, or where Mæander's amber waves left their Parnassus for the Latian plains. and coward Vice, that revels in her chains. When Latium had her lofty spirit lost, they sought, O Albion! next thy sea-encircled coast. T. GRAY 240 O TO A STAR FAIR and goodly star, upon the brow of night, that from thy silver car shootest thy friendly light, thy path is calm and bright through the clear azure of the starry way; and from thy heavenly height thou see'st how empires rise and pass away, thou view'st the birth of human hopes their blossom and decay. Oh! that my spirit could cast off its mould of clay, and with the wise and good fly from this toil away; that with thy bright array we might look down upon the world of woe, even as the god of day looks on the listless ocean's flow, and eyes the fighting waves that part and foam below. F. S. II. 7 241 242 THE THE SOUL OF BEAUTY HE shape alone let others prize, that speaks a mind within; a face where awful honour shines, the tenderness of love. These are the soul of beauty's frame; unfinished all her features seem, and all her roses dead. HEAVEN IN PROSPECT M. AKENSIDE Then I alone sit ling'ring here! HEY are all gone into the world of light! Their very memory is fair and bright, It glows and glitters in my cloudy breast, or those faint beams in which this hill is drest I see them walking in an air of glory, whose light doth trample on my days; my days, which are at best but dull and hoary, He that hath found some fledg'd bird's nest may know but what fair dell or grove he sings in now, that is to him unknown. 243 And yet, as Angels in some brighter dreams call to the soul when man doth sleep, SO some strange thoughts transcend themes, and into glory peep. our wonted |