XVII. TO AN AGED FRIEND. Not long thy voice amongst us may be heard, Pervade thy mien with such clear eloquence, That hope, not sadness, breathes from thy decline; And the loved flowers which round thee smile farewell, Of more than vernal glory seem to tell, By thy pure spirit touched with light divine; XVIII. FOLIAGE. Come forth, and let us through our hearts receive Showers cool green light o'er banks where wild-flowers weave Thick tapestry; and woodbine tendrils climb Up the brown cak from buds of moss and thyme. Hang heavy with the fulness of their prime, And the white poplar, from its foliage hoar, Scatters forth gleams like moonlight, with each gale That sweeps the boughs :-the chestnut flowers are past, The crowning glories of the hawthorn fail, But arches of sweet eglantine are cast From every hedge:-Oh! never may we lose Dear friend! our fresh delight in simplest nature's hues ! XIX. A PRAYER. Father in Heaven! from whom the simplest flower On the high Alps or fiery desert thrown, Draws not sweet odour or young life alone, But the deep virtue of an inborn power To cheer the wanderer in his fainting hour, With thoughts of Thee; to strengthen, to infuse To wake one tear of purifying flow, To soften one wrung heart for Thee and Thine ; vain. XX. PRAYER CONTINUED. What in me is dark Illumine; what is low raise and support. MILTON. Far are the wings of intellect astray, That strive not, Father! to thy heavenly seat; Which brightens on to thee !-Oh! guide thou right Welling beside thy throne; unseal mine ear, Nature's true oracles in joy to hear: Keep my soul wakeful still to listen and to learn. XXI. MEMORIAL OF A CONVERSATION. Yes! all things tell us of a birthright lost, The faint-worn impress of its glory's day, Can trace their once free heritage; though dreams Fraught with its picture, oft in startling gleams Flash o'er their Souls.-But one, oh! One alone, For us the ruined fabric may rebuild, And bid the wilderness again be filled, With Eden-flowers-One, mighty to atone ! |