A = ^il — ^Mh m ^^ m ^^H s ^^1 3 = m%m 6 1 -m 7 s ^^^ -JD ^^1 ^^ 5 = =- — -JJ ^^H 1 — :> 7 § — 1 — — —I 1 - f-';,A'- -V mhxUf> I ^ : 1 THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES ^ht C^n lijDmns of Snncsius .O Suntsitts, I3islj0p nf Curnu A.D. 410 IN ENGLISH VERSE ginb some orrasional '|liercs BY ALAN STEVENSON, LL.B., F.R.S.E. I. APE ENGINEEl; TO THE BOAIiP OF NORTHERN LIGHTHOUSES Rous^g thee, my soul, and drain tliee from the dregs Q#V'uIgar thoughts ; screw up the heighten'd pe.^s ^Of thy subhme Theorbo' four notes high'r, , Arfd high'r yet, that so the shrill-mouth'd quire Of swift-wing'd seraphims may come and join. And make the concert more than half divine.' EmOlevis of Francis Qitarles. 1644. 1 A lart;e lute, for playiiiff a thorough bass, used by the Italiiiiis — BAILK V. PRINTED FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION. 1865 EDINBURGH : T. CONSTABLE, I'RINTER TO THE QUEEN, AND TO THE UNIVERSITS'. PREFACE. In early youth, I first came to know the name ot Synesius, while reading the notes to that most interesting poem, Idolatry, by my much esteemed friend, the Rev. William Swan, who has therein paraphrarsed some lines from the Fourth Hymn of Synesius. In 1844 I sent to a clergyman some por- tions of the Hymns in English verse, which he thought fit for a place in a small volume, issued for the good of a church. It pleased (lod in 1S52 to disable me, by a severe nervous aftection, for my duties, as engineer to the Board of Northern Light- houses ; '^nd I took to beguiling my great sufferings by trymg'to versify the whole Ten Hymns of Synesius. During many an hour, the employment helped to soothe my pains. My great difficulties in dealing with the Hymns of Synesius, lay in steering clear of the leaning which the poet's early training had given to his mind to the mystifying thoughts of Platonic Pantheism.^ and also to his habitually employing the unintelligible phrase- ology of the Vale?itinians, which, however, I fully believe, he used with an orthodox heart. Such a 879220 vi Preface. charitable view, it .should seem by the notes of Boissofiadc', in his edition of the Greek Poets, has been expressed by Grabius in his Notes on Irenaeus. His words are, ' Hseretica voce, orthodoxa autem mente, de vero Deo, cecinit Synesii/s ;' and elsewhere he writes, ' Omnem fere Valentinianorum matseolo- giam verae theologian adaptavit Synesius, poetica licentia abusus.' This subject has been admirably treated, in a single paragraph of Leighton's Third PrcBlectio Tkeoiogica, in which he cites Synesius him- self as to the ileed of dealing most cautiously with the mysterious doctrines of the attributes and per- sonalities of the Godhead. It is as follows : — ' Et tamen balbuties mera est quicquid de ilia prima et increata felicitate et majestate loquimur ; hie nos destituit non solum sermo, sed et cogitatio omnis, ubi ilium dvOdaa-rov^ rov ovra ' sine hominibus, sine angelis, sine ulla creatura, per infinita retro secula in se solo monentem, et lucentem, et beatum, et lastum contemplamur. ' Tu'os o/xjua cro«s naturally leads me to notice the opinions of the'gveat Coleridge on this matter (as given in the first volume of his Biographia Literaria, 2d Edit. pp. 253-254), in a footnote on those words in the text, ' the ONE and all oi Parmenides and Plotinus without Spijiozism! ' This,' he says in the Note, ' is happily effected in three lines by Synesius in his Third Hymn : — ' "El/ Ktti TTai'Ta =: (taken by itself J is Spinozism. • "Ev S' dTravTWT = a mere Anima Mu7idi. "Ev T€ Trpo TrdvTioi' = is MecJianical Theism. X Preface. ' I)Ut unite all three, and the result is the Theism of ' St. Paul and Christianity. ' Synesius was censured for his doctrine of the ' Pre-e.xistence of the soul ; but never, that I can find, ' arraigned or deemed heretical for his Pantheism, ' though neither Giordano Bruno nor Jacob Behmen ' ever a\'0\ved it more Ijroadly. ' MiVras 5e I'oos, Ta re koX ra Aeyet, Bn^oi/ apprjTOv ' AfJ.(f>L)(^Op€VWl'. Sli TO TCKTOV £c/jl'9, 2u TO TlKTOfXevOV, 2l) TO (jiOiTi^OV, 2u TO Xainrn[j.ei'Oi', 'Ev TO f/)aii'o/xevov, 'Sv TO KpyTrroftevov, 'I6tai? avyais, "I']v /cat TTcii/Ta, "Ej' Ktid' eavTo, Kat Sea TTfU'TWK.* ' Pantheism is therefore not necessarily irreligious ' or heretical ; though it may be taught atheistkally. ' Thus Spinoza would agree with Synesius in calling ' God ro-ts Iv voepoi'i, the Nature in Intelligejices ; ' but he could not sub.scribe to the preceding vom koX ' voe/Do?, i.e., Himself intelligenee and ititelligent. * Hymn lli. line 187 (omitting 0(2>s Rpv-rrToixivov, added in later editions). Preface. xi ' In this biographical sketch of my literary life I may ' be excused, if I mention here, that I had translated ' the eight Hymns of Syncsii/s from the Greek into ' Enghsh Anacreontics before my fifteenth year.' How deeply we must deplore that this translation"" by ^ the marvelloiis-eyed one' should never have been published. I have made diligent incjuiries as to its fate ; but can learn nothing of it. I need not say that I should not otherwise have ventured to try my feeble and unskilful hand on the work. One must wonder that Synesius should have escaped the snares to which he must of necessity have been exposed ; and when we consider the abominations of blasphemy and impiety, into which Valentinus and his followers (Basilides and others) sunk, we cannot but think that the grace of God alone could have rescued from perdition any one who had been trained in such schools as those of the Platonists, and still mor^that thereby alone should he have been enabled to fill, with usefulness and credit, the oftice of pro- minence in the Church, to which he was finally pro- moted. It seems desirable, on account of the obscurity which hides the subject, to add a few words as to this arch-heretic, Valentinus. Being expelled from his bishopric about the year 120 a.d., he seems to have gone into voluntary exile to Cyprus, where he spent a life of great impurity, and with his associates fell into fearful blasphemy and advocated all iniquity. xii Preface. He agreed with Basilides in holding the flibulous genealogies of Gods, and .^ones of barbarous names, like those in Hesiod. He taught monstrous doc- trines as to Christ's Incarnation, and also about various orders of beings, spiritual, animal, and fleshly. According to Tertullian, he wrote an Evajigelium, and also a large Treatise on the Origin of Evil. In the Appendix I have given some extracts as to Valen- tinianism from some of the orthodox Fathers. I hope I have not, through inadvertence, circulated aught that is contrary to gospel teaching in my trans- lation of the Hymns. I think it right, as I have added no notes, to state that in the Third Hymn there will be found an allu- sion, at the foot of page 17, to Epimdlmis, the brother of Prometheus, Afterthought and Forethought, ' which ' characteristics of the two brothers are recorded in ' various proverbs, e.g., to jj-eralSovXeveaOat 'Etti/at;- ' Oem epyov, ov IT/jo/xT/^ews — Luc. ErOffi. 7 ; 'ETriixrjdel ' ovK ecTTt TO jikXeiv, dXXa to jxerafj-kX^iv — SynesiUS.' — (See Liddell and Scott's Lexicon) The friends at whose request I have printed this feeble version of Synesius' Hymns for their pleasure, begged me to add a few small pieces of verse, which had accumulated in my own Scrap-book. They are chiefly translations, and a few reflections suggested by external objects, or by talk with friends. I trust they will be received with forbearance. A. S. Alay 15, 1865. CONTENTS. 2r{}e Em it^ginns of Sgncsius. First 'Hymn, Second Hymn, Third Hymn, Fourth Hymn, Fifth Hymn, Sixth Hymn, Seventh Hymn, Eighth Hymn, Nintrf'Hymn, TenthT Hymn. I 5 7 19 24 26 28 30 32 34 ©rcastonal pieces. A Thought at Capel Curig, North Wales, Evening Reflections, The Dream, .... Hymn, ..... 37 37 39 41 XIV Contents. A Vision, ...... 43 O Salutaris llostia, . . . . . 45 Lines, . . . . . . . 46 Veni Creator Spiritus, . . . . . 47 Easter Sunday, . . . . . 4S Ai^proach of Cholera, . . . . 50 On my dearest Motlier, . . . . . 52 Translation from Boethius, . . . . 53 Translation from Boethius, . . . . 54 Translation from Boethius, 55 Manuela, the .Spanish Mountain-Maid, . 56 Translation from .St. Ambrose, 5« To Elizabeth, ..... 59 Morning, from the Spanish of Melendez, 62 To the ' Ringing Stone ' at Balaphetrish, Tyree, 65 Lines at Evening, .... 66 To Three .Sisters, .... • 67 Inscription for Llynon Woods, 6S To M., . = .... 69 ToM., 70 The Goat of Mona's Isle, 71 Lines at Midnight, .... 72 Lines, during a Winter Sunday Walk, . 73 To Margaret, . . . . • 76 Christmas Sonnet, .... 77 Christmas Sonnet, .... 78 Contents. To M. S. S., with a Misletoe Bough, Jehovah-Jiieh, . . . . To R. A. M. S., . ' Benefactions,' sent to Martha L., 1848, Sonnet on the Influence of Scenery on Mind, Sonnet on Starry Nebulre, On Memory as an Agent of Retrilnitive Justice, On a Snowy, Sunshine Day, On the Disappearance of the Snow, and the Sight of th First Snow-drop at Kirkside, March i, 1855, To my Gotlchild, Ellen Dudding, on her first Birth.day, On the Falling Leaf, .... Words ior Keble's Air, .... Air — ' Tantum Ergo Sacramentum,' Dr. Theophilus Thompson, who died August 14, i860, Translation from Lucretius, Translation from Lucretius, ■0:' Translation from Homer, Ti-ftnslation from Homer, To Eliza, ...••• PAGE 79 81 83 84 86 87 88 92 96 99 lOI 103 104 106 107 108 no I II 112 APPENDIX. Extracts from Orthodox Fathers as to Valentinienism, . 117 Hymns of Synesius, Bishop of Cyrene. A.D. 410. "Kyi. jioiy Atyeia (f)6d[Jt,L^, /^^OME, sweet-voiced lyre, to the soft Teian measure And gentle Lesbian lays attuned for pleasure, Breathe now, I pray, a solemn Dorian strain To holy hymns ; be there no notes profane. I will not sing the praise of beauty's smile That softly would young tender hearts beguile, Nor telLpf youths whose much-loved pleasing grace, Breathes out in every gesture, and each pace. The spotless Offspring of the AVise Supreme Calls me to strike the lyre ; Himself the theme. To tune for heavenly strains He bids to flee The soft entanglement of earthly glee : For what is strength, or what is beauty's crown. Or what is golden store, or great renown. Or kingly honour ? Is there one would dare With thoughts of God or Heaven such dross compare? A 2 First Hymn Let one his liorse well guide, or bend the bow, Or heap gold stores, with care unwearied slow ; Let others pride themselves on glossy hair That clusters o'er the snow-white neck so fair, Or joy because a smooth and beauteous face, 'Midst boys and girls, bears off the palm for grace ; But I would choose to lead a life serene, Humble, by all, except my God, unseen — A life most fit for youth, most fit for age. In which wise poverty can calmly smile, Untouch'd by all the bitter cares that rage Round those who with the world their hearts engage. Let me have but enough to keep me free From suing beggary at my neighbour's door. Lest hungry want should bend my soul to see Nought but the loathsohie cares that grind the poor. List to the grasshopper, which sweetly sings. Drinking the morning dcAV with flickering wings ; I too with humble and unconscious voice And strings untaught by art would now rejoice, For a mysterious, secret, heaven-born breath Sweeps round me from above, around, beneath. What strain at length will these strange throes bring forth ! He 's the Beginning whence beginning came, The One Unborn that far above the earth. Enthroned on highest Heaven's stupendous frame, — The Ruler antl the Father of all things, — - In endless glory .sits the King of king.s. of Syncsiiis. 3 C) ! blessed Unity of Unities 1 Thyself first Monad of the endless chain : Who all things bountifully bringest forth Super-substantially in ceaseless train ; Whence Unity did seem at first to spring, And was in Threefold power, diffused by way Wondrous, with mighty powers of offspring crown'd, Which from Thee well and beauteous round Thee play : Rash harp be silent, nor profanely dare The secret worship, which no rites declare, To men to 'tell ; go, sing of things beneath ; Let Heaven be unpolluted by thy breath, The soul alone may roam through worlds of thought. (Whence by a holy origin 'tis brought To dwell in man degraded on the earth.) Yet uncorrupted and of heavenly birth, This soul, entire and link'd unto its Whole, Present i»- ever-changing forms itself presides, TurniiYg Heaven's concave, and does all control. This heaven-born soul the starry courses guides ; Part, too, by heavy bondage, down is bound. To wed an earthly form upon this ground, Disjoin'd from love parental, doom'd to drink Misty forgetfulness and cares, that shrink Before the sight bounded by joyless earth. In wonder cheerless, seeks its heavenly birth. Yet even in them the all-seeing God did dwell. And light divine on blinded eyeballs fell ; 4 First hlyuin Yes, even in tliem who down to earth are hurl'd, 'lliere springs a force their hearts that safely bears Above the billows of this stormy world, And u])wards to their kingly home them steers. () ! blest, who shunning Nature's hungry cry, Soars from this earth, with joyous spring on high ; Blest too 1 who, after death, and toils, and woes. That gnaw on earth, enters Life's path, and goes Straight to the Fountain fathomless, whence flow Those unseen glories, which as yet none know ; 'Tis hard for man to rise with outspread wings. Borne upwards l)y the love of heav'niy things. Do thou but nerve thy heart with the desire Of godly wisdom's joy; to heaven aspire ; And soon thou "It see thy Father near thee stand, And, bending o'er thee, stretch a helping hand. For a soft ray from heaven will run to guide And light thy way, and show that boundless land Where intellectual lights for ever dwell, And wdience true beauty and true joy expand From the deep fountains of God's love which well. Upward, my soul ! drink from th' Eternal Fount Of heavenly good ; with earnest prayer entreat Thy Father ! Halt not — leave this earthly mount. For Godlike thou shalt be — in God complete. KiRKsiDE, 1S53. of Syncsiits. 5 II. A FTER the gloom of night is pass'cl away, Again we see the glorious, cheerful day ; Again, my soul, with joyful morning songs. Praise Him to whom all heartfelt praise belongs ; He gives each day the cheerful morning light. And circling stars that brightly dance by night. The mighty mass of chaos boiling lay In vapour wrapt, that floated dense and soft Over the spiry fire, where the bright moon. Cutting her lowest orbit, shoots aloft Beyond eight whirling spheres that bear the stars, A starless stream, in its vast billowy breast. Ingulfing hurries counter-running streams ; Ceaselesi*-if moves, and knows nor pause nor rest, Ever aroynd the boundless mind, the King, That shrouds the whole beneath His hoary wing. A holy silence hides what lies beyond, Where mind and thought unite in ceaseless bond, One Fountain and one Root, whence all forth flow ; Yet threefold .splendours in His form we know : From the great Father's bosom deep are found The Son, who made the world, this image bright. And the bless'd Spirit who on man has shed His purifying, reconciling light. 6 Second Hviiiu One Fountain and one Root all blessings bear — That (juintessential Germ whence life forth wells, And th' inbred Light that clothes with splendours rare Those blest abodes where j)ureness only dwells. Thence the created but immortal choirs Of angel chiefs, their sires benignant round, Ever the praise of God and His First-born, In choruses intelligent resound. The angel host, rejuvenescent still, Partly look backward to the beauteous birth ; Partly behold the spheres intent and guide Heaven's vault, and to the depths cast glories forth. Yea, even where Nature brooding darkly bears The rebel subtle crew, the demons named. That giant race of strange, portentous forms, By moaning winds \\-hich in the earth are framed, — Of all Thou art the root ; all are Thy choice — Past, present, and to come, of all the spring, Whence all relations flow, silence and voice, Nature of natures, all things Thou dost bring. Father and mother, male and female, found In Thee alike and Thee alone abound. Ancient of Days ! Ruler, to Thee all hail ! (If with the voice we may Thy name make known,) Root of the whole ! creation's centre, hail ! Monad of ceaseless numbers ; who alone Didst form the angel-kings before unknown. All hail ! all hail I with Thee alone is joy ! Give ear in favour to my joyous lays ! of Syncsius.. Send wisdom's light and calm prosperity, Not want nor worldly wealth's ensnaring ways-- Drive aWay fell disease and loathsome lust, And cares that gnaw the heart ; let not my wing, Sin-laden, grovel on the earthy crust ; But upwards with free pinions may I spring. In untold raptures near Thy Son to sing. III. "Aye /xot, '/'t'x"5 /~^OME,'my soul, to sacred songs ^^ Give thy strength ; and calm to rest Earth-born passions, and each power Be to heav'nly thoughts address' d. Stir up, my soul, the heavenly love That burns within to God our King. Offer th' unbloody Host with song And fuB' drink-offerings, as we sing. O'ef "thd wide sea, in distant isles, Over the great and wide-spread land. In cities and in rugged hills. Where'er our feet securely stand, — Maker of all. Thy name we '11 sound In praise, through every land renown'd. Upwards to Thee, O King, by night. My soul oft soars, in tuneful flight ; At the pale dawn, at burning noon, And at sweet eve, my hymns I tune. 8 Third Hymn Bear witness, for you know it well, Ye glittering stars, for you can tell, . And thou soft moon, whose gentle ray, Yields to the brighter power of day, Which rules o'er every lesser light, And pious souls doth judge aright. Lifting my weary wings, away From the deep chaos to God's rest, O I may I go, in cheerful day To His fair courts and to His breast, And, bending at His holy shrine. Join in heaven's rites pure and divine. Now to the sacred hills I go, Upon those holy heights to pray. And to bare Libya's deep defile And southern verge I 've wound my way. Land ! not polluted by the godless soul. And where no worldly dreamers ever stray, 'Tis there the soul, from evil thoughts made whole. From foul desires, from toils and woes set free. And wrath and strife, which in the heart's core spring, With holy tongue, O God, sings hymns to Thee. O heaven, O earth, a reverent silence keep ; Stand still, O sea ! breathe not, thou silent air. And all ye winds be hush'd ; ye curling waves, Your angiy tumults calm ; and never dare. Ye streams, to flow, nor fountains to well forth ; Let a deep silence rest o'er Nature's fields. While pious tongues to the Lord's praise give birth. of Synisiiis. 9 Ye curling snakes ! which earth polluted yields, Be hid in earth. Go, idol-loving fiend. Thou winged dragon, to the desert bare, Nor cheer thou on the brood of hell-hounds dire, To drown, with yells, each heaven-directed prayer. O Father blest, drive far aAvay the host Of .soul-deceiving fiends that fiercely tear My trembling soul, corrupting all my deeds, And scare my humble soul from earnest prayer. O let our hearts be soothed by gentle care Of holy messengers, who heavenward bear To Thee our fervent hymns. I upward rise Already to the goal of hallow'd rest, Where sacred songs abide. The echo dread Of God's voice thrills within my panting breast ! Forgive me, Father blessed, if too much Of Thee I speak, or with unguarded touch Thy throne approach. \Vhat eye can wisely gaze. Or boMly try the holy Lord to see, An.d^yet not close, in guilty dread amaze, Awed by the holiness they find in Thee \ Thy fires the shuddering gods of men dispel ; Their eyes from Thee cast down behold the earth; Their quaking spirits dare not rise to dwell Before Thee ; but in awe they are cast forth On what they cannot gain, and thus away They, from Thy watch-tower, turn their darken'd eyes To pierce the depths of light that boundless lies Beneath. There is the seat of winds that play, lO Third Hyuiii And bear the flowers of light that to Thee pay, Ofifering back gifts which from Thee first came forth,— For to all things, O King, Thou gavest birth. Father of fathers, all things, of Thyself, Before Time, came, the Father ever One ; The One before all Unities, Thou art, Having no father, of Thyself the Son, The Seed of beings. Centre of all things, Eternal, unsubstantial Mind, whence springs The Universe, — the Light that, e'er the day Of things created came, eternal shone ; The Fount of Wisdom true, the Mind deep hid In its own brightness, e'er unchanged and One; Parent and Life of ages, who dost rule All minds and powers, the Maker of the whole, Spirits and angels, nourishing all souls ; Eye of Thyself, Thou thunder dost control ; Fount of all founts, of all beginnings first, O Root, whence every living root hath burst ; Unit of Unities, of Numbers all The Source, the Mind that hast all ever known, Both what has been, and what is yet to be ; One before all ; of all the Sum alone ; Seed of all things ; the Root and highest Branch ; The Mind mysterious that canst all declare, And leadest round the depths unspeakable Thy circling orbits, through the boundless air : Thou bringest forth, and Thou too forth art brought : Th' eternal Father, to all eyes unknown. of Syncsius. 1 1 Thy power appears, and Thou art often hid In Thine own splendour ; in Thyself alone Thou \Vert in wonder seen, that Thou might'st bring Thy Son, true Wisdom, Maker of each thing. Thee Trinity, Thee Unity, I praise, One and yet Three alike in all Thy ways ; That severance our minds admit is still The one and only Person of God's will. Upon Thee, Son, by counsel wise shed forth, (The Natural mind unspeakable,) none durst Of Thee, first of all Natures, dare to say, ' From- Thee a Second came, or Third from First.' O Child unspeakable ! O sacred Birth ! Comprising what does bear, and what's brought forth 1 A middle thing (not from without pour'd in) Within the hidden plan which I revere Deeply abides. Th' unspeakable Father's will, By wondrous birth, caused Thee to appear In ligM and glory ; with Thy Father still Tljoti ever art, — His will and Thine the same. Nor can time boundless the Son's birth proclaim, The Father saw His Son, and He alone. Nor oldest time can tell His birth unknown ; The pre-existent Son, to be reveal'd With God the Father came. O ! who will dare In things unspoken and from man conceal'd, Boldly and wickedly his thoughts declare? The blind man's words are blasphemous and bold. O ! Thou who givest light to souls, withhold 12 Third Hymn From craft and crookedness tlie hearts of all Thy saints, lest into hell's deep gloom they fall. Father of Ages, and of those worlds bright, Maker of gods, to praise Thy name is right ; Thee souls intelligent e'er laud, O King ! Rulers of worlds, with sparkling eyes, e'er sing Thy praise ; and souls in stars with joyful voice In Thy bright glory, blessed Lord, rejoice ; Round them, Thy person's glory ceaseless flows. The whole assembly of the bless'd which rose Throughout the universe, from pole to pole, In boundless zones, and governing the whole, Wise servants, faithful steersmen, who came fortli From the angelic host, by mystic birth, — The noble race of heroes that, in ways Conceal'd, wrought works of men now dead,Thee praise, The soul upright, and what is apt to fall Into the earth's dark mass adore Thy name ; Thee, happy Nature and her offspring all. Which Thou dost feed with genial winds, proclaim Thy praise, O bless'd, who, from Thine endless store, By Thy streams downwards, dost Thy bounty pour. For Thou the Guide of worlds yet undefiled. Nature of natures ! Thou wilt foster all The race of man (of the eternal Type), That thus the lowest mortal yet may fall To share his portion of eternal life ; Nor wrought God this, in justice but in love ; Man's dregs to greatest hope he will exalt, of Syne si lis. i Nor what has lived to hell, will He remove ; It shall not die \ but each shall have in time His cmning share of heavenly life sublime. Of things that perish, the eternal band To speak Thy praises ever do command — To dance and sing. Maternal mother fair, In various works adorn'd and colours rare. And all that live with difterent voices sing With heartfelt joy, and common praises bring To Thee sweet anthems that shall never end ; Both day and night, lightnings that earth oft rend ; The sky and ether and the deeps of earth. Snow, water, air, all bodies and all souls, Seeds, fruits, plants, grasses, all things that spring forth, Flocks, and all birds that fly between the poles, Or crowds of fish that swim where ocean rolls. Regard this soul, so pow'rless, weak, and spent, In thine own Libya, in Thy sacred shrines, On holy 'earnest prayers sincerely bent. From me, in whom the clouds of flesh do dwell, Thine eye, O God, can them at once dispel. Then will my heart by hymns well nourish'd be, Sharpen'd its thoughts by powers of fire divine ; Grant that from flesh and sin I may be free. Look down, O King, that light may ever shine. But, while of forest life I bear the chains. Blest God ! may gentle dealings soothe my pains. And may no angry blast witli baneful care, Devouring life, from love of God make bare 1 4 TJiird Hymn My soul, and give woes that shall never rest ; But by Thy gift, set free nor more opprest. From holy meads, to Thee a crown I frame ; Thy praises, Ruler of pure worlds, proclaim. And to Thy Son, whose wisdom Thou brought'st forth From Thy deep bosom vast by wondrous birth ; Though born of Hiee, with Thee He dwelleth still, That so His Spirit orders at His will The depths of ancient ages, and the shores Of the vast universe, even to the base Of lowest beings ; and in boundless stores Of glory, pious souls He will encase. To all the cares and toils of wretched man He looks, gives good, and sorrows all dispels, Nor should we marvel that the God who made The universe, black evils all expels. King of the whole, I come a vow to pay From Thrace ; for three years there compell'd to stay. I dwelt beside the kingly palace hall. Suffering sad toil and pains, that did appal My heaiL , and on my back my mother-land I bore ; the earth, with daily sweat of toil Of wrestling limbs, and from my mourning eyes. Through the long night, with tears my couch did soil ! But to all Temples, King, my steps me led. That in Thy holy service I might toil ; So bending, with wet eyelids there I la}-, So that my journey might not useless be. Praying the angel ministers, whose sway of Syncsuis. 1 5 Was o'er Thrace's good land, and where the sea Divides Chalcedon's fields, which they too rule — Ministers holy, whom Thou, King, hast crown'd And with angelic glory dost surround. Help to my toils and prayers these bless'd ones gave ; But in my life I had no thought of joy, For Thou my Fatherland had sorely grieved. Thyself, O Ruler, free from all alloy Of age. While my soul faints and my limbs fail, Thou grantest strength and cheer'st me, O my Lord, From all my toils, and sweet rest dost me give, And to all Africans Thou dost afford, That for long times our hearts may ever know The memory of Thy goodness and our woe. To him who seeks, O give a holy life ; Of labours, pains, and cares, O calm the strife That gnaws the heart ; and to Thy servant grant A thoughtful soul ; may worldly wealth not dare To kee^from God \ nor poverty that clings Rouiid our abodes, cast down my heart with care. Whate'er to earth our soul draws down, Wiic..o'er Forgetful makes of Thee, my Saviour dear, O Father, wisdom's Fount, dispel with light, From Thy breast make my intellect full bright ; Comfort my heart by wisdom's beam from Thee, And give Thy sign and token, for the way That leads to Thee ; and from my life and prayers The spirits of darkness ever drive away. My body safe from all disease, O bring ; 1 6 Third Hymn My spirit unpolluted keep, O King ! Now indeed Nature's murky stain I wear ; And shameful lusts, earth's hated chains, I bear. From disease, ills, and chains, O set me free, My Saviour and Redeemer, for from Thee Thy seed, a spark of heaven-born soul I bear. Deep hid in man's corruption and in fear ; For on the world my soul Thou placedst low ; But in my soul Thou, King, my mind didst sow. Thy child, O Blessed, pity; I from Thee Came down to earth, a servant but to be ; I!ut for a serf, a slave, now do I lie ; Nature, with magic arts, my heart does tie ; Still in me dwell some hidden seeds and small Of strength ; nor has it quenched my vigour all ; But many an uj^ward billow o'er me bounds. And when to God I look, my sight confounds. O Father ! Thy child pity, who oft tries- In upward thought, for Heaven ; but sad the sighs That fleshly lusts oft bring to quench the light. O King, send forth of heaven a cheering sight. Send flame and fire that may sow the seed small Within my brain. O Father, place me all In the power of the good life-giving Light, Where Nature cannot thrust her hands, nor sight Of earth shall be, nor the Fates' cords of woe Backwards shall draw our souls that heavenwards go. May treacherous men Thy servant leave and flee ; Father, 'twixt me and earthly fights Fire be ! of Syncsins. 1 7 O Father, to Thy servant grant to spread His wings of thought — may his soul suppHant dwell Firm on, the Father's seal, that mark of dread For evil demons, who from earth's deep cell Spring upwards, godless schemes in man t' expand : But a sure watchword to those servants true Who in the depths of the great world do stand, Key-keepers of high flights to ether blue, That they to him may open gates of light. While on vain earth I creep, may I not cling To earth'; but here give me the cheering sight Of testing; fruits, true words from heaven that 'sjDring, And nourish in all souls the hope divine. Over this earthly life I do repine. Perish ye plagues of godless men, and might Of towns, ye soothing snares that graceless smile. Whereby the earth the soul deceived holds tight. Its own goods it forgets, being so vile, Until it ^\ into an envious share, For cozening nature has two portions bare. He who at table shows his hand to sue The honey'd feast, his bitter share will rue ; For weights oppose, and him will downwards pull, And from two cups by earth's tyrannic rule Pours out his life. Full pure and unalloy'd Is God and all He gives. But if I'm cloy'd With the sweet tempting bowl, I reach the shore Of woe, and fall in snares, and feel the sore That Epimetheus felt, and deep deplore. 1 8 Third Hymn I Jut the uncertain laws I do abhor, And to my Father's meadows free of care Stretching my feet in flight I will aspire, And shun the double gifts of nature's snare. Giver of intellectual life and fire ! Behold me, and regard my soul that cries, Which from the earth does upward flights desire, Light up, O King, my heaven-seeking eyes. Cut off all ties ; and nimble make my wing ; Chains of two lusts, by which false nature binds Our souls to earth, unloose. May I swift spring Up to Thy halls and breast, where my soul finds Its Fount. To earth a heavenly drop I fell ; Restore me, flying wanderer, to that well Whence I was pour'd. Grant me in first-born light To be full mixed ; and that my Father's might May keep me midst the holy choir, until My share in heavenly hymns I may fulfil. O Father ! grant that, in the light array'd, No more into earth's vileness I may sink ; But, v.'hile in forest life I am delay'd. Let me, O Bless'd, of gentle fortune drink. Dec. 27, 1864. of Synesius. 1 9 IV Se \iXv dp)(o/i€vas, nPHEE, at the break of sacred day, Thee, when the cheering dayUght grows. Thee, at the deepest noon so still, Thee, when the fading daylight goes, Thee_^ in the calm, majestic night, Maker of all, I praise; And Thee, Keeper of soul and all I see. Source of true wisdom to the heart, Before Thee deadly plagues must flee. Thou only to the soul canst give, From worldly cares which sorrow breed, In heavenly calm on earth to live. From such, O keep my bosom safe, The^'Hidden Root of all, to praise ; r^dr iet rebellious sins that draw From seeking Thee, my soul debase ; Thee ! blessed universal King ! In hymns my soul desires to sing. O Earth, and all thou hast, be still. Ye creatures of the Father's will, Form'd by His all-ordaining Word, Let praises all and prayer be heard. Let silent ether lift my song. While birds are still, and rushing floods 20 Fonrtli Hymn Their babbling cease and breathless stand. Ye whistling winds and roaring woods, Ye hinderers of holy songs, Demons in darksome dens who dwell, And prowl round graves, avaunt ! My prayers Shall scare you howling back to hell. But ye, blest Ministers of good, Obeying the Creator's will. Who the remotest fields of space And deeps unfathomable fill. With gracious purposes draw near, My hymns of joy and praise to hear; And upward, through the convex clear, My prayers to God the Father bear. O Unity of Unities, Thee, Thought of Thoughts, I ever sing — Father of fathers, only Spring Of all beginnings, Thou bidst flow All founts, and mak'st all roots to grow ; Thee only good — who world on world And star on star through space hast hurfd. Fathomless Beauty, seed unknown. Source whence the wings of Time have flown, Father of spirits pure, that dwell In spheres whose place no tongue can tell — From Thee the Holy Ghost came forth Like softening dew that floats o'er Earth: New life is kindled in the dead, And heavenly peace on earth is shed. of Syncsius. 2 1 Blest God ! by silence or by voice I hymn Thy praises and rejoice, By silence as by voice made known, Is the heart's praise to Thee alone. Thee, too, illustrious Son, Firstborn, Primeval Light and Life of all, I gladly praise with Him who came From the dread Father at thy call, — The Spirit who all wisdom knows. Mediating source from whence all flows. Thou didst bring forth the hidden Root, By mystic union of all ties. And thus the Father in the Son On earths spread forth and in the skies ! The Boundless in a germ enclosed. The God of Gods, the Son appear'd ; The Father all pervading fiU'd The Son who on this earth was rear'd. Etenlaf One and Three Thou art ; Separate and united still. What seems to us apart is join'd By force of the Almighty will. Yet still the Son springs forth and rules His Father's kingdom in His might, And gives what He receives to all The glittering spheres, — His life and light. The Father's mind unknown did bare The Word, which with Him I do praise. That Root, which from the First Root sprang. 22 Fourth Hymn Yet bears all else, Ancient is of Days ; Thee One, the Source of all unknown, Seen only to Thyself alone. The source Himself did Thee beget ; Thou art in all ; by Thee alone Nature, Heaven, Earth, and Hell are set In their vast place, and taste the joys Of passing life without alloys. For Thee the starry vault does roll Ceaseless, and young, and bright the whole ; And at Thy word the concave vast Totters, and in its course stands fast, And the seven orbs in glory strung, Are backwards in wild movement hung, Because Thou bidst the myriad stars Cheer the blind curtains of the sky, And passing 'midst them, each his course Unchanging seeks, beneath Thine eye. Thrice blessed ! by Thy just commands, Through the unfathomable waste Of boundless space, the countless herds Of worlds Thy bounty ever taste. To all in heaven, hell, earth and air. Thou giv'st of life and work a share. Thou rul'st all minds, and sendest forth All men and angels at Thy will ; The dews of needful wisdom giv'st ; Each one hath his befitting fill. Souls, Lord ! Thou giv'st to those whose life of Sjucsiiis. 2 J And energy are link'd with sense ; To the bhnd race of those who hang On Thee alone, Thou dost dispense From out Thy breast, beauteous and vast. The power by which their races last. Thou art unseen ; from Thee forth flow The streams, that earth to cheer come down ; Viewless eternal wisdom's light That comes all else with grace to crown, Are sun-shone on the universe. Source of all light, from which flows light, That came and went, lightener of eyes. Dividing day from ancient night. Type of all mind, the Son is He, Whose gifts are to His creatures free. Father unknown, transcending thought. Unspeakable, no tongue can sing Thee, Mind of minds, Thee, Soul of souls, Th^j'Source whence natures all must spring. Behpld Thy servant kneels on earth ! In blindness, pity, Lord, and send Light to my soul ; from pain and care That gnaw my life. Lord me defend. O bid the fiend of hell depart. The demon of the Flesh, whose snares Hang round my body, heart and soul, My words, my deeds, my thoughts, my prayers. O bid them leave me, make them flee Who give their strength to earthl)- love, 24 FiftJt Ilyiiiit Who hinder those who seek the T.ord, And scare us from the lieaven above. A holy angel mighty send To be my guardian and my guide — In heaven-taught prayer to keep my soul, Anil body in temptation's tide ; Let not disease my body try, And let not sin my spirit stain, Oh, from my memory ever blot All fleshly lusts and longings vain. Even through this earthly life may I In holy praises soar on high ; So when the chains that bind to earth Are snapt, I stainless shall spring forth, Up to my palace-home — Thy breast, The fountain of my life and rest. Stretch forth Thy hand, draw me, and call My suppliant soul from nature's thrall. V. T ET US celebrate the Son Whom the Virgin spouse brought forth; From the Father's counsels deep Sprang the seed that gave Him birth. He in human flesh appear'd Offspring dread, of Virgin born — He to souls in darkness came of Syiicsiiis. 25 Harbinger of coming morn. Wondrous Child that knew'st the Root Whence revolving ages spring. With Thy Father, Light of lights, Nature's darkness scattering, Framer of the solid earth And the countless orbs so bright, Saviour of men, whose hearts receive Thy sanctifying, cheering Light. Thy word Sol's chariot obeys, The fountain of unquenched light, The .Moon her heifer-face displays. For Thee to chase the shades of night ; The fruits are born ; the flocks are fed For Thee; Thy wondrous power calls forth Genial life-giving light and heat Which fatten all the roots of earth. From Thy bosom budding forth, Came' light and intellect and soul. Pity Thy child, prison'd in flesh, And bound by Fate's harsh, blind control, My vig'rous limbs from maiming sores, O keep. Persuasiveness be mine ; And good my deeds, that so renown From Sparta and Cyrene shine Upon my soul. Not sorely prest By woe, right peaceful may I live. Fostering good, and may my eyes See Thy bless'd Light that life does give ; 26 Sixth Hymn Thus, purged from Nature, may I run My heavenward course, and may I shrink From earthly cares, but panting, long Of the Soul's Fountain deep to drink. A holy life grant me, who sing Thy Root, O Father, to make known, Coming from Father and from Son, And sitting in Thy blessed Rest, Sing His praise, and to be blest. For from this (iod came forth my soul. Hail ! Father's form ! fount of the Son ! Son's seat, the Father s image whole, Son's jjower. Hail ! Father ever bright ! Pure Spirit, centre of the Son And of the Father, Three in One, Send me that cheering heavenly light That sprinkles the parch'd soul's dull wings Fre into perfect bliss it springs. VT. Mera Trayas uytas ai'roAo^euTov, T^ROM out the holy self-engender'd Spring, Th' unutterable Unities above. Immortal God's illustrious Son we '11 sing, Only-begotten of His Father's love ; And with the flowers of wisdom's hymns we '11 praise His Name, and honour Flim with holy lays. Him the great Father's will, by wondrous birth, of Syncs ins. 27 Forth from His bosom fathomless brought forth, That thus His hidden love our God might show- To souls that wallow'd in the earth's dark slough. The Father's wisdom and His glory came, And still shed forth flow from that endless spring ; And Thou, His sole begotten. Thou the fran)e, The germ and secret of each new-born thing. O great Original of all the worlds, From intellectual essence Thou couldst call Forms hid from man, but in Thy counsels traced Before" all time, good, beauteous, wondrous all. The heavenly spheres in wisdom guidest Thou, Thou, as a flock, feedest the countless stars With light and heat ; Thou rul'st th' angelic host, And bind'st the demons fierce in during bars.- Thou also, dweUing with poor mortal flesh, Sendest Thine undivided Sprite on earth, Men to deliver from the doom of death — Thy gift returning whence it issued forth. Propitiious, hear Thy praise ; vouchsafe to me A quiet life ; nor let Euripus roar, Nor his fierce billows, nor the blast that moans Amidst the woods, disturb my spirit more. Keep me from ills of body and of soul. And stay the hurtful impulse of desire ; The snares of poverty and wealth restrain ; To holy deeds may my meek soul aspire ; O crown me with a mild, persuasive voice, So may my spirit peace and quiet find ; 28 Seventh Hymn Nor toss with care, but still in hope rejoice In the fruits of a chastend heavenly mind. YII. ITpojTO? vojjLov €vpojiav JESUS of Solyma ! God's Son ! Son of Virgin ! bless'd of fame ! I first taught this lyre, in measures Lately tuned, to praise Thy name. Gracious King ! O grant Thy favour To my notes ; accept the song. While we praise the Son Immortal, Wondrous God, of Godhead sprung ; God the Father who unfolded Endless ages, as they run ; God the Son, the world's Creator, God and man conjoin'd in One. Thou art God, of boundless wisdom ; Heavenly angels know their Head, Wondrous too, for in death's darkness, Thou wert buried with the dead. Through a mortal womb Thou camest Down to earth from heaven afar ; Doubt and wonder filled the Magi, When they saw Thy rising Star. Their wisdom fail'd ; their art, they find, Brings no solution to their mind. ' Who 's this Child, to us now born V of Syncs I /IS. 29 Awe-struck, trembling, thus they sing, ' In Him see the Godhead hidden. ' A God-man and a heavenly King, ' Thou art God ! let incense rise • With grateful odours to the skies. ' Kingly art thou, and we bear ' Purest gold and spices rare, ' Thou art born of mortal womb, ' Myrrh is fitting for the tomb. ' These, O Lord, to Thee we bring, 'God, mortal man and heavenly King.' Thou the earth of sin didst purge, Didst quell the angry ocean's surge. From the liquid fields of air Dravest the demons of despair, And from the lone and darksome grave The soul of sinful man wilt save. O God, from heaven who didst descend, Aj^d' death's and hell's dark portal past, -Th' enclosures of the grave didst rend. ^ And broughtest life to man at last. O heavenly King ! incline thine ear. The praises of Thy saints to hear 1 50 Eighth Ilyiiiu VIII. "D LEST Immortal ! l)orn of Virgin, T would celebrate Thy reign, On the sweet-toned ivory lyre, Tuned to solemn Dorian strain. Keep my soul, O King of Glory, From all sin and changes free. Day and night in each temptation Let my strength be found in Thee. May my soul and heart drink deeply From the spring of sacred truth ; May strong limbs and glorious doings Be the gifts that crown my youth. May my life in blessed calmness, Flow straight on to latest age. Blest with health and crown'd in honour. With the wisdom of a sage. My brother keep, whom, lately passing Through the portal of the tomb. Thou hast call'd to dwell for ever With Thee in the heavenly home. Past are all the cares and sorrows, Tears and heart-corroding cares. Thou hast quench'd the flame of anguish. Gracious hearer of my prayers ! of Syncsins. 3 1 My loved sister and her children ! In their home may they abide Quietly. Oh, 'neath the cover Of Thy wings them safely hide. And my dearest wife, the partner Of my best, my purest joy, Keep from sickness and from trouble. In true love, without alloy. One in heart and one in purpose, May our wishes never stray From the pure and holy bondage Seal'd upon our wedding-day. Let us deem this union holy, And preserve it true and i)ure. Mindful of the purer friendship, In the heavens, that shall endure. When our souls throw off the bondage Of this earthly life below, May we rise from worldly troubles. And from sin's eternal woe, AVith the blessed saints and angels, Ever songs of praise to sing. Of the Father, God Eternal, And Thy might, O heavenly King 1 Thee at length I '11 sing in heaven. With purer songs and higher lays — And on harp soft and harmonious Sound the Saviour's worthier praise. *-\^- 32 A'inth Hymn TX. '"pHEE, Desired of all the nations, Glorious and immortal King, Virgin born, of Solynia, Thee my feeble tongue would sing. From the bright and golden gardens God had planted, Thou couldst chase That fell serpent, old Deceiver, Of the wicked earth-sprung race. Down from heaven to earth, a stranger, Man with man, Thou cam'st to dwell ; Through the grave, death's gloomy portal. Thou divedest to lowest Hell ! Thousand hosts of souls imprison'd In the chains of death stood round ; Ancient Hell was chill'd with horror. Backward shrunk the hungry hound. From the souls of saints that loved Thee, At Thy word, their chains straight fell ; And that holy legion, glory Gave to God in deepest hell. Countless throngs of airy demons Quail'd before the ascending King : In their courses, pale with wonder, Stood the stars nor dared to sing : of Syncsius. 33 But the smiling fields of ether, Where harmonious fountains spring, With a mystic sevenfold chorus Welcome back the heavenly King ; Day's harbinger and Hesperus soft Are full of holy, chasten'd mirth ; The Moon, Avith horned crown, fresh tipt With streaming light, the stars leads forth ; The Sun, out of his mellow'd light. Golden paths before the King Weaves, for he knows Thee, God's own Son. Of his own light the cause and spring. Thou on wings mountedst far above The outmost bounds of ether blue, There to rule over countless orbs All-fiU'd with beings wise and true — Orbs that swiftly float and smoothly, Through a region full of light, In tho silent sphere of heaven, Where God's gifts are pure and bright. There, nor time, untired, deep-flowing, Nor hungry plagues that howl for prey. In the deep and billowy forests. Earth-born worms shall sv/eep away. But the eternal flowing season, Never young and never old, For blest souls, enduring mansions Evermore shall still unfold. 34 Tenth Hymn of Synesins. X. ]\Ivtu£o X^ttrre, /^HRIST ! Thou Son of God that reignest In the sky, remember me — Me, Thy servant, helpless sinner, Who those hymns have sung to Thee ; Free, oh I free me from the bondage Of the lusts that dwell within, Springing up as weeds envenom'd In my soul, debas'd by sin. Jesus ! Saviour I make me see Thee, In Thy splendour and Thy light ; Soul and body then shall know Thee, The Physician's healing might ; (lod the Father — God the Son, Great and glorious, we adore ; God the Holy Ghost, life-giver, — (iod Triune for evermore. KiKKsiDE, Oct. 13, 1855. Occasional ^Pieces SUGGESTED BY EXTERNAL SCENERY, BY VARIOUS WRITERS, AND BY FRIENDLY TALK. A Thought at Capel Curig, North Wales. T T P'.RE Nature frowns in her majestic ire — High tow'ring difFs and precipices dire ; Yet do they seem to point to Wisdom's path ; Upturn'd, they look as if the Almighty's wratli To pray had taught the rugged rocks ; that we, When they are forced to bend, His wrath may flee. July 17, 1829. Eveniiip; Reflections. W THENCB^ comes this sadness o'er the soul. This deep, reflective, sombre mood, T4fet chains us with unfelt control " _;ro muse at evening's hour, and brood Sadly on all that late was gay. As if for us there ne'er could be An orient morn, — a sparkling day, Like what has pass'd so joyously I Why do we sigh, watching the light That leaves the mountain-tops at eve \ Why list the beetle's drony flight. As if we there had aught to grieve I 8 Evciiiug Reflections. Why turns the tearful eye to pierce The gloom that slirouds the lonely vale. Ah if the heavens a portent fierce Sent on the rude breath of the eale Say, is it not foul guilt that taints With gloom the spirit's inward peace Which else each scene of nature paints In holy, God-like soothing grace ? The world is hid that we may hear A small, still voice that melts the soul To tender, holy, saintly fear — To heavenly peace and self-control. Ah ! wayward man ! thy careworn heart By wild remorse now fiercely riven. Feels as a deadly, venom'd dart, This hour of calm thy God has given ; But did eternal peace illume Thy soul, a rapture pure and calm The heart would now possess — the gloom Of Night would be grief's surest balm. Liverpool, Jidy 14, 1829. The Drcaui. 39 The Dream. T T PON a lone and distant sea-girt tower, Round which the ocean dash'd its crested foam. I mounted guard at midnight's dreary hour, (I was a striphng then — but late from home) ; I gazed with rueful look upon the wave, And shiver'd at the shrill sad wintry blast. No voice' was heard ; all was .still as the grave ; Between each gust, I held my breath, chain'd fast By a chill torpor, nor my wonted round I pass'd. Forth look'd 1 on that wild and lurid sky ; Reckless the clouds career'd o'er its expanse ; The loud wind whistled : the shrill sea-bird's cry Distressful came. I watch'd the flitting dance Of-tliosfe who their unholy vigils keep, Night-gazers, robed in sapphire's icy hue ; They revel when the dewy flowers do weep, Rending with fiendish laugh the welkin blue, Dwelling in ether's fields, a wild unhallow'd crew. Scarce had they wov'n their dance's mazy round. When on tlie wild waves they a bark descried ; After long wanderings, she was homeward bound, Few souls she bore, for they had hopeless died. 40 TJic Dream. There was a maiden whose long-pining heart Delusive hopes had wither'd ; but her soul Was cheer'd when o'er the water the light bark Was gaily bounding. She forgot her dole, And the past griefs that poison'd her life's bitter bowl. My young heart bled. 1 saw the maiden wave The kerchief which some faithful swain had given. When parting from her native strand ! How brave The bark did bound to seek her holy haven ! But the enchanters fell of yon dark sky Had mark'd the prize, and led them to their fate ; Watching their course with askant, evil eye. And in their hellish purposes elate, P^ach joy'd in their foul plot with rapture to his mate. Onward she sped upon the fatal reef ; I waved, to guide her from the beacon tower. Vet onward still they sped. O Crod ! what grief 'I'o mark the triumph of unhallow'd power! They sank ; I heard the deadly shriek of woe. Like the last trumpet's clear and thrilling note : And as they found their icy graves below, The evil curses of glazed eyes smote My heart, and chill it, even now by night, I wot. I gazed into that troubled, angry wave, That sweird with pride at this its triumph won. Hymn. 41 Methought each tenant of the coral grave Hail'd my lost soul in hell, ' Undone ! undone !' But soon I saw a white arm on the sea, Waving that kerchief; and the pallid face ( )f the lone maiden faintly smiled on me, With love's forgiving look and holy grace. She sank I I saw no more that sweet angelic face. liKi.i. RdCK LunrniousK, March 16, 1S30. Hymn. TN every shifting scene of life, In peaceful joy, midst war's wild strite, My God, I trust in Thee ; I'o Thee at noonday's burning hour, To Thee, when wintry tempests lower, With confidence I flee. " ^ /■ When midst the horrid gloom of night, My soul is chill'd with guilty fright. And driv'n to dark despair, Humbly I turn my hope above. And sing Thy mercy and Thy love In holy pious air. Thy pardon of my sin I seek. My weakness and my woes I speak,. 42 Hymn. Embolden'd by Thy grace ; Though blotted now by sin's foul stain, Refined by salutary pain, I yet shall see Thy face. Not on my works I rest my claim (Though holiness be still my aim), But in the sacrifice That Jesus off"er'd on the tree. Forgiveness, Lord, I ask of Thee, For every form of vice. Yet penitence shall wing my heart. My soul from sin I '11 strive to part ; And daily to adorn. My life with some new grace I '11 try, The pride of life and lust of eye, To view with holy scorn. Though, like the lily's spotless leaf No penitence, no holy grief, My soul can e'er make pure. Yet shall the Saviour, in His love, By intercession made above, Favour for me secure. Triumphant songs, immortal lays. Eternal notes of boundless praise A Vision/. 43 To Christ, their Priest and King ; To God the Father, God the Son, ■And God the Spirit, threefold One, The saints in Heaven shall sing. KiNTVRE, j4//,i;t 29, 1830. A Vision. A (iOLDEN palace in the skies Draws from the earth my worldly eyes Aftd holy trains of angels seen Dress'd in bright robes of glory's sheen — A fair enamell'd ample mead Before its front in verdure spread, And through it flows a crystal brook ^Vhence stooping each the waters took. Meanwhile sweet sounds of music came, Pf^ising the higli Eternal Name, Fcfrth from the Temple's holy gate, ' (Whence came the bright angelic host) And wonder-struck, they all did wait As if in holy rapture lost. And censers waved they up and down. And scatter'd fleecy vapours round. Which rising wreath'd a holy crown. That the sweet Saviour's temples bound : Then did they join the holy song, And the immortal note prolong ; 44 " - ^ l^isioii. And each one beckon'd widi his hand, Anil hid me join their glorious Imnd. To Thee, my God, I praise will give, AVho thus dost make Thy servants live Eternally in joys serene, Midst golden dome and meadows green, And hidst them crystal waters drink From brooks of sweet and soothing sound, And eat life-giving fruits from trees That bloom the year eternal round. Then may I all the lusts deny That tempt on earth the fleshly eye ; And though a lite of pain I spend ( )n earth, yet at the world's dread end, My Saviour s sacrifice I'll plead (Who for lost sinners once did bleed ( )n tlie accursed Cross's tree), 111 wondrous love to rescue me. Who would, when glory is the prize, In those bright mansions of the skies. Thus reckless of such hopes still live, For all this passing life can give ? The proudest heart this world contains Has woes and cares, shames and annoys ; Then, who would pause to count earth's gains. And barter them for heavenly joys ? Flee from the charmer, for her song ^\'ill captivate thy heart ere long ; Salnlaris Hostia. 45 Arise and don thy pilgrim's weeds, Address thyself to holy deeds ; Let night in earnest prayer be past, Thy days in prayer and holy fast ; Thy body let the servant l)e Of what alone God wills in thee. Each thought, each wish, each hope be given To praise thy God and rise to Heaven ; Each power be consecrated then To serve God and do good to men. Only for sins let tears be shed ; Only that hungry souls be fed, Thy tongue should give its hallow'd sound, And this its chiefest use be found. Thine earnest prayer and upturn'd eye Be ever pointed to the sky, And all thy hopes, and all thy sighs, ^for thy sins, and to the skies If ' KlNTYRE, August 2<^, 1830. O Salutaris Hostia, f\ HOLY Victim giving life, ^~^ And opening Heaven's gate of Jight, When dangers press and hostile strife, O grant us aid, O give us might. ! 46 L iiu's. To the one Threefold Deity, Be everlasting glory given, Who hast prepared eternity Of life for all the saints in Heaven. Jmii' 20, I S30. Lines. nPHAT lark now confined to his prison of sorrow, Looks ruefully round on the closely-wired cell ; No hopes of sweet freedom to cheer him to-morrow, With roaming through greenwoods or deep woody dell. But when Night round his prison has cast her grey covering, In his sleep he oft dreams of the forest so gay, Now over a bank of sweet primro.ses hovering, Or heavenward springing to meet the young day. So when thoughtful and lonely at evening reclining, Or toss'd on the bed of long sickness and pain. At the sorrows of life we are deeply repining, Thy goodness, O Father of Love, we arraign. But when Night round our aching hearts gently is closing Those curtains of slumber that bring visions bright, Then Faith, on Thy Mercy, O Father, reposing. Fills the bosom with hope and the heart with delight. Edinburgh, Avjv. 7, 1830. P^mi Creator Spiritus. 47 Veni Creator Spiritus, /^OME, Holy Spirit, in I'liy might, And send from Heaven Thy hallow'd hglit, To bless us with its ray ; O Friend of all who are in need, From whom all perfect gifts proceed. Light of our hearts and way ! Thou who our sorrows canst console. Beloved Inmate of the soul, ..■** The heart's refreshment dear ; In labour Thou our only rest, Our shade when with noon's heat opprest. Thou dry'st the mourner's tears. Most blessed Light, most holy Fire, The inmost hearts do Thou inspire ^0.-* Of all the faithful here ; F05 here without Thy holy Name, In guilty man is nought but blame. Nought in his heart but fear. O wash our souls from sin's foul stain, Refresh our barren hearts with rain, And heal our wounds, we pray ; Our pride and stiffness do Thou tame. Our coldness warm by love's pure flame, And guide us in Thy way. 4cS Easter Sunday. 'lo all Thy faithful, Father, give (Who in Thy trust and worshii) live) The seven gifts divine ; Grant us in holiness to wait The opening of the heavenly gate, And taste of joys sublime. yaiiuary i8, 1831. Easter Sunday. Victims Paschali L amies. ''YO the pure Paschal Victim raise -*- Your sacrifice of fervent praise ! Christ is the Lam.b that by His death Redeem'd us from the curse and wrath ; And to the Father reconciled Sinners from life and heaven exiled. O think how wondrous was the strife Between conflicting Death and Life, When Christ the Lord of life did die, And reign immortal in the sky. Say what thou sawest in the way, Mary ! at break of that blest day. ' I saw the grave where Christ was laid, The sheet in which He was array'd. The living Lord Himself I saw. And Him adored with holy awe ; Easter Sunday. 49 While, straight before my wond'ring eyes, He rose in glory to the skies. ' The Angels' voices record bear, " The Lord is risen ; He is not here ; He goes before to Galilee ; There you again your Hope shall see." ' O Christ ! we know that from the tomb Thou truly didst in glory come. Allfeluia ! let us sing The glories of the Victor King, Who tasted Death and every woe That man is heir to here below ! Thou, Christ ! wilt pity and forgive And ever make Thy chosen live. Jauiimy i8, 1831. D 50 Approach of Cholera. Approach of Cholera. T^HE angry pest is passing by ; And now, in every street, Chilly disease, corruption rank. And loathsome death we meet ; He will not spare the sceptred prince, Nor mitred priest regard, He'll crush them in his ruthless rage With grasp right chill and hard. He will not spare the peasant bold, Nor pass the cottage by ; To men he brings a warning dread ; He summons all to die. He speaks God's wrath and curse to men. And checks man's towering pride, That dares to challenge Heaven's decrees, And God's own laws deride. We thought our intellect sublime, In its portentous march ; And o'er our giddy heads we raised Freedom's triumphal arch ; We boldly burst the sacred ties Which erst our fathers bound ; And monarch's rule and churchman's sway. Our people have disown'd. Approach of CJiolera. 5 1 The lioary sire the pest won't spare, In his paternal grace ; Nor yet the saint-like beauty of The mother's anxious face ; The tender puling child shall feel, The racking tortures tear Life's feeble cords, and, fainting, pass, To Heaven's ethereal air. The manly form of youth shall fall Before his noisome breath. His godlike head and eagle eye For ever sunk in death. The blighting chilly vapours, too, Shall blanch the maiden's cheek ; And glassy stillness shall o'er-spread Those eyes which mildness speak. "Ij^ fete to weep — 'tis late to pray, y* In this sad night of woe ; The fell pest passes fiercely by. He beckons you to go. No time in kind farewells now waste ; For in the last embrace, The lip is chill'd ; and livid hues O'er-spread the once loved face. The saving blood of Christ alone In that dread night can cheer, 5'2 On my dearest Mother. When the ruthless pest walks gloomily. And scatters wide his fear ; Saint-like the Christian, then, alone, Amidst those mortal throes, Shall in the Saviour's blood expect The end of all his woes. Edinburgh, Jan. 26, 1S32. On my dearest Mother. /~\F gentle soul, to all that knew her dear, The tender mother, best of friends lies here. Whose darling wish was comfort to impart, To cheer the drooping, soothe the aching heart. Love, truth, and meekness breathed in all she said ; Faith bless'd her life, hope smooth'd her dying bed. Dearest of mothers ! best of friends, farewell ; These words sincere a son's affection tell : Through life thy virtues were his joy and pride, In death his best example and his guide. Our social hopes and fears, alas ! are o'er ; A mother's love now cheers our hearth no more. March 1846. Bocthii — Con solatia PJiilosophice. 53 Anicii Manlii Torqiiati, Severini, Boethii, De Consolatione Philosophiae, (A.D. 455.) Liber Primus, Metrum vii. Nubibus atris Condita nullum Fundere possunt Sidera lumen. T^HE stars, by pitchy clouds obscured, ---.'■* To mortal eyes no light afford \ The sea itself in summer seen. Glassy, pellucid, and serene, When angry winter tempests urge. Boils up a foaming muddy surge ; The headlong flood that ploughs with pride The lofty mountain's rugged side, B)'*fragments which itself hath rent, ^ From the rude rocks, is oft up-pent ; Tf thou wouldst see Truth's image bright, And walk in wisdom's ways aright. Bid vain deluding joys avaunt ; Nor let pale Fear thy pillow haunt ; Put Hope's deceitful dreams to flight, And Grief, fell tyrant of the night ; Darkness obscures the fetter'd soul, That sinks beneath their dark control. Oban, 1833. 54 BoctJiii — -Co 11 sola 1 10 Philosophicc. Boethii de Consolatione Philosophise, Liber ii., Metrum i. Ha-c cum super'Da verterit vices dextra, T IKE Euripus' tide, That foams in pride. Is Fortune's cold suspicious hand ; We change our fate at her command, Dreaded kings are crush'd Low in the dust ; The vanquish'd oft is raised on high, To smile on false prosperity. Sighs or groans will fortune hear'? Will she lend her dull cold ear To sorrow's tale, or wipe her falling tear ? No — no — she loves to laugh At wretched men \\\\o quaft" The bitter cup she gives ; In every hour man lives. She shows a wonder to his sight, And mocking coldly tries his might By reckless changes every hour. Lifts up or casts down with fell power ! Obax, 1833. Boctliii- -Consolatio PhilosopJiice. 55 Boethii de Consolatione Philosophic, Liber 11., Metrum iv. Quisquis volet perennem . Cautus ponere sedem, IL "X rOULDST thou thy cot secure, Place where it may endure Age after age ; Spite the rude tempest's breath, And ocean, threat'ning death, In his proud rage % Seek' not the cUff' s dire brink, Nor thirsty sands that drink The briny tide. The sweeping tempest's might Beats on the mountain's height With angry pride ; And the false sands, though fair, Ti^ 'mansion will not bear - . Above the sea ; ,- Seek some low sturdy rock, Where neither ocean's shock Nor wild winds be ; Though hungry- waves devour The buildings of man's power, Thou 'It pass thine age Secure in that calm nook ; Nor needest ever brook The tempest's rage. Ok AX, 1833. 56 Mainicla, the Spanish Mountain-Maid. Manuela, the Spanish Mountain-Maid. "D EFORE me now, in simple grace, The Spanish mountain-maid' I see, Who, o'er her native Pyrenees, Trode many a weary step with me. Fearless, in childlike innocence. O'er lonesome heath, through silent glade, She was my guide, for two long days. That merry Spanish mountain-maid I The dark mantilla cast its shade Upon her face, which well might be A model for the sculptors art, So perfect was its symmetry. The ample brow and hazel eyes So full of tenderness and glee, Her dimpled cheek and rosy mouth, Were clothed in virgin modesty. She told me all her simple cares. And all her girlish hopes and fears ; She had no guile ; nor did she think The world could blame her smiles or fears. Her brother, and one still more dear. Had gone to serve their rightful King ; And oft she ask'd me, if I thought They would return before the spring ; For they had fix'd the bridal day ; And Manuela's gentle heart The Spanish Monutain-Maid. 57 Beat high with hope ; she seldom thought Of war's rude shock that might them part. No doubt could dash her ardent hopes ; She had a pure confiding soul ; Short were her fears ; and down her cheek But one bright tear of sorrow stole. Well may King Charles his standard plant On Spain's fair soil, if every maid, Like Manuela, sends her swain, . For right and law to draw his blade ! Well may he hope, if Spanish maids ' Maintain his crown and lend the might Of sweet persuasive lips, bright eyes. And loyal hearts t' uphold his right ! Los Passages, near San Sebastian, August 1834. 58 ' Di/is Creator Oiiiuitini' St. Ambrose's ' Dens Creator Omnium.' From Atigustiiics Confessions. f~\ GOD 1 who mad'st the wondrous w^hole, And ever guid'st the whirhng pole, Who cloth'st the day with golden light, And giv'st Thy grace of sleep to night ; Grant that our wearied limbs, by rest. To useful toils be more address'd ; That sleep our burden'd minds may free ; And all our cares be heal'd by Thee. Edinburgh, Jan. 9, 1835. To Elizabeth. 59 To Elizabeth. T ADY ! on thy brow appears No wrinkle of fast fleeting 3'ears ; • No grief from sympathy that flies Has blanch'd thy cheek or dimm'd thhie eyes ; Thy spirit yet is young and free, And joys in cliildlike purity. O.'I would to Heaven ray prayer could bring The eternity of such a spring, Where budding hope alone appears, The harbinger of happy years, Where all the past is pure and true ; No carking care of sickly hue Dares, with a doul>t the future blight, ,#ull of gay dreams and visions bright. ' Yet, gazing on thy marble brow, Albeit all unruffled now, Thy deep blue eyes serenely gay, And on thy coral lips' soft play, Or on thy cheeks' soft mantling flush. Where conscious beauty seems to blush ; O maiden ! who can fail to feel Thy heart is not a heart of steel, But form'd for every kind emotion. Friendship sweet and pure devotion ? 6o To ElizabctJi. Full well I ween, at evening hour, ' The gentle time for magic's power, That oft a trembling nameless feeling, Through all thy gentle bosom stealing. Speaks of a blank hope ne'er supplies, And all thy guesses still defies ; Till love shall draw the veil aside. That shrouds from view a fairy bride. Start not, nor deem that thoughts so new. So unsuspected and untrue. May not be conjured but by spell. Of nodding bush and dropping well ; There is a magic slow, whose Avill Owns a fair empire wider still. Of all that 's good and great creative. And of its idol imitative ; Of weal or woe alike, its power May work a change, in one short hour. Then deem not. ladv, when the voice Of gentle whispers shall rejoice. That th' inner heart, which thou dost veil, When hopes exult or fears assail. Deem not the gloomy midnight shrine, Where incense burns and tapers shine, Can chase away the gentle sprite, Or quench love's pure undying light ; To ElizabctJi. 6i And, therefore, lady, thus I pray, Thy heart so gentle and so gay, Jn love may never know the chill Of cherish'd hope, requited ill. The bitterest of those earthly woes The true confiding soul oft knows ; But, from my inner heart, I bless Thee whom ev'n angels would caress ; For thou art surely of that mould Of earth's fair daughters, born of old, 'Whom ev'n the angels wont to cherish, With love that could not change or perish. Lady, to thee I dare not show How much of grief this heart shall know, When, toss'd upon the boundless sea, With longings, that shall turn to thee. 1834. " \^ 62 Mor ■ning. Morninof. Imitated from the Spanish of ATelendcz. TIP from tliy nest, O bird of morning, Thy merry carol singing, To welcome in the new-born day, That in the east is springing ! See where the dappled rosy flush, And saffron beam of morning, Bursts from the clouds, with hallowed lisht The mountain-peaks adorning. The gentle breeze now stirs the ciouds ; They pass away, disclosing The purpled western wave, where late Aurora was reposing. Up mounts the sun ; herb, leaf, and flower, That yester-eve were pining, Refresh'd display their silken folds, With glittering dew-drops shining. All Nature the returning sun, Source of light, life, and motion. Beholds with heartfelt calm delight, And hails with mute devotion ; A thousand perfumes from the flowers. Like incense rise before him ; The choristers of boundless groves With untaught hymns adore him. Morning. O 'tis an hour of tranquil joy, Just when the day-light 's breaking, To feel a stirring gentle hope Within the bosom waking. We gaze on Nature's wide extent, The valley and the mountain, List to the whispers of the wind, The warblings of the fountain. We let the eye in quiet rest Upon the lake that 's sleeping, Unruffled by the passing breeze. And in bright sunshine steeping ; We pry into the darksome grove. Where sunlight cannot enter, A still sequester'd favourite nook. Of peace the very centre ; We tread the bright elastic grass, With starry flowers enamell'd ; Or, scale the rugged craggy cliff, By fear and care untrammell'd ; tVe drink the crystal brook and breathe Pure air that floats around us ; Thoughtful we dive far into space. Beyond the skies that bound us. These are the calm and pure delights, By Nature's bounty given, That, stirring through our mortal frame, Turn Earth itself to Heaven. 64 Morning. An undefined and boundless joy, In every breast awaking, Kindles soft fancies in the soul, When, the deep silence breaking. Each living thing bursts forth in songs Of gratitude and gladness ; And o'er wide earth there is no trace Or memory of sadness. Then meet me, maiden, at the dawn, In haste thy couch forsaking. From brightest visions of the night, To brighter truth awaking ; Beneath the shade of yonder beach. Where first our love was plighted ; Oh I meet me, lady, with the love Distrust has never blighted. >/)'28, 1836. To the ' Ringing Stone' at BalapJictrish. 65 To the ' Ringing Stone ' at Balaphetrish, Tyree. A /r YSTERIOUS Stone! rude, shapeless as thou art, Thou seem'st unconscious of the ocean's rage, Or winter-tempests that for many an age Ha\e hovYl'd around thee ; say, hast thou a heart Deep prison'd in thy mass, that feels the smart Of others' woes — woes of the gentler kind. Which spring up easily in woman's mind % For, touch'd by maiden's hand, with gentle art, Thou givest sighs, that tremble on the breeze. Which sweeps around the western Hebrides, Such as Andromeda, from ocean's cave, Might breathe responsive to some sorrowing maid Wh6m slighted vows or dear hopes long delay' d, Have driven to seek, near thee, a lonely ocean-grave. Hynish, May 13, 1S42. 66 Lines at Evening. Lines at Eveninof- &• T^AST the purple light is fading From the far untroubled west ; And swift night, the dull earth shading, Weary man invites to rest. Glittering stars begin to twinkle In the clear, cold, eastern sky. In that sea, without a wrinkle, Bright their imaged glories lie. Deep within the cold blue waters. To the musing eye it seems. Midst those stars, that ocean's daughters Sporting, catch their fleeting gleams. Trusting to that sight illusive, If we tempt those waters still, Quick will fade the dream delusive. Blasted by their ruthless chill. Thus, through life, we 're onward going, Toss'd by youth's vain hopes and fears, Flowers and thorns alternate strewing, Slaves of woman's smiles or tears ; But, at length, the golden season Of our youthful dreams fleets past. And the cold, clear voice of reason Speaks, our hopes and joys to blast. To Three Sisters. Chilly age at length comes mourning Over joys that did but seem ; And tell us (sad and solemn warning !) All our life has been a dream. 'Januaiy 1843. To Three Sisters. C~^ RACES from far Cambria's shore, "*■'•' Sisters three of Mona's Isle ! Every motion of your lips Is prophetic of a smile. Countless ^ is the changeful mirth That illumes your household hearth. Margaret I '^ pearl-like emblem, thou #f a calm, kind, constant heart ; ^ Cariiarina's ^ spotless soul •' Erom her soft eyes seems to start ; Dora ! * gift from heaven sent down, Latest gem of beauty's crown ! January 29, 1S43. * av-qpiOfj.ov yiXaa/jLa. — .-Escil. Prom. Vinct. 90. '^ Margarita^ a pearl. ■' Kadapos, pure. * Awpov Oeov, gift of God. 68 Inscription for Llynon Woods. Inscription for Llynon Woods. f~^ ENTLY, ye gales of lieaven, oh gently fan Dear Llynon 's graceful ash-trees' feathery shade ; Gone are tlic days when Howel Dda to man Gave laws that spared the misletoe and laid The gentle ash-tree low.^ Here oft has roam'd a maid That loved the socjthing shelter of those trees, That cast no gloom, but kindly oft detain At noon some faithful pair, or temper sun and breeze To one with toil foredone — a sleeping swain. 1 jke them is she, ever by kindness known ; The troubled s})irit in her look may read A woman's wortli, lier kindness in the tone Of that soft, soothing voice. Be then agreed, Ye winds, to spare those trees, a gentle maiden's meed. April 2, 1 844. ' Those laws valued the misletoe ninety times higher tlian the ash. To M. 69 To M. 1\ /[ Y fancy straight begets whate'er my heart desires ; And as we ramble ceaseless on our way, In every change of scene, mine eye admires Thy floating form. Green alley, mountain grey, A copse's tangled covert, gardens trim, Or roa-dside hut, with well whose gushing sound To passing ear is mute, — all these my fancy's whim Have link'd to thee. With thee I pace the round Of yonder garden walk ; that mountain's side We climb together ; through the coppice green Or hedge-row elms, thy fairy step descried, ' Startles their gloom ;' mine eye, a limner's, keen, Some jprm bent o'er that well with pitcher, spies. An d^ straight her upward look shows thy soft sunny / eyes. Mail Coach, Langholm Woods, May 7, 1844. 70 To M. T To M. H ROUGH this bare silent vale, 'midst hills, we speed ; Yet can mine eye spy out, beneath some rock, A tranquil home, from sun and tempest freed, Whence the lone shepherd eyes his scatter'd flock. A scene like this recalls those words of thine. Which with a gentle 'proving tone to me. Yestreen, thou si)akest of thine age and mine. I would that on that moss-grown stone, by thee, I now were placed ! Sweet maiden ! I could show- That little thou dost know how, in my heart, Dearly I prize the mellow, tranquil glow Of kind affection, that thy looks impart. When those, who in the gloaming's light rejoice. Seek, for their stay, thy mild and kind assenting voice. Shap Fell, May 7, \%^. The Goat of JMonds Isle. y i The Goat of Mona's Isle. "D ENEATH an ash-tree's cool and friendly shade, Browses a bearded goat, on Mona's shore; But soon his upward look welcomes a maid, Whose fathers on their shield his image bore In days k)ng past, when Druids ruled the land. Look on her gentle form ; Oh ! hear her voice Of kindness as she feeds, with friendly hand. Her aged favourite. Mark her and rejoice. Eor oft, of old, Irminsul's mystic shield, Struck by a maiden's hand, sounded the note of death. Where^cnv, by very gentleness conceal'd, Byrns, in that maiden's heart, a holy faith Thg.t is by graceful kindly deeds made known To watchful eye alone — to the rude world ne'er sliown. London, May 12, 1844. /- L incs at Midnight. Lines at Midnight. Air — ' Selma.' V\riTHOUi; the wintry wind Moans sadly through the woods ; The voice of many waters roars, From deep, hoarse murmuring floods. We bend before Thy throne, O Lord ! at this dread hour ; We fear not, Lord, for we can trust Alike Thy love and power. Lord ! for Thy Son's dear sake, Our darkness change to light ; And from all perils us defend, , And dangers of this night.^ D:ccmthT lo, 1844. ' .Second Collect at Evening Prayer. Lines, during a Winter Stinday Walk. 73 Liaes, during a Winter Sunday Walk. Air — ' Balerma.' TVJ OISELESS v.e pace the leafless woods That skirt the frozen lake ; Good Lord of love and grace ! may we From them a lesson take ! Those trees again will bud before . ;..' The soft warm breath of spring ; The swallow in that crystal flood Again will dip his wing. How slow are we, Lord, to believe That Thy good Spirit's breath Can wake our wintry hearts to life, .^'"From sin's cold, loathsome death. It r Blood-sprinkled at Thy Cross we 'd stand, Though once we did despise, Jesus ! Thy meek and lowly name, Now precious in our eyes. For guilty, trembling worms like us, Sweet words the Saviour spoke ; Our proud and frozen breasts were thaw'd, And heart-sprung tears awoke. 74 Lines, during a ' The smoking flax I will not quench, Nor break the bruised reed ;' Blest Saviour ! how Thou know'st our woes, And send'st the grace we need ! In every woe we still behold Thy mercy and Thy care. Which send the winter's chilling blasts The summer to prepare. Dear Saviour ! may we give Thee all ; Nor fear to own Thy name, Before a scoffing world that tries To put our Hope to shame. How sweet, with those we love on earth. To pace the wintry wood ! And tell, with hearts of common joy, Dear Lord ! that Thou art good ! O turn, once more, dear gentle friend, While tears bedew thine eyes ; And mark that redbreast's confidence. That wakes a kind surprise. All summer he disdains to seek Our window's shelter'd nook ; But when the wintry tempest moans, He loves man's friendly look. Winter Sunday Walk. 75 In this, the Saviour seems to speak ; And calls us to our home, By all the griefs of this cold world, O'er which we thoughtless roam. Taught by His Spirit, we shall feel That all our woes are light ; After a dark and stormy day. He sends a calm, clear night. O may He touch our hearts with love ! ^'-l' Grateful each morn we '11 rise ; Each night lie down in humble hope, To meet Him in the skies ! Bridge of Earn, Dec. lo, 1844. 76 To Margaret. To Marearet. fc>' T^EAR gentle wife, this Christmas morn, Waking to taste of heaven's bliss Vouchsafed to man when Christ was born, I greet you with a kiss. And with that kiss I breathe a prayer, That as we tread the thorny way, At Heaven's gate we still may rest, Each joyful Christmas day. Oh ! mark the cheerful hearth that lights Yon casement, through the flaky drift ; So sparkles 'midst the year this day, The blessed Saviour's gift. () Lord ! still as Thy birth comes round. More hallow'd may our union be, Seal'd by Thy common faith and bless'd By common love to Thee. Chi-istinas, 1844. Christinas Sonnet. jy Christmas Sonnet. "T^EAR Misletoe ! dread emblem once of rites Gloomy and cruel, that of yore began Beneath the spreading oak, the Druids mystic year. I hail thee now, a sign of peace to man. Green 'bough of truce, budding in winter's night, ThQo;'dost remind us of our coming Lord, "Wlio as a gentle child, in great humility, Came down to bless us with His saving Word. Come let us hail this day with awful joy, Soon as light dawns, long sought for, in the east. Far be from us the Pagan's gloomy rites, And Romish arts that shame the Christian Feast. ComQ#t(5 the pure, clean table that the Lord hath -^ spread, Here in the wilderness, where He our fathers fed. December 25, 1844. yS CJiristinas Sonnet. Christmas Sonnet. /^~^OME, welcome Christmas day, dear Christians ^ all! To-day our blessed Lord from heaven came, To visit us poor sinful worms on earth : Let us rejoice with fear, and praise the Lord's dread name. Oh ! early to His temple let us go, His name to praise and for His grace to pray. Welcome this day of love, this morn of joy, Dear followers of the Lord — this is His natal day. Keep ye this festival apart from the rude world. Yet not austerely, lest ye seem to slight God's wondrous love — permitting bigot zeal To cloud the glories offered to your sight. And when day 's past, welcome the peaceful night, For night must usher in the eternal heavenly light. Christmas, 1844. To M. S. S., zvith a Misletoe Bougli. 79 To M. S. S., with a Misletoe Bough. T ADY ! the dark green wintry bough, "^ Deck'd with a streak of gold, And glistering drops, snow-white, That wreath'd the marble, gloomy brow Of the Druidess of old ; Lady ! that misletoe to thee (When thou no thought couldst have of me) I-sent at dawn of light. 'fci' Wherefore, oh maid of Mona's Isle, At early dawn of light, Sent I that bough to thee ? Was it that thou mightst, with a smile, Wreathe, with the berries white, ^Of that mysterious bough, y^Thy raven hair and placid brow? ^ L'an-neuf-an-gui ! ^ No, Margaret, to my musing ear. The leaves of sober green, Fringed with the golden streak Of gentle worth and soul sincere, 1 The Druid's call at the first day of the year ; it means, ' New year with misletoe.' 8o To M. S. S., ivith a Misletoc BoiigJi. Brighten' d by mirth serene (As stars in polar seas are seen), Most eloquently speak. But, Lady Margaret, need I say. That, spotless, icy, cold. Those glistering berries to my heart, A double sense unfold % For, while of thy pure, pearly ^ name. The emblem true appears ; Their coldness bids me think thou scorn'st Alike my hopes and fears ! ya II nary I, 1844. ' Margaret means a pearl. JeJiovah- Jirch. pov eXovTO. — IIuul \'\\. 4S4. On the Disappearance of tJic Snow. 97 All things by God's hand are temper'd, and a holy end fulfil ; Troubles cast the shades which give us ' resting-places calm and still.' ^ Rightly had I deem'd ; at morning, wlien I went to meet the sun, On the slopes the green earth saw I, for the snow- was past and gone. From the glowing south the tempest, over Afric's burning sands, Thirsty came and drank the ice-cold fountains of the snowy lands. Now I heard the birds rejoicing in the soft returning spring ; Full of pleasure were their motions as they spread the glitt'ring wing : While I gaze I spied a snow-drop's tiny bud just bftrsting through ; It hath borne the winter's darkness with a spirit meek and true. Biding still the time appointed, full of hope amid the gloom, Now sublimed, and pure, and spotless, see it spring- ing from the tomb ! Such is many a gentle spirit, taught in youth the yoke to bear. Rising up through boyhood's troubles to a manhood strong and fair ! ^ Wordsworth's ' Song for the Wandering Jew.' G 9^ On the Disappearance of the Snoiv. Sucli are they who, i)atient waiting through the long and troubled night, Upward spring to meet the Day-star in the upland fields of light I Oft their faith and ho])e are failing as they journey here below, But at length they rise triumphant over sin, and death, and woe. Whispers from above are calling in each breeze that fans the spray ; Waving boughs and clouds uprising seem to beckon us away : Thus our hearts, long unobservant, satisfied on earth to roam, Oft may hear from things around us gentle calls to ' fetch us home.'^ ' Collect for Good t riday. KiRKSiUE, Marcli I, 1855. To my Godchild, Ellen Duddmg. 99 To my Godchild, Ellen Dudding, on her first Birthday. nPHROUGH a year of days, the earth, Circling round the sun, has pass VI ; Millions full of woe or mirth Bearing on her bounteous breast. - «« One there is, a yearling mild, This day twelvemonths past, that came To this world rough and wild — Ellen is her gentle name. Passing through this desert bare, 0.' K% a child of grace to heav'n, y ^Pledged her Saviour's cross to bear, ^ She to God was duly giv'n. Kindly thoughts, at eve, of thee, Oft, my godchild dear, have I ; Oft my humble prayers for thee. Rise up through the morning sky. Through a childhood soft and fair, Through a bright and glowing youth, lOO To uiy Godchild, Ellen Dudding. May thy soul Christ's likeness wear, Full of gentleness and trutl;. Be in womanhood's full stage Thy father's pride, thy mother's frienc Kind and cheerful be thine age, (Jalm and full of hope thine end ! KtRKSiDK, April 1, 1855. On the Fallmg Leaf. loi On the Falling Leaf. & JUST as the falling leaf is man ! His days are but a summer's span. Down he drops ; and o'er him sighs The wintry wind, and off he flies, Through the grey and gusty air, Through gloom and darkness — wliere ! oh where \ Vanish'd in the closing night. Shall he ne'er again see light? Yes ! that feeble, falt'ring soul, Long tempest-toss'd from pole to pole, When ages long have pass'd away, And brought the burning Judgment Day, When the last trumpet's wondrous sound Awailfes the nations under ground, ^ends the rocks, and cleaves the air. Yes ! that trembling soul is there. Went it forth in doubt and gloom To the dark and narrow tomb % Yes ! but one drop of blood was spilt. To cleanse its deep despairing guilt ! Trusting, it saw, and breathed the prayer Of weakest faith, next to despair ; Then rising past the dying throes Of earth, and ocean, and the woes 102 On the Falling Leaf. Of waning suns, 'twill pierce the dome Of heav'n, and reach its endless home. O wondrous love ! lowly and meek And patient ! All who Jesus seek Shall find Him knocking at the door Of yielding hearts, though hard before I KiRKSiDE, Aug. i8, 1856. Words for Kchlcs Air. 103 Words for Keble's Air. (»^OFTLY the daylight has faded awa}', ^ Gone are the bright golden glories of da)', Chilly around us drops the night ; Lead us, O Father, and lend us Thy light. Dark is all nature ; but darker the soul : (live us Thy Spirit to guide and control From risks and dangers of this night ; Guard us, O Father, and lend us Thy light. Soon shall the troubles of this life be past ; Better and brighter hopes let us hold fast, Till all the clouds of sin's dark night MeJt in the dawn of the Advent's great light. Jesus ! our Saviour, Redeemer, and King, Nightly Thy praise would we joyfully sing, Hail Thee each dawn, till Advent's light Burst on our spirits resurgent and bright ! PoRTOREi.i.o, Septr. 29, 1858. 104 Air — ' Tantuni Ergo Sacramentinn.' Air — ' Tantum Ergo Sacramentum. O EE the golden dawn arise I Lord, it comes from Thee I Blessed light now cheers our eyes, And Thy love we see. May Thy light reviving, Through the deep gloom striving. Cheer our hearts and guide us ever, Till we reach that haven blest Of eternal rest ! Through the dark and stormy night Of life's troubled sea, To the land of peace and light We are led by Thee ; May Thy Spirit guide us, And, whate'er betide us. Health or sickness, joy or sorrow, Let us wait the dawning ray Of Thy coming day ! Faithless hearts the Lord forsake ; Oft they doubt His truth ; Wandering bypaths oft they take — Paths to shame and ruth. Air- ' Tantuin Ergo SacramcntwiL 105 Let a joyous morrow- Break their night of sorrow, Cheer their souls, and steadfast ever Keep then; in the troubled way, Ending in bright day ! Hearts that simple are and pure In Thy love rejoice : Ever steadfast, ever sure, Listening to Thy voice — Ever keep us, Jesus, From our sins release us, Bear our burdens, and rejoicing, Keep us by thy helping power Till Thine advent hour ! North Berwick, Aug. i86o. ^-' io6 l^r. Theopldhis Thompson. Dr. Theophilus Thompson, who died August 14, i860. f~\ DEAR Theophilus! my early friend ! Oft, as in youth, I marked the holy aim That guided thee, through life, to its blest end, My heart was cleansed. Before the lark's first flight, ^Ve clomb the mountains oft ; and converse sweet. Of holy hopes and aspirations bright Were wont to hold, such as for youth is meet. And oft the strains of the old English muse, By each repeated, soothed the listening ear : Words, too, of Southey and the great Recluse Of Rydal, both to each of us so dear. Such was thy youth ! Thy manhood wise was given. Like Christ's, to healing arts, and leading souls to heav'n ! TVNINGHAME WOOD.S, HADDINGTONSHIKK, Aug. 18, i860. Translation from Liicretms. 107 Translation from Lucretius. Lib. II. 14. r~\ MISERAS hominum mentes I O pectora caeca ! Qualibus in tenebris vitse, quantisque periclis Degitur hoc sevi, quodcumque 'st ! Nonne videre Nil aliud sibi Naturam latrare, nisi ut, cum Corpore sejunctus dolor absit, mente fruatur Jucundo sensu, cura semota, metuque % Translation. ' O -wretched minds of men ! O blinded breasts I ' In how deep darkness, far from life and light, ' In how great perils, passes this sad Hfe 1 • Whate'er, where'er it be ! Is it not but to see ' That for nought else does helpless Nature yell ' But for that day, when, from tliis fle.sh escaped, ' We shall be free from pain, and shall drink in ' A-(as. cos /xera adeXcfiiov TrpocnroiovfievoL avvoLKeii', TTpoiovTos rov "x^povox' ')]\ky^9i'j(jav, lyKVjiovo<; ttJs d^.€\<^?]<; vttu tov dSeXcjiov y€vi]9€ta"r)s. Kat dWa Se ;roAA.tt [xvcrapd Kal dd(.a TrpacrcrovTes. rjjjbiijv [ilv Sid ToO (jiof^ov rov Qiov cj)v)^a(r(TO[JievoiV ko.l jjLk\pL<; ^vvoLas Kal Aoyou dfiaprelv, KaraTpe^ovcrtJ', ws loiwTwv, Kal /XTjSev eTricrra/xei/wi'' eaurou? Se VTrepv\fov(Ti. reXetous a7ro/caA.o{)VT€S Kat cnrkpfxara eK-Aoy^s. The next consists of scattered passages of Tertul- lian, from his book Adversiis Valentiniauos. His style is wordy and crabbed, and he speaks very strongly against those heretics : — ' Nihil magis curant quam occultare quod prcedicant ; si tamen prsedicant qui occultant. Custodise ofificium, con- scientiae officium est. Confusio prsedicatur, dum religio adseveratur.' Again : ' Pudiciores alii, hono- rem Divinitatis recordati, ut etiam unius conjugii dedecus ab eo avellerent, maluerunt nullum Bytho sexum deputare ; et fortasse Hoc Deum, non Hie Deus, neutro genere pronunciant. Alii contra magis et masculum et foeminam dicunt, ne apud solos Lunenses Hermaphroditum existimet, annalium commentator Fenestella.' Then again : ' De ipso jam Domino Jesu, quanta diversitas scinditur? Hi ex omnium cconum iiosculis eum construunt, illi ex solis decern constitisse contendunt, quos Sermo et vita protulerunt. Inde et in ipsum Sermonis et Vitse Appendix. 119 concurrerunt oculi. Isti ex duodecim potius, ex Homi- nibus et Ecclesire foetu; idedque filium hominis aiunt pronunciatum : alii a Christo et Spiritu Sancto constabi- liendce universitati provisis, confictum : et jure, paternae appellationis hceredem. Sunt qui filium hominis aliunde conceperint dicendum ; quamquam ipsum Patrem pro magno nominis sacramento Hominem appellasse presumpserint, ut quid amplius speres de ejus Dei fide cui nunc adeequaris % Talia ingenia superfruticant apud illos ex materni seminis redun- dantia. Atque ita inolescentes doctrince Valentinian- oruRTj in sylvas jam exoleverunt Gnosticorum.' Next I cite a passage of Clemens Alexandrinus from his Stromatum, Lib. vii. p. 349 : — 01 ras alpea-ei's cTraivov^cavTes yeyovaa-t, Kai jJ-^Xf^ 7^ ''"V^ 'AvTcui^tvov Tov irpecrj3vT€pov SiiTeivav i^Aucias, Kaddirep 6 Bacri- AetSijS, Kclv TXavKtav tTTLypdcf)7]TaL 8i8d(rKaXov, ws av\ovcriv avrol, tov riirpov kpp.'qvea.. ws aiTws 6e Kab^vaXi-VTivov GeoSdSt aKt^Koevau (jiepovcriv yyojpt/xos p** o#T05 lyeyoi'tt Ilat'Aov, — thus trying to prove his respectability by his pretended friendship with an associate of Paul. (For these views on marriage, and their gross indelicacy, see the Stroinata, pp. 311 and 319 of the Leyden folio edition, 1616, by Daniel Heinsius.) Past, I take Augustine's book, De Hcercsibus : — ' Valentiniani a Valentino, qui de natura rerum multa fabulosa confinxit: Triginta at'wvas, id est, secula asserens extitisse, quorum principium esse profundum et silentium, quod profundum etiam patrem appellat. 1 20 Appendix. Ex (laibus tluobus velut conjugio processisse per- hibet intellectum et veritatem, et protulisse in hono- rem patris ceonas octo. De iiitellectu, autem, et veri- tate processisse verbum et vitam et protulisse seonas decern. Porro de verbo et vita processisse Hominem et Pxclesiam et protulisse ceonas duodecim. Itaque octo et decern et duodecim fieri Triginta ceonas, ha- bentes, ut diximus, primum principium de profundo et silentio. Christum, autem a Patre missum, id est, a profundo spiritale vel coeleste corpus secum attu- lisse ; nihilque assumpsisse de Virgine Maria sed per illam, tanquam per rimam, aut per fistulam, sine ulla de illd assumpta carne, transisse. De tricesimo saeculo, dicit, Diabolum genitum et a Diabolo alios natos (|ui fecerint hunc mundum. Et ideo malitiam non arbitrio tribuit, sed natura; mundi, id est, generi - diabolico carnis resurrectionem negat, animam tantum et spiritum afiirmat per Christum salvari. Secundiani, hoc a Valentinianis distare dicuntur, quod addunt opera turpitudinis. Ptolemseus, quoque discipulus Valentini, hoeresim novam condere cupiens, (iuatuor aeonas et alias quatuor asserere maluit." I at first looked into the Commonitoriiun of Vin- centius Lirinensis, a.d. 494, where I never doubted 1 should find a brief view of the errors of Valentine. To my surprise, the subject is quite unnoticed by him ; and this is explained by the fact that the author had himself a strong leaning to that heresy. EDINV.IKGH : T. CONSTABLE, PRINTER TO HER MAJESTV. 7 'V (^^\ illi-«,„ ,