THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES 8HAKSPEARE: $ tetcntcnariT |ocin. HY JOHN YARROW, Professor of Elocution ; ADTHOU OP "ALBKRT TIIK OUEAT," "THE TniUMPH OF LOVE," " LINES ON TIIR I'RI.VCK COKSOIIT," "angel's CONSOI.ATIO.V," " COSGRATULATOKy ODE OX TUB IIIKTH OK TMK YOUNG PUIXCE," "ODE TO LORD CLYDE," "MOSODY ON TIIK DUKE OF WELLINGTON," "HARVEST HYMN," "HARTLEY COLLIKIIY," ETC. ETC. LONDON: A. M. PIGOTT, 8 9, KENNINOTON PARK CORNER; AND 13, PATERNOSTER ROW. 1864. ONE is II 1 L 1. I N G. TO THE S^^^ \ MOST NOBLE AND ILLUSTRIOUS LADY AUGUSTA STANLEY, €lt follotoing |Jonn, COMMEMORATING THE TERCENTENARY OF ENGLAND'S GREATEST POET, IS INSCRIBED, WITH EVERY SENTIMENT OF PROFOUND RESPECT, ADMIRATION, AND GRATITUDE, BY HER LADYSHIP'S MOST DEVOTED AND OBEDIENT SERVANT, JOHN YARROAV. Ai)nl bth, 1864. AUDEESS TO |)er gl0st inicious ||tajcstir tijc (Quctn. On ! should these humble lines an hour survive The weak and feeble brain that gave them birth ; Should aught that I have writ this frame outlive, When my flesh moulders in its parent earth; All praise, lov'd Sovereign, to Thy sacred worth, Who, in Thy sorrow's majesty enshrin'd, Didst deign encourage my poor Muse's dearth — Didbt condescend to raise a humble mind, And kindled homage — love : Victoria good, and kind ! SHAKSPEARE -o-oj^oo- ]\[ONARCii Eternal of all-cliainless mind! A dim eclipse tliy mighty genius throws O'er genius mighty, great and most refin'd, Save in the Lhizing liglit that from Thee flows, Still dazzling with its radiance, as it glows. Thy potent spell encircles land and sea, And wondrous forms in thy vast mind repose, Which with thy sovereign will's felicity Thou " turn'st to shapes " — Great Shakspeare, who is like to Thee! Ages have roll'd, since 'neath this humble cell, The glorious spark of immortality — The fire Promethean came, and here did dwell Within thy cherub form ; thy boyish glee — Thy youthful sports we know not — yet we see Manhood's omnipotence : thou stood'st alone Endued with thought omnific, — ranging free O'er all the vast creation; and thy throne Transcending mortal reach, extends from zone to zone. 8 Three centuries liave sped in ceaseless flight, Since England fondly greeted her great son ; Yet centuries shall roll, and leave no bliglit To wither the green laurels tliat upon Thy liead shall flourish, — by tliy genius Avon : As future ages in intelligence Shall grow, and knowledge vast, her course shall run, Rebuking shallow ignorance' loud pretence, Thou shalt illume the world, be learning's great defence. Kings, princes, statesmen, poets, orators. Philosophers, historians, sages grave, Have worshipp'd liere Avith reverence, in hours Buried in time's abyss. The lovely — brave, For ever fled from life's too transient wave, Here trac'd all-glorious records as they sped. Leaving undying gems we cherish, save ; Feelings, the lieart that honor — 'grace the liead. By hands once living penned — now pulseless, cold and dead. From Avon's stream, some goddess bright, divine. Clasped to her breast, the rosy, laughing Boy, And Avhilst her rounded arms did tliee entwine, She sweetly kiss'd thee, breathing radiant joy Within thy breast, so pure, no cartli's alloy Could tinge or dim its brilliance ; and thy ear Sweet harmony drank in, nought could destroy; She tuned thy voice to sing in accents clear Strains that should melt the heart, or chill with witli'rintr fear. And here with tlice she dwelt — her paragon, — In infancy her darling, and her pride ; She led thy steps to mind's creative throne, And fondly watch'd thee, Avalking side by side, Most truly vowing nought should e'er divide Iler and her son — heir of immortal fame! Thoughts' richest stores were ne'er to thee denied. But cluster'd round thee, till thy very name Became a spell — Shakspeare and Genius are the same ! Poets, great teachers of morality Imprint pure truth on childhood's plastic mind: The poet's pictures their young visions see ; Truths sung in strains so exquisite, refin'd. Take captive tender hearts — the feelings bind — Cement the holier influences given By that Eternal who gave sight to th' blind : Nor, in our latest hours, are precepts riven That gloAv'd in fresh, warm hearts, all redolent of heaven. Poets, great Nature's chroniclers, unfold With searching eye her hidden mysteries. Transmuting sordid dross to burnish'd gold ; Weaving their visions in rich harmonies Till all that's earthly with heaven's radiance vies : With vast perception's gaze, they nicely scan The lofty littleness, peering from mean eyes, The envious sneer that Avould the gifted ban. The shrinking, shifting glance — the pride of paltry man. 10 Tlie eagle's eye, undazzl'd, meets the sun, The crawling worm, feasts on the fest'ring clay ; Genius ennoLles all it looks upon, Contempt's curled lip would e'en that genius slay, Or chant a pa3an o'er its sad decay; Decay! — can genius e'er decay? — Oh, no! The oak expands — the shell but falls away : Clouds may obscure the sun — his radiant glow Respleudently bursts forth, and warms the dregs below ! Like to the foaming billows rolling on, Dashing 'gainst rocks, and lashing the chafed shore, Rousing the pebbles — wearing the hard stone — Deaf'ning the seaman in its angry roar, All-conq'ring, tho' unconquered — and more Resistless, when obstruction bars its way; Whelming proud man beneath its "watery floor," The fluttering phantom moth of life's brief day, In Majesty triumphing o'er dissolving clay. The worldling, all intent to gather dross. Affects to treat the Muse's fire with scorn ; His wiser brain far other thoughts engross. For Mammon-worship was he basely born. From " morn to eve, — from eve to dewy morn " He struggles — pants — and boasts sagacity To undermine — o'erreach his fellow-worm ; And with the fangs of keen rapacity Tramples the heart-warm blood with pertinacity. 11 Otlicrs (Iccm poesy mere fiction : — what — Yes, wliat is fiction? Are the pulse's throbs — The beatings of tlie licart, mere fiction? — not Vital are their functions ? Are the speechless sobs Convulsing the torn frame — that crack the orbs Illumin'd once with tlirilling joy's bright light — Are these, too, fictions? Grief, tlie heart that robs, Leaving behind, Despair's all-scathing blight? Sure dreamers such as these need salve for failing sight! In muddy Ignorance our Isle was drench'd ; Loud howling Superstition, bloody, foul, Barbaric, trampled down the mind, and wrench'd From out man's fonn the wide-expanding soul That owns no limit, nor admits control. ]\Ionks counted beads; and gewgaw mummery With all its gaudy trappings endless roll Array'd, to catch the fancy, daze the eye, And quell each heaven-born spark of struggling liberty. Groping his weary way, man wandcr'd on, With now and then a scintillation bright Of spirit, that despite the gloom, would break upon The land, and yield a ray of cheering light, Like to a lone pure star in darkest night. And, as we often see — Avhile gazing far Into cerulean ether, — our rapt sight Beholds first one, and then another star — So genius twinkling gleam'd, slow-chasing night's dun car. 12 First Chaucer rose — then came sweet Spenser's song. Around such names the halo of renown For ever circles. Ye with genius strong And J daring minds, reLuk'd the lurid frown Of night, whose swathing darkness thick, fell down As with a mantle, shrouding all the land. The hind that tilled the soil — the titled clown That sway'd a symbol oft by curses bann'd Felt the refreshing influence, and learnt to understand That Ignorance is e'er a Nation's curse, And brings a train of ills which devastate And paralyze the truth that men should nurse — Truth that upholds the weak, supports the great. And lays the base of an unfailing state : — That Tyranny is but the nurse of crime, And loud-mouth' d factions miseries antedate : — That Vice — however fashionable — a slime Leaves in its trail. My strong disgust needs fitting rhyme. Years — years liave flown since first tlie Tragic Muse In solemn majesty from Athens sprung ; Then first the stream that pity's cheek bedews Was by the Poet's lofty genius wrung: — Sweeping the chords of his proud lyre — he sung Orestes' madness — Clytajmnestra's crime — Electra's woes to fiercest vengeance stung — Of poor Antigone, wlio rose sublime To brave proud Creon's wrath, and perished in youtli's prime. i:} Lost Sons of Hellas — where, oh! where arc now The Patriot-Poets — the all-wondrous Three, In whom first dwelt primeval genius' glow, Kindling pure strains of immortality, And o'er whose brows, bays grow perennially? Yes — where is He who fought at Marathon — At Salamis — uniting bravery To arts refin'd; and gaining great renown In arms of victory, receiv'd the Poet's crown? Potent for good— all-glorious Shakspeare— Thee We bow before, and whilst with reverence We mutely stand, from out that treasmy Immortal, — indestructible — that immense Casket of golden gems, in which truth, sense, Lofty imaginings, rich elegance. Clothed in thy verses sweetest eloquence, — So magical thy strains, that they entrance Our feebler grasp of mind — yet, breathless, we advance- Advance! — and whither? — Prospero's magic wand Is waving o'er us, and his potent spell Eepeoples witli the past; at his command Ariel floats by me: 1 hear the knell Chanted by spirits all invisible! Or else the Danish Spectre blasts the sight, And chains me, trembling, while he deigns to tell Of murder e'en too terrible for nia-ht ! Perchance the Sisters Weird mutter in dismal lia-ht! 14 But who is he, with crown-dismantled head, And glaring orbs, that fix their madden'd gaze Upon me, till mine own are rivetted, And, lost to all, I stand in mute amaze? My breathing thickens whilst those eyeballs glaze ; My whirling brain is rent by anguish'd shrieks, And the sad grief that withering form displays O'erpowers me, shuddering: down his furrow'd cheeks The scalding tear that falls, ingratitude bespeaks. Great Son of Genius, to thy piercing eye. The light'ning play'd fantastically round The murderer's head, — rending the blacken'd sky; The deep-toned thunder roll'd its solemn sound Within tliine ear; and in the dark profound, The quivering, guilty wretch, ambition-lured Stood crush'd with palsied fear; or on the ground Writhed, — in the chains of agony secured: Or Conscience whisper'd torments not to be endured. Lo ! where tlie murderers of Scotia's king O'erbome with curses, "deep, not loud," dismay'd And trembling stand ; the scorpion sting Of vengeance fires the brain ; nor yet delay' d The undying worm whose tortures fierce, upbraid, — Goading to reckless desperation's strife; Ghosts of black crimes before their minds array'd. He, falls in fury — She, Avith madness rife. Cursed by the voice of conscience, ends her fiendish life. 15 The solemn Tlamlet, princely Dane — but here My pen I drop, and shakes my tremblin,!:^ liand; Language is mute; my bosom throbs with fear While contemplating the conception grand Tliat hath for centuries amaz'd our land — Nor ours alone. Tlie list'ning earth accords Spontaneous admiration : some, stand Stricken with wonder — some murmur solemn words, Or, breathe, in awe. His name, whose mind such wealth affords ! On seven hills seated, haught, colossal E,ome, Towering o'er all in regal majesty, The w^orld's sole arbiter, and proud genius' home, Tho' blasted now her power, and all her free And giant sons sunk to obscurity; Once greatest — now most abject of mankind. Relapsing thro' wild, lawless anarchy Into original baseness — men void of mind, Wlio, into slaves degraded, hug their chains rcsign'd, And perish. Not of yore the Roman name Was borne by abjects, weak, and withering — Mere ghosts — mere shadows of her former fame : These not the men to whom fond memories clinjr. Nor theirs the deeds that poets love to sing. Our mighty Bard roll'd centuries away, And, looking backward, struck the tuneful string In praise of greatness, not of crouching clay — Depainting matchless deeds that stood in proud array 16 Before liis mental eye. Lo ! first appears Coriolanus stern, in mail-clad pride, Misunderstood, tho' trampling on the fears Of recreant cravens : he their power defied Who first assented — then his claim denied ; Revenge then seiz'd his soul, and fir'd his brain ; His lofty form expanding, as allied To Gods supernal, loud he swore the train Whose scornful tongues rcvil'd, should plead, but plead in vain. But hark ! the trumpet sounds ! his mother, wife, The Roman matrons in deep mourning clad, With deeper sorrow in their bosoms rife, Come slowly forward, bending low, and sad. Silence oppressive reigns : all stand array'd Like marble statues in some gorgeous liall. Mute, breathless, save tliat downcast eyes display'd Anguishing tears ; each drop a crystal ball Peering from marble lids, that one by one did fall. Are these some diamonds of the flaming mine. Transplanted tlience to deck a pageant rare ? Yes, — diamonds of the heart which far outshine The tinsel trappings of theatric glare. These are the noblest diamonds women wear, When haughty man would trample rights divine; These move the soul, and aid the speechless prayer, These plead in honor's cause — these drops a shrine Melt in his stubborn heart, till Love and Peace entwine. 17 Volumnia kneels — the ice-mail'd warrior stands Immovable — majestic — towering liigli, Like some snow-crested rock in Alpine lands Whose lofty summit cleaves the cloud-clad sky, And frownis o'er all around, dcfyingly. Virgilia prays — the ice-mail'd consul starts — His struggling breast unlocks — tlic heaving sigh Tears with convulsive spasm yielding hearts, And Rome by Love was saved — not crush'd by anger's darts. Magician, sweep the chords. Old hoary Time Spreads o'er five centuries his gorgeous pall : There stands the Capitol, glorious and sublime — There Colosseum's vast, stu[)cndous wall. Within whose space, did bloody deeds inthral Gaping spectators; wretches in human guise With hearts of fiends; and there, above, — o'er all Towering — Colossus, whose dimensions rise, — While Tiber rolls beneath, — to grasp ethereal skies. Magician! sweep the strings of thy grand lyre! A loud response by inspiration given Peals in its strains ; sublime, energic fire Pervades the list'ning throng, whose hearts are riven As tho' the Thunderer's bolt clave startled heaven! Lo! at the base of Pompey's statue lies Imperial Cajsar, thro' whose heart were driven Assassins' swords. While shouts and clamorous cries Rend the vast welkin, earth's greatest conqueror dies! B 18 Men by comparison alone are great, As fluctuating hills the horizon bound Seem near alike ; but in majestic state, On closer view, one towers o'er all around, And we gaze on with reverence profound: — So, too, mankind; some shed a feeble light. Some give enduring brilliance; some renown'd For massive sense, and some for fancy bright; Some, like grand meteors blaze, illuming dreary night. Sweet Swan of Avon, thy-all-sparkling wit, Effulgent, yet ne'er cumb'ring thy strong sense Appear'd, as if some sunbeam bright had writ The glorious thought, and, with some power intense Graved it in finest gold : wondrous, immense, Thy grand expression of aerial thought! Alchymic laborant, — dispensing thence The polish'd ore of mind — perfection-wrought, To most, — save thee, unknown ; yet, for long ages sought. The inmost flittings of the inner brain Were bared before thy microscopic eye ; Conceptions in their wide meand'ring train Were grasp'd by thee. The crafty subtlety Of fiend-like lago — llichard's villainy — Shylock's malice, which seem like lava stream Beneath Vesuvian mountain, boiling high, Tho' sraould'ring underneath its horrid gleam, Eager to blast — o'erwhelm — with scorching, scathing beam. 19 Can lofty columns emulate the soulV Pile marble high — outsoar pyramides — Let one vast temple spread from pole to pole — Dig low its base beneath the swelling seas — Wliere Genii haunt, and chant their mysteries : ]\Iake it in strength surpass eternal hills Where revel beautiful Oreades, — 'Twill all be vain ; Thy mighty genius fills Unmeasur'd space. Old Ocean mocks earth's trickling rills. Imagination gorgeous, to create Worlds of thine own, that ever shall endure ! Fancies, all-boundless, at thy bidding wait — Forms palpable — not images obscm-e — Enchanting by their brightness, and alliu'e Us onward, by thy potency of power : Oberon, Titania, Puck, Miranda pure. Sport in the spangled woods, or sylvan bower. Dazzling our mortal sight, — beguiling weary hour. All owe thee deepest thanks, and Woman most; None ever scann'd the throbbings of her heart, The secrets of her breast, like thee — nor lost She, by thy pure touch, one holier part Of all her vast perfection : in the start The gush of fond affection, modesty. Diffusing sweetest grace, did ne'er depart : And in tliy portraitui'e, such truth we see, 'Twere vanity insane to hope to rival thee. B 2 20 Pure Hero's constancy — Desdemona's truth, Are present in their native loveliness ; Juliet's unwav'ring, passionate love in youth. Whose fate we pity, whilst that love we bless — In whose fond heart there dwelt no fickleness — Lives still around us. Woman's purity, — Her heart's idolatry, ricli in love's excess — Prove thy sure pencil's faithful tracery. And Woman's grateful nature e'er rewarded thee. Now, whilst I ponder o'er the antique bowl Where baptism's waters thou didst first receive. That cleansing laver of the human soul For all, like thee, who did in Christ believe, — Spirits, pass, gliding by me, and bereave My earthly sense : I hear the soft-tun'd lyre ! Their fairy voices do my ears deceive ; Music unearthly, breathing seraph's fire Lingers in sweetest cadence, that shall ne'er expire. I list the liarpings of thy deathless praise ! They hover o'er me — round me — in the gloom Of this revered fane, till brightest blaze Of "light unsufferable " the walls illume. Bursting, thro' panes prismatic, o'er thy tomb: Prophetic emblem — states shall rise and fall. Kingdoms be swept from Memory's chart to doom ; The darkness of the grave shall be their pall ; Thy fame shall brighten gloriously, defying time, — and all ! 21 'Twas here the Goddess tutor'd thee — her spell She here wove round thee ; and her gem Of bright-eyed fancy wreathing — every dell Haunted by fairies, crown'd witli diadem Started to life celestial ; and by tlicm Thou wast caress'd ; with love they twined a wreath Fadeless, with stars imboss'd, — fitting emblem ; And, as they kneeling kiss'd thee, their sweet breath Transfusing pearl-like radiance — crown'd thy brow beneath. Thought, breeding thought, still multiplies apace : Reason, thought's heir, clad in a robe of light, Eules the great world, and with a stern-eyed grace Dispels the gloomy mists that cloud the sight. Shedding refulgence, beautiful and bright. Thought is, immortal man, the heritage With which thou art dower'd, in which thou art bcdiglit By vast Omnipotence. The Saint and Sage In mighty thought enwrapt, inspire from age to age. Tliy tlioughts. Immortal Bard, with wisdom fraught. Were oft inibib'd from inspiration's Book — The Eternal Book, by God's own finger wrought, No sealed volume was. Thy soul partook Freely and copiously the refi-eshing brook, The fountain-source of inspiration, whence All inspiration is derived : nor sliook By atheistic lore was thy strong sense, That gloried in the plan taught by Omnipotence. 22 Exult, my country — mighty England join In celebration of the glorious day That welcom'd Shakspeare's birth ; and all combine Homage to render in a fitting lay, — Triumphant chorus ne'er to pass away! Envy and Jealousy be to darkness hurled. His heaven -born mind did here its pomp display, And all its vast luxuriance here unfurl'd : — Sublimely-gorgeous wit garnish'd with gems the world. Gems — radiant gems from the Eternal Mine, Blazing in sparkling rays of dazzling sheen. Are in thy massive book inwrought, and shine Where'er we turn the page; nor aught between Of leaden dulness casts a shade ; serene Tho' deep, profoundly deep, the mine we trace — Pure truths flash forth at once; not dimly seen Thro' veiled brightness ; each begets a race Of beautiful imaginings, refin'd with polish'd grace. Honor with well-pois'd crest, erect and high, Stands firmly fortli, nor heeds the meaner crowd ; Trutli, blushlcss walks, and scorns the coward lie; Humility, meek-eyed, repels tlie proud Who strides along, and speaks in accents loud ; Chaste Purity, 'fore whom the sensual quail, And, holy Love, with sweetest joys endow'd ; Tearful Benevolence, that doth e'er prevail O'er self and selfish ends, nor shuns tlie piteous tale. 23 The Mother's Love that never knows release — Whose breast is picrc'J — wliose heart by anguish riven- Pure love that only can with life surcease, Which erst in Paradise by the Eternal given, Whose strong pulsations throb in tunc with Heaven. Witness distracted Constance and her boy — Witness the mind by goading torture driven ! Lo ! the sad scene that withers all her joy ! O ! list ten-ific screams that overwhelm — destroy ! Gems spring from sorrow — purest pearls from tears, Crystalline drops bedewing beauty's cheek; Joys ravish most when chasing gloomy fears, Apollo blazes brightest when clouds break O'er the dark landscape, and large hail-stones wreak Their with'ring vengeance o'er the startled plain, Scatt'ring sweet songsters who some covert seek From the black-scowling tempest: they amain Carol their melodies, and seek the woods again. Athenian Timon — digging roots — found gold ; And cynic Jaques, the moraller, first found Himself, — list'ning the tale that did unfold Evil by good o'ercome ; 'neath trees imbrown'd In Arden's forest, roam'd the Duke, uncrown'd — Banish'd — yet happy; for a richer prize Was his; the chasten'd mind saw good surround His sylvan dwelling: Wolsey sought tlie skies Ambition-wrcck'd : he fell, immortally to rise. 24 Poor Katherine, too, wlio felt the fickle nod Of cruel Hemy, whom she loved too well, Sighing related, that her prayers — her God She had forgot, to please the tyrant fell. O! sure his breast an omnipresent hell Enfolded; sure remorse's scorpion sting Gnaw'd his foul vitals. When lier soul did dwell On Heaven, visions appear'd, who came to bring Her peace — and harps seraphic quired her welcoming. Poor Imogen, who would have crack' d the orbs Of dearest sight but to behold her lord. Whose love concentring, every thouglit absorbs Of risk or danger — love that braves the w^ord Of insolence, or daunts the shameless horde Of brutes instinct with violence ; — e'en she Pierc'd by fell slander's dark assassin sword, Thrid labyrinthine maze of misery : At last she clave love's breast, "like fruit upon the tree." Oh ! if were known the torments of the daran'd — If the lost spirits who now Avi-ithc and howl In speechless agonies, by remorse inflam'd, Where forked serpents liiss the scathed soul — Where adders sting — and hoots hell's blear-eyed owl;- If these could speak, they would aloud proclaim Fires fiercest burn for those whom slander foul Prompted with felon breath to stab the fame Of wronged Innocence, and blast feir virtue's name ! 25 Yes! these are gems, far years shall widely spread To humanize — instruct — and gild mankind, House him from apathetic drowsyhcd To look on virtue pure, whose power rcfin'd Shall (quench base passions, and true feelings Lind In holiest amity; The soul's health Shall dwell in vigorous body aye enshrin'd, And sordid lucre, oft obtain'd by stealth. Shall be exehang'd, in joy, for wisdom's sacred wealth. Then pause ye now, hard-handed sons of toil ; And, tho' rude labour is your whole estate; Tho' ye must delve in mines, or dig the soil. Rise with the lark, and take your rest but late, — Snatch ye the time determin'd minds create For self-improvement; grumble nor repine At the low sphere ye fill ; but make your fate : The undaunted heart a purpose doth design : Think on your rank how oft hath smil'd the graceful Nine. These are some gems with which thy page is fraught My gentle Shakspeare, midst a sparkling host; The Prince, the sage, mechanic, may be taught Lessons from thee : who reads thee oft, learns most. The poet's soul is with thy thoughts engross'd; The painter's pencils oft thy scenes portray; The sculptor's chisel carves thy noble bust, Or moulds to breathing life the cumbrous clay; The eloquent orator culls to make some gTand display. 26 And, if Melpomene thy strains adorn, Thalia's ever arch and laughing eyes Wove spell-like fascinations that were born In her all-glowing breast; — perfumed sighs, Distill'd by Spring, breath'd sweetest witcheries ; Wit, blandly, flow'd from lips, that well could sing : Casting her zone-bestudded-mysteries Around thy form, all deftly did she fling Her hand o'er silver lyre, to time her carolling. But who can count the gems thy volume yields? Task endless — hopeless — for poor mortal wight. Fathom the ocean — track ethereal fields — Keckon the atomies, which athwart the sight Dance in long streams in darken'd cells where light Is scarcely visible ; compute the sands Blown by careering winds, which pierce the bright, Tlio' oft distended eyeball : such demands Need more than human brains — need more than mortal hands. Retiring from the scenes of busy life, To cultivate thy fields, and tend tliy farm, A greater Scipio forsaking strife Of mortal turmoil, for the tranquil balm Of love — of studious ease — contentment calm. Dispensing genial hospitality With open-handed fricndsliip — ardent — warm — Then brightest shone thy mind. We wond'ring see Humanity's declension was thy maturity ! 27 As some lone, glorious orh, now wand'ring far, In devious passage had mista'en its course. And -whirling on encounter'd some great star That blazed it down, and, with stupendous force To fragments shatter'd : its irradiate source Dispersing widely, partial, failing streams That shone diffusedly — tho' far the worse, And scatter'd more the radiance of its beams — So 'fore thy gorgeous brilliance, genius paly gleams. Few paces lead from Birthplace to the Tomb ! The record this of frail mortality : We pass from day's bright light to grave's dark gloom. And years roll on, like waves in SAvelling sea That foam and toss — lost in eternity : Our little life is "rounded with a sleep," And all remembrance ceases soon to be; Our names are buried in oblivion deep. And, ruthless time, with scythe resistless, leaves a heap Of mould'ring clay, surmounted by a stone — Frail record of a being once as frail ; The winds and storms pass o'er it — and 'tis gone! Destruction pitiless doth it assail : The revelling worm, could it but speak, a tale Could tell, would freeze within the crimson stream Coursing resistless, till the cheek would pale. And the bright eye, losing expression's gleam, Would fade in darkness, or sad grief o'crcloud its beam. 28 Not so with Thee, Thou " myriad-minded " — Thou O'er death triumphing, reign'st omnipotent ! Pilgi'ims from earth's extremes, before Tliee bow, And, at thy shrine, in lowliest reverence bent, Worship great nature's Paragon : intent They gaze upon thy placid brow, until The air of that most sacred fane is rent, And radiant emanations, vocal still. Breathing inspired words, that holy temple fill ! And I, an evanescent, flutt'ring thing — I, too, have stray'd, to worship and adore ; My lips, that oft thy words repeated, bring Some faint memorial of thy quick'ning power To prove my heart's devotion. Milton's lore. Nor Jonson's ready wit my strains contain; 'Tis homage deep — not lofty genius' dower That breathes this tribute of a humble strain : Methinks tliy bland eye speaks thou wilt acceptance deign. Belov'd — caress'd by all — the all-admir'd — E'en great Eliza clad in majesty Stoop'd from her throne to greet the Great Inspik'd, Exalting honor when she honor'd thee ! Iler penetrating eye could quickly see Thou would'st reflect her favor back again, Illumining in brilliant radiancy With more than mortal brightness, her proud reign : Star that must burn in glory when otlier stars should wane ! 29 The kingly James, who proud of learnings bays, Disdained not with his own hand to write An " amicable letter " to thy praise, And did himself his courtesy indite. Southampton, too — the learned and polite — Courting thy wit and sweet society, Did oft thy ]\Iuse to his lov'd halls invite, Rewarding thy great worth with friendship's fee, And honour'd most became, when most he cherish'd Thee. And I, poor Pilgrim, with mute reverence Still journey on, and visit the bright scene, Where thou, when filled with passionate love intense Didst woo, and win thy fairest Ann, I ween ; Few paces from thy birthplace intervene To bring me to the cot thy Lady-love Did once inhabit j all is calm, serene; Ascending the steep stair to room above I see her ancient couch : all relics here do prove Tliis was indeed the home where Shakspearc breathed — Breath'd fondest thoughts in sweetest words to One He lov'd — yes, gentle Shakspearc lov'd — and wrcatli'd A fairy garland for her brow alone: The peerless bride destin'd to grace a throne, Loftier than fairest beauty could ascend, — The throne in Shakspeare's heart — the mightiest one Woman hath e'er possess'd since love did blend Transports in human breasts: throne that did all transcend! 30 Oh ! all is here of thee — the very streets, The fields around are vocal with thy fame; The wand'rer, musing, silently repeats — The vocal songsters seem to chirp Thy Name, The silver Avon mm-mers, too, the same. And winding washes near thy sacred dust : Thou King of Poets ! wonder I, nor blame, That 'neath this pile, thy ashes thou should'st trust. That temple last receiv'd thee that thou enter' dst first. Oh ! Potent Master of the thrilling lyre ! Accept from humblest of the tuneful throng My gratitude — my homage: thine the fire Promethean, that inspired hath my song : Monarch of mind — of nature gentle — long — Long have I long'd to stand the roof beneath Where thou didst first respire— thy walks among To trace thy footsteps ; very air to breathe. And bow before thy shrine, — Immortal e'en in death ! Mountains shall quiv'ring crumble — solid rocks O'er which the blast hath howl'd, be shatter'd — rent — Ocean, that hath defied Time's mightiest shocks, Shall dry, or stagnate, or its waves be spent: Forests shall wither — every element Vanish, or be immanacl'd : city — tower — Earthquake convulsing — totter, and be blent In horrible confusion : Thou shalt soar Amidst the blaze of worlds, beyond Time's fleeting hour! FINIS. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY Los Angeles This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. Form L9-75m-7, '61 (0143784)444 iTTTr-'T' THB.UHHAKT^^^^^ PAMPHLET BINDER ^^3 Syracuie, N. Y. ^3— Stockton, Colif. ■ II ■■CILITY . 11"' niii mIIiIIiIIiiiiIIiiii AA 000 373 765 7 PR 5899 Y33S