THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES />-( POEMS. TEAIIS AND SMILES THROUGH THEM. BY C. N. " 'T is done : — I saw it in my dreams : — No more with hope the future beams ; My days of happiness ore few ; Chilled by misfortune's wintry blast, My dawn of life is overcast ; Love, hope, and joy, alike adieu ; Would I could add remembrance too !" BYRON. LONDON: LONGMAN, REES, ORJIE, BROWN, GREEN, & LONGMAN ; BROOKE & SON, LINCOLN; BALL, BRIGG ; STARK, GAINSBVRGH; AND ALL BOOKSELLERS. PRINTED BY ADAM STARK, GAINSBURGII. N37i TO HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF RUTLAND, THIS HUMBLE VOLUME 13 INSCRIBED, WITH EVERY FEELING Or RESPECT AND GRATITUDE, BY THE AUTHOR. 824066 ADVERTISEMENT. In the little Volume which I now publish, many of the Pieces were written under a state of great mental suffering, and were intended to alleviate it ; whilst the Publication itself is un- dertaken at the solicitation of Friends, under the liberal patronage of a large number of Sub- scribers, by whom it will be made profitable, and, in a small way, reparative of large pecuni- ary losses, and to whom, therefore, the Author respectfully presents her grateful acknowledge- ments and thanks. C. N. Hill Collage, Kirtou-in-Liiuhey, Lincoln. CONTENTS. Page. To my Harp ... ... ... ... 1 Belvoir Castle ... ... ... ... 2 My Native Village ... ... ... ... 4 On the Death of my Child .. ... ... 8 On the same On the Recurrence of my Child's Birth-clay ... 11 To Fanny ... ... ... ... ... 1.5 Laceby Brook ... ... ... ... 1 ' otanza ... ... ... ... ... lo To * * * * ... ... ... 18 To * * * * ... ... ... JO Song — " Away, away ! Oh! tell me not." ... l il Song — " Oh no ! this heart can never jind." ... 23 Song— -" Oh ! bend no far d'ning looks on me" ... '2 i- Song — iS Oh! there are griefs thai all can Jed." CONTENTS. Page. Song — "Oh no! it cannot — must not be." ... 26 Stanza on revisiting my Home ... ... ... 27 OlUliX.1 in • • ••• ••• «*, *J\J To H. and F. B. ... ... ... ... 32 Song — " Ok ! wipe that tear-drop from thine eye." ... 33 Song — " Ok ! what Is that purest pledge of love." ... 34 Lines on Wing-field Manor ... ... ... 35 To a Fallen Leaf ... ... ... ... 37 To Imagination ... ... ... ... 38 Lines on Life ... ... ... ... 42 Hymn to the Creator ... ... ... ... 43 Lternity ... ... ... ... ... 46 To a Friend, on Recovering from Sickness ... 47 Lines on Envy ... ... ... ... 48 Song — " The maid whose name I could tell." ... 49 Inscription for the Portrait of Capt. Ross ... ... 50 Morning ... ... ... ... ... 52 Song — " Thou bidst me say why I 'm so weak." ... 53 On a second time leaving Burton Cottage ... 55 Mary ... ... ... ... ... 56 Lines on the Yarborough Mausoleum ... ... 58 On revisiting the Crave of my Son ... ... 6 1 Winter ... ... ... ... ... 64 Spring ... ... ... ... ... C6 Song— " I '11 think of tkee." ... ... ... 67 Song — " 0! cleave more closely to my breast." ... CO Remorse, a Fragment ... ... ... ... 70 CONTENTS. Page- Song — " Oh yes ! upon thy brow I see." ... ... 74 Song — " Oh ! is there not on ocean's waste." ... 75 Song — " I care not for beauty." ... ... 77 Song — " Oh ! smile not upon me." ... ... 78 Song — " I own the gay lark is the blithest bird." ... 79 Song — " I fear I am in love." ... ... ... 81 .Lucy ... ... ... ... ... 83 Earl Bertram ... ... ... ... 85 To the Trent ... ... ... ... 93 TO MY HARP. Oh ! who sliall list to thy lorn minstrelsy, And not to pity's sway his heart resign, Or feel the tear-drop trembling in his eve, And heed not how in streams they gush'd from mine. Loos'd are thy chords, but ah ! though reft and broken, Struck by my hand, they'll charm some grief away, And give, perchance, like Memnon's lute, the token That heaven's own beam hath woke thy simple lay. B 2 POEMS. Then come, and as the slave afar on ocean, Breathing sweet airs from Araby the blest, Wakes to new life, and hopes with fond emotion To greet once more his sylvan home of rest ; So to my stricken heart thy strains be given, — So cheer'd my path on earth by airs from Leaven. TO BELVOIR CASTLE. Thou proudest of old England's princely halls, That, like a spirit guardian o'er the land. Dost sit in state upon thy mountain throne, And overaw'st the wondering sight afar, I hail thee, symbol of our fathers' thoughts ! Thoughts, ever lofty and majestical ; But, like thee, not uplifted in the cause Of brooding tyranny, but simply raised - s .X \ X \ -\ >N POEMS. 3 In their own native stature, to protect The rights of human kind. And that high race Of patriot peers, who rear'd thy ramparts, still Shall freedom name, even 'mid the demon shout Of lawless anarchy, now pealing o'er My country's plains, and in her crowded streets. — The bulwark of our land! God and the right Defend ye ! and assist ye to defend The timid flock, ye noble shepherds ! Long, O goodly Bel voir ! may thy spacious roof Possess its high-born lord ; long may those flowers, The lovely offspring of their parent stock, Flourish within thy shade, and live to shed Their fragrance far and wide ! „ . B 2 4 POEMS* MY NATIVE VILLAGE. Dear native village, now again I view thee from this oft trod plain, Where, mounted on my donkey steed, I rode, a happy child indeed. With Sally walking by my side, A gentle, kind, good-natur'd guide, The pillion seemed the favour'd seat Where every pleasure gathering met. The warbling birds, the cooling breeze, The shining flowers, the shady trees, But chief, the thought from tasks set free* That spring of infant liberty. POEMS. 5 My childish heart with joy beguiled, "While every passing stranger smiled, And every neighbour passing by Implored for me some gift from high. But now, alas ! how changed the place ! I scarcely meet a well-known face ; The very ground appears estranged, As I, and all that live are changed. I cannot stay the bursting sigh, While picturing days too soon gone by: My kindred too, of centuries past, Who in this village breathed their last ; The grave stones in the church-yard tell How many bade to earth farewell ; And, whilst their frames to dust are given, Their souls, I trust, repose in heaven. Land of my sires, farewell ! farewell ! 'X is a sad talc for me to tell ; B 3 6 POEMS. The hearth, round which so oft 1 sat,. Resounds no more with friendly chat. No lively voices greet mine ear, Nor forms, long loved, are met with here, Whose kind endearments, even now, Bring smiles across my sorrowing brow. No more the widow'd heart shall know From them a lightening balm for woe, Nor e'er from them the orphan's sigh Be soothed by one of sympathy. Pardon a moment, if I dwell On by-gone days I loved so well ; From trouble I w as free as air, Nor dream'd that its approach was near. But young, and fair, and gentle too, A portion must ye have of woe ; Although the youthful age be blest, Y ou'll have your share before ye rest. POEMS. Adieu ! adieu ! loved village dear, One parting look, one parting tear ; Adieu to every shrub and tree! I feel regret to part from thee. Adieu to every spot of earth, And the loved cot which gave me birth ; — Another look, — and now we part To live for ever in my heart. Each object from mine eye now fades ; r i he spire is lost amid the shades ; The pealing bells die on mine ear; — Village and all now disappear. To seek another rest I haste, Till my few earthly days be past ; O may I reach, when death may come, A surer rest, a better home ! 8 roEius. OX THE DEATH OF MY CHILD. From me has fled my greatest joy, JMy own, my loved, my darling boy ; With none to share my heart's distress, I now must tread this wilderness. Thy smiles, my dear departed one, Upon my sorrows sweetly shone, And chased away the shades of grief, And gave my burthen'd heart relief. A treasure great thou went to me, But I was doomed to bury thee ; And deeply now my sorrow flows, — Yet would I not its sweetness lose : POEMS. So dear this sorrow is for thee, Such tenderness it leaves in me, I would not change my tears for peace, Lest yearning love for thee should cease. ON THE SAxME. When the last kiss I gave to thee, My soul was filled with agony ; Thy marhle lips I fondly prest, And would have clasp'd thee to my breast. I thought not of thy bliss above, I thought alone of grief and love ; I felt a sorrow none can tell, To part with one I loved so well. 10 poems. O memory ! how keen thou art ! Be still, be still ! my throbbing heart ; For once let recollection die, And me forget my misery. Severely chastened have I been, Yet own the visitation keen From my great Father's hand was due ;— " Righteous Thou art, O Lord, and true !" Let now my stubborn heart confess, Nor longer yield to this distress ; My God hath called my infant home, And saved him from the ills to come. Then, selfish heart, thy grief restrain ! Let gratitude alone remain, That from this world, the spirit fled, To heaven, its happy home, hath sped. POEMS. 11 ON THE RECURRENCE OF MY CHILD'S BIRTH-DAY. Thou hadst been five years old to-day, Had God thy sojourn here allow'd ; Since 't is not so, O let me pray, To him my erring will be bovv'd. A little man, on new-year's day, With pleasure I transformed thee to, In blue surtout, so new and gay, Cloth trowsers long, and jet black shoe. Thy collar white as driven snow, Surrounded by a plaited frill, 12 POEMS. Hung o'er thy little shoulder low, — So well thou look'dst, I see thee still. Thy pretty cane, so prized by thee, Thy little fingers, grasping fast, WhiiTd swiftly round, that all might see How strong it was, how well 't would last. I hear thee call, in childish glee, As glancing o'er thy new attire, " O come, mamma, and look at me, — Don't vou indeed mv dress admire ?" Who, that has felt a mother's pride, Will not a sharer be in mine ? But joys are fleeting as the tide, Thev flow their hour, and then decline. angel child ! hadst thou been spared, So much I saw in thy young mind, 1 fondly hoped thou wouldst have shared Each grief, each joy, that I might find. POEMS. 13 'T is done, — but, ah, 't is bliss to know Thy Spirit 's pass'd its heavenly birth, Untried, when here, by mortal woe, And pure from all the stains of earth. TO FANNY. Welcome, dear sister, to thy own "sweet Lome!" For ever stranger be thy heart to gloom ! May peace surround thee in thy new retreat, And render home, what home should be, most sweet ; Around thy hearth may social virtues grow, And each dear inmate love and kindness show ; Domestic comfort makes each blessing great ; Then may this blessing, sister, on thee wait. 14 POEMS. LACEBY BROOK. Adieu ! sweet Laceby Brook, adieu ! To me thy banks are dear, Though they in memory but renew The griefs I suffered there ; .From thee I now depart, to bear The fate yon wreath must have, Which some rude hand has gather'd here, And flung upon thy wave ; For soon its flowers shall fade, and be With ruthless speed borne down by thee, Where ocean's surges roar, And there, mid sea- weed wreck, at last A scar'd and scentless thing, be cast To die upon its shore. POEMS. 10 While now I gaze upon thy stream, And list its murrn'ring flow, Methinks to misery's child they seem, As types of weal and woe. With me life's early course was bright, While led by friendship's hand, Till love usurped the dearer right To guide it to its end ; When ah ! as now yon insect tribe, Disporting happy on thy side, My hopes were briefly blest, Then perished, as the insect throng At dewy eve shall do ere long, And sink upon thy breast. But not alone young hope expired, As insect life on thee, For sorrow, with a hand untired, Still holds its grasp on me ; For, like the bubbles on thy wave, My joys dissolve in air, C 2 16 POEMS. Whilst, as the weeds thy waters lave, Is rooted my despair. And, as thy stream still onward flows, So speeds the current of my woes, More whelming than before, And still will speed, until 1 come To that secure and better home, Where life's long labour 's o'er. STANZA. When first thy garden latch I raised, With transport on thy face I gazed ; Thy ardent step and temper'd joy Became thee well, thou rosy boy. Methinks I still that welcome hear, When you besought my entrance there ; POEMS. 17 And see, my proffer'd guide to be, Thy infant hand upheld to me. And hastening on, you led the way, To where thy drooping mother lay ; Whose wasted form and sunken eye Proclaim'd that death was hovering nigh. O who shall tell the fruitless art To calm the throbs that burst the heart, Or soothe thy pangs, dear child., that day A stifFen'd corse thv mother lay. In vain I took thee to my care, With all a mother's fondness there ; Thou droop'dst, as droops the morning flower, On beauty's brow, at midnight hour. And vain my hope to find in thee, What my lost child was once to me ; Like him, thy beauty's dawning bloom Was early gathei'd to the tomb. C 3 18 poems. TO Thus eaily severed though we be, I e'er shall fondly think of thee : In sorrow owns my woe-worn heart The pangs it cost me then to part. In other climes, Oh ! may'st thou find The love which thou hast left behind ; Though none can e'er more constant be, Than mine has ever proved to thee. Ah \ could that love that once was mine Again on earth our hearts entwine, Bereavements, grief, all, all would fade, And I once more be happy made. POEMS, 19 TO 'T is clone, — th' unhallow'd task is o'er, — We 've parted now to meet no more ; Henceforth on life's lone path I go, With hand unlink'd and heart of woe. And now shall ne'er that heart of thine Reprove the throbs it caused in mine, Nor ever more be shared by thee That home of griefs you form'd for me. Nor shall again to thee be given, To scorn those vows you swore to heaven ; Or heap on me one anguish more, To bruise the heart you broke before. 20 roEAis. Ah ! would you own, or might I say, How true that heart you 've thrown away, How pure and bright its fondness shone, Still lingering long when yours was gone. You well could speak with what excess Of love's entire devotedness, I strove in all, through good or ill, To learn your wish and work your will. Not time's decay, nor friendships crost, Nor wealth of mine in reveling lost, Could e'er have wcan'd my heart from thee, Had thine been kind and true to me. Eut ah ! 't was mine through years to feel Those wrongs no balm of earth could heal,— To lose the sufferer's respite, sleep, Whence roused by fear, I woke to weep. In solitude I sought relief For buried joys and love too brief; POEMS. 21 As hearts bereaved to shades repair, To mourn the dead reposing there. In vain, a mother, I relied To win that heart I lost, a bride ; But slighted was our child by thee, For that pure love it bore to me. That child — but ah ! I can no more, — With him my hopes, my all, were o'er ; He came on seraph's wing of love, — Embraced, — then rose to realms above. And never, never 's miss'd the prayer, That, dying, you may meet him there ; When, bow'd thv rebel front to heaven, You 've gain'd its grace and been forgiven. 22 POEMS. SONG. Away,— away, — Oh ! tell me not That love is light and best forgot, That mortal hopes are wisely crost, And heaven best won when earth is lost. Oh ! there are hopes I would not have, And joys of earth I would not crave, For that one bliss, which few can find, Of heart with heart, and mind with mind. The lark is gay in heaven's blue sky, When soars her mate to meet on high ; But ah ! the bliss she craves as best Is found at eve within her nest. POEMS. 23 SONG. Oh no! this heart can never find One pause from bliss when yours is kind, Or feel the task of love as long, For labour 's light when love is strong. 1 cannot give, as coldly due, That love this hand once pledged to you ; For what can love e'er leave undone, When hearts are pure and bound in one ? Oil no ! these eye-lids ne'er can close, When yours in vain shall seek repose, Nor throb this heart with yours at rest, For heaven 's in mine when yours is blest, 24 POEMS. SONG. Oh ! bend no pard'ning looks on me, For J 've been false, too false, to thee, Nor e'er thy dying prayer be given For guilt that ne'er can be forgiven. For I, too cruel, sought thy bower, To sear its bud and stain its flower ; Whilst, ah ! that fatal wound you bear Was caused by thorns I planted there. Then grant no pard'ning looks of love, For they to fiercer grief shall move ; Since that too gentle breast of thine But fans the flame consuming mine. POEMS. 25 JONG. Oh J there are griefs that all must feel, Which few can bear, and none conceal ; "When hopes arc built on loves that fade, And hearts are won, and then betray'd. If friendship \s false, 't is but a name Of doubtful truth and selfish aim ; Or death divides young hearts in twain, They'll meet, and never part again. But ah ! what balm 's in Gilead there, To soothe the pangs of love's despair, When, like the fabled spear of yore. The hand must heal that stabb'd before. 26 poems SONG. Oh no ! it cannot — must not be ; — That hand of thine 's not doom'd for me ; For ill a bride would suit that soul, Of humble mien and russet stole. I own indeed, dear youth, that you Will scorn that wealth which knaves pursue ; But, ah ! in courts, I sigh to know, The heart but serves the pageant's show. Then leave, ah ! leave the courtier's art, To learn that love which warms the heart ; And, ah ! to some lone vale repair, To live in blest communion there. POEMS. 27 STANZA, ON REVISITING MY HOME. I come, to that dear spot I come, So long with thee and thine my horn?, Ere yet I left thy guardian side, With heart unschool'd, and life untried. Not few the years, since that sad day, With loitering pace have past away ; Nor few the days of them have flown, In which some sorrow I 've not known. 'T was mine in early youth to share Such bliss as few may hope for here ; £8 POEMS. When cull'd those flowers which life beguiled, To strew the paths that cross'd its wild. But soon were o'er these dreams of bliss, Where heav'n's pure world seem'd form'd in this, And gone that beam of wisdom's light, Which lit my steps and led them right. My hopes were bright, yet they but fed Those floods of grief which soon were shed ; Like clouds at even-tide which form, And loveliest seem where broods the storm. 'T was then that voice, once whispering love, Was rarely heard but to reprove, And, where there used but smiles to be, W r as worn an endless frown for me. But, ah ! what boots it to be shown How dear that heart I deem'd my own, Or what was then my mute despair, When first I found no truth was there. POEMS. 29 Oil ! none but angel tongues could tell How throbb'd my heart when broke that spell Of love, which seem'd enchain'd as fast As truth might trust, and life could last. But ah ! enough — With bosom riven, Without one stay, save trust in heaven, To thee and that dear spot I come, So long with thee and thine my home. For oh i if peace once more be mine, 'T will be within that home of thine, Where, if for ever to be blest, My life would seek its final rest. D s 30 POEMS, STANZAS. Oh ! never shall thy last farewell, Though 't is for ever, break the spell, Which binds my heart to thee ; For I have ever own'd its power, Since first T drcam'd, in passion's hour. That thine was true to me ; For pure, beyond the sembler's art, I paid the homage of my heart In vows of love to thee. Though ocean's tide between us roll, I feel thy magic charm's controul A bliss supreme impart, POEMS. 31 Whilst, heedless of forebodings vain, I dcem'd thy love would still remain, As when we last did part ; For strong as is the magnet's force And true to guide the pilot's course, I fondly thought thy heart. Nor could the chain my stay prolong In friendship's band, or beauty's throng, Where one more loved might be ; Nor did the sordid strife for gain, Nor glory's higher mead, detain My ardent steps from thee; For, wheresoe'er thy let was cast, My thoughts still travell'd to the past, When thou wert true to me. But, ah ! if I am doom'd to prove The pangs of unrequited love, At least, Oh ! let me claim, That, as my heart must hold thee dear, That heart may find its solace there, 32 POEMS. Though under friendship's name ; For, breathed when may be my last sigh, And be what may thy destiny, That heart shall love the same. TO H. and F. B. M Y Sisters ! 't is to you I owe That help I 've had to bear my woe ; For you were ever kindly nigh, To wipe the tear and calm the sigh. TS T or could the scenes of death and fear Deter your steps from hastening there ; For when most gulph'd in misery's sea, You search'd its depths to rescue me. POEMS. 33 SONG. " Oh ! wipe that tear-drop from thine eye? Oh ! wipe that tear-drop from thine eye, Calm, calm that throbbing breast ; On man's stern bosom waste no sigh, For his is cold as snows that lie Round Etna's burning crest. Oil ! hence, for ever, hence depart, — That treacherous bosom fly, Where, won by man's alluring art, Confiding woman lays her heart, And then is left to die. 34 POEMS. SONG. " Oh ! what is that purest pledge of love." Oh ! what is that purest pledge of love, Which I have not given to thee? Or what is the word that love to prove, Which has not been breathed by me ? Or what is the choicest the heart can hold, My eye has not utter'd, or sigh not told ? Shall love, pure love, with its soul of flame, Awaken no rapture in me, Or, passionless, proffer but friendship's name, For my boundless devotion to thee ? Or must I be dead to its seraph lyre, When it lights up my heart with its song of fire. toems. 35 LINES ON WINFIELD MANOR, ONE OF THE PRISONS OF THE UNFORTUNATE MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS. In mournful silence stands the ruin'd tower, Where injured Mary spent the lonely hour ; These walls, attracting every passer by, Once echo'd to that high-born woman's sigh. Who o'er these desolated halls can stray, Which beauty graced, now scath'd by time's decay, — Who can stroll round these ivy-crowned walls, Where every fragment thy sad fate recalls, — 36 POEMS. And, whilst the steps once trod by thee they tread, Not think what hopeless tears by thee were shed, Or stifle feelings of indignant grief, That thou, beneath a summer's sun so brief, Should'st flourish, lovely flower ! and then the blast Of bleak misfortune, withering, should cast Thy blossom in the dust? O roval state, How perilous ! Far happier is the fate Of that poor slave, from whom the stinted soil Exacts the tribute of perpetual toil ! POEMS. 37 TO A FALLEN LEAF. Poou blighted tiling, by every tempest driven So ruthlessly ! companion of the mire, Despised, and trampled underfoot of men, How changed thy station ! But a month hath flown, Since thou wert gaily hanging on thy bough, Surrounded with thy kindred green and fair, Fed with the nectar'd dew at mom and eve, The sun upon thee smiling pleasantly, And every light breeze staying in its flight To kiss thy glossy surface. Oh ! how like To many a child of man ! caress'd, adored, Envied, assail'd, o'crthrown, — then left to die. E 38 POEMS. TO IMAGINATION. Bewitching Power! although so dangerous Thy spells be clcem'd by sages, sternly proud In their own wisdom, 't is to thee I owe Of this life's chalice far the sweetest draught. Come, boundless spirit ! reigning o'er the past The present, and the future, compassing The distant and profound, envelope me Within thy wizard mantle, and unseal My eyes of clay, that I may view, as thou, Etherial shapes, the minions of thy wand ! Hail, reverend patriarchs, and holy seers ! Appearing and existing, past a dream, POEMS. 39 Before mine eye ; your venerable forms Descending from some mountain, on whose ton Your altar raising, ye have sacrificed The firstlings of your flock. God hath been there, And on your faces still His glory beams. That holy impress of the Deity, Your children, waiting at the mountain's foot, Behold, and all in meek obeisance bow. Far other honours, paid to human kind, I see in mystic vision. Faith and truth Are vanish'd. Cities vast, and pompous thrones Of gold and gems appear, and on them raised Monarchs of wide dominion, from their slaves Receiving prayers and praises, while disease Consumes the idol and his worshipper ; Yet slaves successive come to bend and kneel Before succeeding idols. Pyramids, And thousand-column'd temples, now arrest E 2 40 POEMS. My gaze, — the thrones of science, and the holds Of vermin-gods. From lands of luxury And wealth, possess'd by abjects darkly vain Of their deep degradation, bear me, Spirit ! And let me walk, entranced in ecstasy, Along thy mountain paths, and by thy streams, O Judali ! listening to the echo sweet Of harp and viol, mingled with the voice Of thy rapt prophets, or thy maidens fair. Nor thou, heroic Hellas ! be forgot ; — Assist me, Spirit, to conceive that world Of human greatness ! rear once more in thought Her matchless temples ! bid her statues live ! And, while the sun looks on in joy, recall Her sons and daughters from the grave, to fill My ravish'd ear with wisdom and with song! Nor be imperial Rome unvisited! They come, — her eagled legions ! on they sweep In sullen greatness, while their foes, dispell'd, Seem chaff before the tempest ! Hie me hence POEMS. 41 To the eternal city ! Hark ! I hear The mighty shout of nations, wemb*d within Her walls; the circus and the forum start As by an earthquake, to my eye and ear, And tell a moment of their kindred strife. The scene, but not the station, now is changed ; The men of valour disappear, or crouch Beneath the dreaded frown of mitred pride ; — The yoice of eloquence and conquest dies ; The gorgeous mass, the Virgin's choral chant, Swell through the vaulted aisle magnificent, To splendid superstition consecrate; Yet on again the nations rush to arms; . The prelate lifts the cross, and knights and peers In cavalcade innumcrous crowd, and shout, " To Palestine !" and on that hallow'd soil Fanatic blood is nour'd in vain, where once Was shed the blood all-savinjj. E 3 42 POEMS. But a cry 31 ore shrill is pealing; 't is the martyr's prayer .And prophecy, ascending from the flame To listening heaven, that truth's irradiate torch, Now kindled, never shall again be quench'd. ******** LIFE. Yon silken cobweb, spread for others' bane, The breath of zephyr breaks, and renders vain ; Such is, alas, in wisdom's eye this life, Its state is weakness, and its aim is strife. FOE us. 43 HYMN TO THE CREATOR. O Thou, enthroned in majesty sublime ! Who ever livest in thine immortal clime, How shall my soul to hymn thy praise begin, Clothed as 1 am with selfishness and sin ? 'Twas thine almighty word said " Let light be !" The angel-listen'd fiat of the Deity. 'T was thou who bad'st this earth from nothing move, \nd in her wondrous orbit circling rove ; T was thou who call'dst the restless ocean forth, And gavest the lamps of heaven their splendid birth ; And, through all time thy hand is visible, Asserting thy own right, and working thy own will. 44 POEMS. 'T was thou who maclcst the deep blue sea retire, When Israel's host escaped Egyptian ire ; And at thy voice old Jordan's swelling stream Was parted, — hasting at thy law supreme : ' r was thou who bad'st the earth revolving stay, While, to the eyes of men., stood still the lord of day. And still thou beamest in the golden sun. And from thee shines the ever-changing moon ; Thou art where crimson streaks adorn the west, And the soft morning opes her dewy vest; Where murmurs on the vale's meandering rill And living lutes with praise the rocks and echoes fill. Thou art where gleaming lightnings fright the shore, And lowering storms destructive torrents pour ; Where surging seas in awful conflict rise, And, foaming, claim their kindred with the skies ; POEMS. 45 Where peals on bursting peals successive roll, And awful thoughts of thee enwrap the ravish'd soul. These are thy dwellings, Ever-blessed One ! Thy doings these, thou glorious Lord ! alone ; In thine own works thou art ; but chiefly where The weakest of thy creatures needs thy care ; Dust as I am, thine ever watchful eye I know is near, and 'neath it walk confidingly. 46 roEMS. ETERNITY. Eteunity ! thou boundless, infinite Abyss ! ocean, defying measurement ! In which this world at last shall whelm, and on Thy billows' breast scarce leave a circling trace ; Dwelling divine of Immortality Thou art, and none beside can tenant thee. Who then rules monarch of eternity? He who alone coeval was with thee ; — Stay, — He ne'er was ; 'tis time alone succeeds, But thou, O God ! continuest still the same. POEMS. 47 TO A YOUNG FRIEND RECOVERING FROM SICKNESS. How fair the rose, which breathes its fragrance near My little window's light, and fills the air With scents more grateful than the rich per- fumes Of Araby ! yet have I seen the frost Seize on its young compeers, and blight their bloom, Sadly foretelling they must die. How much Like health, that scarce hath blown upon the cheek, Ere wan disease may mar the radiant flower, 48 POEMS. And blanch its crimson glow. How ought we then To live, if such the pillar of the soul — ■ The stem that props humanity in life ! Each moment hurries us to death, prepared Or not. Then why so thoughtless, so unwise, To risk an ever-during bliss, for joys So frail as those this transient life can boast ? If man would rightly act as health puts forth Her tender bud, the earth, to paradise Restored, might blossom with perpetual spring. ENVY. Why envy me my humble lot, My peaceful home and lowly cot ? Whate'er enjoyments may be mine. I never envied thee for thine. POEMS. 49 Alas, alas ! I own this truth, Foul envy hover'd near my youth ; And, now that trusting age is flown, I 'm fearing still her withering frown. Fiend of disunion I snake of hell ! What power thy lurid look can quell? May guardian angels near me be, Or thy foul glance will wither me ! SONG. " The maid whose name I could tell." The flowers are fair in garden and grove. And I love them passing well ; But I view not a flower so fair, while I rove, As the maid whose name I could tell. 50 POEMS. The flowers are sweet on hill and in vale, And I love on their sweets to dwell ; ISut there breathes not a perfume so sweet on the gale, As the maid whose name I could tell. INSCRIPTION FOR THE PORTRAIT OF CAPT. ROSS. Header, behold that gallant chief, whose fame Has raised the glory of our country's name ; Though not that glory, which, 'mid realms afar, The warrior captain gains in savage war, Where, reckless of all else but war's emprize, His fame is built on widows' agonies. POEMS. 51 No ! — his it was, as led by science forth, To seek her stores where frowns the frozen north, And, 'mid dread icebergs of resistless force, Urge his bold way, and steer his venturous course ; And, when by frost enchain'd, his was that power Of soul which, equal to the trying hour, With heart to succour, and with hand to save, Rises o'er all, the bravest of the brave, F 2 521 poems. MORNING. The morning wakes, — how fair ! how beautiful! How peerless looks her lord, while moving up The avenue of clouds, and dealing life To all around ! Yet flows her glossy hair In tresses wild adown her glowing neck, And seems to hide the first-born love of light, Before she gives all nature joyous birth ; While smiles as sweet her blushing cheeks adorn, As when the youth reads love in eyes askance, That tenant, in his thoughts, 'neath angel- brows. In amorous mood her rosy fingers curl Her lover's golden locks, and weave a wreath POEMS. 53 Of amber hue to grace his radiant head, As first he greets her with a sweet embrace. Again she trips in gay delight o'er all The new-born earth. Ere long she faints ; And now her waning cheek no longer bears The seal of health, but pale and paler grows, Till with a farewell glance she bids adieu ! Then vanishes away, 'mid noon-tide glare And splendour lost. SONG. Thou bidst me say why I 'm so weak, To let the tears roll down my check ; 'T is thy neglect and cold disdain, Which give my heart this hourly pain. F 3 54 POEMS. How fondly did I list to thee, When vows of love thou madest to me ! And breathless hoped thou wouldst repeat Those vows, till bliss were mine complete. Warm I believed thee, and sincere, True every word which met mine ear ; Thy absence was as death to me, While life and bliss return'd with thee. toems. 55 ON A SECOND TIME LEAVING BURTON COTTAGE. Since last I left my favourite cot, How changed, how sadly changed, my lot! My darling boy was then my guide, And prattled gaily at my side ; We walk'd from hence a happy pair, For he was all my joy, my care. Since then, fell death has laid him low ; And now, a mourner, hence I go, From every earthly solace riven, — From every stay, save hope and heaven. 56 POEMS. MARY. As lowly Mary pass'd me by, From her escaped a deep-drawn sigh ; <• Poor maid !" I said, " What grief hast thou, Which throws such gloom o'er thy young brow?'* " My mother 's dead," she weeping said, " My father by her side is laid ; To wander through this world alone, From our loved cot I 've mourning gone. " A stranger now hath seized my home, And it must be my hard, hard doom To wander on and beg my bread, In sorrow, till I join the dead." POEMS. 57 Yet little thought I, while she spoke, Those words so ominously broke Upon mine ear, or that the sigh She gave foreboded death was nigh. The maiden's misery check'd her tale, Her tears fell fast, her cheek grew pale, And soon she sunk beneath her woe, And closed her weeping course below. 58 toems. LINKS ON THE YARBOROUGH MAUSOLEUM. Softly embosom'd 'mid luxuriant shades, Yon stately pile the cheerful heart invades With momentary gloom ; For, ah ! like all of fair man witnesseth, The palace hides the tenantry of death, Its beauty veils a tomb ; — And hark ! that monitory voice, " Not here Is mansion raised for living thane or peer, — It is his last long home." Yet pause and ponder, as thou passest by, And take relief, frail heir of misery, Beneath thy load of woe ; © 'J. 7- POEMS. 59 Here rest the ashes of the good and great, Though large their fortunes, yet they loved not state, Nor lived for pomp or show ; This noble dome was raised to grace the dead, Who, living, dried the tears which misery shed, And now repose below. The blessings had they of the country round, They sought the helpless, and the wretched found, Intent mankind to bless ; Though solemn then the tomb, yet gather thou A lesson, which may brighten thy sad brow, When misery's pangs distress ; Though here no mirth, yet thou rich thoughts may'st glean, On which, in future sorrows, thou may'st lean, To make those sorrows less. Enter beneath the marble columns' shade, And let the honours by affection paid 60 poemS. Thy breast with pleasure fill ; The magic which the chisell'd art hath wrought, The wondering eye from distant parts hath brought, — Such is the sculptor's skill ; Itoses and shamrocks beautifully blend, As if some beauteous lesson they would lend, Of moral good and ill. But when enclosed within the graceful pile, The vaulted roof, the fluted pillars' style, Upraise and fill the mind ; And painting's hand combines the feast to crown, Of gathering seraphs, who from high look down, To soothe and cheer our kind. Blest memory ! - f n to this sacred spot Transl "' at, my miseries forgot, I may find. POEMS. 61 ON REVISITING THE GRAVE OF MY SON. 'T is past, — the mournful duty 's paid, — - I 've wept where low my child is laid, And bathed witli tears the turf that 's spread With flowering verdure o'er his head ; And there I 've left him to his sleep, To wake no more to hear me weep, Or feel the throbs which heave my breast, To shake his frame, and break his rest. Dear child ! methinks I still can sec Thy looks of love when tuni'd on me, Thy first sweet smile, that seem'd to break, As heaven's own light, from out thy cheek, G C2 TOEMS. Ere yet began thy hapless fate With jeys tco few and brief a date, — Or e'er was blanch'd thv check with fear, And griefs not thine were planted there. Oh ! never can from memory fly Thy looks of love which met my eye, Or be forgot thy hand, when prest To cling more fondly to my breast, Or thy sweet voice, whose lisping tone Essay'd to make thy fondness known, With all thv silent grief to see Such varied woes engulphiiig me. ( )li ! these were pledges form'd to please, If aught on earth could bring me ease, And promised, in ray heart's distress, To share its pangs to make them less, That you through distant years would he A solace for the past to me, — My prop in age, in youth my pride, — My son, companion, guard and guide. POEMS. 63 But ah ! thou 'rt gone ; — yet though thou be Dear as thou wert that hour to me, When first above thy cradled head I hung, while tears of joy were shed, Or last, when near thy early bier In speechless grief I mourn'd thee there ; — Lov'd though thou art, 't is not to life I 'd wish thee back, to brave its strife, For oh ! thy race is haply done, Its goal is reach'd, and purpose won, And I but wait to gain that shore, Where we may meet and part no more. a 2 64 POEMS, WINTER. Monarch of clouds and storms! the north wind comes, Thy bugled herald, at whose rending blast Brown autumn's faded children strew the earth And choke the gurgling rills. And hoar-frost now, The fairest of thy van, bespeaks thee near ; The white enchantress lifts aloft her wand, And every naked shrub and tree, as if By fairy bands, are hung with silver blossoms, A graceful avenue her savage lord Contemns. Earth trembles 'neath thy chariot wheels ! And, at thy nod, great alchymist of nature ! poems. 65 The floods are solid o'er ; and on thou sweep'st Across their barriers, over hills and vales, And rushest to thy ocean revelry ; Ten thousand voices swell thy merriment ; The hollow wind moans in the rocky caves, And helps the screaming gull to mock the groans And cries of drowning mariners, — the whale, Caught in the whelming vortex, spouting high, And, furious, smites the wave with his broad fin, — The crash of meeting icebergs frights the fowl, In crowded troops, from off their mountain peaks, With clamorous terror, — while the shaggy bear Growls anger, and the walrus snorts loud mirth Amid the maddening war of winds and waters ! e 3 66 poems. SPRING. Speed thee, chaste virgin of the pea-bud cheek And violet eye, from Winter's rude embrace ! Swiftness and strength be with thy agile limbs, Till, far escaped, thou meet the youthful sun, Thy ardent lover ! neither turn away So bashfully thy look, nor shun his smile ; Cast from thy neck thy mantle of gray mists, And, robed in the light fleeces of the sky, Go forth to meet him .' while attendant hours Entwine fresh garlands of the primrose pale, Hare-bells, and lady-buds, and hawthorn flowers, Young silken beech leaves, and the cowslip sweet, To deck thy modest brow. The wakeful lark toems. 67 Shall tireless tend thy steps, — the woodlands ring With joyous music as thou passest on, — The vesper nightingale and matin thrush, Alternate, peal their thrilling melody, — The cuckoo shout at noon ahove the hum Of gladsome hees, — yea, every voice of joy The chorus swell, while every hill and vale, Delighted, listens to thy bridal song. SONG. "I HI think of thee." O yes ! I hold thee in my heart, Nor shall thy cherish'd form depart From its loved home ; though sad I be, I '11 think of thee. 68 POEMS. My dawn of life is dimm'cl and dark ; Hope's flame is dwindled to a spark ; But, though I live thus dyingly, I '11 think of thee. Though short my summer's day hath been, And now the winter's eve is keen, Yet, while the storm descends on me, I '11 think of thee. No look of love upon me beams, No tear of pity for me streams ; To this lone thought I sadly flee, — I '11 think of thee. Thine eye would pity, wert thou near To know my woe ; but, though 1 here Expire in lonely misery, I '11 think of thee. POEMS. 69 SONG. " Oh ! cleave more closely to my breast." Oh ! cleave more closely to my breast, And I will closer cleave to thine ; Thy bosom is my sweetest rest, Oh ! rest thy weary head on mine. Let storms around us rudely beat, And on us pour the withering blast ; If we the storm together meet, 'T will sweeter be, when over-past. Let hopes decline and foes betray, And friends with fortune's smiles depart ; 70 POEMS. The light of love shall guide our way, And shed its radiance o'er the heart. Then cleave more closely to my hreast, And I will closer cleave to thine ; Thy hosom is my sweetest rest, Oh ! be thy sweetest rest on mine. REMORSE, A FRAGMENT. Is that my love ? so shrunk, so changed, so fallen ! Is 't possible ? gay, young, and beautiful, When first I wooed her; ah! how sadly changed ! And I the cause ! Oh ! conscience, thou hast slept POEMS. 71 Too long, and 't would be cruelty to rouse Thee now. Can I no service render her? Dare I approach such injured excellence? List! even now she prays, " Him I forgive!" Oh list ! again those sounds salute mine ear, Like a reprieve to criminals condemn'd. Couldst thou, O precious one ! but see my heart So torn and agonised, thy angel-tongue Would quickly speak sweet pardon in mine ear; But now, too pure, too sacred thou appear'st For one so deeply stain'd as I to hold Communion with. Thy parting soul will soon, Too soon, alas ! for him whose tortured mind Implores thy life, join the blest throng above. O purest, loveliest, but most injured woman ! Even all the bitterness of that sad cup, So often drain'd by thy meek lips, and still Keplenish'd yet more bitterly, and drunk Again more meekly still, — not all its gall Could equal this one deepen'd draught of mine. 72 POEMS. Yet all, and more a thousand-fold, my crime Deserves. Let me recount my guilt to heaven. I told thee how devoutly I adored thee ; I wooed and won thee, — then deserted thee ; Breathing upon thy lips, as thou wert lock'd Within my arms, a vow of constancy ; Then didst thou sink in sweet confiding fondness On my false breast, and own thy love for me. Wretch that I am ! O viper, most malign And vile, to sting thy constant, tender heart! E'en now, my name pronounced emotion brings Convulsive to thy dying brow. And yet, All angel as thou art, how have I thrown Thee from me, — cast thee forth to cruel grief And blighting scorn, who join'd their ruffian hands To wring the roses from thv cheek, and drain The life-blood from thy heart ! Beauty, and sense, And modesty were thine, in all their charms ; Thy very look unbarr'd the sternest breast ; Thy fascinations in the world's gay scene POEMS. 73 First made me feel thy power. To call one mine So famed for beauty and for mind, seem'd worth A struggle ; with what triumph have I seen All who approach'd thee greeted with a look Of bare politeness, while thine eye on me Sparkled delight, as diamonds to the sun, Then melted into soften'd tenderness, And confidence, and love. Surely my heart Was never form'd for right affection, else From thee it ne'er had stray'd ; yet, from thy- self, Thou soul angelical ! I turn'd away ; — - Thy gentle nature could not brook disdain, — Each wound I gave thee has too deeply sunk ; I never meant to play the villain's part So well. O God ! receive her to thyself, And let me live a life of agony, If that may expiate my crimes ! * * * * * H 74 POEMS. SONG. " Oh yes ! upon thy broiv I see.'" Oh yes ! upon thy brow I see All that thy heart would tell ; — Go then, — with hand unlink'd and free As is thy heart, and give to me Thy long and last farewell. Yes — go, and seek 'mid scenes afar The love thy heart denies, Go seek it where thy truant star Shall lead, and where the strife of war May crown thee with its prize. TOEMS. lij Time was, when I in fondness deem'd All true that heart of thine, And vainly hoped, for thus it seem'd, And thus my youthful passion dream'd, 'T would ne'er be false to mine. But thine was that deceitful power, Which wins but to betray, That trims at morn the spicy bower, To sear at eve its stem and flower, And fling its fruit away. SONG. " Oh ! is there not on ocean's ivaste. Oh ! is there not on ocean's waste Some spot where man 's not come, H 2 76 POEMS. \ \ here his dominion hath not cast A blight upon its home ? For I 'm aweary of this scene, Where every ill is rife, And man with brother man is seen To wnge an endless strife. For ah ! to that lone spot I 'd fly, Whose covert, calm and blest, Should yield a home where I may die,— - A grave where I may rest. For I 'm aweary of this scene, Where every ill is rife, And man with brother man is seen To wage an endless strife. toems. 77 SONG. " / care not for beauty? I care not for beauty, I care not for riches, I am not the slave whom their tinsel bewitches ; A bosom I seek, That will beat with my own, Though pale be the cheek, And its roses all flown, And the wearer be desolate, wretched, forlorn, And alike from each refuge and solace be torn. To the heart I would cleave, which is striken and slighted, Whose joys are all fled, and whose hopes arc all blighted ; ii 5 78 toems. For that heart alone Would in sympathy thrill With one like my own, Which dejection doth fill ; — With a heart whose fond breathings have ever been spurn'd, And hath long their rejection in solitude mourn'd. SONG. " Oh ! smile not iqwn me." On ! smile not upon me, — my heart is not smiling ; Too long it hath sunk 'neath reproach and re- viling ; POEMS. 79 If all faces were smiles and were bending to bless me, They would not relieve, but more deeply dis- tress me. The harp of my heart is unstrung, and to glad- ness Respond not its chords, but to sorrow and sad- ness ; Then speak not of mirth, which my soul hath forsaken ; — Oh! why should my heart to its sorrows awaken? « SONG. I own the gay lark is the blithest bird." I own the gay lark is the blithest bird That welcomes the purple dawn ; 80 POEMS. But a sweeter chorister far is heard, When evening's veil is drawn. When the last lone traveller homeward wends O'er the moor-land drowsily, And the pale bright moon her crescent bends, And silvers the eastern sky, — And in silence the wakeful starry crowd Their vigils begin to keep, And the hovering mists the flowerets shroud, And their buds in dew-drops weep. Oh ! then shall the nightingale's warbling wild, In the depth of the forest dark, Prove sweeter by far to sorrow's child, Than the song of the cheerful lark. poems. 81 SONG. " I fear I am in love" Along the meads a simple maid One summer's day a-musing stray 'd, And, as the cowslips sweet she press'd, * This burthen to the breeze confess'd, — 1 fear I am in love. For, ever since so playfully Young Robert trod this path with me, I always feel more happy here, Than ever I have felt elsewhere ; — I fear I am in love. 82 POEMS. And ever since young Robert talk'd So sweetly, while alone we walk'd, Of truth, and faith, and constancy, I 've wish'd he always were with me ; — I fear I am in love. And ever since that pleasing night, When, 'neath the silver moon's fair light, He ask'd my hand, but ask'd in vain, I 've wish'd he 'd walk and ask again ; — I fear I am in love. And yet I greatly fear, alas ! My wish will ne'er be brought to pass ; What else to fear I cannot tell, But this I fear, and fear too well, That I am now in love. poems. 83 TO LUCY. What meant that glancing of thine eye, That softly hush'd the struggling sigh ? Hast thou a thought of woe or weal, Which, breathed, my bosom would not feel ? Why shouldst thou then that thought con- ceal, Or hide it from my mind, Lucy ? Didst thou e'er breathe a sigh to me, And I not breathe as deep to thee ? Or hast thou whisper'd in mine ear A thought of sorrow or of fear, — Or have I seen thee shed a tear,—- And look'd a thought unkind, Lucy. 84 POEMS. Did e'er a gleam of love's sweet ray Across thy beaming countenance play, — Or joy its seriousness beguile, And o'er it cast a radiant smile, — And mine with kindred joy, the while, Not glow as bright as thine, Lucy ? Why wouldst thou, then, that something seek To hide within thy breast, — nor speak Its load of doubt, of grief, or fear, Of joy, or sorrow, to mine ear? Assured this heart would gladly bear A burthen borne by thine, Lucy ! POEMS. 85 EARL BERTRAM. Earl Bertram has gather'd a gallant band, And he will away to the Holy Land, And his lady's heart is sinking in sorrow, For he and his lances depart on the morrow, " O wherefore, my noble Bertram, tell In lonely grief am I left to dwell, When only three short bridal-moons have fled ?' His lovely lady weeping said. Earl Bertram kiss'd her pale, pale check, And strove with manly pride, While an answer of love he essay'd to speak, His flooding tears to hide. 86' POEMS. But a thought his yielding bosom cross'd, That flash'd on his brain like an unlaid ghost, And anger rose in his rolling eye, While his lady look'd on him tremblingly. Yet he answer'd her not in wrathful haste, But press'd her loved form to his glowing breast, And in words of tender yet stately dress, Thus strove to banish his love's distress. " Count Hubert is bound with Philip of France, — Count Hubert, — who challenged thy Bertram's lance, And made him the scoff of the burgher swine, While he render'd his vows at the Virgin's shrine. " O ask me not, love, to tarry in shame, Lest ' craven' be added to Bertram's name ! To Palestine hastens my mortal foe, And I with our * Lion's- Heart' will go. POEMS. 87 " Nay, Gertrude, repeat not thy Borrowing tale, Behold in my casque the scallop-shell ! And see, on my shoulder the holy rood, The pledge of my emprize, bedyed in blood. " Thou wouldst not, love, I should be forsworn, Nor the stain on my honour be tamely borne ; Do thou to the saints each passing day For Bertram and royal Richard pray. "And the Virgin shall shield us, while all for her Son We hie to the rescue ; — and soon shall be won By the skill of this arm, and the strength of my steed, For thy Bertram, beloved, the conqueror's meed. ** Thou shalt not long for thy Bertram mourn, Before he will swift to his Gertrude return ; When, deaf to the lure of the red cross arms, He will yield up his heart to thy beauty's charms." i 1 S3 POEMS. The morn in the purple east arose, — The foremost of all Earl Bertram goes ; And brief his adieu, as he mounted his steed, And swifter his course than the falcon's speed. And the sea he hath cross'd to Palestine, And there at heart he doth chafe and pine, For Hubert, his foe, is not in that land, — King Philip is back to France with his band. But Bertram will never a recreant turn, While the knightly badge on his shoulders is borne ; And long, beneath the Syrian sun, He fasted, and fought, and glory won. His lady, alas ! for her loved lord pines; And, though on her castle the bright sun shines, She sees not its light, but in loneliness prays, Through the livelong hours of her sorrowing days. POEMS. 89 Twelve moons have roll'd round, and the morn- ing is come, When a twelvemonth before, from his lordly home Earl Bertram went ; — at the castle gate A reverend palmer now doth wait. He saith he hath words for the lady's ear, And he tells, in accents dark and drear, Of Bertram's death in the Holv Land At Richard's side, by a Saracen's hand. And he gave to the lady, when thus he had spoken, Of Bertram's fall a deathly token ; 'T was a lock of his hair all stain'd with blood, Entwined on a splinter of holy rood. Then the palmer in haste from the castle sped, And Gertrude is left to bewail the dead ; And each weary night and gloomy day In deeper lamentings now pass away. i 3 90 POEMS. Three months have pass'd, — and again doth wait That palmer before the castle gate ; But of haste, or of death, he talks not now, Nor doth sadness or sorrow bedim his brow. He softly sits by the lady's side, And tells of deeds of knightly pride, And speaks, in her secret ear, of things Which deeply endanger the thrones of kings. For from Philip of France, he saith, he came, To treat with a prince he must not name ; And he in fair France hath goodly lands, Where a thousand brave vassals obey his com- mands. The lady liked her gallant guest, For he guess'd, as a courtier, what pleased her best; And his tongue, in silken measures skill'd, With goodly stories her memory fill'd. POEMS. 91 -And daily he Gertrude's ear beguiles, And soon is her sadness betray'd by smiles; And, when from the castle the palmer went, She watch'd his return from the battlement. The sun hath roll'd round, — and the eve is re- turn'd When, two twelvemonths before, she forebod- ingly mourn \\ ; But the lady's heart now sinks not in sorrow, For she and the palmer will wed, on the mor- row. The morrow is come, — and at break of dav, 'Fore the altar, the abbot, in holy array, Is joining the palmer's and Gertrude's hands, But in sudden amazement the holy man stands ! For, before the castle, a trumpet's blast Sounds so loud, that the palmer starts aghast ; And, quickly disrobed, shows a shirt of mail, With a falchion, to make the stoutest quail. 92 POEMS. The doors of the chapel were open thrown, And the colour'd light of the windows shone On the face of Earl Bertram with anger flush'd, And forth on the palmer he wildly rush'd. " Villain, Hubert !" he cried, and his knightly sword Was sheathed in the heart of the recreant lord !— With a scream of terror Gertrude fell, For she knew the pride of Bertram well. He flew to raise her — but flew in vain, — Her spirit its flight in fear had ta'en ! — And Bertram kneels that his soul be shriven, And the sins of this deed by grace forgiven. And now has Sir Bertram resign'd his lands For Gertrude's repose into holy hands ; And, in sooth, it were sweet though sad to tell, POEMS. 93 How duly, at eve and matin's dawn, The ave-marias he counted alone, Or the midnight prayer and stifled moan, Which rose from his sainted cell. TO THE TRENT. Trent ! I love thy rolling silver stream, In early years thou wok'st my heart to know That grandeur dwells in nature ; ocean's flood 1 view not, nor have heard its solemn roar, But thrilling feel that thou art majesty. Thy osier-crowned banks, and margin wide Of flowery meads and pastures green, — the hills And woods which look upon thee, are a hook 94 POEMS. Wherein my heart is writ, and where I read Most livingly the hopes and joys of youth, — Yea seem, indeed, to breathe them o'er again. The lonely tower that rears its frowning form* Beside thee, and its shadow proudly flings Mid-way into the waters, hath a claim Which summons to remembrance the deep tale That oft beguiled the hours gone by, and fill'd My mind with images of pleasing dread, Oft afterwards recall'd, and eagerly Recounted in the ear of that sweet child I loved with tenderness, but bow'd in grief Beside his early grave. The rising mound,** With fosse encircled, that doth distance keep More humble from thy border, tells of deeds Of patriot struggle and of pirate strife, — Conflicts of Alfred and the savage Dane, — * " The lonely tower," — Torksey Castle, an old Residence of the Talbots, seven miles from Gainsburgh. ** "The rising mound with fosse encircled," — the Danish camp and entrenchments, called Castle Hills, half a mile from Gainsburgh, supposed to be the encampment of Sweyn, the father of Canute the Great. POEMS. 95 So said my fathers, and the story flush'd The kindred blood within me till I wept, And mourn'd in agony their bloody fate. The pavement, founded 'neath thy whelming flood/ Raised in me wonder ; and when first I learnt To name imperial Rome, before mine eye Advanced her eagled legions to thy tide In sullen greatness, and the flood-bed path Strode o'er, — their heads, all helmeted, just seen In middle of the stream. The glittering hopes, Which beckon'd with delusive hand my youth, Are fled, and with increase of years hath come Sedate and sober care ; but not the less I look on thee enamour'd, lovely Trent.' And ponder o'er the records of thy stream. * " The pavement, founded 'neath thy whelming flood," — the Roman pavement across the bed of the River Trent, seen at low water, at Littlebro', four miles from Gainsburgh, the Agelocum of the Romans. THE END. LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. Copies. Ayre, — Esq. M. D. Hull, ... ... ... 2 Alexander, Mrs. Doncaster, ... ... ... 1 Andrews, Rev. G. R. Grantham, ... ... 1 Arnold, Mr. Whissendine, ... ... ... 1 Brownlow, Earl, Belton House, ... ... 4 Bathyany, Count, Melton Mowbray, ... ... 4 Barnard, Right Hon. Sir A. Bart. Equery to his Majesty, 4 Burnaby, Col. Rotherby Hall, Leicestershire, ... 1 Burnaby, Rev. — Plunger, ... ... ... 2 Bright, Rev. J. Piekwell Parsonage, ... ... I Bland, Dr. Grantham, ... ... ..-, 2 Bourne, Mrs. ditto, ... ... ... 2 Boulton, Rev. Oxenden, Northamptonshire, ... 1 Bagshaw, Rev. William, Bauor Cross, Yorkshire, ... 1 SUBSCRIBERS. Copies. Brandstrom, Mrs. Great Grimsby, ... ... 1 Bertram, Mrs. Buckminster, ... ... ... 2 Bertram, Miss, Kirton-in-Lindsey, ... ... 2 Bertram, Miss F. ditto, ... ... ... 2 Bertram, Mr. Charles, London, ... ... l Bainbridge, — Esq. London and Melton, ... 2 Burton, Captain, Asfbrdby, ... ... Brown, Mr. Barton, ... ... Baker, Mr. Melton, ... ... ... Black, Mr. Thomas, Frisby, ... Brown, Mr. H.H. jun. Melton, Brown, Mr. Robert, ditto, Burbidge, Mr. Melton, Bingham, Rev. A. Kettleby, ... Bond, Mr. Leicester, ... ... ... Beasly, Mr. Harston, Barnard, Mr. Ouston, Bland, Mrs. Cainby, Lincolnshire, ... ... Borman, Miss, Kirton-in-Lindsey, ... ... Burbidge, Mr. Leicester, ... Berridge, Mr. ditto, Berridge, Mr. S. ditto, ... ... Berridge, Mr. R. S. Melton Mowbray, ... Bishop, Mr. W. Leicester, ... ... Burrows, Mrs. Plunger, Bishop, Mr. J.'T. Melton Mowbray, ... ... Bryan, W. Esq. Goadby, ... ... ... 2 Baker, Mr. Cottesmore, ... ... ... 1 SUBSCRIBERS. Bunting, Mr. Leigh, Bright, Mr. Melton Mowbray, Boyes, Mrs. Hull, Bunney, Mr. B. London, Bradley, Mr. Grantham, Berwick, Mrs. Scawby, . Copies. 1 1 1 o I 1 Chesterfield, the Bight Hon. the Earl of, Bradby Hall, Derbyshire, and Melton Mowbray, ... 6 The Right Hon. the Countess of Chesterfield, ditto, 4 Copley, Mrs. Brocklesby House, ... ... 4 Cox, Mrs. London, ... ... ... ... 2 A Friend, ditto, ... ... ... ... I Clapham, Mr. ... ... ... ... 1 Craven, the Hon. Augustus, Crombe Abbey, War- wickshire, and Melton Mowbray, ... ... 4 Coke, W. Esq. Norfolk, and Melton Mowbray, ... 2 Coasvelt, — Esq. London, and ditto, ... ... 2 Calvert, Rev. — Beeby, Leicestershire, ... ... 2 Cheney, Colonel, Gadesby, ditto, ... ... 2 Campbell, — Esq. Melton Mowbray, ... ... 4 Cleathing, Rev. J. Thorpe Arnold, ... ... I Charlesworth, — Esq. Witham, ... ... l Callow, Mr. Charles, London, ... ... ... 2 Clark, Mr. F. ditto, ... ... ... 1 Catlett, Mr. Grantham, ... ... ... I Cragg, Rev. — Wymondham, ... ... 1 SUBSCRIBERS, Copies. Cook, Mr. W. Leicester, Costall, Mr. Market Overlon, ... Clark, Mr. Barnby Moor, Casson, Mr. Leicester, Cort, Mr. B. ditto, Coward, Mr. Surgeon, Great Grimsby, Charlton, Miss, Lincoln, Clark, Mr. W. Melton Mowbray, Caldecot, Mr. ditto, A Friend, Great Grimsby, 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Deerhurst, the Right Hon. Lord, Crome Court, and Melton Mowbray, Drummond, J. Esq. London, and Melton Mowbray, Davies, Rev. — Leicester, ... ... Denham, Mr. Heaton Park, ... ... Dodsworth, Mr. Fulford, Yorkshire, Dodsworth, Mrs. ditto, ... ... Dickenson, Mr. Boston, Downing, Miss, Denton, ... ... ... Dawson, Mr. Kettlethorpe near Wakefield, Dawson, Miss Ann, ... Dawson, Mr. Henry, Kettlethorpe, Yorkshire, ... Davies, Mr. Thomas, Leicester, Day, Mr. Wymondham, ... Day, Mr. Robert, Duffield, Mr. Grantham, 4 4 2 2 1 SUBSCRIBERS. EaniNGTON, Rowland, Esq. ... ... Eigart, John, Esq. Liverpool, and Melton Mowbray, Exton, Mr. John, East well, Exton, Mr. Thomas, ditto, ... ... .., Evans, Mr. Coventry, Evans, Mr. C. ditto, Elmhirst, Mrs. Scawby Hall, Edwards, Mr. Manchester, ... ... Eddison, Miss, Harrowgate, Ella, Mr. William, Wimswold, Leicestershire, Copies. 4 4 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 Forrester, the Right Hon. Lord, Willey Park, Salop, and Melton Mowbray, Fowler, Mr. Melton Mowbray, Fowler, Mrs. Kirton Grange, Fowler, Mr. Salter Grange, Friend, Kirton Grange, Fenton, Rev. R. M. A. Waltham, Lincolnshire, ... Fowler Robertson, Mr. F. Friend, Kirton-in-Lindsey, Fox, Rev. Henry, Lutterworth, Fox, John, Esq. Kirton-in-Lindsey, Field, Mrs. Laceby, Lincolnshire, Fletcher, Mr. Belvoir, ... ... ... Fabling, Mr. Stapleford, ... ... Firman, Mr. Buckminster, Friatt, Mr. Melton, ... ... ... Femeley, Mr. J. ditto, ... ... ... b SUBSCRIBERS. c Gardiner, the Right Hon. Lord, Court Garden, Bucks, and Melton Mowbray, Goodricke, Sir Harry, Bart. Ribston Hall, York- shire, and Melton Mowbray, Gilmore, W. L. Esq. Scotland, and ditto, Gregory Williams, Esq. Harleston Hall, Green, Valentine, Esq. Rolleston Hall, Leicestershire, Guille, James, Esq. Isle of Guernsey, Gillet, Rev. — Waltham, Gething, Mr. Grantham, ... .., Glover, Rev. T. D. M.A. Binbrook, ... Guy, Mrs. Plunger, Garner, Mr. Grantham, ... ... ... Groves, Mr. Twyford, Goter, Mr. London, opies. 4 4 o 2 1 o 1 1 2 1 1 1 Howth, the Right Hon. Lord, Howth Castle, and Melton Mowbray, ... ... ... 2 Huntingtovver, Lady, Buckminster Hall, Leicesters. 1 Heyrick, W. Esq. Thurmaston Lodge, ditto, 1 Hartopp, E. B. Esq. Dalby House, ditto, 4 Harlopp, Rev. Evans, Harby, ... ... 2 Harneis, Theophilus, Esq. Howerby, ... ... 1 Harneis, Theophilus, Esq. Thorgonby Hall, Lin- colnshire, ... ••• ... ••• 1 Harneis, Mrs. ditto ditto ditto 1 Herbert, — Esq. Fulford, Yorkshire, ... ... 1 Ilctt, J. Esq. Brigg, Lincolnshire, ... ... 1 SUBSCRIBERS. Copies. Halifax, Rev. J. Melton Mowbray, Hiklebrand, Rev. — Saxby, Heycock, Rev. C. Ouston, ... Hodgson, Mr. Cbarlston, Yorkshire, Hodgson, Miss, ditto, Holt, Miss, Grantham, Hopkinson, Rev. — Market Overton, Hoe, Rev. Thomas, Long Clowson, Healy, Mr. W. Edmondthorpe, Healy, Mr. C. Melton, Harrisson, Mr. Garthorpe, Hives, Mr. Tim. Mount Sorrel, Hinson, Mr. Walton, ... Harvey, Mr. Grantham, Horsfall, Mr. John, Bradford, Yorkshire, Horsfall, Mr. Hill, ditto ditto, Horsfall, Mr. ditto ditto, Horsfall, Mr. William, ditto ditto, Horsfall, Mr. Timothy, ditto ditto, Horsfall, Mr. Thomas, ditto ditto, Humphrey, Mr. Kirton-in-Lindsey, Hunter, Captain, Hardy, Mr. Stockdale, Leicestershire, Hickman, Mr. Walton, Hardy, Mr. jun. Witham, Higginson, Mr. Leicester, 2 2 i 1 Ingilby, Sir Wm, Bart. Ripley Castle, Yorkshire, SUBSCRIBERS. Copies. Inett, Mrs. Melton Mowbray, ... ... ... 1 Inett, Mr. Eye, Kettleby, ... ... ... 1 Johnston, Sir Fred. Bart. Melton Mowbray, ... 4 Johnson, Mr. R. Saddington Hall, Leicestershire, 1 Johnson, Mr. W. ditto ditto ... 1 Johnson, R. Esq. Great Grimsby, Lincolnshire, ... 1 Jackson, Mr. Whissemline, ... ... ••• J Jenkins, Mr. Atcham, Grange, Salop, ... ... 2 Jones, Mr. Louth, Lincolnshire, ... ... 1 Kinnaihd, Lord, Rossie Priory, Perthshire, and Melton Mowbray, ... ... ... 4 Kay, Sir John, Bart. ... ... ... 2 King, Mr. Melton Mowbray, .,. ... ... 1 Kewney, Mr. Grantham, ... ... ... 1 Kenyon, Mr. Manchester, ... ... ... 1 Keal, Mr. and Friends, Melton Mowbray, ... 7 Lonsdale, the Right Hon. the Earl of, Cottesmore, Rutland, ... ... ... ... 6 Lowther, the Hon. Col. ... ... ... 2 Lloyd, — Esq. ... ... ... ... 1 Lowry, T. Esq. Syston, near Grantham, ... 1 Latham, Mr. Melton Mowbray, ... ... 2 Latham, Mr. William, ditto, ... ... 2 Little, Mr. Blybro', Lincolnshire, ... ... 1 Lawrence, Mr. T. Grantham, ... ... ... 1 SUBSCRIBERS. Copies. Lilleyman, Mr. Manchester, Leigh, Mr. ditto, Lee, Mr. Grantham, Lee, Miss, Kirton-in-Lindsey, Luard, Major, Blybro' Hall, 2 1 1 1 1 Manners, the Right Bon. Lord Robert, Belvoir Castle, Leicestershire, ... ... Manners, Lord Charles Somerset, ditto ditto, Macdonald, the Right Hon. Lord, Scotland, and Melton Mowbray, Matoushevitz, His Excellency, Count, Russian Am- bassador Extraordinary, Melton Mowbray Musgrave, Sir James, Bart. Barnesby Park, Glou- cestershire, and Melton Mowbray, ... Montgomery, R. Esq. Sheffield, Majoribanks, — Esq. London, and Melton, Marriss, H. Esq. Belgic Consul, Hull, ... A Friend, Hull, Maxwell, — Esq. London, and Melton Mowbray, Mahre, Valentine, Esq. Ireland, and ditto, ... Moore, J. Esq. London, and ditto, Manners, Roger, Esq. Goadby Hall, Leicestershire, Manners, Rev. E. Goadby Marwood, ditto, ... Manners, Mr. Greentham, ... ... Marriott, Mr. Thorpe Arnold, Marriott, Mrs. ditto, ... ... .. Marriott, Mr. Long Clawson, ... ... ... c 4 9 4 1 2 10 JO 2 4 4 2 2 1 4 2 SUBSCRIBERS, Copies. Marriott, Mr. Hayes, Long Clawson, Marriott, Mr. Kibvvorth Harcourt, ... Marriott, Mrs. N. M. ditto, Marriott, Miss, Kibworth Beauchamp, Leicestershire, Marriott, Miss M. ditto ditto, Marriott, Miss A. ditto ditto, Marriott, Mr. J. T. Thorpe Arnold, Leicestershire, Marriott, Mr. G. ditto ditto, ... Marriott, Mr. W. G. Manchester, Marriott, Hayes, Lieut. Marriott, Miss Sarah, Thorpe Arnold, Leicestershire, Marriott, Mr. Beeby, Marriott, Mr. J. Crop well, Morpott, Mr. Kibworth Beauchamp, Leicestershire, Morpott, Miss, ditto Morpott, Mr. Lutterworth, ... Morpott, Mrs. Langton Grange, Miller, Mr. Leicester, Mackinnon, Mr. Manchester, ... Marris, Mr. Croxby, Mann, Mr. Wra. Wymondham, ditto, 2 1 2 2 2 2 1 o 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 Norman, Lady Elizabeth, Melton Mowbray, Noel, Sir Gerard, Bart. Exton Park, Norton, Fletcher, Esq. Elton Hall, Notts. Nicholson, J. Esq. Brigg, ... Nixon, Captain, Melton, Neville, Rev. — Cottesmore, ... 1 6 2 2 1 2 SUBSCRIBER?. Neale, Mr. Melton Mowbray, ... Neale, Mr. Grantham, Newbatt, Mr. Belvoir, Neale, Mrs. Melton Mowbray, Newton, Mr. Saxby, Nicholson, Mr. John, Swallow Vale, Nainby, Mrs. Barnoldby-le-Beck, Copies, 2 1 1 1 i 2 1 Osbaldeston, George, Esq. Ebberton Lodge, Yorks, Ord, Rev. James, Langton Hall, Leicestershire, ... Ousby, Rev. R. Kirton-in-Lindsey, Lincolnshire, ... Outram, Rev. J. P. Redmile, Leicestershire, Oldacres, Mr. Leicester, ... 2 2 1 1 1 Parker, Captain, Melton Mowbray, Potchett, Rev. — Grantham, ... Park, Mr. Melton Mowbray, ... Parnell, Miss, Doncaster, Palmer, Mr. Surgeon, Kirton-in-Lindsey, Palmer, Mr. Charles, London, Pippen, Miss, Bowden, Phillips, Mr. Leicester, Parsons, Mr. ditto, Pickford, Rev. — Coston Rectory, Pridie, Mr. Melton, Potter, Mrs. the Mount, York, Perkins, Mr. Laughton, Leicestershire, .. Finder, Mr. Barrowby, 2 SUBSCRIBERS. Copies. Rutland, his Grace the Duke of, Bel voir Castle, Leicestershire, ... ... ... ... 6 Roheby, Lord, Monk's Horton, Kent, and Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, ... ... 4 Richardson, R. Esq. Surgeon, High Harrowgate, 2 Roadley, Mrs. Searby, ... ... ... Roaclley, Miss, ditto, Robinson, Mr. London, ... ... ... Robinson, Mr. Thomas, ditto, ... ... ... Richards, Mr. Kagdab, Richards, Mr. jun. ditto, ... ... Reeve, Mr William, VVansford, ... ... 2 Robson, Mr. Newport Pagnell, ... ... 1 Robson, — Esq. Relgrave, Leicestershire, ... 2 Stanley, W. M. Esq. Keaton Mouse, Cheshire, and Melton Mowbray, Stevens, Lyne, Esq. London, and ditto, ... Smith, Ascough, Esq. Leesthorpe Hall, Leicesters. •awyer, Rev. — Old Dalby Hall, Simpson, Miss, Freeby, Sergeant, Miss, London, Smith, Rev. — Great Coates, Lincolnshire, Swan, Mrs. John, Nottingham, Swan, Mr. sen. ditto, A Friend, ditto, Stevenson, Mrs. ditto, Stevenson, Mr. J. S. ... ditto, ditto, 4 2 1 9. SUBSCRIBERS. Stark, Mr. Gainsburgh, Stowe, Mr. Wailham, Leicestershire, Sykes, Mr. Tilton, ditto, Sharpe, Mr. Melton, ditto, Smith, Mr. Manchester, Sharrard, Mr. Knollington, Stokes, Mr. Hose, ... Simes, Mr. Yorkshire, Simpson, Mr. T, Melton Mowbray, Sutton, Mr. H. C. Leicester, ... Copies. Thynne, Lord Edward, Richmond Terrace, don, and Melton Mowbray, Thorold, Lady, Syston Park, Lincolnshire, Turner, C. Esq. Stoke Hall, Leicestershire, Turner, — Esq. M. D. Grantham, ... Turner, Mr. R. ditto, Turner, Mr. Townsend, Mrs. Manchester, ... Townsend, Mrs. Thos. ditto, ... Townsend, Miss, ditto, ... A Friend, ditto, ... Tomlin, Mr. Josh. Ligh Lodge, Rutland, Tuxford, Mr. Melton, Tupman, Mr. Somerby, Taylor, Mr. James, Manchester, Tyler, Mr. Denton, ... Thornton, Miss, and Friends, ... d Lon- 4 2 4 1 2 1 1 1 ] I 1 1 1 S SUBSCRIBERS. Tilbury, Mr. John, jun. London, Thorpe, Mr. Copies. 2 Underwood, Mrs. Melton Mowbray, ... Worcester, the Right. Hon. the Marquis of, Melton Mowbray, ... ... ... Wilton, the Right Hon. the Earl of, Heaton Park, Lancashire, and Melton Mowbray, ... Wilton, Countess of, ditto ditto ditto, Willoughby, Right Hon. Lord D'Eresby, Welby, Sir William, Bart, Denton Hall, Lincolns. Welby, G. E. Esq. ... White, J. Esq. Derbyshire, and Melton Mowbray, Wharton, — Esq. London, and ditto, Wayland, Rev. D. S. Vicar of Kirton-in-Lindsey, Woodcock, Mrs. and Friends, Syston, Leicestershire, Wilmot, W. Esq. Pickwell, ditto, Ward, Mr. Langton Grange, ditto, Ward, Mrs. ditto ditto, Walker, Miss, Oakwell House, Yorkshire, W T ing, Mr. Vincent, jun. Melton Mowbray, Wing, Mr. Thomas Nurton, ditto, Wing, Miss, ditto, Whitchurch, Mr. ditto, Warner, Mr. W. Wolverhampton, Warner, Mr. R. ditto, Warner, Mr. Manchester, ... ... 4 4 2 6 2 2 2 4 I 3 SUBSCRIBERS. Warner, Mr. Leicester, Wyles, Mr. Laurence, Greentham, Wright, Mr. Shoby, ... Wilkins, Mr. Grantham, Walkington, Mr. ditto, W T ard, Mr. T. Melton, Walker, Miss, Yorkshire, Warton, Jesse, Esq. ... Wyles, Mr. Josh. Grantham, Copies. Yarborough, the Right Hon. Lord, Brocklesby House, Lincolnshire, and Appeldurcome, Isle of Wight, Young, Mr. ... ... ... ... 10 1 t^t Several Names omitted in this List were too late for insertion. Gainsburgh, Printed by Adam Stark. ERRATA. Page 2ti, line 3 from bottom, for love, read lore. — 27, for Stanzas on Revisiting my Home, read, To a Friend on Revisiting the Home of my early youth. — 31, line 7 from top, for chain, read charm. — 32, last line, for search' d, read sought. — 54, line 2 from top, for ntadest, read mad'st. • ' •;r j ; UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY Los Angeles This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. |0L HtC'O ID- JUL MJGU Form L9-100m-9,'52(A3105)444 ,*•'.' THE LlBRAltlf i * T-««./ve»W1f A PR ars and srpilp» s 3991 N3T2 through them 1 m 3991 N3T2 3 1158 00809 3360 Y\l | U |m §SiilM RN REGIOfJ AL LIBRARY FACILITY AA 000 379 950 9