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8/2/2019 Bronte Poetry http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bronte-poetry 1/110 **TheProjectGutenbergEtextofPoems,bytheBronteSisters** #5inourseriesbytheBrontes Copyrightlawsarechangingallovertheworld,besuretocheck thecopyrightlawsforyourcountrybeforepostingthesefiles!! Pleasetakealookattheimportantinformationinthisheader. Weencourageyoutokeepthisfileonyourowndisk,keepingan electronicpathopenforthenextreaders.Donotremovethis. **WelcomeToTheWorldofFreePlainVanillaElectronicTexts** **EtextsReadableByBothHumansandByComputers,Since1971** *TheseEtextsPreparedByHundredsofVolunteersandDonations* InformationoncontactingProjectGutenbergtogetEtexts,and furtherinformationisincludedbelow.Weneedyourdonations. POEMS by CURRER,ELLIS,ANDACTONBELL. (Charlotte,EmilyandAnneBronte) August,1997[Etext#1019] **TheProjectGutenbergEtextofPoems,bytheBronteSisters** ******Thisfileshouldbenamedbrntp10.txtorbrntp10.zip****** CorrectedEDITIONSofouretextsgetanewNUMBER,brntp11.txt. VERSIONSbasedonseparatesourcesgetnewLETTER,brntp10a.txt. Wearenowtryingtoreleaseallourbooksonemonthinadvance oftheofficialreleasedates,fortimeforbetterediting. Pleasenote:neitherthislistnoritscontentsarefinaltill midnightofthelastdayofthemonthofanysuchannouncement. TheofficialreleasedateofallProjectGutenbergEtextsisat Midnight,CentralTime,ofthelastdayofthestatedmonth.A preliminaryversionmayoftenbepostedforsuggestion,comment andeditingbythosewhowishtodoso.Tobesureyouhavean uptodatefirstedition[xxxxx10x.xxx]pleasecheckfilesizes inthefirstweekofthenextmonth.Sinceourftpprogramhas abuginitthatscramblesthedate[triedtofixandfailed]a lookatthefilesizewillhavetodo,butwewilltrytoseea newcopyhasatleastonebytemoreorless. InformationaboutProjectGutenberg(onepage) Weproduceabouttwomilliondollarsforeachhourwework.The fiftyhoursisoneconservativeestimateforhowlongitwetake togetanyetextselected,entered,proofread,edited,copyright

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Page 1: Bronte Poetry

8/2/2019 Bronte Poetry

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**TheProjectGutenbergEtextofPoems,bytheBronteSisters**#5inourseriesbytheBrontes

Copyrightlawsarechangingallovertheworld,besuretocheckthecopyrightlawsforyourcountrybeforepostingthesefiles!!

Pleasetakealookattheimportantinformationinthisheader.Weencourageyoutokeepthisfileonyourowndisk,keepinganelectronicpathopenforthenextreaders.Donotremovethis.

**WelcomeToTheWorldofFreePlainVanillaElectronicTexts**

**EtextsReadableByBothHumansandByComputers,Since1971**

*TheseEtextsPreparedByHundredsofVolunteersandDonations*

InformationoncontactingProjectGutenbergtogetEtexts,andfurtherinformationisincludedbelow.Weneedyourdonations.

POEMS

by

CURRER,ELLIS,ANDACTONBELL.(Charlotte,EmilyandAnneBronte)

August,1997[Etext#1019]

**TheProjectGutenbergEtextofPoems,bytheBronteSisters********Thisfileshouldbenamedbrntp10.txtorbrntp10.zip******

CorrectedEDITIONSofouretextsgetanewNUMBER,brntp11.txt.VERSIONSbasedonseparatesourcesgetnewLETTER,brntp10a.txt.

Wearenowtryingtoreleaseallourbooksonemonthinadvanceoftheofficialreleasedates,fortimeforbetterediting.

Pleasenote:neitherthislistnoritscontentsarefinaltillmidnightofthelastdayofthemonthofanysuchannouncement.TheofficialreleasedateofallProjectGutenbergEtextsisatMidnight,CentralTime,ofthelastdayofthestatedmonth.Apreliminaryversionmayoftenbepostedforsuggestion,commentandeditingbythosewhowishtodoso.Tobesureyouhaveanuptodatefirstedition[xxxxx10x.xxx]pleasecheckfilesizesinthefirstweekofthenextmonth.Sinceourftpprogramhas

abuginitthatscramblesthedate[triedtofixandfailed]alookatthefilesizewillhavetodo,butwewilltrytoseeanewcopyhasatleastonebytemoreorless.

InformationaboutProjectGutenberg(onepage)

Weproduceabouttwomilliondollarsforeachhourwework.Thefiftyhoursisoneconservativeestimateforhowlongitwetaketogetanyetextselected,entered,proofread,edited,copyright

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searchedandanalyzed,thecopyrightletterswritten,etc.Thisprojectedaudienceisonehundredmillionreaders.Ifourvaluepertextisnominallyestimatedatonedollarthenweproduce$2milliondollarsperhourthisyearaswereleasethirty-twotextfilespermonth,or384moreEtextsin1997foratotalof1000+Ifthesereachjust10%ofthecomputerizedpopulation,thenthetotalshouldreachover100billionEtextsgivenaway.

TheGoalofProjectGutenbergistoGiveAwayOneTrillionEtextFilesbytheDecember31,2001.[10,000x100,000,000=Trillion]Thisistenthousandtitleseachtoonehundredmillionreaders,whichisonly10%ofthepresentnumberofcomputerusers.2001shouldhaveatleasttwiceasmanycomputerusersasthat,soitwillrequireusreachinglessthan5%oftheusersin2001.

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Theytellusyoumightsueusifthereissomethingwrongwithyourcopyofthisetext,evenifyougotitforfreefromsomeoneotherthanus,andevenifwhat'swrongisnotourfault.So,amongotherthings,this"SmallPrint!"statementdisclaimsmostofourliabilitytoyou.Italsotellsyouhowyoucandistributecopiesofthisetextifyouwantto.

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POEMS

by

CURRER,ELLIS,ANDACTONBELL.(Charlotte,EmilyandAnneBronte)

POEMSBYCURRERBELL,

PILATE'SWIFE'SDREAM.

I'vequench'dmylamp,IstruckitinthatstartWhicheverylimbconvulsed,Ihearditfall--Thecrashblentwithmysleep,Isawdepart

Itslight,evenasIwoke,onyonderwall;Overagainstmybed,thereshoneagleamStrange,faint,andminglingalsowithmydream.

Itsank,andIamwraptinuttergloom;Howfarisnightadvanced,andwhenwilldayRetingetheduskandlividairwithbloom,Andfillthisvoidwithwarm,creativeray?WouldIcouldsleepagaintill,clearandred,Morningshallonthemountain-topsbespread!

I'dcallmywomen,buttobreaktheirsleep,Becausemyownisbroken,wereunjust;

They'vewroughtallday,andwell-earn'dslumberssteepTheirlaboursinforgetfulness,Itrust;Letmemyfeverishwatchwithpatiencebear,Thankfulthatnonewithmeitssufferingsshare.

Yet,oh,forlight!oneraywouldtranquillizeMynerves,mypulses,morethaneffortcan;I'lldrawmycurtainandconsulttheskies:Thesetremblingstarsatdeadofnightlookwan,Wild,restless,strange,yetcannotbemoredrear

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Thanthismycouch,sharedbyanamelessfear.

Allblack--onegreatcloud,drawnfromeasttowest,Concealstheheavens,buttherearelightsbelow;TorchesburninJerusalem,andcastOnyonderstonymountaluridglow.Iseemenstation'dthere,andgleamingspears;Asound,too,fromafar,invadesmyears.

Dull,measuredstrokesofaxeandhammerring>Fromstreettostreet,notloud,butthroughthenightDistinctlyheard--andsomestrangespectralthingIsnowuprear'd--and,fix'dagainstthelightOfthepalelamps,defineduponthatsky,Itstandsuplikeacolumn,straightandhigh.

Iseeitall--Iknowtheduskysign--AcrossonCalvary,whichJewsuprearWhileRomanswatch;andwhenthedawnshallshinePilate,tojudgethevictim,willappear--Passsentence-yieldHimuptocrucify;AndonthatcrossthespotlessChristmustdie.

Dreams,then,aretrue--forthusmyvisionran;

Surelysomeoraclehasbeenwithme,Thegodshavechosenmetorevealtheirplan,Towarnanunjustjudgeofdestiny:I,slumbering,heardandsaw;awakeIknow,Christ'scomingdeath,andPilate'slifeofwoe.

IdonotweepforPilate--whocouldproveRegretforhimwhosecoldandcrushingswayNoprayercansoften,noappealcanmove:Whotramplesheartsasotherstrampleclay,Yetwithafaltering,anuncertaintread,Thatmightstirupreprisalinthedead.

Forcedtositbyhissideandseehisdeeds;Forcedtobeholdthatvisage,hourbyhour,InwhosegauntlinestheabhorrentgazerreadsAtriplelustofgold,andblood,andpower;Asoulwhommotivesfierce,yetabject,urge--Rome'sservileslave,andJudah'styrantscourge.

HowcanIlove,ormourn,orpityhim?I,whosolongmyfetter'dhandshavewrung;I,whoforgriefhaveweptmyeyesightdim;Because,whilelifeformewasbrightandyoung,Herobb'dmyyouth--hequench'dmylife'sfairray--Hecrush'dmymind,anddidmyfreedomslay.

Andatthishour-althoughIbehiswife--HehasnomoreoftendernessfrommeThananyotherwretchofguiltylife;Less,forIknowhishouseholdprivacy--Iseehimasheis--withoutascreen;And,bythegods,mysoulabhorshismien!

Hashenotsoughtmypresence,dyedinblood--Innocent,righteousblood,shedshamelessly?

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AndhaveInothisredsalutewithstood?Ay,when,aserst,heplungedallGalileeIndarkbereavement--inafflictionsore,Minglingtheirveryofferingswiththeirgore.

Thencamehe--inhiseyesaserpent-smile,Uponhislipssomefalse,endearingword,AndthroughthestreetsofSalemclang'dthewhileHisslaughtering,hacking,sacrilegioussword--AndI,toseeamancausemensuchwoe,Trembledwithire--Ididnotfeartoshow.

Andnow,theenviousJewishpriestshavebroughtJesus--whomtheyinmock'rycalltheirking--Tohave,bythisgrimpower,theirvengeancewrought;Bythismeanreptile,innocencetosting.Oh!couldIbutthepurposeddoomavert,Andshieldtheblamelessheadfromcruelhurt!

AccessibleisPilate'shearttofear,Omenswillshakehissoul,likeautumnleaf;Couldhethisnight'sappallingvisionhear,Thisjustman'sbondswereloosed,hislifeweresafe,Unlessthatbitterpriesthoodshouldprevail,

Andmakeeventerrortotheirmalicequail.

YetifItellthedream--butletmepause.Whatdream?Erewhilethecharacterswereclear,Gravedonmybrain--atoncesomeunknowncauseHasdimm'dandrazedthethoughts,whichnowappear,Likeavagueremnantofsomeby-pastscene;--Notwhatwillbe,butwhat,longsince,hasbeen.

Isuffer'dmanythings--IheardforetoldAdreadfuldoomforPilate,--lingeringwoes,Infar,barbarianclimes,wheremountainscoldBuiltupasolitudeoftracklesssnows,

Thereheandgrislywolvesprowl'dsidebyside,Therehelivedfamish'd--there,methought,hedied;

Butnotofhunger,norbymalady;Isawthesnowaroundhim,stain'dwithgore;IsaidIhadnotearsforsuchashe,And,lo!mycheekiswet--mineeyesruno'er;Iweepformortalsuffering,mortalguilt,Iweeptheimpiousdeed,thebloodself-spilt.

MoreIrecallnot,yetthevisionspreadIntoaworldremote,anagetocome--AndstilltheilluminednameofJesusshed

Alight,aclearness,throughtheunfoldinggloom--AndstillIsawthatsign,whichnowIsee,ThatcrossonyonderbrowofCalvary.

WhatisthisHebrewChrist?-tomeunknownHislineage--doctrine--mission;yethowclearIsGod-likegoodnessinhisactionsshown,Howstraightandstainlessishislife'scareer!TherayofDeitythatrestsonhim,InmyeyesmakesOlympianglorydim.

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Theworldadvances;GreekorRomanriteSufficesnottheinquiringmindtostay;ThesearchingsouldemandsapurerlightToguideitonitsupward,onwardway;Ashamedofsculpturedgods,ReligionturnsTowheretheunseenJehovah'saltarburns.

Ourfaithisrotten,allourritesdefiled,Ourtemplessullied,and,methinks,thisman,Withhisnewordinance,sowiseandmild,Iscome,evenasHesays,thechafftofanAndseverfromthewheat;butwillhisfaithSurvivetheterrorsofto-morrow'sdeath?

*******

Ifeelafirmertrust--ahigherhopeRiseinmysoul--itdawnswithdawningday;Lo!ontheTemple'sroof--onMoriah'sslopeAppearsatlengththatclearandcrimsonrayWhichIsowishedforwhenshutinbynight;Oh,openingskies,Ihail,Iblesspourlight!

Part,cloudsandshadows!GloriousSunappear!Part,mentalgloom!Comeinsightfromonhigh!DuskdawninheavenstillstriveswithdaylightclearThelongingsouldothstilluncertainsigh.Oh!tobeholdthetruth--thatsundivine,Howdothmybosompant,myspiritpine!

Thisday,Timetravailswithamightybirth;Thisday,Truthstoopsfromheavenandvisitsearth;ErenightdescendsIshallmoresurelyknowWhatguidetofollow,inwhatpathtogo;Iwaitinhope--Iwaitinsolemnfear,TheoracleofGod--thesole--trueGod--tohear.

MEMENTOS.

Arranginglong-lockeddrawersandshelvesOfcabinets,shutupforyears,Whatastrangetaskwe'vesetourselves!Howstillthelonelyroomappears!Howstrangethismassofancienttreasures,Mementosofpastpainsandpleasures;Thesevolumes,claspedwithcostlystone,

Withprintallfaded,gildinggone;

ThesefansofleavesfromIndiantrees--Thesecrimsonshells,fromIndianseas--Thesetinyportraits,setinrings--Once,doubtless,deemedsuchpreciousthings;KeepsakesbestowedbyLoveonFaith,Andworntillthereceiver'sdeath,Nowstoredwithcameos,china,shells,Inthisoldcloset'sdustycells.

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Iscarcelythink,fortenlongyears,Ahandhastouchedtheserelicsold;And,coatingeach,slow-formed,appearsThegrowthofgreenandantiquemould.

Allinthishouseismossingover;Allisunused,anddim,anddamp;Norlight,norwarmth,theroomsdiscover--Bereftforyearsoffireandlamp.

Thesun,sometimesinsummer,entersThecasements,withrevivingray;ButthelongrainsofmanywintersMouldertheverywallsaway.

Andoutsideallisivy,clingingTochimney,lattice,gablegrey;ScarcelyonelittleredrosespringingThroughthegreenmosscanforceitsway.

Unscared,thedawandstarlingnestle,Wherethetallturretriseshigh,Andwindsalonecomeneartorustle

Thethickleaveswheretheircradleslie,

Isometimesthink,whenlateatevenIclimbthestairreluctantly,Someshapethatshouldbewellinheaven,Orillelsewhere,willpassbyme.

Ifeartoseetheveryfaces,Familiarthirtyyearsago,EvenintheoldaccustomedplacesWhichlooksocoldandgloomynow,

I'vecome,toclosethewindow,hither,

Attwilight,whenthesunwasdown,AndFearmyverysoulwouldwither,Lestsomethingshouldbedimlyshown,

Toomuchtheburiedformresembling,Ofherwhooncewasmistresshere;Lestdoubtfulshade,ormoonbeamtrembling,Mighttakeheraspect,oncesodear.

Herswasthischamber;inhertimeItseemedtomeapleasantroom,ForthennocloudofgrieforcrimeHadcurseditwithasettledgloom;

Ihadnotseendeath'simagelaidInshroudandsheet,onyonderbed.Beforeshemarried,shewasblest--Blestinheryouth,blestinherworth;Hermindwascalm,itssunnyrestShoneinhereyesmoreclearthanmirth.

Andwhenattiredinricharray,Light,lustroushairaboutherbrow,

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Sheyondersat,akindofdayLitupwhatseemssogloomynow.Thesegrimoakwallseventhenweregrim;Thatoldcarvedchairwasthenantique;ButwhataroundlookedduskanddimServedasafoiltoherfreshcheek;Herneckandarms,ofhuesofair,Eyesofunclouded,smilinglight;Hersoft,andcurled,andfloatinghair,Gemsandattire,asrainbowbright.

Reclinedinyonderdeeprecess,Ofttimesshewould,atevening,lieWatchingthesun;sheseemedtoblessWithhappyglancetheglorioussky.Shelovedsuchscenes,andasshegazed,Herfaceevincedherspirit'smood;BeautyorgrandeureverraisedInher,adeep-feltgratitude.Butofalllovelythings,shelovedAcloudlessmoon,onsummernight,FullofthaveIimpatienceprovedToseehowlongherstilldelightWouldfindathemeinreverie,

Outonthelawn,orwherethetreesLetinthelustrefitfully,Astheirboughspartedmomently,Tothesoft,languid,summerbreeze.Alas!thatsheshoulde'erhaveflungThosepure,thoughlonelyjoysaway--Deceivedbyfalseandguilefultongue,Shegaveherhand,thensufferedwrong;Oppressed,ill-used,shefadedyoung,Anddiedofgriefbyslowdecay.

Openthatcasket-lookhowbrightThosejewelsflashuponthesight;

ThebrilliantshavenotlostarayOflustre,sinceherweddingday.Butsee--uponthatpearlychain--HowdimliesTime'sdiscolouringstain!I'veseenthatbyherdaughterworn:For,ereshedied,achildwasborn;--Achildthatne'eritsmotherknew,Thatlone,andalmostfriendlessgrew;For,ever,whenitsstepdrewnigh,Avertedwasthefather'seye;Andthen,alifeimpureandwildMadehimastrangertohischild:Absorbedinvice,helittlecared

Onwhatshedid,orhowshefared.Thelovewithheldsheneversought,Shegrewuncherished--learntuntaught;TohertheinwardlifeofthoughtFullsoonwasopenlaid.IknownotifherfriendlessnessDidsometimesonherspiritpress,Butplaintshenevermade.Thebook-shelveswereherdarlingtreasure,Sherarelyseemedthetimetomeasure

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Whileshecouldreadalone.AndshetoolovedthetwilightwoodAndoften,inhermother'smood,Awaytoyonderhillwouldhie,Likeher,towatchthesettingsun,Orseethestarsborn,onebyone,Outofthedarkeningsky.NorwouldsheleavethathilltillnightTrembledfrompoletopolewithlight;Eventhen,uponherhomewardway,Long--longherwanderingstepsdelayedToquitthesombreforestshade,Throughwhichhereeriepathwaylay.Youaskifshehadbeauty'sgrace?Iknownot--butanoblerfaceMyeyeshaveseldomseen;Akeenandfineintelligence,And,betterstill,thetruestsenseWereinherspeakingmien.Butbloomorlustrewastherenone,Onlyatmoments,fitfulshoneAnardourinhereye,Thatkindledonhercheekaflush,Warmasaredsky'spassingblush

Andquickwithenergy.Herspeech,too,wasnotcommonspeech,Nowishtoshine,oraimtoteach,Wasinherwordsdisplayed:Shestillbeganwithquietsense,ButofttheforceofeloquenceCametoherlipsinaid;Languageandvoiceunconsciouschanged,Andthoughts,inotherwordsarranged,HerfervidsoultransfusedIntotheheartsofthosewhoheard,Andtransientstrengthandardourstirred,Inmindstostrengthunused,

Yetingaycrowdorfestalglare,Graveandretiringwasherair;'Twasseldom,savewithmealone,Thatfireoffeelingfreelyshone;Shelovednotawe'snorwonder'sgaze,Norevenexaggeratedpraise,Norevennotice,iftookeenThecuriousgazersearchedhermien.Nature'sowngreenexpanserevealedTheworld,thepleasures,shecouldprize;Onfreehill-side,insunnyfield,Inquietspotsbywoodsconcealed,Grewwildandfreshherchosenjoys,

YetNature'sfeelingsdeeplylayInthatendowedandyouthfulframe;Shrinedinherheartandhidfromday,Theyburnedunseenwithsilentflame.Inyouth'sfirstsearchformentallight,Shelivedbuttoreflectandlearn,Butsoonhermind'smaturermightForstrongertaskdidpantandyearn;Andstrongertaskdidfateassign,Taskthatagiant'sstrengthmightstrain;

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Tosufferlongandne'errepine,Becalminfrenzy,smileatpain.

Palewiththesecretwaroffeeling,Sustainedwithcourage,mute,yethigh;Thewoundsatwhichshebled,revealingOnlybyalteredcheekandeye;

Sheboreinsilence--butwhenpassionSurgedinhersoulwithceaselessfoam,Thestormatlastbroughtdesolation,Anddroveherexiledfromherhome.

Andsilentstill,shestraightassembledThewrecksofstrengthhersoulretained;Forthoughthewastedbodytrembled,Theunconqueredmind,toquail,disdained.

Shecrossedthesea--nowloneshewandersBySeine's,orRhine's,orArno'sflow;FainwouldIknowifdistancerendersRelieforcomforttoherwoe.

FainwouldIknowif,henceforth,ever,

Theseeyesshallreadinhersagain,Thatlightoflovewhichfadednever,Thoughdimmedsolongwithsecretpain.

Shewillreturn,butcoldandaltered,Likeallwhosehopestoosoondepart;Likeallonwhomhavebeat,unsheltered,Thebitterblaststhatblighttheheart.

NomoreshallIbeholdherlyingCalmonapillow,smoothedbyme;Nomorethatspirit,wornwithsighing,Willknowtherestofinfancy.

Ifstillthepathsofloreshefollow,'Twillbewithtiredandgoadedwill;She'llonlytoil,theachinghollow,Thejoylessblankoflifetofill.

Andoh!fulloft,quitespentandweary,Herhandwillpause,herheaddecline;Thatlabourseemssohardanddreary,Onwhichnorayofhopemayshine.

ThusthepaleblightoftimeandsorrowWillshadewithgreyhersoft,darkhair;

Thencomesthedaythatknowsnomorrow,Anddeathsucceedstolongdespair.

Sospeaksexperience,sageandhoary;Iseeitplainly,knowitwell,Likeonewho,havingreadastory,Eachincidentthereincantell.

Touchnotthatring;'twashis,thesireOfthatforsakenchild;

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AndnoughthisrelicscaninspireSavememories,sin-defiled.

I,whosatbyhiswife'sdeath-bed,I,whohisdaughterloved,Couldalmostcursetheguiltydead,Forwoestheguiltlessproved.

Andheavendidcurse--theyfoundhimlaid,Whencrimeforwrathwasrife,Cold--withthesuicidalbladeClutchedinhisdesperategripe.

'Twasnearthatlongdesertedhut,Whichinthewooddecays,Death'saxe,self-wielded,struckhisroot,Andloppedhisdesperatedays.

Youknowthespot,wherethreeblacktrees,Liftuptheirbranchesfell,Andmoaning,ceaselessastheseas,Stillseem,ineverypassingbreeze,Thedeedofbloodtotell.

Theynamedhimmad,andlaidhisbonesWhereholierasheslie;YetdoubtnotthathisspiritgroansInhell'seternity.

But,lo!night,closingo'ertheearth,Infectsourthoughtswithgloom;Come,letusstrivetorallymirthWhereglowsaclearandtranquilhearthInsomemorecheerfulroom.

THEWIFE'SWILL.

Sitstill--aword--abreathmaybreak(Aslightairsstirasleepinglake)Theglassycalmthatsoothesmywoes--Thesweet,thedeep,thefullrepose.Oleavemenot!foreverbeThus,morethanlifeitselftome!

Yes,closebesidetheeletmekneel--Givemethyhand,thatImayfeelThefriendsotrue--sotried--sodear,

Myheart'sownchosen--indeedisnear;Andcheckmenot--thishourdivineBelongstome--isfullymine.

'Tisthyownhearththousitt'stbeside,Afterlongabsence--wanderingwide;'TisthyownwifereadsinthineeyesApromiseclearofstormlessskies;ForfaithandtruelovelighttheraysWhichshineresponsivetohergaze.

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Ay,--wellthatsingletearmayfall;Tenthousandmightmineeyesrecall,Whichfromtheirlidsranblindingfast,Inhoursofgrief,yetscarcelypast;Wellmaystthouspeakoflovetome,For,oh!mosttruly--Ilovethee!

Yetsmile--forwearehappynow.Whence,then,thatsadnessonthybrow?Whatsaystthou?"Wemuseonceagain,Erelong,beseveredbythemain!"Iknewnotthis--IdeemednomoreThystepwoulderrfromBritain'sshore.

"Dutycommands!"'Tistrue--'tisjust;ThyslightestwordIwhollytrust,Norbyrequest,norfaintestsigh,WouldItoturnthypurposetry;But,William,hearmysolemnvow--Hearandconfirm!--withtheeIgo.

"Distanceandsuffering,"didstthousay?"Dangerbynight,andtoilbyday?"

Oh,idlewordsandvainarethese;Hearme!Icrosswiththeetheseas.Suchriskasthoumustmeetanddare,I--thytruewife--willdulyshare.

Passive,athome,Iwillnotpine;Thytoils,thyperilsshallbemine;Grantthis--andbehereafterpaidByawarmheart'sdevotedaid:'Tisgranted--withthatyieldingkiss,Enteredmysoulunmingledbliss.

Thanks,William,thanks!thylovehasjoy,

Pure,undefiledwithbasealloy;'Tisnotapassion,falseandblind,Inspires,enchains,absorbsmymind;Worthy,Ifeel,artthoutobeLovedwithmyperfectenergy.

Thiseveningnowshallsweetlyflow,Litbyourclearfire'shappyglow;Andparting'speace-embitteringfear,Iswarnedourheartstocomenotnear;Forfateadmitsmysoul'sdecree,Inblissorbale--togowiththee!

THEWOOD.

Buttwomilesmore,andthenwerest!Well,thereisstillanhourofday,AndlongthebrightnessoftheWestWilllightusonourdeviousway;Sitthen,awhile,hereinthiswood--Sototalisthesolitude,Wesafelymaydelay.

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Thesemassiverootsaffordaseat,Whichseemsforwearytravellersmade.Thererest.TheairissoftandsweetInthissequesteredforestglade,Andtherearescentsofflowersaround,Theeveningdewdrawsfromtheground;Howsoothinglytheyspread!

Yes;Iwastired,butnotatheart;No--thatbeatsfullofsweetcontent,FornowIhavemynaturalpartOfactionwithadventureblent;Castforthonthewideworldwiththee,AndallmyoncewasteenergyToweightypurposebent.

Yet--saystthou,spiesaroundusroam,Ouraimsaretermedconspiracy?Haply,nomoreourEnglishhomeAnanchorageforusmaybe?ThatthereisriskourmutualbloodMayreddeninsomelonelywoodTheknifeoftreachery?

Saystthou,thatwherewelodgeeachnight,Ineachlonefarm,orlonelierhallOfNormanPeer--eremorninglightSuspicionmustasdulyfall,Asdayreturns--suchvigilancePresidesandwatchesoverFrance,Suchrigourgovernsall?

Ifearnot,William;dostthoufear?Sothattheknifedoesnotdivide,Itmaybeeverhoveringnear:Icouldnottrembleatthyside,

Andstrenuouslove--likemineforthee--Isbucklerstrong'gainsttreachery,Andturnsitsstabaside.

IamresolvedthatthoushaltlearnTotrustmystrengthasItrustthine;IamresolvedoursoulsshallburnWithequal,steady,minglingshine;Partofthefieldisconquerednow,Ourlivesinthesamechannelflow,Alongtheself-sameline;

Andwhilenogroaningstormisheard,

Thouseem'stcontentitshouldbeso,ButsoonascomesawarningwordOfdanger--straightthineanxiousbrowBendsovermeamournfulshade,AsdoubtingifmypowersaremadeTofordthefloodsofwoe.

Know,thenitismyspiritswells,Anddrinks,witheagerjoy,theairOffreedom--whereatlastitdwells,

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Chartered,acommontasktoshareWiththee,andthenitstirsalert,AndpantstolearnwhatmenacedhurtDemandsfortheeitscare.

Remember,Ihavecrossedthedeep,Andstoodwiththeeondeck,togazeOnwavesthatroseinthreateningheap,Whilestagnantlayaheavyhaze,Dimlyconfusingseawithsky,Andbaffling,even,thepilot'seye,Intenttothreadthemaze--

Ofrocks,onBretagne'sdangerouscoast,AndfindawaytosteerourbandTotheonepointobscure,whichlost,Flungus,asvictims,onthestrand;--All,elsewhere,gleamedtheGallicsword,AndnotawherrycouldbemooredAlongtheguardedland.

Ifearednotthen--Ifearnotnow;TheinterestofeachstirringsceneWakesanewsense,awelcomeglow,

Ineverynerveandboundingvein;AlikeonturbidChannelsea,OrinstillwoodofNormandy,Ifeelasbornagain.

TheraindescendedthatwildmornWhen,anchoringinthecoveatlast,Ourband,allwearyandforlornAshore,likewave-wornsailors,cast--Soughtforashelteringroofinvain,AndscarcecouldscantyfoodobtainTobreaktheirmorningfast.

Thoudidstthycrustwithmedivide,Thoudidstthycloakaroundmefold;And,sittingsilentbythyside,Iatethebreadinpeaceuntold:Givenkindlyfromthyhand,'twassweetAscostlyfareorprincelytreatOnroyalplateofgold.

Sharpblewthesleetuponmyface,And,risingwild,thegustywindDroveonthosethunderingwavesapace,Ourcrewsolatehadleftbehind;But,spiteoffrozenshowerandstorm,

Soclosetothee,myheartbeatwarm,Andtranquilsleptmymind.

Sonow--norfoot-sorenoropprestWithwalkingallthisAugustday,Itasteaheaveninthisbriefrest,Thisgipsy-haltbesidetheway.England'swildflowersarefairtoview,LikebalmisEngland'ssummerdewLikegoldhersunsetray.

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Butthewhiteviolets,growinghere,AresweeterthanIyethaveseen,Andne'erdiddewsopureandclearDistilonforestmossesgreen,Asnow,calledforthbysummerheat,Perfumesourcoolandfreshretreat--Thesefragrantlimesbetween.

Thatsunset!Lookbeneaththeboughs,Overthecopse--beyondthehills;Howsoft,yetdeepandwarmitglows,Andheavenwithrichsuffusionfills;Withhueswherestilltheopal'stint,Itsgleamofprisonedfireisblent,Whereflamethroughazurethrills!

Departwenow--forfastwillfadeThatsolemnsplendourofdecline,Anddeepmustbetheafter-shadeAsstarsaloneto-nightwillshine;Nomoonisdestined--pale--togazeOnsuchaday'svastPhoenixblaze,Adayinfiresdecayed!

There--hand-in-handwetreadagainThemazesofthisvaryingwood,Andsoon,amidaculturedplain,Girtinwithfertilesolitude,Weshallourresting-placedescry,Markedbyoneroof-tree,toweringhighAboveafarmsteadrude.

Refreshed,erelong,withrusticfare,We'llseekacouchofdreamlessease;Couragewillguardthyheartfromfear,AndLovegiveminedivinestpeace:

To-morrowbringsmoredangeroustoil,AndthroughitsconflictandturmoilWe'llpass,asGodshallplease.

[Theprecedingcompositionrefers,doubtless,tothescenesactedinFranceduringthelastyearoftheConsulate.]

FRANCES.

Shewillnotsleep,forfearofdreams,

But,rising,quitsherrestlessbed,AndwalkswheresomebecloudedbeamsOfmoonlightthroughthehallareshed.

Obedienttothegoadofgrief,Hersteps,nowfast,nowlingeringslow,InvaryingmotionseekreliefFromtheEumenidesofwoe.

Wringingherhands,atintervals--

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Butlongasmuteasphantomdim--Sheglidesalongtheduskywalls,Undertheblackoakraftersgrim.

ThecloseairofthegratedtowerStiflesaheartthatscarcecanbeat,And,thoughsolateandlonethehour,Forthpassherwandering,falteringfeet;

AndonthepavementspreadbeforeThelongfrontofthemansiongrey,Herstepsimprintthenight-frosthoar,Whichpaleongrassandgranitelay.

NotlongshestayedwheremistymoonAndshimmeringstarscouldonherlook,ButthroughthegardenarchwaysoonHerstrangeandgloomypathshetook.

Somefirs,coevalwiththetower,Theirstraightblackboughsstretchedo'erherhead;Unseen,beneaththissablebower,Rustledherdressandrapidtread.

Therewasanalcoveinthatshade,Screeningarusticseatandstand;Wearyshesatherdown,andlaidHerhotbrowonherburninghand.

Tosolitudeandtothenight,Somewordsshenow,inmurmurs,said;Andtricklingthroughherfingerswhite,Sometearsofmiserysheshed.

"Godhelpmeinmygrievousneed,Godhelpmeinmyinwardpain;Whichcannotaskforpity'smeed,

Whichhasnolicencetocomplain,

"Whichmustbeborne;yetwhocanbear,Hourslong,dayslong,aconstantweight--Theyokeofabsolutedespair,Asufferingwhollydesolate?

"Whocanforevercrushtheheart,Restrainitsthrobbing,curbitslife?Dissembletruthwithceaselessart,Withoutwardcalmmaskinwardstrife?"

Shewaited--asforsomereply;

Thestillandcloudynightgavenone;Erelong,withdeep-drawn,tremblingsigh,Herheavyplaintagainbegun.

"Unloved--Ilove;unwept--Iweep;GriefIrestrain--hopeIrepress:Vainisthisanguish--fixedanddeep;Vainer,desiresanddreamsofbliss.

"Myloveawakesnoloveagain,

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Mytearscollect,andfallunfelt;Mysorrowtouchesnonewithpain,Myhumblehopestonothingmelt.

"Formetheuniverseisdumb,Stone-deaf,andblank,andwhollyblind;LifeImustbound,existencesumInthestraitlimitsofonemind;

"Thatmindmyown.Oh!narrowcell;Dark--imageless--alivingtomb!TheremustIsleep,therewakeanddwellContent,withpalsy,pain,andgloom."

Againshepaused;amoanofpain,Astifledsob,alonewasheard;Longsilencefollowed--thenagainHervoicethestagnantmidnightstirred.

"Mustitbeso?Isthismyfate?CanInorstruggle,norcontend?AndamIdoomedforyearstowait,Watchingdeath'slingeringaxedescend?

"Andwhenitfalls,andwhenIdie,Whatfollows?Vacantnothingness?Theblankoflostidentity?Erasurebothofpainandbliss?

"I'veheardofheaven--Iwouldbelieve;Forifthisearthindeedbeall,Wholongestlivesmaydeepestgrieve;Mostblest,whomsorrowssoonestcall.

"Oh!leavingdisappointmenthere,Willmanfindhopeonyondercoast?Hope,which,onearth,shinesneverclear,

Andoftincloudsiswhollylost.

"Willhehope'ssourceoflightbehold,Fruition'sspring,wheredoubtsexpire,Anddrink,inwavesoflivinggold,Contentment,full,forlongdesire?

"Willhefindbliss,whichherehedreamed?Rest,whichwaswearinessonearth?Knowledge,which,ifo'erlifeitbeamed,Servedbuttoproveitvoidofworth?

"Willhefindlovewithoutlust'sleaven,

Lovefearless,tearless,perfect,pure,Toallwithequalbountygiven;Inall,unfeigned,unfailing,sure?

"Willhe,frompenalsufferingsfree,Releasedfromshroudandwormyclod,Allcalmandglorious,riseandseeCreation'sSire--Existence'God?

"Then,glancingbackonTime'sbriefwoes,

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Willhebeholdthem,fading,fly;SweptfromEternity'srepose,Likesullyingcloudfrompurebluesky?

"Ifso,endure,mywearyframe;Andwhenthyanguishstrikestoodeep,Andwhenalltroubledburnslife'sflame,Thinkofthequiet,finalsleep;

"Thinkofthegloriouswaking-hour,Whichwillnotdawnongriefandtears,Butonaransomedspirit'spower,Certain,andfreefrommortalfears.

"Seeknowthycouch,andlietillmorn,Thenfromthychamber,calm,descend,Withmindnortossed,noranguish-torn,Buttranquil,fixed,towaittheend.

"AndwhenthyopeningeyesshallseeMementos,onthechamberwall,Ofonewhohasforgottenthee,Shednotthetearofacridgall.

"Thetearwhich,wellingfromtheheart,Burnswhereitsdropcorrosivefalls,Andmakeseachnerve,intorture,start,Atfeelingsittoowellrecalls:

"WhenthesweethopeofbeinglovedThrewEdensunshineonlife'sway:WheneverysenseandfeelingprovedExpectancyofbrightestday.

"WhenthehandtrembledtoreceiveAthrillingclasp,whichseemedsonear,Andtheheartventuredtobelieve

Anotherheartesteemeditdear.

"Whenwords,halflove,alltenderness,Werehourlyheard,ashourlyspoken,Whenthelong,sunnydaysofblissOnlybymoonlightnightswerebroken.

"Till,dropbydrop,thecupofjoyFilledfull,withpurplelightwasglowing,AndFaith,whichwatchedit,sparklinghighStillneverdreamttheoverflowing.

"Itfellnotwithasuddencrashing,

Itpourednotoutlikeopensluice;No,sparklingstill,andredlyflashing,Drained,dropbydrop,thegenerousjuice.

"Isawitsink,andstrovetotasteit,Myeagerlipsapproachedthebrim;Themovementonlyseemedtowasteit;Itsanktodregs,allharshanddim.

"TheseIhavedrunk,andtheyforever

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Havepoisonedlifeandloveforme;AdraughtfromSodom'slakecouldneverMorefiery,salt,andbitter,be.

"Oh!LovewasallathinillusionJoy,butthedesert'sflyingstream;Andglancingbackonlongdelusion,Mymemorygraspsahollowdream.

"Yetwhencethatwondrouschangeoffeeling,Ineverknew,andcannotlearn;Norwhymylover'seye,congealing,Grewcoldandclouded,proudandstern.

"Norwherefore,friendship'sformsforgetting,Hecarelessleft,andcoolwithdrew;Norspokeofgrief,norfondregretting,Norev'noneglanceofcomfortthrew.

"Andneitherwordnortokensending,Ofkindness,sincethepartingday,Hiscourse,fordistantregionsbending,Went,self-containedandcalm,away.

"Oh,bitter,blighting,keensensation,Whichwillnotweaken,cannotdie,Hastenthyworkofdesolation,Andletmytorturedspiritfly!

"Vainasthepassinggale,mycrying;Thoughlightning-struck,Imustliveon;Iknow,atheart,thereisnodyingOflove,andruinedhope,alone.

"Stillstrongandyoung,andwarmwithvigour,Thoughscathed,Ilongshallgreenlygrow;Andmanyastormofwildestrigour

Shallyetbreako'ermyshiveredbough.

"Rebelliousnowtoblankinertion,Myunusedstrengthdemandsatask;Travel,andtoil,andfullexertion,Arethelast,onlyboonIask.

"Whence,then,thisvainandbarrendreamingOfdeath,anddubiouslifetocome?IseeanearerbeacongleamingOverdejection'sseaofgloom.

"Theverywildnessofmysorrow

TellsmeIyethaveinnateforce;Mytrackoflifehasbeentoonarrow,Effortshalltraceabroadercourse.

"Theworldisnotinyondertower,Earthisnotprisonedinthatroom,'Midwhosedarkpanels,hourbyhour,I'vesat,theslaveandpreyofgloom.

"Onefeeling--turnedtoutteranguish,

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Isnotmybeing'sonlyaim;When,lornandloveless,lifewilllanguish,Butcouragecanrevivetheflame.

"He,whenheleftme,wentarovingTosunnyclimes,beyondthesea;AndI,theweightofwoeremoving,Amfreeandfetterlessashe.

"Newscenes,newlanguage,skieslessclouded,Mayoncemorewakethewishtolive;Strange,foreigntowns,astir,andcrowded,Newpicturestothemindmaygive.

"Newformsandfaces,passingever,MayhidetheoneIstillretain,Defined,andfixed,andfadingnever,Stampeddeeponvision,heart,andbrain.

"Andwemightmeet--timemayhavechangedhim;Chancemayrevealthemystery,Thesecretinfluencewhichestrangedhim;Lovemayrestorehimyettome.

"Falsethought--falsehope--inscornbebanished!Iamnotloved--norlovedhavebeen;Recallnot,then,thedreamsscarcevanished;Traitors!misleadmenotagain!

"TowordslikeyoursIbiddefiance,'Tissuchmymentalwreckhavemade;OfGodalone,andself-reliance,Iaskforsolace--hopeforaid.

"Morncomes--anderemeridiangloryO'erthese,mynatalwoods,shallsmile,Bothlonelywoodandmansionhoary

I'llleavebehind,fullmanyamile."

GILBERT.

I.THEGARDEN.

Abovethecityhungthemoon,Righto'eraplotofgroundWhereflowersandorchard-treeswerefencedWithloftywallsaround:

'TwasGilbert'sgarden--thereto-nightAwhilehewalkedalone;And,tiredwithsedentarytoil,Musedwherethemoonlightshone.

Thisgarden,inacity-heart,Laystillashouselesswild,Thoughmany-windowedmansionfrontsWereroundit;closelypiled;Butthicktheirwalls,andthosewithin

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Livedlivesbynoiseunstirred;Likewaftingofanangel'swing,Time'sflightbythemwasheard.

Somesoftpiano-notesaloneWeresweetasfaintlygiven,Whereladies,doubtless,cheeredthehearthWithsongthatwinter-even.Thecity'smany-mingledsoundsRoselikethehumofocean;TheyratherlulledtheheartthanrousedItspulsetofastermotion.

GilberthaspacedthesinglewalkAnhour,yetisnotweary;And,thoughitbeawinternightHefeelsnorcoldnordreary.Theprimeoflifeisinhisveins,Andsendshisbloodfastflowing,AndFancy'sfervourwarmsthethoughtsNowinhisbosomglowing.

Thosethoughtsrecurtoearlylove,Orwhathelovewouldname,

ThoughhaplyGilbert'ssecretdeedsMightothertitleclaim.Suchthemenotofthismindabsorbs,Hetotheworldclingsfast,Andtoomuchforthepresentlives,Tolingero'erthepast.

Butnowtheevening'sdeepreposeHasglidedtohissoul;ThatmoonlightfallsonMemory,Andshowsherfadingscroll.OnenameappearsineverylineThegentleraysshineo'er,

AndstillhesmilesandstillrepeatsThatonename--Elinor.

Thereisnosorrowinhissmile,Nokindnessinhistone;ThetriumphofaselfishheartSpeakscoldlytherealone;Hesays:"Shelovedmemorethanlife;AndtrulyitwassweetToseesofairawomankneel,Inbondage,atmyfeet.

"Therewasasortofquietbliss

Tobesodeeplyloved,TogazeontremblingeagernessAndsitmyselfunmoved.AndwhenitpleasedmypridetograntAtlastsomerarecaress,TofeelthefeverofthathandMyfingersdeignedtopress.

"'TwassweettoseeherstrivetohideWhateveryglancerevealed;

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Endowed,thewhile,withdespot-mightHerdestinytowield.Iknewmyselfnoperfectman,Nor,asshedeemed,divine;IknewthatIwasglorious--butByherreflectedshine;

"Heryouth,hernativeenergy,Herpowersnew-bornandfresh,'TwasthesewithGodheadsanctifiedMysensualframeofflesh.Yet,likeagoddidIdescendAtlast,tomeetherlove;And,likeagod,IthenwithdrewTomyownheavenabove.

"AndnevermorecouldsheinvokeMypresencetohersphere;Noprayer,noplaint,nocryofhersCouldwinmyawfulear.IknewherblindedconstancyWouldne'ermydeedsbetray,And,calminconscience,wholeinheart.Iwentmytranquilway.

"Yet,sometimes,Istillfeelawish,ThefondandflatteringpainOfpassion'sanguishtocreateInheryoungbreastagain.Brightwasthelustreofhereyes,Whentheycaughtfirefrommine;IfIhadpower--thisveryhour,AgainI'dlighttheirshine.

"Butwheresheis,orhowshelives,Ihavenocluetoknow;I'veheardshelongmyabsencepined,

Andleftherhomeinwoe.Butbusied,then,ingatheringgold,AsIambusiednow,Icouldnotturnfromsuchpursuit,Toweepabrokenvow.

"NorcouldIgivetofatalriskThefameIeverprized;Evennow,Ifear,thatpreciousfameIstoomuchcompromised."Aninwardtroubledimshiseye,Someriddlehewouldsolve;Somemethodtounlooseaknot,

Hisanxiousthoughtsrevolve.

He,pensive,leansagainstatree,Aleafyevergreen,Theboughs,themoonlight,intercept,AndhidehimlikeascreenHestarts--thetreeshakeswithhistremor,Yetnothingnearhimpass'd;Hehurriesupthegardenalley,Instrangelysuddenhaste.

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Withshakinghand,heliftsthelatchet,Stepso'erthethresholdstone;Theheavydoorslipsfromhisfingers--Itshuts,andheisgone.Whattouched,transfixed,appalled,hissoul?--Anervousthought,nomore;'Twillsinklikestoneinplacidpool,Andcalmclosesmoothlyo'er.

II.THEPARLOUR.

Warmistheparlouratmosphere,Serenethelamp'ssoftlight;Thevividembers,redandclear,Proclaimafrostynight.Books,varied,onthetablelie,Threechildreno'erthembend,Andall,withcurious,eagereye,Theturningleafattend.

PictureandtalealternatelyTheirsimpleheartsdelight,

Andinterestdeep,andtemperedglee,Illumetheiraspectsbright.Theparents,fromtheirfiresideplace,Beholdthatpleasantscene,Andjoyisonthemother'sface,Prideinthefather'smien.

AsGilbertseeshisbloomingwife,Beholdshischildrenfair,Nothoughthasheoftransientstrife,Orpast,thoughpiercingfear.ThevoiceofhappyinfancyLispssweetlyinhisear,

Hiswife,withpleasedandpeacefuleye,Sits,kindlysmiling,near.

Thefireglowsonhersilkendress,Andshowsitsamplegrace,Andwarmlytintseachhazeltress,Curledsoftaroundherface.Thebeautythatinyouthhewooed,Isbeautystill,unfaded;ThebrowofeverplacidmoodNochurlishgriefhasshaded.

Prosperity,inGilbert'shome,

Abidestheguestofyears;ThereWantorDiscordnevercome,AndseldomToilorTears.ThecarpetsbearthepeacefulprintOfcomfort'svelvettread,Andgoldengleams,fromplentysent,Ineverynookareshed.

TheverysilkenspanielseemsOfquieteasetotell,

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Asnearitsmistress'feetitdreams,Sunkinacushion'sswellAndsmilesseemnativetotheeyesOfthosesweetchildren,three;Theyhavebutlookedontranquilskies,Andknownotmisery.

Alas!thatMiseryshouldcomeInsuchanhourasthis;WhycouldshenotsocalmahomeAlittlelongermiss?Butsheisnowwithinthedoor,Herstepsadvancingglide;Hersullenshadehascrossedthefloor,ShestandsatGilbert'sside.

Shelaysherhanduponhisheart,Itboundswithagony;HisfiresidechairshakeswiththestartThatshookthegardentree.Hiswifetowardsthechildrenlooks,Shedoesnotmarkhismien;Thechildren,bendingo'ertheirbooks,Histerrorhavenotseen.

Inhisownhome,byhisownhearth,Hesitsinsolitude,Andcircledroundwithlightandmirth,Coldhorrorchillshisblood.HismindwouldholdwithdesperateclutchThescenethatroundhimlies;No--changed,asbysomewizard'stouch,Thepresentprospectflies.

Atumultvague--aviewlessstrifeHisfutilestrugglescrush;'Twixthimandhisanunknownlife

Andunknownfeelingsrush.Hesees--butscarcecanlanguagepaintThetissuefancyweaves;ForwordsoftgivebutechofaintOfthoughtsthemindconceives.

Noise,tumultstrange,anddarknessdim,Effacebothlightandquiet;Noshapeisinthoseshadowsgrim,Novoiceinthatwildriot.Sustain'dandstrong,awondrousblastAboveandroundhimblows;Agreenishgloom,denseovercast,

Eachmomentdensergrows.

Henothingknows--norclearlysees,Resistancecheckshisbreath,Thehigh,impetuous,ceaselessbreezeBlowsonhimcoldasdeath.AndstilltheundulatinggloomMockssightwithformlessmotion:WassuchsensationJonah'sdoom,Gulphedinthedepthsofocean?

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Streakingtheair,thenamelessvision,Fast-driven,deep-sounding,flows;Oh!whenceitssource,andwhatitsmission?Howwillitsterrorsclose?Long-sweeping,rushing,vastandvoid,Theuniverseitswallows;Andstillthedark,devouringtideAtyphoontempestfollows.

Moreslowitrolls;itsfuriousraceSinkstoitssolemngliding;Thestunningroar,thewind'swildchase,Tostillnessaresubsiding.And,slowlybornealong,aformTheshapelesschaosvaries;Poisedintheeddytothestorm,Beforetheeyeittarries.

Awomandrowned--sunkinthedeep,Onalongwavereclining;Thecirclingwaters'crystalsweep,Likeglass,hershapeenshrining.Herpaledeadface,toGilbertturned,

Seemsasinsleepreposing;Afeeblelight,nowfirstdiscerned,Thefeatureswelldisclosing.

NoeffortfromthehauntedairTheghastlyscenecouldbanish,Thathoveringwave,arrestedthere,Rolled--throbbed--butdidnotvanish.IfGilbertupwardturnedhisgaze,Hesawtheocean-shadow;Ifhelookeddown,theendlessseasLaygreenassummermeadow.

Andstraightbefore,thepalecorpselay,Upbornebyairorbillow,Sonear,hecouldhavetouchedthesprayThatchurnedarounditspillow.ThehollowanguishofthefaceHadmovedafiendtosorrow;Notdeath'sfixedcalmcouldrasethetraceOfsuffering'sdeep-wornfurrow.

Allmoved;astrongreturningblast,Themassofwatersraising,Borewaveandpassivecarcasepast,WhileGilbertyetwasgazing.

Deepinherisle-conceivingwomb,Itseemedtheoceanthundered,Andsoon,byrealmsofrushinggloom,Wereseerandphantomsundered.

Thensweptsometimbersfromawreck.Onfollowingsurgesriding;Thensea-weed,intheturbidrackUptorn,wentslowlygliding.Thehorridshade,byslowdegrees,

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Abeamoflightdefeated,Andthentheroarofravingseas,Fast,far,andfaint,retreated.

Andallwasgone--gonelikeamist,Corse,billows,tempest,wreck;ThreechildrenclosetoGilbertprestAndclungaroundhisneck.Goodnight!goodnight!theprattlerssaid,Andkissedtheirfather'scheek;'TwasnowthehourtheirquietbedAndplacidresttoseek.

ThemotherwithheroffspringgoesToheartheireveningprayer;ShenoughtofGilbert'svisionknows,Andnoughtofhisdespair.Yet,pityingGod,abridgethetimeOfanguish,nowhisfate!Though,haply,greathasbeenhiscrime:Thymercy,too,isgreat.

Gilbert,atlength,upliftshishead,Bentforsomemomentslow,

AndthereisneithergriefnordreadUponhissubtlebrow.Forwellcanhehisfeelingstask,Andwellhislookscommand;Hisfeatureswellhisheartcanmask,Withsmilesandsmoothnessbland.

Gilberthasreasonedwithhismind--Hesays'twasalladream;HestriveshisinwardsighttoblindAgainsttruth'sinwardbeam.Hepitiednotthatshadowything,Whenitwasfleshandblood;

Nornowcanpity'sbalmyspringRefreshhisaridmood.

"Andifthatdreamhasspokentruth,"Thusmusinglyhesays;"IfElinorbedead,insooth,Suchchancetheshockrepays:Anetwaswovenroundmyfeet,Iscarcecouldfurthergo;Ereshamehadforcedafastretreat,Dishonourbroughtmelow.

"Concealher,then,deep,silentsea,

Giveherasecretgrave!Shesleepsinpeace,andIamfree,Nolongerterror'sslave:Andhomagestill,fromalltheworld,Shallgreetmyspotlessname,SincesurgesbreakandwavesarecurledAboveitsthreatenedshame."

III.THEWELCOMEHOME.

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Abovethecityhangsthemoon,Somecloudsarebodingrain;Gilbert,erewhileonjourneygone,To-nightcomeshomeagain.Tenyearshavepassedabovehishead,Eachyearhasbroughthimgain;Hisprosperouslifehassmoothlysped,Withoutortearorstain.

'Tissomewhatlate--thecityclocksTwelvedeepvibrationstoll,AsGilbertattheportalknocks,Whichishisjourney'sgoal.Thestreetisstillanddesolate,Themoonhidbyacloud;Gilbert,impatient,willnotwait,--Hissecondknockpealsloud.

Theclocksarehushed--there'snotalightInanywindownigh,AndnotasingleplanetbrightLooksfromthecloudedsky;Theairisraw,theraindescends,

Abitternorth-windblows;Hiscloakthetravellerscarcedefends--Willnotthedoorunclose?

Heknocksthethirdtime,andthelastHissummonsnowtheyhear,Within,afootstep,hurryingfast,Isheardapproachingnear.Theboltisdrawn,theclankingchainFallstothefloorofstone;AndGilberttohisheartwillstrainHiswifeandchildrensoon.

Thehandthatliftsthelatchet,holdsAcandletohissight,AndGilbert,onthestep,beholdsAwoman,cladinwhite.Lo!waterfromherdrippingdressRunsonthestreamingfloor;FromeverydarkandclingingtressThedropsincessantpour.

There'snonebuthertowelcomehim;Sheholdsthecandlehigh,And,motionlessinformandlimb,Standscoldandsilentnigh;

There'ssandandsea-weedonherrobe,Herholloweyesareblind;Nopulseinsuchaframecanthrob,Nolifeistheredefined.

Gilbertturnedashy-white,butstillHislipsvouchsafednocry;Hespurredhisstrengthandmaster-willTopassthefigureby,--But,movingslow,itfacedhimstraight,

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Itwouldnotflinchnorquail:ThenfirstdidGilbert'sstrengthabate,Hisstonyfirmnessquail.

HesankuponhiskneesandprayedTheshapestoodrigidthere;Hecalledaloudforhumanaid,Nohumanaidwasnear.AnaccentstrangedidthusrepeatHeaven'ssternbutjustdecree:"Themeasurethoutoherdidstmete,Totheeshallmeasuredbe!"

Gilbertsprangfromhisbendedknees,Bythepalespectrepushed,And,wildasonewhomdemonsseize,Upthehall-staircaserushed;Enteredhischamber--nearthebedSheathedsteelandfire-armshung--ImpelledbymaniacpurposedreadHechosethosestoresamong.

Acrosshisthroatakeen-edgedknifeWithvigoroushandhedrew;

Thewoundwaswide--hisoutragedlifeRushedrashandredlythrough.Andthusdied,byashamefuldeath,Awiseandworldlyman,WhoneverdrewbutselfishbreathSincefirsthislifebegan.

LIFE.

Life,believe,isnotadream

Sodarkassagessay;OftalittlemorningrainForetellsapleasantday.Sometimestherearecloudsofgloom,Butthesearetransientall;Iftheshowerwillmaketherosesbloom,Owhylamentitsfall?Rapidly,merrily,Life'ssunnyhoursflitby,Gratefully,cheerilyEnjoythemastheyfly!WhatthoughDeathattimesstepsin,AndcallsourBestaway?

Whatthoughsorrowseemstowin,O'erhope,aheavysway?YetHopeagainelasticsprings,Unconquered,thoughshefell;Stillbuoyantarehergoldenwings,Stillstrongtobearuswell.Manfully,fearlessly,Thedayoftrialbear,Forgloriously,victoriously,Cancouragequelldespair!

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THELETTER.

Whatisshewriting?Watchhernow,Howfastherfingersmove!HoweagerlyheryouthfulbrowIsbentinthoughtabove!Herlongcurls,drooping,shadethelight,Sheputsthemquickaside,Norknowsthatbandofcrystalsbright,Herhastytouchuntied.Itslipsadownhersilkendress,Fallsglitteringatherfeet;Unmarkeditfalls,forshenolessPursuesherlaboursweet.

Theveryloveliesthourthatshines,Isinthatdeepbluesky;ThegoldensunofJunedeclines,Ithasnotcaughthereye.Thecheerfullawn,andunclosedgate,

Thewhiteroad,faraway,Invainforherlightfootstepswait,Shecomesnotforthto-day.ThereisanopendoorofglassClosebythatlady'schair,Fromthence,toslopesofmessygrass,Descendsamarblestair.

TallplantsofbrightandspicybloomAroundthethresholdgrow;TheirleavesandblossomsshadetheroomFromthatsun'sdeepeningglow.Whydoesshenotamomentglance

Betweentheclusteringflowers,AndmarkinheaventheradiantdanceOfevening'srosyhours?Olookagain!Stillfixedhereye,Unsmiling,earnest,still,Andfastherpenandfingersfly,Urgedbyhereagerwill.

Hersoulisinth'absorbingtask;Towhom,then,dothshewrite?Nay,watchherstillmoreclosely,askHerowneyes'seriouslight;Wheredotheyturn,asnowherpen

Hangso'erth'unfinishedline?WhencefellthetearfulgleamthatthenDidintheirdarkspheresshine?Thesummer-parlourlookssodark,Whenfromthatskyyouturn,Andfromth'expanseofthatgreenpark,Youscarcemayaughtdiscern.

Yet,o'erthepilesofporcelainrare,O'erflower-stand,couch,andvase,

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Sloped,asifleaningontheair,Onepicturemeetsthegaze.'Tistheresheturns;youmaynotseeDistinct,whatformdefinesThecloudedmassofmysteryYonbroadgoldframeconfines.Butlookagain;inuredtoshadeYoureyesnowfaintlytraceAstalwartform,amassivehead,Afirm,determinedface.

BlackSpanishlocks,asunburntcheekAbrowhigh,broad,andwhite,WhereeveryfurrowseemstospeakOfmindandmoralmight.Isthathergod?Icannottell;HereyeamomentmetTh'impendingpicture,thenitfellDarkenedanddimmedandwet.Amomentmore,hertaskisdone,Andsealedtheletterlies;Andnow,towardsthesettingsunSheturnshertearfuleyes.

Thosetearsflowover,wondernot,ForbytheinscriptionseeInwhatastrangeanddistantspotHerheartofheartsmustbe!ThreeseasandmanyaleagueoflandThatlettermustpasso'er,Erereadbyhimtowhoselovedhand'TissentfromEngland'sshore.RemotecolonialwildsdetainHerhusband,lovedthoughstern;She,'midthatsmilingEnglishscene,Weepsforhiswishedreturn.

REGRET.

LongagoIwishedtoleave"ThehousewhereIwasborn;"LongagoIusedtogrieve,Myhomeseemedsoforlorn.Inotheryears,itssilentroomsWerefilledwithhauntingfears;Now,theirverymemorycomesO'erchargedwithtendertears.

LifeandmarriageIhaveknown.Thingsoncedeemedsobright;Now,howutterlyisflownEveryrayoflight!'Midtheunknownsea,oflifeInoblestislehavefound;Atlast,throughallitswildwave'sstrife,Mybarkishomewardbound.

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Farewell,darkandrollingdeep!Farewell,foreignshore!Open,inuncloudedsweep,Thougloriousrealmbefore!Yet,thoughIhadsafelypass'dThatweary,vexedmain,Onelovedvoice,throughsurgeandblastCouldcallmebackagain.

Thoughthesoul'sbrightmorningroseO'erParadiseforme,William!evenfromHeaven'sreposeI'dturn,invokedbythee!Stormnorsurgeshoulde'erarrestMysoul,exaltingthen:Allmyheavenwasoncethybreast,Woulditweremineagain!

PRESENTIMENT.

"Sister,you'vesattherealltheday,

Cometothehearthawhile;Thewindsowildlysweepsaway,Thecloudssodarklypile.Thatopenbookhaslain,unread,Forhoursuponyourknee;You'veneversmilednorturnedyourhead;Whatcanyou,sister,see?"

"Comehither,Jane,lookdownthefield;Howdenseamistcreepson!Thepath,thehedge,arebothconcealed,Ev'nthewhitegateisgoneNolandscapethroughthefogItrace,

Nohillwithpasturesgreen;AllfeaturelessisNature'sface.Allmaskedincloudshermien.

"ScarceistherustleofaleafHeardinourgardennow;Theyeargrowsold,itsdayswaxbrief,Thetressesleaveitsbrow.Theraindrivesfastbeforethewind,Theskyisblankandgrey;OJane,whatsadnessfillsthemindOnsuchadrearyday!"

"Youthinktoomuch,mysisterdear;Yousittoolongalone;WhatthoughNovemberdaysbedrear?Fullsoonwilltheybegone.I'vesweptthehearth,andplacedyourchair,.Come,Emma,sitbyme;Ourownfiresideisneverdrear,Thoughlateandwintrywanetheyear,Thoughroughthenightmaybe."

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"ThepeacefulglowofourfiresideImpartsnopeacetome:MythoughtswouldratherwanderwideThanrest,dearJane,withthee.I'monadistantjourneybound,Andif,aboutmyheart,Toocloselykindredtieswerebound,'Twouldbreakwhenforcedtopart.

"'SoonwillNovemberdaysbeo'er:'Wellhaveyouspoken,Jane:Myownforebodingstellmemore--Forme,Iknowbypresagesure,They'llne'erreturnagain.Erelong,norsunnorstormtomeWillbringorjoyorgloom;TheyreachnotthatEternityWhichsoonwillbemyhome."

Eightmonthsaregone,thesummersunSetsinaglorioussky;Aquietfield,allgreenandlone,Receivesitsrosydye.Janesitsuponashadedstile,

Aloneshesitstherenow;Herheadrestsonherhandthewhile,Andthoughto'ercastsherbrow.

She'sthinkingofonewinter'sday,Afewshortmonthsago,ThenEmma'sbierwasborneawayO'erwastesoffrozensnow.She'sthinkinghowthatdriftedsnowDissolvedinspring'sfirstgleam,Andhowhersister'smemorynowFades,evenasfadesadream.

Thesnowwillwhitenearthagain,ButEmmacomesnomore;Sheleft,'midwinter'ssleetandrain,ThisworldforHeaven'sfarshore.OnBeulah'shillsshewandersnow,OnEden'stranquilplain;TohershallJanehereaftergo,Shene'ershallcometoJane!

THETEACHER'SMONOLOGUE.

Theroomisquiet,thoughtsalonePeopleitsmutetranquillity;Theyokeputoff,thelongtaskdone,--Iam,asitisblisstobe,Stillanduntroubled.Now,Isee,Forthefirsttime,howsoftthedayO'erwavelesswater,stirlesstree,Silentandsunny,wingsitsway.Now,asIwatchthatdistanthill,

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Sofaint,soblue,sofarremoved,Sweetdreamsofhomemyheartmayfill,ThathomewhereIamknownandloved:Itliesbeyond;yonazurebrowPartsmefromallEarthholdsforme;And,mornandeve,myyearningsflowThitherwardtending,changelessly.Myhappiesthours,aye!allthetime,Ilovetokeepinmemory,Lapsedamongmoors,erelife'sfirstprimeDecayedtodarkanxiety.

Sometimes,IthinkanarrowheartMakesmethusmournthosefaraway,AndkeepsmylovesofarapartFromfriendsandfriendshipsofto-day;Sometimes,Ithink'tisbutadreamItreasureupsojealously,AllthesweetthoughtsIliveonseemTovanishintovacancy:Andthen,thisstrange,coarseworldaroundSeemsallthat'spalpableandtrue;Andeverysight,andeverysound,Combinesmyspirittosubdue

Toachinggrief,sovoidandloneIsLifeandEarth--soworsethanvain,Thehopesthat,inmyownheartsown,AndcherishedbysuchsunandrainAsJoyandtransientSorrowshed,Haveripenedtoaharvestthere:Alas!methinksIhearitsaid,"Thygoldensheavesareemptyair."

Allfadesaway;myveryhomeIthinkwillsoonbedesolate;Ihear,attimes,awarningcomeOfbitterpartingsatitsgate;

And,ifIshouldreturnandseeThehearth-firequenched,thevacantchair;Andhearitwhisperedmournfully,Thatfarewellshavebeenspokenthere,WhatshallIdo,andwhitherturn?Wherelookforpeace?Whenceasetomourn?

*

'TisnottheairIwishedtoplay,ThestrainIwishedtosing;MywilfulspiritslippedawayAndstruckanotherstring.

Ineitherwantedsmilenortear,Brightjoynorbitterwoe,Butjustasongthatsweetandclear,Thoughhaplysad,mightflow.

Aquietsong,tosolacemeWhensleeprefusedtocome;Astraintochasedespondency,Whensorrowfulforhome.InvainItry;Icannotsing;

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Allfeelssocoldanddead;Nowilddistress,nogushingspringOftearsinanguishshed;

ButalltheimpatientgloomofoneWhowaitsadistantday,When,somegreattaskofsufferingdone,Reposeshalltoilrepay.Foryouthdeparts,andpleasureflies,Andlifeconsumesaway,Andyouth'srejoicingardourdiesBeneaththisdreardelay;

AndPatience,wearywithheryoke,Isyieldingtodespair,AndHealth'selasticspringisbrokeBeneaththestrainofcare.LifewillbegoneereIhavelived;WherenowisLife'sfirstprime?I'veworkedandstudied,longedandgrieved,Throughallthatrosytime.

Totoil,tothink,tolong,togrieve,--Issuchmyfuturefate?

Themornwasdreary,musttheeveBealsodesolate?Well,suchalifeatleastmakesDeathAwelcome,wished-forfriend;Then,aidme,Reason,Patience,Faith,Tosuffertotheend!

PASSION.

Somehavewonawilddelight,

Bydaringwildersorrow;CouldIgainthyloveto-night,I'dhazarddeathto-morrow.

Couldthebattle-struggleearnOnekindglancefromthineeye,Howthiswitheringheartwouldburn,Theheadyfighttotry!

Welcomenightsofbrokensleep,Anddaysofcarnagecold,CouldIdeemthatthouwouldstweepTohearmyperilstold.

Tellme,ifwithwanderingbandsIroamfullfaraway,WiltthoutothosedistantlandsInspiriteverstray?

Wild,long,atrumpetsoundsafar;Bidme--bidmegoWhereSeikandBritonmeetinwar,OnIndianSutlej'sflow.

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BloodhasdyedtheSutlej'swavesWithscarletstain,Iknow;Indus'bordersyawnwithgraves,Yet,commandmego!

ThoughrankandhightheholocaustOfnationssteamstoheaven,GladI'djointhedeath-doomedhost,Werebutthemandategiven.

Passion'sstrengthshouldnervemyarm,Itsardourstirmylife,TillhumanforcetothatdreadcharmShouldyieldandsinkinwildalarm,Liketreestotempest-strife.

If,hotfromwar,Iseekthylove,Darestthouturnaside?Darestthouthenmyfirereprove,Byscorn,andmaddeningpride?

No--mywillshallyetcontrolThywill,sohighandfree,

Andloveshalltamethathaughtysoul--Yes--tenderestloveforme.

I'llreadmytriumphinthineeyes,Behold,andprovethechange;Thenleave,perchance,mynobleprize,Oncemoreinarmstorange.

I'ddiewhenallthefoamisup,Thebrightwinesparklinghigh;NorwaittillintheexhaustedcupLife'sdulldregsonlylie.

ThenLovethuscrownedwithsweetreward,Hopeblestwithfulnesslarge,I'dmountthesaddle,drawthesword,Andperishinthecharge!

PREFERENCE.

NotinscorndoIreprovethee,NotinpridethyvowsIwaive,But,believe,Icouldnotlovethee,

Wertthouprince,andIaslave.These,then,arethineoathsofpassion?This,thytendernessforme?Judged,even,bythineownconfession,Thouartsteepedinperfidy.Havingvanquished,thouwouldstleaveme!ThusIreadtheelongago;Therefore,daredInotdeceivethee,Evenwithfriendship'sgentleshow.Therefore,withimpassivecoldness

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HaveIevermetthygaze;Though,fulloft,withdaringboldness,Thouthineeyestominedidstraise.Whythatsmile?ThounowartdeemingThismycoldnessalluntrue,--Butamaskoffrozenseeming,Hidingsecretfiresfromview.Touchmyhand,thouself-deceiver;Nay-becalm,forIamso:Doesitburn?Doesmylipquiver?Hasmineeyeatroubledglow?Canstthoucallamoment'scolourTomyforehead--tomycheek?CanstthoutingetheirtranquilpallorWithoneflattering,feverishstreak?AmImarble?What!nowomanCouldsocalmbeforetheestand?Nothingliving,sentient,human,Couldsocoldlytakethyhand?Yes--asistermight,amother:Mygood-willissisterly:Dreamnot,then,IstrivetosmotherFiresthatinlyburnforthee.Ravenot,ragenot,wrathisfruitless,

Furycannotchangemymind;IbutdeemthefeelingrootlessWhichsowhirlsinpassion'swind.CanIlove?Oh,deeply--truly--Warmly--fondly--butnotthee;Andmyloveisansweredduly,Withanequalenergy.Wouldstthouseethyrival?Hasten,Drawthatcurtainsoftaside,LookwhereyonthickbrancheschastenNoon,withshadesofeventide.Inthatglade,wherefoliageblendingFormsagreenarchoverhead,

Sitsthyrival,thoughtfulbendingO'erastandwithpapersspread--Motionless,hisfingersplyingThatuntired,unrestingpen;Timeandtideunnoticedflying,Therehesits--thefirstofmen!Manofconscience--manofreason;Stern,perchance,buteverjust;Foetofalsehood,wrong,andtreason,Honour'sshield,andvirtue'strust!Worker,thinker,firmdefenderOfHeaven'struth--man'sliberty;Soulofiron--prooftoslander,

Rockwherefounderstyranny.Fameheseeksnot--butfullsurelyShewillseekhim,inhishome;ThisIknow,andwaitsecurelyFortheatoninghourtocome.Tothatmanmyfaithisgiven,Therefore,soldier,ceasetosue;WhileGodreignsinearthandheaven,Itohimwillstillbetrue!

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EVENINGSOLACE.

Thehumanhearthashiddentreasures,Insecretkept,insilencesealed;--Thethoughts,thehopes,thedreams,thepleasures,Whosecharmswerebrokenifrevealed.Anddaysmaypassingayconfusion,Andnightsinrosyriotfly,While,lostinFame'sorWealth'sillusion,ThememoryofthePastmaydie.

Buttherearehoursoflonelymusing,Suchasineveningsilencecome,When,softasbirdstheirpinionsclosing,Theheart'sbestfeelingsgatherhome.TheninoursoulsthereseemstolanguishAtendergriefthatisnotwoe;AndthoughtsthatoncewrunggroansofanguishNowcausebutsomemildtearstoflow.

Andfeelings,onceasstrongaspassions,

Floatsoftlyback--afadeddream;Ourownsharpgriefsandwildsensations,Thetaleofothers'sufferingsseem.Oh!whentheheartisfreshlybleeding,Howlongsitforthattimetobe,When,throughthemistofyearsreceding,Itswoesbutliveinreverie!

Anditcandwellonmoonlightglimmer,Oneveningshadeandloneliness;And,whiletheskygrowsdimanddimmer,Feelnountoldandstrangedistress--Onlyadeeperimpulsegiven

Bylonelyhouranddarkenedroom,TosolemnthoughtsthatsoartoheavenSeekingalifeandworldtocome.

STANZAS.

Ifthoubeinalonelyplace,Ifonehour'scalmbethine,AsEveningbendsherplacidfaceO'erthissweetday'sdecline;

IfalltheearthandalltheheavenNowlookserenetothee,Aso'erthemshutsthesummereven,Onemoment--thinkofme!

Pause,inthelane,returninghome;'Tisdusk,itwillbestill:Pauseneartheelm,asacredgloomItsbreezelessboughswillfill.Lookatthatsoftandgoldenlight,

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Highintheuncloudedsky;Watchthelastbird'sbelatedflight,Asitflitssilentby.

Hark!forasounduponthewind,Astep,avoice,asigh;Ifallbestill,thenyieldthymind,Unchecked,tomemory.Ifthylovewerelikemine,howblestThattwilighthourwouldseem,When,backfromtheregrettedPast,Returnedourearlydream!

Ifthylovewerelikemine,howwildThylongings,eventopain,Forsunsetsoft,andmoonlightmild,Tobringthathouragain!Butoft,wheninthinearmsIlay,I'veseenthydarkeyesshine,AnddeeplyfelttheirchangefulraySpokeotherlovethanmine.

Myloveisalmostanguishnow,Itbeatssostrongandtrue;

'Twererapture,couldIdeemthatthouSuchanguisheverknew.Ihavebeenbutthytransientflower,Thouwertmygoddivine;Tillcheckedbydeath'scongealingpower,Thisheartmustthrobforthine.

Andwellmydyinghourwereblest,Iflife'sexpiringbreathShouldpass,asthylipsgentlyprestMyforeheadcoldindeath;Andsoundmysleepwouldbe,andsweet,Beneaththechurchyardtree,

IfsometimesinthyheartshouldbeatOnepulse,stilltruetome.

PARTING.

There'snouseinweeping,Thoughwearecondemnedtopart:There'ssuchathingaskeepingAremembranceinone'sheart:

There'ssuchathingasdwellingOnthethoughtourselveshavenursed,AndwithscornandcouragetellingTheworldtodoitsworst.

We'llnotletitsfolliesgrieveus,We'lljusttakethemastheycome;AndtheneverydaywillleaveusAmerrylaughforhome.

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Whenwe'velefteachfriendandbrother,Whenwe'repartedwideandfar,Wewillthinkofoneanother,Asevenbetterthanweare.

Everyglorioussightaboveus,Everypleasantsightbeneath,We'llconnectwiththosethatloveus,Whomwetrulylovetilldeath!

Intheevening,whenwe'resittingBythefire,perchancealone,Thenshallheartwithwarmheartmeeting,Giveresponsivetonefortone.

Wecanburstthebondswhichchainus,Whichcoldhumanhandshavewrought,AndwherenoneshalldarerestrainusWecanmeetagain,inthought.

Sothere'snouseinweeping,Bearacheerfulspiritstill;NeverdoubtthatFateiskeepingFuturegoodforpresentill!

APOSTASY.

Thislastdenialofmyfaith,Thou,solemnPriest,hastheard;And,thoughuponmybedofdeath,Icallnotbackaword.PointnottothyMadonna,Priest,--Thysightlesssaintofstone;Shecannot,fromthisburningbreast,

Wringonerepentantmoan.

Thousay'st,thatwhenasinlesschild,Idulybenttheknee,AndprayedtowhatinmarblesmiledCold,lifeless,mute,onme.Idid.Butlisten!ChildrenspringFullsoontoriperyouth;And,forLove'svowandWedlock'sring,Isoldmyearlytruth.

'Twasnotagrey,barehead,likethine,Bento'erme,whenIsaid,

"ThatlandandGodandFaitharemine,Forwhichthyfathersbled."Iseetheenot,myeyesaredim;ButwellIheartheesay,"OdaughterceasetothinkofhimWholedthysoulastray.

"Betweenyouliesbothspaceandtime;LetleaguesandyearsprevailToturntheefromthepathofcrime,

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BacktotheChurch'spale."And,didIneedthat,thoushouldsttellWhatmightybarriersriseTopartmefromthatdungeon-cell,WheremylovedWalterlies?

And,didIneedthatthoushouldsttauntMydyinghouratlast,BybiddingthiswornspiritpantNomoreforwhatispast?Priest--MUSTIceasetothinkofhim?Howhollowringsthatword!Cantime,cantears,candistancedimThememoryofmylord?

Isaidbefore,Isawnotthee,Because,anhouragone,Overmyeyeballs,heavily,Thelidsfelldownlikestone.Butstillmyspirit'sinwardsightBeholdshisimagebeamAsfixed,asclear,asburningbright,Assomeredplanet'sgleam.

TalknotofthyLastSacrament,Tellnotthybeadsforme;Bothriteandprayerarevainlyspent,Asdewsuponthesea.SpeaknotonewordofHeavenabove,RavenotofHell'salarms;GivemebutbackmyWalter'slove,Restoremetohisarms!

ThenwilltheblissofHeavenbewon;ThenwillHellshrinkaway,AsIhaveseennight'sterrorsshunTheconqueringstepsofday.

'Tismyreligionthustolove,Mycreedthusfixedtobe;NotDeathshallshake,norPriestcraftbreakMyrock-likeconstancy!

Nowgo;foratthedoortherewaitsAnotherstrangerguest;Hecalls--Icome--mypulsescarcebeats,Myheartfailsinmybreast.Againthatvoice--howfaraway,Howdrearysoundsthattone!AndI,methinks,amgoneastrayIntracklesswastesandlone.

Ifainwouldrestalittlewhile:WherecanIfindastay,Tilldawnuponthehillsshallsmile,Andshowsometroddenway?"Icome!Icome!"inhasteshesaid,"'TwasWalter'svoiceIheard!"Thenupshesprang--butfellback,dead,Hisnameherlatestword.

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WINTERSTORES.

Wetakefromlifeonelittleshare,AndsaythatthisshallbeAspace,redeemedfromtoilandcare,Fromtearsandsadnessfree.

And,haply,Deathunstringshisbow,AndSorrowstandsapart,And,foralittlewhile,weknowThesunshineoftheheart.

Existenceseemsasummereve,Warm,soft,andfullofpeace,Ourfree,unfetteredfeelingsgiveThesoulitsfullrelease.

Amoment,then,ittakesthepowerTocallupthoughtsthatthrowAroundthatcharmedandhallowedhour,Thislife'sdivinestglow.

ButTime,thoughviewlesslyitflies,Andslowly,willnotstay;Alike,throughclearandcloudedskies,Itcleavesitssilentway.

Alikethebittercupofgrief,Alikethedraughtofbliss,ItsprogressleavesbutmomentbriefForbaffledlipstokiss

Thesparklingdraughtisdriedaway,Thehourofrestisgone,

Andurgentvoices,roundus,say,"Ho,lingerer,hastenon!"

Andhasthesoul,then,onlygained,Fromthisbrieftimeofease,Amoment'srest,whenoverstrained,Onehurriedglimpseofpeace?

No;whilethesunshonekindlyo'erus,Andflowersbloomedroundourfeet,--WhilemanyabudofjoybeforeusUncloseditspetalssweet,--

Anunseenworkwithinwasplying;Likehoney-seekingbee,Fromflowertoflower,unwearied,flying,Labouredonefaculty,--

ThoughtfulforWinter'sfuturesorrow,Itsgloomandscarcity;Prescientto-day,ofwantto-morrow,ToiledquietMemory.

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'TisshethatfromeachtransientpleasureExtractsalastinggood;'Tisshethatfinds,insummer,treasureToserveforwinter'sfood.

AndwhenYouth'ssummerdayisvanished,AndAgebringsWinter'sstress,Herstores,withhoardedsweetsreplenished,Life'seveninghourswillbless.

THEMISSIONARY.

Plough,vessel,ploughtheBritishmain,Seekthefreeocean'swiderplain;LeaveEnglishscenesandEnglishskies,Unbind,disseverEnglishties;Bearmetoclimesremoteandstrange,Wherealteredlife,fast-followingchange,Hotaction,never-ceasingtoil,Shallstir,turn,dig,thespirit'ssoil;Freshrootsshallplant,freshseedshallsow,

Tillanewgardenthereshallgrow,Clearedoftheweedsthatfillitnow,--Merehumanlove,mereselfishyearning,Which,cherished,wouldarrestmeyet.Igrasptheplough,there'snoreturning,Letme,then,struggletoforget.

ButEngland'sshoresareyetinview,AndEngland'sskiesoftenderblueArearchedaboveherguardiansea.IcannotyetRemembranceflee;Imustagain,then,firmlyfaceThattaskofanguish,toretrace.

Weddedtohome--Ihomeforsake;Fearfulofchange--Ichangesmake;Toofondofease--Iplungeintoil;Loverofcalm--Iseekturmoil:NatureandhostileDestinyStirinmyheartaconflictwild;AndlongandfiercethewarwillbeEredutybothhasreconciled.

WhatothertieyetholdsmefastTothedivorced,abandonedpast?Smouldering,onmyheart'saltarliesThefireofsomegreatsacrifice,

Notyethalfquenched.ThesacredsteelButlatelystruckmycarnalwill,Mylife-longhope,firstjoyandlast,WhatIlovedwell,andclungtofast;WhatIwishedwildlytoretain,WhatIrenouncedwithsoul-feltpain;What--whenIsawit,axe-struck,perish--Leftmenojoyonearthtocherish;Amanbereft--yetsternlynowIdoconfirmthatJephthavow:

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ShallIretract,orfear,orflee?DidChrist,whenrosethefataltreeBeforehim,onMountCalvary?'Twasalongfight,hardfought,butwon,AndwhatIdidwasjustlydone.

Yet,Helen!fromthyloveIturned,Whenmyheartmostforthyheartburned;Idaredthytears,Idaredthyscorn--Easierthedeath-panghadbeenborne.Helen,thoumightstnotgowithme,Icouldnot--darednotstayforthee!Iheard,afar,inbondscomplainThesavagefrombeyondthemain;Andthatwildsoundroseo'erthecryWrungoutbypassion'sagony;Andevenwhen,withthebitteresttearIevershed,mineeyesweredim,Still,withthespirit'svisionclear,IsawHell'sempire,vastandgrim,SpreadoneachIndianriver'sshore,EachrealmofAsiacoveringo'er.There,theweak,trampledbythestrong,Livebuttosuffer--hopelessdie;

Therepagan-priests,whosecreedisWrong,Extortion,Lust,andCruelty,Crushourlostrace--andbrimmingfillThebittercupofhumanill;AndI--whohavethehealingcreed,ThefaithbenignofMary'sSon,ShallIbeholdmybrother'sneed,And,selfishly,toaidhimshun?I--whouponmymother'sknees,Inchildhood,readChrist'swrittenword,Receivedhislegacyofpeace,Hisholyruleofactionheard;I--inwhoseheartthesacredsense

OfJesus'lovewasearlyfelt;Ofhispure,fullbenevolence,Hispityingtendernessforguilt;Hisshepherd-careforwanderingsheep,Forallweak,sorrowing,tremblingthings,Hismercyvast,hispassiondeepOfanguishforman'ssufferings;I--schooledfromchildhoodinsuchlore--DaredIdrawbackorhesitate,WhencalledtohealthesicknesssoreOfthosefaroffanddesolate?Dark,intherealmandshadesofDeath,Nations,andtribes,andempireslie,

ButeventothemthelightofFaithIsbreakingontheirsombresky:AndbeitminetobidthemraiseTheirdroopedheadstothekindlingscene,AndknowandhailthesunriseblazeWhichheraldsChristtheNazarene.IknowhowHelltheveilwillspreadOvertheirbrowsandfilmyeyes,AndearthwardcrushtheliftedheadThatwouldlookupandseektheskies;

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IknowwhatwarthefiendwillwageAgainstthatsoldieroftheCross,Whocomestodarehisdemonrage,Andworkhiskingdomshameandloss.Yes,hardandterriblethetoilOfhimwhostepsonforeignsoil,Resolvedtoplantthegospelvine,Wheretyrantsruleandslavesrepine;EagertoliftReligion'slightWherethickestshadesofmentalnightScreenthefalsegodandfiendishrite;Recklessthatmissionaryblood,Shedinwildwildernessandwood,Hasleft,upontheunblestair,Theman'sdeepmoan--themartyr'sprayer.Iknowmylot--IonlyaskPowertofulfiltheglorioustask;Willingthespirit,maythefleshStrengthforthedayreceiveafresh.MayburningsunordeadlywindPrevailnoto'eranearnestmind;MaytormentsstrangeordirestdeathNortrampletruth,norbafflefaith.Thoughsuchblood-dropsshouldfallfromme

AsfellinoldGethsemane,Welcometheanguish,soitgaveMorestrengthtowork--moreskilltosave.And,oh!ifbriefmustbemytime,IfhostilehandorfatalclimeCutshortmycourse--stillo'ermygrave,Lord,maythyharvestwhiteningwave.SoItheculturemaybegin,Letothersthrustthesicklein;Ifbuttheseedwillfastergrow,MaymybloodwaterwhatIsow!

What!haveIevertremblingstood,

AndfearedtogivetoGodthatblood?What!hasthecowardloveoflifeMademeshrinkfromtherighteousstrife?Havehumanpassions,humanfearsSeveredmefromthosePioneersWhosetaskistomarchfirst,andtracePathsfortheprogressofourrace?Ithasbeenso;butgrantme,Lord,NowtostandsteadfastbyThyword!Protectedbysalvation'shelm,Shieldedbyfaith,withtruthbegirt,TosmilewhentrialsseektowhelmAndstandmidtestingfiresunhurt!

Hurlinghell'sstrongestbulwarksdown,Evenwhenthelastpangthrillsmybreast,Whendeathbestowsthemartyr'scrown,AndcallsmeintoJesus'rest.Thenformyultimatereward--Thenfortheworld-rejoicingword--ThevoicefromFather--Spirit--Son:"ServantofGod,wellhastthoudone!"

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*

POEMSBYELLISBELL,

FAITHANDDESPONDENCY.

"Thewinterwindisloudandwild,Comeclosetome,mydarlingchild;Forsakethybooks,andmatelessplay;And,whilethenightisgatheringgray,We'lltalkitspensivehoursaway;--

"Ierne,roundourshelteredhallNovember'sgustsunheededcall;NotonefaintbreathcanenterhereEnoughtowavemydaughter'shair,AndIamgladtowatchtheblazeGlancefromhereyes,withmimicrays;Tofeelhercheek,sosoftlypressed,

Inhappyquietonmybreast,

"But,yet,eventhistranquillityBringsbitter,restlessthoughtstome;And,intheredfire'scheerfulglow,Ithinkofdeepglens,blockedwithsnow;Idreamofmoor,andmistyhill,Whereeveningclosesdarkandchill;For,lone,amongthemountainscold,LiethosethatIhavelovedofold.Andmyheartaches,inhopelesspain,Exhaustedwithrepiningsvain,ThatIshallgreetthemne'eragain!"

"Father,inearlyinfancy,Whenyouwerefarbeyondthesea,Suchthoughtsweretyrantsoverme!Ioftensat,forhourstogether,Throughthelongnightsofangryweather,Raisedonmypillow,todescryThedimmoonstrugglinginthesky;Or,withstrainedear,tocatchtheshock,Ofrockwithwave,andwavewithrock;SowouldIfearfulvigilkeep,And,allforlistening,neversleep.Butthisworld'slifehasmuchtodread,

Notso,myFather,withthedead.

"Oh!notforthem,shouldwedespair,Thegraveisdrear,buttheyarenotthere;Theirdustismingledwiththesod,TheirhappysoulsaregonetoGod!Youtoldmethis,andyetyousigh,Andmurmurthatyourfriendsmustdie.Ah!mydearfather,tellmewhy?For,ifyourformerwordsweretrue,

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Howuselesswouldsuchsorrowbe;Aswise,tomourntheseedwhichgrewUnnoticedonitsparenttree,Becauseitfellinfertileearth,Andspranguptoagloriousbirth--Struckdeepitsroot,andliftedhighItsgreenboughsinthebreezysky.

"But,I'llnotfear,IwillnotweepForthosewhosebodiesrestinsleep,--Iknowthereisablessedshore,Openingitsportsformeandmine;And,gazingTime'swidewaterso'er,Iwearyforthatlanddivine,Wherewewereborn,whereyouandIShallmeetourdearest,whenwedie;Fromsufferingandcorruptionfree,RestoredintotheDeity."

"Wellhastthouspoken,sweet,trustfulchild!Andwiserthanthysire;Andworldlytempests,ragingwild,Shallstrengthenthydesire--Thyferventhope,throughstormandfoam,

Throughwindandocean'sroar,Toreach,atlast,theeternalhome,Thesteadfast,changelessshore!"

STARS.

Ah!why,becausethedazzlingsunRestoredourEarthtojoy,Haveyoudeparted,everyone,Andleftadesertsky?

Allthroughthenight,yourgloriouseyesWeregazingdowninmine,And,withafullheart'sthankfulsighs,Iblessedthatwatchdivine.

Iwasatpeace,anddrankyourbeamsAstheywerelifetome;Andrevelledinmychangefuldreams,Likepetrelonthesea.

Thoughtfollowedthought,starfollowedstar,Throughboundlessregions,on;

Whileonesweetinfluence,nearandfar,Thrilledthrough,andprovedusone!

WhydidthemorningdawntobreakSogreat,sopure,aspell;Andscorchwithfirethetranquilcheek,Whereyourcoolradiancefell?

Blood-red,herose,and,arrow-straight,Hisfiercebeamsstruckmybrow;

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Thesoulofnaturesprang,elate,Butminesanksadandlow!

Mylidscloseddown,yetthroughtheirveilIsawhim,blazing,still,Andsteepingoldthemistydale,Andflashuponthehill.

Iturnedmetothepillow,then,Tocallbacknight,andseeYourworldsofsolemnlight,again,Throbwithmyheart,andme!

Itwouldnotdo--thepillowglowed,Andglowedbothroofandfloor;Andbirdssangloudlyinthewood,Andfreshwindsshookthedoor;

Thecurtainswaved,thewakenedfliesWeremurmuringroundmyroom,Imprisonedthere,tillIshouldrise,Andgivethemleavetoroam.

Oh,stars,anddreams,andgentlenight;

Oh,nightandstars,return!AndhidemefromthehostilelightThatdoesnotwarm,butburn;

Thatdrainsthebloodofsufferingmen;Drinkstears,insteadofdew;Letmesleepthroughhisblindingreign,Andonlywakewithyou!

THEPHILOSOPHER.

Enoughofthought,philosopher!ToolonghastthoubeendreamingUnlightened,inthischamberdrear,Whilesummer'ssunisbeaming!Space-sweepingsoul,whatsadrefrainConcludesthymusingsonceagain?

"Oh,forthetimewhenIshallsleepWithoutidentity.Andnevercarehowrainmaysteep,Orsnowmaycoverme!Nopromisedheaven,thesewilddesires

Couldall,orhalffulfil;Nothreatenedhell,withquenchlessfires,Subduethisquenchlesswill!"

"SosaidI,andstillsaythesame;Still,tomydeath,willsay--Threegods,withinthislittleframe,Arewarringnight;andday;Heavencouldnotholdthemall,andyetTheyallareheldinme;

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AndmustbeminetillIforgetMypresententity!Oh,forthetime,wheninmybreastTheirstruggleswillbeo'er!Oh,fortheday,whenIshallrest,Andneversuffermore!"

"Isawaspirit,standing,man,Wherethoudoststand--anhourago,Androundhisfeetthreeriversran,Ofequaldepth,andequalflow--Agoldenstream--andonelikeblood;Andonelikesapphireseemedtobe;But,wheretheyjoinedtheirtriplefloodIttumbledinaninkyseaThespiritsenthisdazzlinggazeDownthroughthatocean'sgloomynight;Then,kindlingall,withsuddenblaze,Thegladdeepsparkledwideandbright--Whiteasthesun,far,farmorefairThanitsdividedsourceswere!"

"Andevenforthatspirit,seer,I'vewatchedandsoughtmylife-timelong;

Soughthiminheaven,hell,earth,andair,Anendlesssearch,andalwayswrong.HadIbutseenhisgloriouseyeONCElightthecloudsthatwilderme;Ine'erhadraisedthiscowardcryToceasetothink,andceasetobe;

Ine'erhadcalledoblivionblest,Norstretchingeagerhandstodeath,ImploredtochangeforsenselessrestThissentientsoul,thislivingbreath--Oh,letmedie--thatpowerandwillTheircruelstrifemayclose;

Andconqueredgood,andconqueringillBelostinonerepose!"

REMEMBRANCE.

Coldintheearth--andthedeepsnowpiledabovethee,Far,far,removed,coldinthedrearygrave!HaveIforgot,myonlyLove,tolovethee,SeveredatlastbyTime'sall-severingwave?

Now,whenalone,domythoughtsnolongerhoverOverthemountains,onthatnorthernshore,Restingtheirwingswhereheathandfern-leavescoverThynobleheartforever,evermore?

Coldintheearth--andfifteenwildDecembers,Fromthosebrownhills,havemeltedintospring:Faithful,indeed,isthespiritthatremembersAftersuchyearsofchangeandsuffering!

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SweetLoveofyouth,forgive,ifIforgetthee,Whiletheworld'stideisbearingmealong;Otherdesiresandotherhopesbesetme,Hopeswhichobscure,butcannotdotheewrong!

Nolaterlighthaslightenedupmyheaven,Nosecondmornhasevershoneforme;Allmylife'sblissfromthydearlifewasgiven,Allmylife'sblissisinthegravewiththee.

But,whenthedaysofgoldendreamshadperished,AndevenDespairwaspowerlesstodestroy;ThendidIlearnhowexistencecouldbecherished,Strengthened,andfedwithouttheaidofjoy.

ThendidIcheckthetearsofuselesspassion--Weanedmyyoungsoulfromyearningafterthine;SternlydenieditsburningwishtohastenDowntothattombalreadymorethanmine.

And,evenyet,Idarenotletitlanguish,Darenotindulgeinmemory'srapturouspain;Oncedrinkingdeepofthatdivinestanguish,HowcouldIseektheemptyworldagain?

ADEATH-SCENE.

"Oday!hecannotdieWhenthousofairartshining!OSun,insuchaglorioussky,Sotranquillydeclining;

Hecannotleavetheenow,Whilefreshwestwindsareblowing,

AndallaroundhisyouthfulbrowThycheerfullightisglowing!

Edward,awake,awake--ThegoldeneveninggleamsWarmandbrightonArden'slake--Arousetheefromthydreams!

Besidethee,onmyknee,Mydearestfriend,IprayThatthou,tocrosstheeternalsea,Wouldstyetonehourdelay:

Ihearitsbillowsroar--Iseethemfoaminghigh;ButnoglimpseofafurthershoreHasblestmystrainingeye.

BelievenotwhattheyurgeOfEdenislesbeyond;Turnback,fromthattempestuoussurge,Tothyownnativeland.

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Itisnotdeath,butpainThatstrugglesinthybreast--Nay,rally,Edward,rouseagain;Icannotlettheerest!"

Onelonglook,thatsorereprovedmeForthewoeIcouldnotbear--OnemutelookofsufferingmovedmeTorepentmyuselessprayer:

And,withsuddencheck,theheavingOfdistractionpassedaway;NotasignoffurthergrievingStirredmysoulthatawfulday.

Paled,atlength,thesweetsunsetting;Sunktopeacethetwilightbreeze:Summerdewsfellsoftly,wettingGlen,andglade,andsilenttrees.

Thenhiseyesbegantoweary,Weighedbeneathamortalsleep;Andtheirorbsgrewstrangelydreary,Clouded,evenastheywouldweep.

Buttheyweptnot,buttheychangednot,Nevermoved,andneverclosed;Troubledstill,andstilltheyrangednot--Wanderednot,noryetreposed!

SoIknewthathewasdying--Stooped,andraisedhislanguidhead;Feltnobreath,andheardnosighing,SoIknewthathewasdead.

SONG.

Thelinnetintherockydells,Themoor-larkintheair,ThebeeamongtheheatherbellsThathidemyladyfair:

Thewilddeerbrowseaboveherbreast;Thewildbirdsraisetheirbrood;Andthey,hersmilesoflovecaressed,Havelefthersolitude!

Iween,thatwhenthegrave'sdarkwallDidfirstherformretain,Theythoughttheirheartscouldne'errecallThelightofjoyagain.

TheythoughtthetideofgriefwouldflowUncheckedthroughfutureyears;Butwhereisalltheiranguishnow,Andwherearealltheirtears?

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Well,letthemfightforhonour'sbreath,Orpleasure'sshadepursue--ThedwellerinthelandofdeathIschangedandcarelesstoo.

And,iftheireyesshouldwatchandweepTillsorrow'ssourceweredry,Shewouldnot,inhertranquilsleep,Returnasinglesigh!

Blow,west-wind,bythelonelymound,Andmurmur,summer-streams--ThereisnoneedofothersoundTosoothemylady'sdreams.

ANTICIPATION.

Howbeautifultheearthisstill,Tothee--howfullofhappiness?Howlittlefraughtwithrealill,Orunrealphantomsofdistress!

Howspringcanbringtheeglory,yet,AndsummerwintheetoforgetDecember'ssullentime!Whydostthouholdthetreasurefast,Ofyouth'sdelight,whenyouthispast,Andthouartnearthyprime?

Whenthosewhowerethyowncompeers,Equalsinfortuneandinyears,Haveseentheirmorningmeltintears,Toclouded,smilelessday;Blest,hadtheydieduntriedandyoung,Beforetheirheartswentwanderingwrong,--

Poorslaves,subduedbypassionsstrong,Aweakandhelplessprey!

'Because,Ihopedwhiletheyenjoyed,Andbyfulfilment,hopedestroyed;Aschildrenhope,withtrustfulbreast,Iwaitedbliss--andcherishedrest.Athoughtfulspirittaughtmesoon,Thatwemustlongtilllifebedone;ThateveryphaseofearthlyjoyMustalwaysfade,andalwayscloy:

'ThisIforesaw--andwouldnotchase

Thefleetingtreacheries;But,withfirmfootandtranquilface,Heldbackwardfromthattemptingrace,Gazedo'erthesandsthewavesefface,Totheenduringseas--TherecastmyanchorofdesireDeepinunknowneternity;Noreverletmyspirittire,WithlookingforWHATISTOBE!

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"Itishope'sspellthatglorifies,Likeyouth,tomymaturereyes,AllNature'smillionmysteries,Thefearfulandthefair--HopesoothesmeinthegriefsIknow;Shelullsmypainforothers'woe,AndmakesmestrongtoundergoWhatIamborntobear.

Gladcomforter!willInotbrave,Unawed,thedarknessofthegrave?Nay,smiletohearDeath'sbillowsrave--Sustained,myguide,bythee?Themoreunjustseemspresentfate,Themoremyspiritswellselate,Strong,inthystrength,toanticipateRewardingdestiny!

THEPRISONER.

AFRAGMENT.

Inthedungeon-cryptsidlydidIstray,Recklessoftheliveswastingthereaway;"Drawtheponderousbars!open,Warderstern!"Hedarednotsaymenay--thehingesharshlyturn.

"Ourguestsaredarklylodged,"Iwhisper'd,gazingthroughThevault,whosegratedeyeshowedheavenmoregraythanblue;(ThiswaswhengladSpringlaughedinawakingpride;)"Ay,darklylodgedenough!"returnedmysullenguide.

Then,Godforgivemyyouth;forgivemycarelesstongue;Iscoffed,asthechillchainsonthedampflagstonesrung:

"Confinedintriplewalls,artthousomuchtofear,Thatwemustbindtheedownandclenchthyfettershere?"

Thecaptiveraisedherface;itwasassoftandmildAssculpturedmarblesaint,orslumberingunwean'dchild;Itwassosoftandmild,itwassosweetandfair,Paincouldnottracealine,norgriefashadowthere!

Thecaptiveraisedherhandandpressedittoherbrow;"Ihavebeenstruck,"shesaid,"andIamsufferingnow;Yetthesearelittleworth,yourboltsandironsstrong;And,weretheyforgedinsteel,theycouldnotholdmelong."

Hoarselaughedthejailorgrim:"ShallIbewontohear;Dostthink,fond,dreamingwretch,thatIshallgrantthyprayer?Or,betterstill,wiltmeltmymaster'sheartwithgroans?Ah!soonermightthesunthawdownthesegranitestones.

"Mymaster'svoiceislow,hisaspectblandandkind,Buthardashardestflintthesoulthatlurksbehind;AndIamroughandrude,yetnotmoreroughtoseeThanisthehiddenghostthathasitshomeinme."

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Aboutherlipsthereplayedasmileofalmostscorn,"Myfriend,"shegentlysaid,"youhavenotheardmemourn;Whenyoumykindred'slives,MYlostlife,canrestore,ThenmayIweepandsue,--butnever,friend,before!

"Still,letmytyrantsknow,IamnotdoomedtowearYearafteryearingloom,anddesolatedespair;AmessengerofHopecomeseverynighttome,Andoffersforshortlife,eternalliberty.

"Hecomeswithwesternwinds,withevening'swanderingairs,Withthatclearduskofheaventhatbringsthethickeststars.Windstakeapensivetone,andstarsatenderfire,Andvisionsrise,andchange,thatkillmewithdesire.

"Desirefornothingknowninmymatureryears,WhenJoygrewmadwithawe,atcountingfuturetears.When,ifmyspirit'sskywasfullofflasheswarm,Iknewnotwhencetheycame,fromsunorthunder-storm.

"But,first,ahushofpeace--asoundlesscalmdescends;Thestruggleofdistress,andfierceimpatienceends;Mutemusicsoothesmybreast--unutteredharmony,ThatIcouldneverdream,tillEarthwaslosttome.

"ThendawnstheInvisible;theUnseenitstruthreveals;Myoutwardsenseisgone,myinwardessencefeels:Itswingsarealmostfree--itshome,itsharbourfound,Measuringthegulph,itstoopsanddaresthefinalbound,

"OhIdreadfulisthecheck--intensetheagony--Whentheearbeginstohear,andtheeyebeginstosee;Whenthepulsebeginstothrob,thebraintothinkagain;Thesoultofeeltheflesh,andthefleshtofeelthechain.

"YetIwouldlosenosting,wouldwishnotortureless;Themorethatanguishracks,theearlieritwillbless;

Androbedinfiresofhell,orbrightwithheavenlyshine,Ifitbutheralddeath,thevisionisdivine!"

Sheceasedtospeak,andwe,unanswering,turnedtogo--Wehadnofurtherpowertoworkthecaptivewoe:Hercheek,hergleamingeye,declaredthatmanhadgivenAsentence,unapproved,andoverruledbyHeaven.

HOPE.

HopeWasbutatimidfriend;Shesatwithoutthegratedden,Watchinghowmyfatewouldtend,Evenasselfish-heartedmen.

Shewascruelinherfear;Throughthebarsonedrearyday,Ilookedouttoseeherthere,Andsheturnedherfaceaway!

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Likeafalseguard,falsewatchkeeping,Still,instrife,shewhisperedpeace;ShewouldsingwhileIwasweeping;IfIlistened,shewouldcease.

Falseshewas,andunrelenting;Whenmylastjoysstrewedtheground,EvenSorrowsaw,repenting,Thosesadrelicsscatteredround;

Hope,whosewhisperwouldhavegivenBalmtoallmyfrenziedpain,Stretchedherwings,andsoaredtoheaven,Went,andne'erreturnedagain!

ADAYDREAM.

OnasunnybraealoneIlayOnesummerafternoon;Itwasthemarriage-timeofMay,Withheryounglover,June.

Fromhermother'sheartseemedloathtopartThatqueenofbridalcharms,ButherfathersmiledonthefairestchildHeeverheldinhisarms.

Thetreesdidwavetheirplumycrests,Thegladbirdscarolledclear;AndI,ofalltheweddingguests,Wasonlysullenthere!

Therewasnotone,butwishedtoshunMyaspectvoidofcheer;

Theverygrayrocks,lookingon,Asked,"Whatdoyouhere?"

AndIcouldutternoreply;Insooth,IdidnotknowWhyIhadbroughtacloudedeyeTogreetthegeneralglow.

So,restingonaheathybank,Itookmyhearttome;AndwetogethersadlysankIntoareverie.

Wethought,"Whenwintercomesagain,Wherewillthesebrightthingsbe?Allvanished,likeavisionvain,Anunrealmockery!

"Thebirdsthatnowsoblithelysing,Throughdeserts,frozendry,Poorspectresoftheperishedspring,Infamishedtroopswillfly.

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"Andwhyshouldwebegladatall?Theleafishardlygreen,BeforeatokenofitsfallIsonthesurfaceseen!"

Now,whetheritwerereallyso,Inevercouldbesure;Butasinfitofpeevishwoe,Istretchedmeonthemoor,

AthousandthousandgleamingfiresSeemedkindlingintheair;AthousandthousandsilverylyresResoundedfarandnear:

Methought,theverybreathIbreathedWasfullofsparksdivine,Andallmyheather-couchwaswreathedBythatcelestialshine!

And,whilethewideearthechoingrungTothatstrangeminstrelsyThelittleglitteringspiritssung,Orseemedtosing,tome:

"Omortal!mortal!letthemdie;Lettimeandtearsdestroy,ThatwemayoverflowtheskyWithuniversaljoy!

"Letgriefdistractthesufferer'sbreast,Andnightobscurehisway;Theyhastenhimtoendlessrest,Andeverlastingday.

"Totheetheworldislikeatomb,Adesert'snakedshore;

Tous,inunimaginedbloom,Itbrightensmoreandmore!

"And,couldwelifttheveil,andgiveOnebriefglimpsetothineeye,Thouwouldstrejoiceforthosethatlive,BECAUSEtheylivetodie."

Themusicceased;thenoondaydream,Likedreamofnight,withdrew;ButFancy,still,willsometimesdeemHerfondcreationtrue.

TOIMAGINATION.

Whenwearywiththelongday'scare,Andearthlychangefrompaintopain,Andlost,andreadytodespair,Thykindvoicecallsmebackagain:Oh,mytruefriend!Iamnotlone,

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Whilethencanstspeakwithsuchatone!

Sohopelessistheworldwithout;TheworldwithinIdoublyprize;Thyworld,whereguile,andhate,anddoubt,Andcoldsuspicionneverrise;Wherethou,andI,andLiberty,Haveundisputedsovereignty.

Whatmattersit,thatallaroundDanger,andguilt,anddarknesslie,Ifbutwithinourbosom'sboundWeholdabright,untroubledsky,WarmwithtenthousandmingledraysOfsunsthatknownowinterdays?

Reason,indeed,mayoftcomplainForNature'ssadreality,AndtellthesufferinghearthowvainItscherisheddreamsmustalwaysbe;AndTruthmayrudelytrampledownTheflowersofFancy,newly-blown:

Butthouarteverthere,tobring

Thehoveringvisionback,andbreatheNewglorieso'ertheblightedspring,AndcallalovelierLifefromDeath.Andwhisper,withavoicedivine,Ofrealworlds,asbrightasthine.

Itrustnottothyphantombliss,Yet,still,inevening'squiethour,Withnever-failingthankfulness,Iwelcomethee,BenignantPower;Suresolacerofhumancares,Andsweeterhope,whenhopedespairs!

HOWCLEARSHESHINES.

Howclearsheshines!HowquietlyIliebeneathherguardianlight;Whileheavenandeartharewhisperingme,"Tomorrow,wake,butdreamto-night."Yes,Fancy,come,myFairylove!Thesethrobbingtemplessoftlykiss;Andbendmylonelycouchabove,Andbringmerest,andbringmebliss.

Theworldisgoing;darkworld,adieu!Grimworld,concealtheetilltheday;TheheartthoucanstnotallsubdueMuststillresist,ifthoudelay!

ThyloveIwillnot,willnotshare;Thyhatredonlywakesasmile;Thygriefsmaywound--thywrongsmaytear,But,oh,thyliesshallne'erbeguile!

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WhilegazingonthestarsthatglowAboveme,inthatstormlesssea,IlongtohopethatallthewoeCreationknows,isheldinthee!

Andthisshallbemydreamto-night;I'llthinktheheavenofgloriousspheresIsrollingonitscourseoflightInendlessbliss,throughendlessyears;I'llthink,there'snotoneworldabove,Farasthesestrainingeyescansee,WhereWisdomeverlaughedatLove,OrVirtuecrouchedtoInfamy;

Where,writhing'neaththestrokesofFate,Themangledwretchwasforcedtosmile;Tomatchhispatience'gainstherhate,Hisheartrebelliousallthewhile.WherePleasurestillwillleadtowrong,AndhelplessReasonwarninvain;AndTruthisweak,andTreacherystrong;AndJoythesurestpathtoPain;AndPeace,thelethargyofGrief;AndHope,aphantomofthesoul;

Andlife,alabour,voidandbrief;AndDeath,thedespotofthewhole!

SYMPATHY.

ThereshouldbenodespairforyouWhilenightlystarsareburning;Whileeveningpoursitssilentdew,Andsunshinegildsthemorning.Thereshouldbenodespair--thoughtears

Mayflowdownlikeariver:ArenotthebestbelovedofyearsAroundyourheartforever?

Theyweep,youweep,itmustbeso;Windssighasyouaresighing,AndwintershedsitsgriefinsnowWhereAutumn'sleavesarelying:Yet,theserevive,andfromtheirfateYourfatecannotbeparted:Then,journeyon,ifnotelate,Still,NEVERbroken-hearted!

PLEADFORME.

Oh,thybrighteyesmustanswernow,WhenReason,withascornfulbrow,Ismockingatmyoverthrow!Oh,thysweettonguemustpleadformeAndtellwhyIhavechosenthee!

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SternReasonistojudgmentcome,Arrayedinallherformsofgloom:Wiltthou,myadvocate,bedumb?No,radiantangel,speakandsay,WhyIdidcasttheworldaway.

WhyIhaveperseveredtoshunThecommonpathsthatothersrun;Andonastrangeroadjourneyedon,Heedless,alikeofwealthandpower--Ofglory'swreathandpleasure'sflower.

These,once,indeed,seemedBeingsDivine;Andthey,perchance,heardvowsofmine,Andsawmyofferingsontheirshrine;Butcarelessgiftsareseldomprized,AndMINEwereworthilydespised.

So,withareadyheart,IsworeToseektheiraltar-stonenomore;AndgavemyspirittoadoreThee,ever-present,phantomthing--Myslave,mycomrade,andmyking.

Aslave,becauseIruletheestill;Inclinetheetomychangefulwill,Andmakethyinfluencegoodorill:Acomrade,forbydayandnightThouartmyintimatedelight,--

Mydarlingpainthatwoundsandsears,AndwringsablessingoutfromtearsBydeadeningmetoearthlycares;Andyet,aking,thoughPrudencewellHavetaughtthysubjecttorebel

AndamIwrongtoworshipwhereFaithcannotdoubt,norhopedespair,Sincemyownsoulcangrantmyprayer?Speak,Godofvisions,pleadforme,AndtellwhyIhavechosenthee!

SELF-INTEROGATION,

"Theeveningpassesfastaway.'Tisalmosttimetorest;

Whatthoughtshasleftthevanishedday,Whatfeelingsinthybreast?

"Thevanishedday?ItleavesasenseOflabourhardlydone;Oflittlegainedwithvastexpense--Asenseofgriefalone?

"TimestandsbeforethedoorofDeath,Upbraidingbitterly

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AndConscience,withexhaustlessbreath,Poursblackreproachonme:

"AndthoughI'vesaidthatConscienceliesAndTimeshouldFatecondemn;Still,sadRepentancecloudsmyeyes,Andmakesmeyieldtothem!

"Thenartthougladtoseekrepose?Artgladtoleavethesea,AndanchorallthywearywoesIncalmEternity?

"Nothingregretstoseetheego--Notonevoicesobs'farewell;'Andwherethyhearthassufferedso,Canstthoudesiretodwell?"

"Alas!thecountlesslinksarestrongThatbindustoourclay;Thelovingspiritlingerslong,Andwouldnotpassaway!

"Andrestissweet,whenlaurelledfame

Willcrownthesoldier'screst;Butabraveheart,withatarnishedname,Wouldratherfightthanrest.

"Well,thouhastfoughtformanyayear,Hastfoughtthywholelifethrough,HasthumbledFalsehood,trampledFear;Whatistherelefttodo?

"'Tistrue,thisarmhashotlystriven,Hasdaredwhatfewwoulddare;MuchhaveIdone,andfreelygiven,Butlittlelearnttobear!

"LookonthegravewherethoumustsleepThylast,andstrongestfoe;Itisendurancenottoweep,Ifthatreposeseemwoe.

"Thelongwarclosingindefeat--Defeatserenelyborne,--Thymidnightrestmaystillbesweet,Andbreakingloriousmorn!"

DEATH.

Death!thatstruckwhenIwasmostconfiding.Inmycertainfaithofjoytobe--Strikeagain,Time'switheredbranchdividingFromthefreshrootofEternity!

Leaves,uponTime'sbranch,weregrowingbrightly,Fullofsap,andfullofsilverdew;

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Birdsbeneathitssheltergatherednightly;Dailyrounditsflowersthewildbeesflew.

Sorrowpassed,andpluckedthegoldenblossom;GuiltstrippedoffthefoliageinitsprideBut,withinitsparent'skindlybosom,FlowedforeverLife'srestoringtide.

LittlemournedIforthepartedgladness,Forthevacantnestandsilentsong--Hopewasthere,andlaughedmeoutofsadness;Whispering,"Winterwillnotlingerlong!"

And,behold!withtenfoldincreaseblessing,Springadornedthebeauty-burdenedspray;Windandrainandferventheat,caressing,LavishedgloryonthatsecondMay!

Highitrose--nowingedgriefcouldsweepit;Sinwasscaredtodistancewithitsshine;Love,anditsownlife,hadpowertokeepitFromallwrong--fromeveryblightbutthine!

CruelDeath!Theyoungleavesdroopandlanguish;

Evening'sgentleairmaystillrestore--No!themorningsunshinemocksmyanguish-Time,forme,mustneverblossommore!

Strikeitdown,thatotherboughsmayflourishWherethatperishedsaplingusedtobe;Thus,atleast,itsmoulderingcorpsewillnourishThatfromwhichitsprung--Eternity.

STANZASTO----

Well,somemayhate,andsomemayscorn,Andsomemayquiteforgetthyname;ButmysadheartmustevermournThyruinedhopes,thyblightedfame!'TwasthusIthought,anhourago,Evenweepingo'erthatwretch'swoe;Onewordturnedbackmygushingtears,Andlitmyalteredeyewithsneers.Then"Blessthefriendlydust,"Isaid,"Thathidesthyunlamentedhead!Vainasthouwert,andweakasvain,TheslaveofFalsehood,Pride,andPain--

Myhearthasnoughtakintothine;Thysoulispowerlessovermine."Butthesewerethoughtsthatvanishedtoo;Unwise,unholy,anduntrue:DoIdespisethetimiddeer,Becausehislimbsarefleetwithfear?Or,wouldImockthewolf'sdeath-howl,Becausehisformisgauntandfoul?Or,hearwithjoytheleveret'scry,Becauseitcannotbravelydie?

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No!ThenabovehismemoryLetPity'sheartastenderbe;Say,"Earth,lielightlyonthatbreast,And,kindHeaven,grantthatspiritrest!"

HONOUR'SMARTYR.

Themoonisfullthiswinternight;Thestarsareclear,thoughfew;AndeverywindowglistensbrightWithleavesoffrozendew.

Thesweetmoonthroughyourlatticegleams,Andlightsyourroomlikeday;Andthereyoupass,inhappydreams,Thepeacefulhoursaway!

WhileI,withefforthardlyquellingTheanguishinmybreast,Wanderaboutthesilentdwelling,Andcannotthinkofrest.

TheoldclockinthegloomyhallTickson,fromhourtohour;AndeverytimeitsmeasuredcallSeemslingeringslowandslower:

And,oh,howslowthatkeen-eyedstarHastrackedthechillygray!What,watchingyet!howveryfarThemorningliesaway!

WithoutyourchamberdoorIstand;Love,areyouslumberingstill?

Mycoldheart,underneathmyhand,Hasalmostceasedtothrill.

Bleak,bleaktheeastwindsobsandsighs,Anddrownstheturretbell,Whosesadnote,undistinguished,diesUnheard,likemyfarewell!

To-morrow,Scornwillblightmyname,AndHatewilltrampleme,Willloadmewithacoward'sshame--Atraitor'sperjury.

Falsefriendswilllaunchtheircovertsneers;Truefriendswillwishmedead;AndIshallcausethebitteresttearsThatyouhaveevershed.

ThedarkdeedsofmyoutlawedraceWillthenlikevirtuesshine;Andmenwillpardontheirdisgrace,Besidetheguiltofmine.

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For,whoforgivestheaccursedcrimeOfdastardtreachery?Rebellion,initschosentime,MayFreedom'schampionbe;

Revengemaystainarighteoussword,Itmaybejusttoslay;But,traitor,traitor,--fromTHATwordAlltruebreastsshrinkaway!

Oh,Iwouldgivemyhearttodeath,Tokeepmyhonourfair;Yet,I'llnotgivemyinwardfaithMyhonour'sNAMEtospare!

Noteventokeepyourpricelesslove,DareI,Beloved,deceive;Thistreasonshouldthefutureprove,Then,onlythen,believe!

IknowthepathIoughttogoIfollowfearlessly,InquiringnotwhatdeeperwoeSterndutystoresforme.

Sofoespursue,andcoldalliesMistrustme,everyone:Letmebefalseinothers'eyes,Iffaithfulinmyown.

STANZAS.

I'llnotweepthatthouartgoingtoleaveme,There'snothinglovelyhere;

Anddoublywillthedarkworldgrieveme,Whilethyheartsuffersthere.

I'llnotweep,becausethesummer'sgloryMustalwaysendingloom;And,followoutthehappieststory--Itcloseswithatomb!

AndIamwearyoftheanguishIncreasingwintersbear;WearytowatchthespiritlanguishThroughyearsofdeaddespair.

So,ifatear,whenthouartdying,Shouldhaplyfallfromme,Itisbutthatmysoulissighing,Togoandrestwiththee.

MYCOMFORTER.

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Wellhastthouspoken,andyetnottaughtAfeelingstrangeornew;Thouhastbutrousedalatentthought,Acloud-closedbeamofsunshinebroughtTogleaminopenview.

Deepdown,concealedwithinmysoul,Thatlightlieshidfrommen;Yetglowsunquenched--thoughshadowsroll,Itsgentleraycannotcontrol--Aboutthesullenden.

WasInotvexed,inthesegloomywaysTowalkalonesolong?Aroundme,wretchesutteringpraise,Orhowlingo'ertheirhopelessdays,AndeachwithFrenzy'stongue;-

Abrotherhoodofmisery,Theirsmilesassadassighs;Whosemadnessdailymaddenedme,DistortingintoagonyTheblissbeforemyeyes!

SostoodI,inHeaven'sglorioussun,AndintheglareofHell;Myspiritdrankamingledtone,Ofseraph'ssong,anddemon'smoan;Whatmysoulbore,mysoulaloneWithinitselfmaytell!

Likeasoft,airaboveasea,Tossedbythetempest'sstir;Athaw-wind,meltingquietlyThesnow-driftonsomewintrylea;No:whatsweetthingresemblesthee,MythoughtfulComforter?

Andyetalittlelongerspeak,Calmthisresentfulmood;Andwhilethesavageheartgrowsmeek,Forothertokendonotseek,ButletthetearuponmycheekEvincemygratitude!

THEOLDSTOIC.

RichesIholdinlightesteem,AndLoveIlaughtoscorn;Andlustoffamewasbutadream,Thatvanishedwiththemorn:

AndifIpray,theonlyprayerThatmovesmylipsformeIs,"LeavetheheartthatnowIbear,Andgivemeliberty!"

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Yes,asmyswiftdaysneartheirgoal:'TisallthatIimplore;Inlifeanddeathachainlesssoul,Withcouragetoendure.

*

POEMSBYACTONBELL,

AREMINISCENCE.

Yes,thouartgone!andnevermoreThysunnysmileshallgladdenme;ButImaypasstheoldchurchdoor,Andpacethefloorthatcoversthee,

Maystanduponthecold,dampstone,Andthinkthat,frozen,liesbelow

ThelightestheartthatIhaveknown,ThekindestIshalleverknow.

Yet,thoughIcannotseetheemore,'Tisstillacomforttohaveseen;Andthoughthytransientlifeiso'er,'Tissweettothinkthatthouhastbeen;

Tothinkasoulsoneardivine,Withinaformsoangelfair,Unitedtoaheartlikethine,Hasgladdenedonceourhumblesphere.

THEARBOUR.

I'llrestmeinthisshelteredbower,AndlookupontheclearblueskyThatsmilesuponmethroughthetrees,Whichstandsothickclusteringby;

Andviewtheirgreenandglossyleaves,Allglisteninginthesunshinefair;Andlisttherustlingoftheirboughs,

Sosoftlywhisperingthroughtheair.

Andwhilemyeardrinksinthesound,Mywingedsoulshallflyaway;ReviewinglonedepartedyearsAsonemild,beaming,autumnday;

Andsoaringontofuturescenes,Likehillsandwoods,andvalleysgreen,Allbaskinginthesummer'ssun,

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Butdistantstill,anddimlyseen.

Oh,list!'tissummer'sverybreathThatgentlyshakestherustlingtrees--Butlook!thesnowisontheground--HowcanIthinkofsceneslikethese?

'TisbuttheFROSTthatclearstheair,Andgivestheskythatlovelyblue;They'resmilinginaWINTER'Ssun,Thoseevergreensofsombrehue.

Andwinter'schillisonmyheart--HowcanIdreamoffuturebliss?Howcanmyspiritsoaraway,Confinedbysuchachainasthis?

HOME.

HowbrightlyglisteninginthesunThewoodlandivyplays!

WhileyonderbeechesfromtheirbarksReflecthissilverrays.

ThatsunsurveysalovelysceneFromsoftlysmilingskies;AndwildlythroughunnumberedtreesThewindofwintersighs:

Nowloud,itthunderso'ermyhead,Andnowindistancedies.ButgivemebackmybarrenhillsWherecolderbreezesrise;

Wherescarcethescattered,stuntedtreesCanyieldanansweringswell,ButwhereawildernessofheathReturnsthesoundaswell.

Foryondergarden,fairandwide,Withgrovesofevergreen,Longwindingwalks,andborderstrim,Andvelvetlawnsbetween;

Restoretomethatlittlespot,Withgraywallscompassedround,Whereknottedgrassneglectedlies,

Andweedsusurptheground.

ThoughallaroundthismansionhighInvitesthefoottoroam,Andthoughitshallsarefairwithin--Oh,givemebackmyHOME!

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VANITASVANITATUM,OMNIAVANITAS.

Inallwedo,andhear,andsee,IsrestlessToilandVanity.Whileyettherollingearthabides,Mencomeandgolikeoceantides;

Andereonegenerationdies,Anotherinitsplaceshallrise;THAT,sinkingsoonintothegrave,Otherssucceed,likewaveonwave;

Andastheyrise,theypassaway.Thesunariseseveryday,AndhasteningonwardtotheWest,Henightlysinks,butnottorest:

Returningtotheeasternskies,Againtolightus,hemustrise.Andstilltherestlesswindcomesforth,NowblowingkeenlyfromtheNorth;

NowfromtheSouth,theEast,theWest,Foreverchanging,ne'eratrest.

Thefountains,gushingfromthehills,Supplytheever-runningrills;

Thethirstyriversdrinktheirstore,Andbearitrollingtotheshore,Butstilltheoceancravesformore.'Tisendlesslaboureverywhere!Soundcannotsatisfytheear,

Lightcannotfillthecravingeye,Norricheshalfourwantssupply,Pleasurebutdoublesfuturepain,Andjoybringssorrowinhertrain;

Laughterismad,andrecklessmirth--Whatdoessheinthiswearyearth?ShouldWealth,orFame,ourLifeemploy,Deathcomes,ourlabourtodestroy;

Tosnatchtheuntastedcupaway,Forwhichwetoiledsomanyaday.What,then,remainsforwretchedman?Touselife'scomfortswhilehecan,

EnjoytheblessingsHeavenbestows,Assisthisfriends,forgivehisfoes;

TrustGod,andkeepHisstatutesstill,Uprightandfirm,throughgoodandill;

ThankfulforallthatGodhasgiven,FixinghisfirmesthopesonHeaven;Knowingthatearthlyjoysdecay,Buthopingthroughthedarkestday.

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THEPENITENT.

Imournwiththee,andyetrejoiceThatthoushouldstsorrowso;WithangelchoirsIjoinmyvoiceToblessthesinner'swoe.

Thoughfriendsandkindredturnaway,Andlaughthygrieftoscorn;IhearthegreatRedeemersay,"Blessedareyethatmourn."

Holdonthycourse,nordeemitstrangeThatearthlycordsareriven:Manmaylamentthewondrouschange,But"thereisjoyinheaven!"

MUSICONCHRISTMASMORNING.

MusicIlove--butneverstrain

Couldkindlerapturessodivine,Sogriefassuage,soconquerpain,Androusethispensiveheartofmine--AsthatwehearonChristmasmorn,Uponthewintrybreezesborne.

ThoughDarknessstillherempirekeep,Andhoursmustpass,eremorningbreak;Fromtroubleddreams,orslumbersdeep,ThatmusicKINDLYbidsuswake:Itcallsus,withanangel'svoice,Towake,andworship,andrejoice;

Togreetwithjoythegloriousmorn,Whichangelswelcomedlongago,WhenourredeemingLordwasborn,TobringthelightofHeavenbelow;ThePowersofDarknesstodispel,AndrescueEarthfromDeathandHell.

Whilelisteningtothatsacredstrain,Myrapturedspiritsoarsonhigh;IseemtohearthosesongsagainResoundingthroughtheopensky,Thatkindledsuchdivinedelight,Inthosewhowatchedtheirflocksbynight.

WiththemIcelebrateHisbirth--GlorytoGod,inhighestHeaven,Good-willtomen,andpeaceonearth,TousaSaviour-kingisgiven;OurGodiscometoclaimHisown,AndSatan'spowerisoverthrown!

AsinlessGod,forsinfulmen,Descendstosufferandtobleed;

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HellMUSTrenounceitsempirethen;Thepriceispaid,theworldisfreed,AndSatan'sselfmustnowconfessThatChristhasearnedaRIGHTtobless:

NowholyPeacemaysmilefromheaven,AndheavenlyTruthfromearthshallspring:Thecaptive'sgallingbondsareriven,ForourRedeemerisourking;AndHethatgavehisbloodformenWillleadushometoGodagain.

STANZAS.

Oh,weepnot,love!eachtearthatspringsInthosedeareyesofthine,TomeakeenersufferingbringsThaniftheyflowedfrommine.

Anddonotdroop!howeverdrearThefateawaitingthee;

ForMYsakecombatpainandcare,Andcherishlifeforme!

Idonotfearthylovewillfail;Thyfaithistrue,Iknow;But,oh,mylove!thystrengthisfrailForsuchalifeofwoe.

Were'tnotforthis,Iwellcouldtrace(Thoughbanishedlongfromthee)Life'sruggedpath,andboldlyfaceThestormsthatthreatenme.

Fearnotforme--I'vesteeledmymindSorrowandstrifetogreet;JoywithmyloveIleavebehind,CarewithmyfriendsImeet.

Amother'ssadreproachfuleye,Afather'sscowlingbrow--Buthemayfrownandshemaysigh:Iwillnotbreakmyvow!

Ilovemymother,IrevereMysire,butfearnotme--BelievethatDeathalonecantear

Thisfaithfulheartfromthee.

IFTHISBEALL.

OGod!ifthisindeedbeallThatLifecanshowtome;Ifonmyachingbrowmayfall

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NofresheningdewfromThee;

IfwithnobrighterlightthanthisThelampofhopemayglow,AndImayonlydreamofbliss,Andwaketowearywoe;

Iffriendship'ssolacemustdecay,Whenotherjoysaregone,Andlovemustkeepsofaraway,WhileIgowanderingon,--

Wanderingandtoilingwithoutgain,Theslaveofothers'will,Withconstantcare,andfrequentpain,Despised,forgottenstill;

Grievingtolookonviceandsin,YetpowerlesstoquellThesilentcurrentfromwithin,Theoutwardtorrent'sswell

WhileallthegoodIwouldimpart,ThefeelingsIwouldshare,

Aredrivenbackwardtomyheart,Andturnedtowormwoodthere;

IfcloudsmustEVERkeepfromsightThegloriesoftheSun,AndImustsufferWinter'sblight,EreSummerisbegun;

IfLifemustbesofullofcare,Thencallmesoontothee;OrgivemestrengthenoughtobearMyloadofmisery.

MEMORY.

BrightlythesunofsummershoneGreenfieldsandwavingwoodsupon,Andsoftwindswanderedby;Above,askyofpurestblue,Around,brightflowersofloveliesthue,Alluredthegazer'seye.

Butwhatwereallthesecharmstome,

WhenonesweetbreathofmemoryCamegentlywaftingby?Iclosedmyeyesagainsttheday,Andcalledmywillingsoulaway,Fromearth,andair,andsky;

ThatImightsimplyfancythereOnelittleflower--aprimrosefair,Justopeningintosight;Asinthedaysofinfancy,

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AnopeningprimroseseemedtomeAsourceofstrangedelight.

SweetMemory!eversmileonme;Nature'schiefbeautiesspringfromthee;Oh,stillthytributebringStillmakethegoldencrocusshineAmongtheflowersthemostdivine,Thegloryofthespring.

Stillinthewallflower'sfragrancedwell;Andhoverroundtheslightbluebell,Mychildhood'sdarlingflower.Smileonthelittledaisystill,Thebuttercup'sbrightgobletfillWithallthyformerpower.

ForeverhangthydreamyspellRoundmountainstarandheatherbell,AnddonotpassawayFromsparklingfrost,orwreathedsnow,Andwhisperwhenthewildwindsblow,Orripplingwatersplay.

Ischildhood,then,soalldivine?OrMemory,istheglorythine,Thathaloesthusthepast?NotALLdivine;itspangsofgrief(Although,perchance,theirstaybebrief)Arebitterwhiletheylast.

Noristhegloryallthineown,ForonourearliestjoysaloneThatholylightiscast.Withsucharay,nospellofthineCanmakeourlaterpleasuresshine,Thoughlongagotheypassed.

TOCOWPER.

Sweetarethystrains,celestialBard;Andoft,inchildhood'syears,I'vereadthemo'erando'eragain,Withfloodsofsilenttears.

ThelanguageofmyinmostheartItracedineveryline;

MYsins,MYsorrows,hopes,andfears,Werethere-andonlymine.

Allformyselfthesighwouldswell,Thetearofanguishstart;IlittleknewwhatwilderwoeHadfilledthePoet'sheart.

Ididnotknowthenightsofgloom,Thedaysofmisery;

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Thelong,longyearsofdarkdespair,Thatcrushedandtorturedthee.

Buttheyaregone;fromearthatlengthThygentlesoulispass'd,AndinthebosomofitsGodHasfounditshomeatlast.

Itmustbeso,ifGodislove,Andanswersferventprayer;Thensurelythoushaltdwellonhigh,AndImaymeettheethere.

IsHethesourceofeverygood,Thespringofpurity?Theninthinehoursofdeepestwoe,ThyGodwasstillwiththee.

Howelse,wheneveryhopewasfled,CouldstthousofondlyclingToholythingsandhelpmen?Andhowsosweetlysing,

OfthingsthatGodalonecouldteach?

Andwhencethatpurity,Thathatredofallsinfulways--Thatgentlecharity?

AreTHESEthesymptomsofaheartOfheavenlygracebereft--ForeverbanishedfromitsGod,ToSatan'sfuryleft?

Yet,shouldthydarkestfearsbetrue,IfHeavenbesosevere,Thatsuchasoulasthineislost,--Oh!howshallIappear?

THEDOUBTER'SPRAYER.

EternalPower,ofearthandair!Unseen,yetseeninallaround,Remote,butdwellingeverywhere,Thoughsilent,heardineverysound;

Ife'erthineearinmercybent,WhenwretchedmortalscriedtoThee,Andif,indeed,ThySonwassent,

Tosavelostsinnerssuchasme:

Thenhearmenow,whilekneelinghere,Ilifttotheemyheartandeye,Andallmysoulascendsinprayer,OH,GIVEME--GIVEMEFAITH!Icry.

Withoutsomeglimmeringinmyheart,Icouldnotraisethisferventprayer;But,oh!astrongerlightimpart,

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AndinThymercyfixitthere.

WhileFaithiswithme,Iamblest;Itturnsmydarkestnighttoday;ButwhileIclaspittomybreast,Ioftenfeelitslideaway.

Then,coldanddark,myspiritsinks,Toseemylightoflifedepart;AndeveryfiendofHell,methinks,Enjoystheanguishofmyheart.

WhatshallIdo,ifallmylove,Myhopes,mytoil,arecastaway,AndiftherebenoGodabove,TohearandblessmewhenIpray?

Ifthisbevaindelusionall,Ifdeathbeaneternalsleep,Andnonecanhearmysecretcall,OrseethesilenttearsIweep!

Oh,helpme,God!ForthoualoneCanstmydistractedsoulrelieve;

Forsakeitnot:itisthineown,Thoughweak,yetlongingtobelieve.

Oh,drivethesecrueldoubtsaway;Andmakemeknow,thatThouartGod!Afaith,thatshinesbynightandday,Willlighteneveryearthlyload.

IfIbelievethatJesusdied,Andwaking,rosetoreignabove;ThensurelySorrow,Sin,andPride,MustyieldtoPeace,andHope,andLove.

AndalltheblessedwordsHesaidWillstrengthandholyjoyimpart:Ashieldofsafetyo'ermyhead,Aspringofcomfortinmyheart.

AWORDTOTHE"ELECT."

YoumayrejoicetothinkYOURSELVESsecure;Youmaybegratefulforthegiftdivine--Thatgraceunsought,whichmadeyourblackheartspure,

Andfitsyourearth-bornsoulsinHeaventoshine.

But,isitsweettolookaround,andviewThousandsexcludedfromthathappinessWhichtheydeserved,atleast,asmuchasyou.--Theirfaultsnotgreater,northeirvirtuesless?

AndwhereforeshouldyouloveyourGodthemore,Becausetoyoualonehissmilesaregiven;BecauseHechosetopasstheMANYo'er,

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AndonlybringthefavouredFEWtoHeaven?

And,whereforeshouldyourheartsmoregratefulprove,BecauseforALLtheSaviourdidnotdie?IsyourstheGodofjusticeandoflove?Andareyourbosomswarmwithcharity?

Say,doesyourheartexpandtoallmankind?And,wouldyouevertoyourneighbourdo--Theweak,thestrong,theenlightened,andtheblind--Asyouwouldhaveyourneighbourdotoyou?

Andwhenyou,lookingonyourfellow-men,Beholdthemdoomedtoendlessmisery,Howcanyoutalkofjoyandrapturethen?--MayGodwithholdsuchcrueljoyfromme!

ThatnonedeserveeternalblissIknow;Unmeritedthegraceinmercygiven:But,noneshallsinktoeverlastingwoe,ThathavenotwelldeservedthewrathofHeaven.

And,oh!thereliveswithinmyheartAhope,longnursedbyme;

(Andshoulditscheeringraydepart,Howdarkmysoulwouldbe!)

ThatasinAdamallhavedied,InChristshallallmenlive;Andeverroundhisthroneabide,Eternalpraisetogive.

ThateventhewickedshallatlastBefittedfortheskies;Andwhentheirdreadfuldoomispast,Tolifeandlightarise.

Iasknot,howremotetheday,Norwhatthesinners'woe,Beforetheirdrossispurgedaway;Enoughformetoknow--

Thatwhentheclipofwrathisdrained,Themetalpurified,They'llclingtowhattheyoncedisdained,AndlivebyHimthatdied.

PASTDAYS.

'TisstrangetothinkthereWASatimeWhenmirthwasnotanemptyname,Whenlaughterreallycheeredtheheart,Andfrequentsmilesunbiddencame,AndtearsofgriefwouldonlyflowInsympathyforothers'woe;

Whenspeechexpressedtheinwardthought,

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Andhearttokindredheartwasbare,AndsummerdayswerefartooshortForallthepleasurescrowdedthere;Andsilence,solitude,andrest,Nowwelcometothewearybreast--

Wereallunprized,uncourtedthen--Andallthejoyonespiritshowed,Theotherdeeplyfeltagain;Andfriendshiplikeariverflowed,Constantandstrongitssilentcourse,Fornoughtwithstooditsgentleforce:

Whennight,theholytimeofpeace,Wasdreadedasthepartinghour;Whenspeechandmirthatoncemustcease,Andsilencemustresumeherpower;Thougheverfreefrompainsandwoes,Sheonlybroughtuscalmrepose.

AndwhentheblesseddawnagainBroughtdaylighttotheblushingskies,Wewoke,andnotRELUCTANTthen,TojoylessLABOURdidwerise;

Butfullofhope,andgladandgay,Wewelcomedthereturningday.

THECONSOLATION.

Thoughbleakthesewoods,anddampthegroundWithfallenleavessothicklystrown,AndcoldthewindthatwandersroundWithwildandmelancholymoan;

ThereISafriendlyroof,Iknow,Mightshieldmefromthewintryblast;Thereisafire,whoseruddyglowWillcheermeformywanderingspast.

Andso,thoughstill,where'erIgo,Coldstranger-glancesmeetmyeye;Though,whenmyspiritsinksinwoe,Unheededswellstheunbiddensigh;

Thoughsolitude,enduredtoolong,Bidsyouthfuljoystoosoondecay,Makesmirthastrangertomytongue,

Andovercloudsmynoonofday;

Whenkindlythoughtsthatwouldhaveway,Flowbackdiscouragedtomybreast;Iknowthereis,thoughfaraway,Ahomewhereheartandsoulmayrest.

Warmhandsarethere,that,claspedinmine,Thewarmerheartwillnotbelie;Whilemirth,andtruth,andfriendshipshine

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Insmilinglipandearnesteye.

TheicethatgathersroundmyheartMaytherebethawed;andsweetly,then,Thejoysofyouth,thatnowdepart,Willcometocheermysoulagain.

ThoughfarIroam,thatthoughtshallbeMyhope,mycomfort,everywhere;Whilesuchahomeremainstome,Myheartshallneverknowdespair!

LINESCOMPOSEDINAWOODONAWINDYDAY.

Mysoulisawakened,myspiritissoaringAndcarriedaloftonthewingsofthebreeze;Foraboveandaroundmethewildwindisroaring,Arousingtorapturetheearthandtheseas.

Thelongwitheredgrassinthesunshineisglancing,Thebaretreesaretossingtheirbranchesonhigh;

Thedeadleavesbeneaththemaremerrilydancing,Thewhitecloudsarescuddingacrossthebluesky

IwishIcouldseehowtheoceanislashingThefoamofitsbillowstowhirlwindsofspray;IwishIcouldseehowitsproudwavesaredashing,Andhearthewildroaroftheirthunderto-day!

VIEWSOFLIFE.

Whensinksmyheartinhopelessgloom,Andlifecanshownojoyforme;AndIbeholdayawningtomb,Wherebowersandpalacesshouldbe;

Invainyoutalkofmorbiddreams;Invainyougailysmilingsay,Thatwhattomesodrearyseems,Thehealthyminddeemsbrightandgay.

Itoohavesmiled,andthoughtlikeyou,Butmadlysmiled,andfalselydeemed:TRUTHledmetothepresentview,--

I'mwakingnow--'twasTHENIdreamed.

Ilatelysawasunsetsky,AndstoodenrapturedtobeholdItsvariedhuesofgloriousdye:First,fleecycloudsofshininggold;

Theseblushingtookarosyhue;Beneaththemshoneafloodofgreen;Norlessdivine,thegloriousblue

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Thatsmiledabovethemandbetween.

Icannotnameeachlovelyshade;Icannotsayhowbrighttheyshone;Butonebyone,Isawthemfade;Andwhatremainedwhentheyweregone?

Dullcloudsremained,ofsombrehue,Andwhentheirborrowedcharmwaso'er,Theazureskyhadfadedtoo,Thatsmiledsosoftlybrightbefore.

So,gildedbytheglowofyouth,Ourvariedlifelooksfairandgay;Andsoremainsthenakedtruth,Whenthatfalselightispastaway.

Whyblameye,then,mykeenersight,ThatclearlyseesaworldofwoesThroughallthehazeofgoldenlightThatflatteringFalsehoodrounditthrows?

WhentheyoungmothersmilesaboveThefirst-borndarlingofherheart,

Herbosomglowswithearnestlove,Whiletearsofsilenttransportstart.

Fonddreamer!littledoessheknowTheanxioustoil,thesuffering,Theblastedhopes,theburningwoe,Theobjectofherjoywillbring.

HerblindedeyesbeholdnotnowWhat,soonorlate,mustbehisdoom;Theanguishthatwillcloudhisbrow,Thebedofdeath,thedrearytomb.

Aslittleknowtheyouthfulpair,Inmutuallovesupremelyblest,Whatweariness,andcolddespair,Erelong,willseizetheachingbreast.

AndevenshouldLoveandFaithremain,(Thegreatestblessingslifecanshow,)Amidadversityandpain,Toshinethroughoutwithcheeringglow;

TheydonotseehowcruelDeathComeson,theirlovingheartstopart:Onefeelsnotnowthegaspingbreath,

Therendingoftheearth-boundheart,--

Thesoul'sandbody'sagony,Ereshemaysinktoherrepose.ThesadsurvivorcannotseeThegraveabovehisdarlingclose;

Norhow,despairingandalone,Hethenmustwearhislifeaway;Andlinger,feeblytoilingon,

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Andfainting,sinkintodecay.

****

Oh,Youthmaylistenpatiently,WhilesadExperiencetellshertale,ButDoubtsitssmilinginhiseye,ForardentHopewillstillprevail!

HehearshowfeeblePleasuredies,Byguiltdestroyed,andpainandwoe;HeturnstoHope--andshereplies,"Believeitnot-itisnotso!"

"Oh,heedhernot!"Experiencesays;"Forthusshewhisperedoncetome;Shetoldme,inmyyouthfuldays,Howgloriousmanhood'sprimewouldbe.

"When,inthetimeofearlySpring,Toochillthewindsthato'ermepass'd,Shesaid,eachcomingdaywouldbringafairerheaven,agentlerblast.

"Andwhenthesuntooseldombeamed,Thesky,o'ercast,toodarklyfrowned,Thesoakingraintooconstantstreamed,Andmiststoodrearygatheredround;

"Shetoldme,Summer'sgloriousrayWouldchasethosevapoursallaway,Andscattergloriesround;Withsweetestmusicfillthetrees,Loadwithrichscentthegentlebreeze,Andstrewwithflowerstheground

"Butwhen,beneaththatscorchingray,

Ilanguished,wearythroughtheday,Whilebirdsrefusedtosing,Verduredecayedfromfieldandtree,AndpantingNaturemournedwithmeThefreshnessoftheSpring.

"'Waitbutalittlewhile,'shesaid,'TillSummer'sburningdaysarefled;AndAutumnshallrestore,Withgoldenrichesofherown,AndSummer'sgloriesmelloweddown,Thefreshnessyoudeplore.'

AndlongIwaited,butinvain:Thatfreshnessnevercameagain,ThoughSummerpassedaway,ThoughAutumn'smistshungcoldandchill.Anddroopingnaturelanguishedstill,Andsankintodecay.

"TillwintryblastsforebodingblewThroughleaflesstrees--andthenIknewThatHopewasalladream.

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Butthus,fondyouth,shecheatedme;Andshewillproveasfalsetothee,Thoughsweetherwordsmayseem.

Sternprophet!Ceasethybodingsdire--ThoucanstnotquenchtheardentfireThatwarmsthebreastofyouth.Oh,letitcheerhimwhileitmay,Andgently,gentlydieaway--Chilledbythedampsoftruth!

Tellhim,thatearthisnotourrest;Itsjoysareempty--frailatbest;Andpointbeyondthesky.Butgleamsoflightmayreachushere;AndhopetheROUGHESTpathcancheer:Thendonotbiditfly!

Thoughhopemaypromisejoys,thatstillUnkindlytimewillne'erfulfil;Or,iftheycomeatall,Weneverfindthemunalloyed,--Hurtfulperchance,orsoondestroyed,Theyvanishortheypall;

YethopeITSELFabrightnessthrowsO'erallourlaboursandourwoes;WhiledarkforebodingCareAthousandillswilloftportend,ThatProvidencemayne'erintendThetremblinghearttobear.

Oriftheycome,itoftappears,Ourwoesarelighterthanourfears,Andfarmorebravelyborne.ThenletusnotenhanceourdoomBute'eninmidnight'sblackestgloom

Expecttherisingmorn.

Becausetheroadisroughandlong,Shallwedespisetheskylark'ssong,Thatcheersthewanderer'sway?Ortrampledown,withrecklessfeet,Thesmilingflowerets,brightandsweet,Becausetheysoondecay?

Passpleasantscenesunnoticedby,Becausethenextisbleakanddrear;Ornotenjoyasmilingsky,Becauseatempestmaybenear?

No!whilewejourneyonourway,We'llsmileoneverylovelything;Andever,astheypassaway,Tomemoryandhopewe'llcling.

AndthoughthatawfulriverflowsBeforeus,whenthejourney'spast,Perchanceofallthepilgrim'swoesMostdreadful--shrinknot--'tisthelast!

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Thoughicycold,anddark,anddeep;Beyonditsmilesthatblessedshore,Wherenoneshallsuffer,noneshallweep,Andblissshallreignforevermore!

APPEAL.

Oh,Iamveryweary,Thoughtearsnolongerflow;Myeyesaretiredofweeping,Myheartissickofwoe;

MylifeisverylonelyMydayspassheavily,I'mwearyofrepining;Wiltthounotcometome?

Oh,didstthouknowmylongingsForthee,fromdaytoday,Myhopes,sooftenblighted,

Thouwouldstnotthusdelay!

THESTUDENT'SSERENADE.

Ihavesleptuponmycouch,Butmyspiritdidnotrest,ForthelaboursofthedayYetmywearysoulopprest;

Andbeforemydreamingeyes

Stillthelearnedvolumeslay,AndIcouldnotclosetheirleaves,AndIcouldnotturnaway.

ButIopedmyeyesatlast,AndIheardamuffledsound;'Twasthenight-breeze,cometosayThatthesnowwasontheground.

ThenIknewthattherewasrestOnthemountain'sbosomfree;SoIleftmyfeveredcouch,AndIflewtowakenthee!

Ihaveflowntowakenthee--For,ifthouwiltnotarise,ThenmysoulcandrinknopeaceFromtheseholymoonlightskies.

AndthiswasteofvirginsnowTomysightwillnotbefair,Unlessthouwiltsmilingcome,Love,towanderwithmethere.

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Then,awake!Maria,wake!For,ifthoucouldstonlyknowHowthequietmoonlightsleepsOnthiswildernessofsnow,

Andthegrovesofancienttrees,Intheirsnowygarbarrayed,TilltheystretchintothegloomOfthedistantvalley'sshade;

IknowthouwouldstrejoiceToinhalethisbracingair;ThouwouldstbreakthysweetestsleepTobeholdascenesofair.

O'erthesewintrywilds,ALONE,Thouwouldstjoytowanderfree;Anditwillnotpleasetheeless,Thoughthatblissbesharedwithme.

THECAPTIVEDOVE.

Poorrestlessdove,Ipitythee;AndwhenIhearthyplaintivemoan,Imournforthycaptivity,Andinthywoesforgetmineown.

Toseetheestandpreparedtofly,Andflapthoseuselesswingsofthine,Andgazeintothedistantsky,Wouldmeltaharderheartthanmine.

Invain--invain!Thoucanstnotrise:

Thyprisonroofconfinestheethere;Itsslenderwiresdeludethineeyes,Andquenchthylongingswithdespair.

Oh,thouwertmadetowanderfreeInsunnymeadandshadygrove,Andfarbeyondtherollingsea,Indistantclimes,atwilltorove!

Yet,hadstthoubutonegentlemateThylittledroopinghearttocheer,Andsharewiththeethycaptivestate,Thoucouldstbehappyeventhere.

Yes,eventhere,if,listeningby,Onefaithfuldearcompanionstood,Whilegazingonherfullbrighteye,Thoumightstforgetthynativewood

Butthou,poorsolitarydove,Mustmake,unheard,thyjoylessmoan;TheheartthatNatureformedtoloveMustpine,neglected,andalone.

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SELF-CONGRATULATION.

Ellen,youwerethoughtlessonceOfbeautyorofgrace,Simpleandhomelyinattire,Carelessofformandface;Thenwhencethischange?andwhereforenowSooftensmootheyourhair?AndwhereforedeckyouryouthfulformWithsuchunweariedcare?

Tellus,andceasetotireourearsWiththatfamiliarstrain;WhywillyouplaythosesimpletunesSoofteno'eragain?"Indeed,dearfriends,IcanbutsayThatchildhood'sthoughtsaregone;Eachyearitsownnewfeelingsbrings,Andyearsmoveswiftlyon:

"Andfortheselittlesimpleairs--Ilovetoplaythemo'erSomuch--Idarenotpromise,now,Toplaythemnevermore."Ianswered--anditwasenough;Theyturnedthemtodepart;Theycouldnotreadmysecretthoughts,Norseemythrobbingheart.

I'venoticedmanyayouthfulform,UponwhosechangefulfaceTheinmostworkingsofthesoulThegazerwellmighttrace;

Thespeakingeye,thechanginglip,Thereadyblushingcheek,Thesmiling,orbecloudedbrow,Theirdifferentfeelingsspeak.

But,thankGod!youmightgazeonmineForhours,andneverknowThesecretchangesofmysoulFromjoytokeenestwoe.Lastnight,aswesatroundthefireConversingmerrily,Weheard,without,approachingstepsOfonewellknowntome!

Therewasnotremblinginmyvoice,Noblushuponmycheek,Nolustroussparkleinmyeyes,Ofhope,orjoy,tospeak;But,oh!myspiritburnedwithin,Myheartbeatfullandfast!Hecamenotnigh--hewentaway--Andthenmyjoywaspast.

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Andyetmycomradesmarkeditnot:Myvoicewasstillthesame;Theysawmesmile,ando'ermyfaceNosignsofsadnesscame.Theylittleknewmyhiddenthoughts;AndtheywillNEVERknowTheachinganguishofmyheart,Thebitterburningwoe!

FLUCTUATIONS,

WhatthoughtheSunhadleftmysky;TosavemefromdespairTheblessedMoonaroseonhigh,Andshoneserenelythere.

Iwatchedher,withatearfulgaze,Riseslowlyo'erthehill,Whilethroughthedimhorizon'shazeHerlightgleamedfaintandchill.

IthoughtsuchwanandlifelessbeamsCouldne'ermyheartrepayForthebrightsun'smosttransientgleamsThatcheeredmethroughtheday:

But,asabovethatmist'scontrolSherose,andbrightershone,Ifeltherlightuponmysoul;Butnow--thatlightisgone!

Thickvapourssnatchedherfrommysight,AndIwasdarklingleft,Allinthecoldandgloomynight,

Oflightandhopebereft:

Until,methought,alittlestarShoneforthwithtremblingray,Tocheermewithitslightafar--Butthat,too,passedaway.

Anon,anearthlymeteorblazedThegloomydarknessthrough;Ismiled,yettrembledwhileIgazed--Butthatsoonvanishedtoo!

Anddarker,drearierfellthenight

Uponmyspiritthen;--Butwhatisthatfaintstrugglinglight?IsittheMoonagain?

KindHeaven!increasethatsilverygleamAndbidthesecloudsdepart,AndlethersoftcelestialbeamRestoremyfaintingheart!

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SELECTIONSFROMTHELITERARYREMAINSOFELLISANDACTONBELL.

BYCURRERBELL.

*

SELECTIONSFROMPOEMSBYELLISBELL.

Itwouldnothavebeendifficulttocompileavolumeoutofthepapersleftbymysisters,hadI,inmakingtheselection,dismissedfrommyconsiderationthescruplesandthewishesofthosewhosewrittenthoughtsthesepapersheld.Butthiswasimpossible:aninfluence,strongerthancouldbeexercisedbyanymotiveofexpediency,necessarilyregulatedtheselection.Ihave,then,culledfromthemassonlyalittlepoemhereandthere.Thewholemakesbutatinynosegay,andthecolourandperfumeoftheflowersarenotsuchasfitthemforfestaluses.

Ithasbeenalreadysaidthatmysisterswrotemuchinchildhoodandgirlhood.Usually,itseemsasortofinjusticetoexposeinprintthecrudethoughtsoftheunripemind,therudeeffortsof

theunpractisedhand;yetIventuretogivethreelittlepoemsofmysisterEmily's,writteninhersixteenthyear,becausetheyillustrateapointinhercharacter.

Atthatperiodshewassenttoschool.Herpreviouslife,withtheexceptionofasinglehalf-year,hadbeenpassedintheabsoluteretirementofavillageparsonage,amongstthehillsborderingYorkshireandLancashire.Thesceneryofthesehillsisnotgrand--itisnotromanticitisscarcelystriking.Longlowmoors,darkwithheath,shutinlittlevalleys,whereastreamwaters,hereandthere,afringeofstuntedcopse.Millsandscatteredcottageschaseromancefromthesevalleys;itisonlyhigherup,deepinamongsttheridgesofthemoors,that

Imaginationcanfindrestforthesoleofherfoot:andevenifshefindsitthere,shemustbeasolitude-lovingraven--nogentledove.Ifshedemandbeautytoinspireher,shemustbringitinborn:thesemoorsaretoosterntoyieldanyproductsodelicate.TheeyeofthegazermustITSELFbrimwitha"purplelight,"intenseenoughtoperpetuatethebriefflower-flushofAugustontheheather,ortheraresunset-smileofJune;outofhisheartmustwellthefreshness,thatinlatterspringandearlysummerbrightensthebracken,nurturesthemoss,andcherishesthestarryflowersthatspangleforafewweeksthepastureofthemoor-sheep.Unlessthatlightandfreshnessareinnateandself-sustained,thedrearprospectofaYorkshiremoorwillbefoundasbarrenofpoeticasofagriculturalinterest:

wheretheloveofwildnatureisstrong,thelocalitywillperhapsbeclungtowiththemorepassionateconstancy,becausefromthehill-lover'sselfcomeshalfitscharm.

MysisterEmilylovedthemoors.Flowersbrighterthantherosebloomedintheblackestoftheheathforher;outofasullenhollowinalividhill-sidehermindcouldmakeanEden.Shefoundinthebleaksolitudemanyanddeardelights;andnottheleastandbestlovedwas--liberty.

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LibertywasthebreathofEmily'snostrils;withoutit,sheperished.Thechangefromherownhometoaschool,andfromherownverynoiseless,verysecluded,butunrestrictedandinartificialmodeoflife,tooneofdisciplinedroutine(thoughunderthekindliestauspices),waswhatshefailedinenduring.Hernatureprovedheretoostrongforherfortitude.Everymorningwhenshewoke,thevisionofhomeandthemoorsrushedonher,anddarkenedandsaddenedthedaythatlaybeforeher.Nobodyknewwhatailedherbutme--Iknewonlytoowell.Inthisstruggleherhealthwasquicklybroken:herwhiteface,attenuatedform,andfailingstrength,threatenedrapiddecline.Ifeltinmyheartshewoulddie,ifshedidnotgohome,andwiththisconvictionobtainedherrecall.Shehadonlybeenthreemonthsatschool;anditwassomeyearsbeforetheexperimentofsendingherfromhomewasagainventuredon.Aftertheageoftwenty,havingmeantimestudiedalonewithdiligenceandperseverance,shewentwithmetoanestablishmentontheContinent:thesamesufferingandconflictensued,heightenedbythestrongrecoilofherupright,hereticandEnglishspiritfromthegentleJesuitryoftheforeignandRomishsystem.Oncemoresheseemedsinking,butthistimesheralliedthroughthemereforceofresolution:withinwardremorseandshameshelookedbackonherformerfailure,andresolvedtoconquerinthissecondordeal.Shedidconquer:butthevictorycostherdear.

Shewasneverhappytillshecarriedherhard-wonknowledgebacktotheremoteEnglishvillage,theoldparsonage-house,anddesolateYorkshirehills.Averyfewyearsmore,andshelookedherlastonthosehills,andbreathedherlastinthathouse,andundertheaisleofthatobscurevillagechurchfoundherlastlowlyresting-place.Mercifulwasthedecreethatsparedherwhenshewasastrangerinastrangeland,andguardedherdyingbedwithkindredloveandcongenialconstancy.

Thefollowingpieceswerecomposedattwilight,intheschool-room,whentheleisureoftheeveningplay-hourbroughtbackinfulltidethethoughtsofhome.

I.

ALITTLEwhile,alittlewhile,Thewearytaskisputaway,AndIcansingandIcansmile,Alike,whileIhaveholiday.

Wherewiltthougo,myharassedheart--Whatthought,whatsceneinvitestheenowWhatspot,ornearorfarapart,Hasrestforthee,mywearybrow?

Thereisaspot,'midbarrenhills,Wherewinterhowls,anddrivingrain;But,ifthedrearytempestchills,Thereisalightthatwarmsagain.

Thehouseisold,thetreesarebare,Moonlessabovebendstwilight'sdome;Butwhatonearthishalfsodear--Solongedfor--asthehearthofhome?

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Themutebirdsittingonthestone,Thedankmossdrippingfromthewall,Thethorn-treesgaunt,thewalkso'ergrown,Ilovethem--howIlovethemall!

Still,asImused,thenakedroom,Thealienfirelightdiedaway;Andfromthemidstofcheerlessgloom,Ipassedtobright,uncloudedday.

AlittleandalonegreenlaneThatopenedonacommonwide;Adistant,dreamy,dimbluechainOfmountainscirclingeveryside.

Aheavensoclear,anearthsocalm,Sosweet,sosoft,sohushedanair;And,deepeningstillthedream-likecharm,Wildmoor-sheepfeedingeverywhere.

THATwasthescene,Iknewitwell;Iknewtheturfypathway'ssweep,That,windingo'ereachbillowyswell,Markedoutthetracksofwanderingsheep.

CouldIhavelingeredbutanhour,Itwellhadpaidaweekoftoil;ButTruthhasbanishedFancy'spower:Restraintandheavytaskrecoil.

EvenasIstoodwithrapturedeye,Absorbedinblisssodeepanddear,Myhourofresthadfleetedby,Andbackcamelabour,bondage,care.

II.THEBLUEBELL.

TheBluebellisthesweetestflowerThatwavesinsummerair:ItsblossomshavethemightiestpowerTosoothemyspirit'scare.

ThereisaspellinpurpleheathToowildly,sadlydear;Theviolethasafragrantbreath,Butfragrancewillnotcheer,

Thetreesarebare,thesuniscold,Andseldom,seldomseen;Theheavenshavelosttheirzoneofgold,Andearthherrobeofgreen.

AndiceupontheglancingstreamHascastitssombreshade;AnddistanthillsandvalleysseemInfrozenmistarrayed.

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TheBluebellcannotcharmmenow,Theheathhaslostitsbloom;Thevioletsintheglenbelow,Theyyieldnosweetperfume.

But,thoughImournthesweetBluebell,'Tisbetterfaraway;IknowhowfastmytearswouldswellToseeitsmileto-day.

For,oh!whenchillthesunbeamsfallAdownthatdrearysky,AndgildyondankanddarkenedwallWithtransientbrilliancy;

HowdoIweep,howdoIpineForthetimeofflowerstocome,Andturnmefromthatfadingshine,Tomournthefieldsofhome!

III.

LoudwithoutthewindwasroaringThroughth'autumnalsky;Drenchingwet,thecoldrainpouring,Spokeofwinternigh.Alltoolikethatdrearyeve,Didmyexiledspiritgrieve.Grievedatfirst,butgrievednotlong,Sweet--howsoftlysweet!--itcame;Wildwordsofanancientsong,Undefined,withoutaname.

"Itwasspring,andtheskylarkwassinging:"

Thosewordstheyawakenedaspell;Theyunlockedadeepfountain,whosespringing,Norabsence,nordistancecanquell.

InthegloomofacloudyNovemberTheyutteredthemusicofMay;TheykindledtheperishingemberIntofervourthatcouldnotdecay.

Awaken,o'erallmydearmoorland,West-wind,inthygloryandpride!Oh!callmefromvalleyandlowland,Towalkbythehill-torrent'sside!

Itisswelledwiththefirstsnowyweather;Therockstheyareicyandhoar,Andsullenlywavesthelongheather,Andthefernleavesaresunnynomore.

TherearenoyellowstarsonthemountainThebluebellshavelongdiedawayFromthebrinkofthemoss-beddedfountain--Fromthesideofthewintrybrae.

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Butlovelierthancorn-fieldsallwavingInemerald,andvermeil,andgold,Aretheheightswherethenorth-windisraving,AndthecragswhereIwanderedofold.

Itwasmorning:thebrightsunwasbeaming;HowsweetlyitbroughtbacktomeThetimewhennorlabournordreamingBrokethesleepofthehappyandfree!

Butblithelyweroseasthedawn-heavenWasmeltingtoamberandblue,Andswiftwerethewingstoourfeetgiven,Aswetraversedthemeadowsofdew.

Forthemoors!Forthemoors,wheretheshortgrassLikevelvetbeneathusshouldlie!Forthemoors!Forthemoors,whereeachhighpassRosesunnyagainsttheclearsky!

Forthemoors,wherethelinnetwastrillingItssongontheoldgranitestone;Wherethelark,thewildsky-lark,wasfilling

Everybreastwithdelightlikeitsown!

WhatlanguagecanutterthefeelingWhichrose,wheninexileafar,Onthebrowofalonelyhillkneeling,Isawthebrownheathgrowingthere?

Itwasscatteredandstunted,andtoldmeThatsooneventhatwouldbegone:Itwhispered,"Thegrimwallsenfoldme,Ihavebloomedinmylastsummer'ssun."

Butnotthelovedmusic,whosewaking

MakesthesouloftheSwissdieaway,HasaspellmoreadoredandheartbreakingThan,forme,inthatblightedheathlay.

Thespiritwhichbent'neathitspower,Howitlonged--howitburnedtobefree!IfIcouldhaveweptinthathour,Thosetearshadbeenheaventome.

Well--well;thesadminutesaremoving,Thoughloadedwithtroubleandpain;AndsometimethelovedandthelovingShallmeetonthemountainsagain!

Thefollowinglittlepiecehasnotitle;butinittheGeniusofasolitaryregionseemstoaddresshiswanderingandwaywardvotary,andtorecallwithinhisinfluencetheproudmindwhichrebelledattimesevenagainstwhatitmostloved.

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Shallearthnomoreinspirethee,Thoulonelydreamernow?Sincepassionmaynotfirethee,Shallnatureceasetobow?

Thymindisevermoving,Inregionsdarktothee;Recallitsuselessroving,Comeback,anddwellwithme.

IknowmymountainbreezesEnchantandsoothetheestill,Iknowmysunshinepleases,Despitethywaywardwill.

Whendaywitheveningblending,Sinksfromthesummersky,I'veseenthyspiritbendingInfondidolatry.

I'vewatchedtheeeveryhour;Iknowmymightysway:IknowmymagicpowerTodrivethygriefsaway.

Fewheartstomortalsgiven,Onearthsowildlypine;YetfewwouldaskaheavenMorelikethisearththanthine.

ThenletmywindscaresstheeThycomradeletmebe:Sincenoughtbesidecanblessthee,Return--anddwellwithme.

Hereagainisthesamemindinconversewithalikeabstraction."TheNight-Wind,"breathingthroughanopenwindow,hasvisitedanearwhichdiscernedlanguageinitswhispers.

THENIGHT-WIND.

Insummer'smellowmidnight,AcloudlessmoonshonethroughOuropenparlourwindow,Androse-treeswetwithdew.

Isatinsilentmusing;Thesoftwindwavedmyhair;Ittoldmeheavenwasglorious,Andsleepingearthwasfair.

IneedednotitsbreathingTobringsuchthoughtstome;Butstillitwhisperedlowly,Howdarkthewoodswillbe!

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"ThethickleavesinmymurmurArerustlinglikeadream,AndalltheirmyriadvoicesInstinctwithspiritseem."

Isaid,"Go,gentlesinger,Thywooingvoiceiskind:ButdonotthinkitsmusicHaspowertoreachmymind.

"Playwiththescentedflower,Theyoungtree'ssupplebough,AndleavemyhumanfeelingsIntheirowncoursetoflow."

Thewandererwouldnotheedme;Itskissgrewwarmerstill."Ocome!"itsighedsosweetly;"I'llwinthee'gainstthywill.

"Werewenotfriendsfromchildhood?HaveInotlovedtheelong?Aslongasthou,thesolemnnight,Whosesilencewakesmysong.

"AndwhenthyheartisrestingBeneaththechurch-aislestone,Ishallhavetimeformourning,AndTHOUforbeingalone."

Inthesestanzasaloudergalehasrousedthesleeperonherpillow:thewakenedsoulstrugglestoblendwiththestormbywhichitisswayed:--

Ay--thereitis!itwakesto-nightDeepfeelingsIthoughtdead;Strongintheblast--quickgatheringlight--Theheart'sflamekindlesred.

"NowIcantellbythinealteredcheek,Andbythineeyes'fullgaze,Andbythewordsthouscarcedostspeak,Howwildlyfancyplays.

"Yes--IcouldswearthatgloriouswindHasswepttheworldaside,

HasdasheditsmemoryfromthymindLikefoam-bellsfromthetide:

"AndthouartnowaspiritpouringThypresenceintoall:Thethunderofthetempest'sroaring,Thewhisperofitsfall:

"Anuniversalinfluence,Fromthineowninfluencefree;

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Aprincipleoflife--intense--Losttomortality.

"Thustruly,whenthatbreastiscold,Thyprisonedsoulshallrise;Thedungeonminglewiththemould--Thecaptivewiththeskies.Nature'sdeepbeing,thineshallhold,Herspiritallthyspiritfold,Herbreathabsorbthysighs.Mortal!thoughsoonlife'staleistold;Whooncelives,neverdies!"

LOVEANDFRIENDSHIP.

Loveislikethewildrose-briar;Friendshipliketheholly-tree.Thehollyisdarkwhentherose-briarblooms,Butwhichwillbloommostconstantly?

Thewildrose-briarissweetinspring,

Itssummerblossomsscenttheair;Yetwaittillwintercomesagain,Andwhowillcallthewild-briarfair?

Then,scornthesillyrose-wreathnow,Anddecktheewiththeholly'ssheen,That,whenDecemberblightsthybrow,Hestillmayleavethygarlandgreen.

THEELDER'SREBUKE.

"Listen!Whenyourhair,likemine,Takesatintofsilvergray;Whenyoureyes,withdimmershine,Watchlife'sbubblesfloataway:

Whenyou,youngman,havebornelikemeThewearyweightofsixty-three,ThenshallpenancesorebepaidForthosehourssowildlysquandered;AndthewordsthatnowfalldeadOnyourear,bedeeplypondered--Ponderedandapprovedatlast:

Buttheirvirtuewillbepast!

"GloriousistheprizeofDuty,Thoughshebe'aseriouspower';TreacherousalltheluresofBeauty,Thornybudandpoisonousflower!

"MirthisbutamadbeguilingOfthegolden-giftedtime;Love--ademon-meteor,wiling

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Heedlessfeettogulfsofcrime.

"Thosewhofollowearthlypleasure,Heavenlyknowledgewillnotlead;Wisdomhidesfromthemhertreasure,Virtuebidsthemevil-speed!

"Vainlymaytheirheartsrepenting.Seekforaidinfutureyears;Wisdom,scorned,knowsnorelenting;Virtueisnotwonbyfears."

Thusspaketheice-bloodedeldergray;Theyoungmanscoffedasheturnedaway,Turnedtothecallofasweetlute'smeasure,Wakedbythelightsometouchofpleasure:Hadhene'ermetagentlerteacher,Woehadbeenwroughtbythatpitilesspreacher.

THEWANDERERFROMTHEFOLD.

Howfew,ofalltheheartsthatloved,Aregrievingfortheenow;Andwhyshouldmineto-nightbemovedWithsuchasenseofwoe?

Toooftenthus,whenleftalone,Wherenonemythoughtscansee,Comesbackaword,apassingtoneFromthystrangehistory.

SometimesIseemtoseetheerise,Agloriouschildagain;Allvirtuesbeamingfromthineeyes

Thateverhonouredmen:

Courageandtruth,agenerousbreastWheresinlesssunshinelay:AbeingwhoseverypresenceblestLikegladsomesummer-day.

O,fairlyspreadthyearlysail,Andfresh,andpure,andfree,WasthefirstimpulseofthegaleWhichurgedlife'swaveforthee!

Whydidthepilot,tooconfiding,

Dreamo'erthatocean'sfoam,AndtrustinPleasure'scarelessguidingTobringhisvesselhome?

Forwellheknewwhatdangersfrowned,Whatmistswouldgather,dim;Whatrocksandshelves,andsandslayroundBetweenhisportandhim.

Theverybrightnessofthesun

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Thesplendourofthemain,ThewindwhichborehimwildlyonShouldnothavewarnedinvain.

Ananxiousgazerfromtheshore--Imarkedthewhiteningwave,AndweptabovethyfatethemoreBecause--Icouldnotsave.

Itrecksnotnow,whenallisover:ButyetmyheartwillbeAmournerstill,thoughfriendandloverHavebothforgottenthee!

WARNINGANDREPLY.

Intheearth--theearth--thoushaltbelaid,Agreystonestandingoverthee;Blackmouldbeneaththeespread,Andblackmouldtocoverthee.

"Well--thereisrestthere,Sofastcomethyprophecy;ThetimewhenmysunnyhairShallwithgrassrootsentwinedbe."

Butcold--coldisthatresting-place,Shutoutfromjoyandliberty,AndallwholovedthylivingfaceWillshrinkfromitshudderingly,

"Notso.HEREtheworldischill,Andswornfriendsfallfromme:ButTHERE--theywillownmestill,

Andprizemymemory."

Farewell,then,allthatlove,Allthatdeepsympathy:Sleepon:Heavenlaughsabove,Earthnevermissesthee.

Turf-sodandtombstonedrearParthumancompany;Oneheartbreaksonly--here,Butthatheartwasworthythee!

LASTWORDS.

Iknewnot'twassodireacrimeTosaytheword,"Adieu;"ButthisshallbetheonlytimeMylipsorheartshallsue.

Thatwildhill-side,thewintermorn,

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Thegnarledandancienttree,Ifinyourbreasttheywakenscorn,Shallwakethesameinme.

Icanforgetblackeyesandbrows,Andlipsoffalsestcharm,IfyouforgetthesacredvowsThosefaithlesslipscouldform.

Ifhardcommandscantameyourlove,Orstrongestwallscanhold,IwouldnotwishtogrieveaboveAthingsofalseandcold.

AndtherearebosomsboundtomineWithlinksbothtriedandstrong:AndthereareeyeswhoselightningshineHaswarmedandblestmelong:

Thoseeyesshallmakemyonlyday,Shallsetmyspiritfree,AndchasethefoolishthoughtsawayThatmournyourmemory.

THELADYTOHERGUITAR.

Forhimwhostruckthyforeignstring,Iweenthishearthasceasedtocare;ThenwhydostthousuchfeelingsbringTomysadspirit--oldGuitar?

ItisasifthewarmsunlightInsomedeepglenshouldlingeringstay,Whencloudsofstorm,orshadesofnight,

Havewrapttheparentorbaway.

ItisasiftheglassybrookShouldimagestillitswillowsfair,Thoughyearsagothewoodman'sstrokeLaidlowindusttheirDryad-hair.

Evenso,Guitar,thymagictoneHathmovedthetearandwakedthesigh:Hathbidtheancienttorrentmoan,Althoughitsverysourceisdry.

THETWOCHILDREN.

Heavyhangstherain-dropFromtheburdenedspray;HeavybroodsthedampmistOnuplandsfaraway.

Heavyloomsthedullsky,

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Heavyrollsthesea;AndheavythrobstheyoungheartBeneaththatlonelytree.

NeverhasabluestreakCleftthecloudssincemorn;NeverhashisgrimfateSmiledsincehewasborn.

Frowningontheinfant,Shadowingchildhood'sjoyGuardian-angelknowsnotThatmelancholyboy.

DayispassingswiftlyItssadandsombreprime;BoyhoodsadismergingInsaddermanhood'stime:

AlltheflowersareprayingForsun,beforetheyclose,Andhepraystoo--unconscious--Thatsunlesshumanrose.

Blossom--thatthewest-windHasneverwooedtoblow,Scentlessarethypetals,Thydewiscoldassnow!

Soul--wherekindredkindness,Noearlypromisewoke,Barrenisthybeauty,Asweeduponarock.

Wither--soulandblossom!Youbothwerevainlygiven;Earthreservesnoblessing

Fortheunblestofheaven!

Childofdelight,withsun-brighthair,Andsea-blue,sea-deepeyes!Spiritofbliss!WhatbringstheehereBeneaththesesullenskies?

Thoushouldstliveineternalspring,Whereendlessdayisneverdim;Why,Seraph,hasthineerringwingWaftedtheedowntoweepwithhim?

"Ah!notfromheavenamIdescended,

NordoIcometomingletears;Butsweetisday,thoughwithshadowsblended;And,thoughclouded,sweetareyouthfulyears.

"I--theimageoflightandgladness--Sawandpitiedthatmournfulboy,AndIvowed--ifneedwere--tosharehissadness,Andgivetohimmysunnyjoy.

"Heavyanddarkthenightisclosing;

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Heavyanddarkmayitsbidingbe:Betterforallfromgriefreposing,Andbetterforallwhowatchlikeme--

"Watchinlovebyafeveredpillow,Coolingthefeverwithpity'sbalmSafeasthepetrelontossingbillow,Safeinmineownsoul'sgoldencalm!

"Guardian-angelhelacksnolonger;Evilfortuneheneednotfear:Fateisstrong,butloveisstronger;AndMYloveistruerthanangel-care."

THEVISIONARY.

Silentisthehouse:allarelaidasleep:Onealonelooksouto'erthesnow-wreathsdeep,Watchingeverycloud,dreadingeverybreezeThatwhirlsthewilderingdrift,andbendsthegroaningtrees.

Cheerfulisthehearth,softthemattedfloor;Notoneshiveringgustcreepsthroughpaneordoor;Thelittlelampburnsstraight,itsraysshootstrongandfar:Itrimitwell,tobethewanderer'sguiding-star.

Frown,myhaughtysire!chide,myangrydame!Setyourslavestospy;threatenmewithshame:Butneithersirenordame,norpryingserfshallknow,Whatangelnightlytracksthatwasteoffrozensnow.

WhatIloveshallcomelikevisitantofair,Safeinsecretpowerfromlurkinghumansnare;Whatlovesme,nowordofmineshalle'erbetray,

Thoughforfaithunstainedmylifemustforfeitpay

Burn,then,littlelamp;glimmerstraightandclear--Hush!arustlingwingstirs,methinks,theair:HeforwhomIwait,thusevercomestome;StrangePower!Itrustthymight;trustthoumyconstancy.

ENCOURAGEMENT.

Idonotweep;Iwouldnotweep;

Ourmotherneedsnotears:Drythineeyes,too;'tisvaintokeepThiscauselessgriefforyears.

Whatthoughherbrowbechangedandcold,Hersweeteyesclosedforever?Whatthoughthestone--thedarksomemouldOurmortalbodiessever?

Whatthoughherhandsmoothne'eragain

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Thosesilkenlocksofthine?Nor,throughlonghoursoffuturepain,Herkindfaceo'ertheeshine?

Rememberstill,sheisnotdead;Sheseesus,sister,now;Laid,whereherangelspiritfled,'Midheathandfrozensnow.

AndfromthatworldofheavenlylightWillshenotalwaysbendToguideusinourlifetime'snight,Andguardustotheend?

Thouknowestshewill;andthoumaystmournThatWEareleftbelow:Butnotthatshecanne'erreturnToshareourearthlywoe.

STANZAS.

Oftenrebuked,yetalwaysbackreturningTothosefirstfeelingsthatwerebornwithme,AndleavingbusychaseofwealthandlearningForidledreamsofthingswhichcannotbe:

To-day,Iwillseeknottheshadowyregion;Itsunsustainingvastnesswaxesdrear;Andvisionsrising,legionafterlegion,Bringtheunrealworldtoostrangelynear.

I'llwalk,butnotinoldheroictraces,Andnotinpathsofhighmorality,Andnotamongthehalf-distinguishedfaces,

Thecloudedformsoflong-pasthistory.

I'llwalkwheremyownnaturewouldbeleading:Itvexesmetochooseanotherguide:Wherethegreyflocksinfernyglensarefeeding;Wherethewildwindblowsonthemountainside.

Whathavethoselonelymountainsworthrevealing?MoregloryandmoregriefthanIcantell:TheearththatwakesonehumanhearttofeelingCancentreboththeworldsofHeavenandHell.

ThefollowingarethelastlinesmysisterEmilyeverwrote:-

Nocowardsoulismine,Notremblerintheworld'sstorm-troubledsphere:IseeHeaven'sgloriesshine,Andfaithshinesequal,armingmefromfear.

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OGodwithinmybreast,Almighty,ever-presentDeity!Life--thatinmehasrest,AsI--undyingLife--havepowerinthee!

VainarethethousandcreedsThatmovemen'shearts:unutterablyvain;Worthlessaswitheredweeds,Oridlestfrothamidtheboundlessmain,

TowakendoubtinoneHoldingsofastbythineinfinity;SosurelyanchoredonThestedfastrockofimmortality.

Withwide-embracingloveThyspiritanimateseternalyears,Pervadesandbroodsabove,Changes,sustains,dissolves,creates,andrears.

Thoughearthandmanweregone,Andsunsanduniversesceasedtobe,AndThouwereleftalone,EveryexistencewouldexistinThee.

ThereisnotroomforDeath,Noratomthathismightcouldrendervoid:Thou--THOUartBeingandBreath,AndwhatTHOUartmayneverbedestroyed.

*

SELECTIONSFROMPOEMSBYACTONBELL.

InlookingovermysisterAnne'spapers,Ifindmournfulevidencethatreligiousfeelinghadbeentoherbuttoomuchlikewhatit

wastoCowper;Imean,ofcourse,inafarmilderform.Withoutrenderingherapreytothosehorrorsthatdefyconcealment,itsubduedhermoodandbearingtoaperpetualpensiveness;thepillarofacloudglidedconstantlybeforehereyes;sheeverwaitedatthefootofasecretSinai,listeninginherhearttothevoiceofatrumpetsoundinglongandwaxinglouder.Some,perhaps,wouldrejoiceoverthesetokensofsincerethoughsorrowingpietyinadeceasedrelative:Iown,tometheyseemsad,asifherwholeinnocentlifehadbeenpassedunderthemartyrdomofanunconfessedphysicalpain:theireffect,indeed,wouldbetoodistressing,wereitnotcombatedbythecertainknowledgethatinherlastmomentsthistyrannyofatootenderconsciencewasovercome;thispompofterrorsbrokeup,and

passingaway,leftherdyinghourunclouded.HerbeliefinGoddidnotthenbringtoherdread,asofasternJudge,--buthope,asinaCreatorandSaviour:andnofalteringhopewasit,butasureandstedfastconviction,onwhich,intherudepassagefromTimetoEternity,shethrewtheweightofherhumanweakness,andbywhichshewasenabledtobearwhatwastobeborne,patiently--serenely--victoriously.

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DESPONDENCY.

Ihavegonebackwardinthework;Thelabourhasnotsped;Drowsyanddarkmyspiritlies,Heavyanddullaslead.

HowcanIrousemysinkingsoulFromsuchalethargy?HowcanIbreaktheseironchainsAndsetmyspiritfree?

TherehavebeentimeswhenIhavemourned!Inanguisho'erthepast,Andraisedmysupplianthandsonhigh,Whiletearsfellthickandfast;

Andprayedtohavemysinsforgiven,Withsuchaferventzeal,Anearnestgrief,astrongdesireAsnowIcannotfeel.

AndIhavefeltsofulloflove,

Sostronginspiritthen,Asifmyheartwouldnevercool,Orwanderbackagain.

Andyet,alas!howmanytimesMyfeethavegoneastray!HowofthaveIforgotmyGod!Howgreatlyfallenaway!

Mysinsincrease--mylovegrowscold,AndHopewithinmedies:EvenFaithitselfiswaveringnow;Oh,howshallIarise?

Icannotweep,butIcanpray,Thenletmenotdespair:LordJesus,saveme,lestIdie!Christ,hearmyhumbleprayer!

APRAYER.

MyGod(oh,letmecallTheemine,Weak,wretchedsinnerthoughIbe),

MytremblingsoulwouldfainbeThine;MyfeeblefaithstillclingstoThee.

NotonlyforthePastIgrieve,TheFuturefillsmewithdismay;UnlessThouhastentorelieve,Thysuppliantisacastaway.

Icannotsaymyfaithisstrong,Idarenothopemyloveisgreat;

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ButstrengthandlovetoTheebelong;Oh,donotleavemedesolate!

IknowIowemyalltoThee;Oh,TAKEtheheartIcannotgive!DoThoumystrength--mySaviourbe,AndMAKEmetoThyglorylive.

INMEMORYOFAHAPPYDAYINFEBRUARY.

BlessedbeThouforallthejoyMysoulhasfeltto-day!Oh,letitsmemorystaywithme,Andneverpassaway!

Iwasalone,forthoseIlovedWerefarawayfromme;Thesunshoneonthewitheredgrass,Thewindblewfreshandfree.

Wasitthesmileofearlyspring

Thatmademybosomglow?'Twassweet;butneithersunnorwindCouldcheermyspiritso.

WasitsomefeelingofdelightAllvagueandundefined?No;'twasarapturedeepandstrong,Expandinginthemind.

Wasitasanguineviewoflife,Andallitstransientbliss,Ahopeofbrightprosperity?Oh,no!itwasnotthis.

ItwasaglimpseoftruthdivineUntomyspiritgiven,IlluminedbyarayoflightThatshonedirectfromheaven.

IfelttherewasaGodonhigh,Bywhomallthingsweremade;IsawHiswisdomandHispowerInallhisworksdisplayed.

Butmostthroughoutthemoralworld,Isawhisgloryshine;

IsawHiswisdominfinite,Hismercyalldivine.

DeepsecretsofHisprovidence,Indarknesslongconcealed,UntothevisionofmysoulWeregraciouslyrevealed.

ButwhileIwonderedandadoredHisMajestydivine,

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IdidnottrembleatHispower:IfeltthatGodwasmine;

IknewthatmyRedeemerlived;Ididnotfeartodie;FullsurethatIshouldriseagainToimmortality.

Ilongedtoviewthatblissdivine,Whicheyehathneverseen;LikeMoses,IwouldseeHisfaceWithouttheveilbetween.

CONFIDENCE.

Oppressedwithsinandwoe,AburdenedheartIbear,Opposedbymanyamightyfoe;ButIwillnotdespair.

Withthispollutedheart,

IdaretocometoThee,HolyandmightyasThouart,ForThouwiltpardonme.

IfeelthatIamweak,Andpronetoeverysin;ButThouwhogiv'sttothosewhoseek,Wiltgivemestrengthwithin.

FarasthisearthmaybeFromyonderstarryskies;RemoterstillamIfromThee:YetThouwiltnotdespise.

Ineednotfearmyfoes,Ideednotyieldtocare;Ineednotsinkbeneathmywoes,ForThouwiltanswerprayer.

InmyRedeemer'sname,IgivemyselftoThee;And,allunworthyasIam,MyGodwillcherishme.

MysisterAnnehadtotastethecupoflifeasitismixedfortheclasstermed"Governesses."

Thefollowingaresomeofthethoughtsthatnowandthensolaceagoverness:--

LINESWRITTENFROMHOME.

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Thoughbleakthesewoods,anddamptheground,Withfallenleavessothicklystrewn,AndcoldthewindthatwandersroundWithwildandmelancholymoan;

ThereisafriendlyroofIknow,Mightshieldmefromthewintryblast;ThereisafirewhoseruddyglowWillcheermeformywanderingspast.

Andso,thoughstillwhere'erIgoColdstrangerglancesmeetmyeye;Though,whenmyspiritsinksinwoe,Unheededswellstheunbiddensigh;

Thoughsolitude,enduredtoolong,Bidsyouthfuljoystoosoondecay,Makesmirthastrangertomytongue,Andovercloudsmynoonofday;

WhenkindlythoughtsthatwouldhavewayFlowback,discouraged,tomybreast,Iknowthereis,thoughfaraway,Ahomewhereheartandsoulmayrest.

Warmhandsarethere,that,claspedinmine,Thewarmerheartwillnotbelie;Whilemirthandtruth,andfriendshipshineInsmilinglipandearnesteye.

TheicethatgathersroundmyheartMaytherebethawed;andsweetly,then,Thejoysofyouth,thatnowdepart,Willcometocheermysoulagain.

ThoughfarIroam,thatthoughtshallbeMyhope,mycomforteverywhere;

Whilesuchahomeremainstome,Myheartshallneverknowdespair.

THENARROWWAY.

BelievenotthosewhosayTheupwardpathissmooth,Lestthoushouldststumbleintheway,Andfaintbeforethetruth.

ItistheonlyroadUntotherealmsofjoy;ButhewhoseeksthatblestabodeMustallhispowersemploy.

BrighthopesandpuredelightUponhiscoursemaybeam,Andthere,amidthesternestheights,Thesweetestfloweretsgleam.

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Onallherbreezesborne,Earthyieldsnoscentslikethose;ButhethatdaresnotgaspthethornShouldnevercravetherose.

Arm--armtheeforthefight!Castuselessloadsaway;Watchthroughthedarkesthoursofnight;Toilthroughthehottestday.

Crushprideintothedust,Orthoumustneedsbeslack;Andtrampledownrebelliouslust,Oritwillholdtheeback.

Seeknotthyhonourhere;Waivepleasureandrenown;Theworld'sdreadscoffundauntedbear,Andfaceitsdeadliestfrown.

Tolabourandtolove,Topardonandendure,ToliftthyhearttoGodabove,Andkeepthyconsciencepure;

Bethisthyconstantaim,Thyhope,thychiefdelight;WhatmatterwhoshouldwhisperblameOrwhoshouldscornorslight?

Whatmatter,ifthyGodapprove,Andif,withinthybreast,ThoufeelthecomfortofHislove,TheearnestofHisrest?

DOMESTICPEACE.

Whyshouldsuchgloomysilencereign,Andwhyisallthehousesodrear,Whenneitherdanger,sickness,pain,Nordeath,norwant,haveenteredhere?

WeareasmanyaswewereThatothernight,whenallweregayAndfullofhope,andfreefromcare;Yetistheresomethinggoneaway.

Themoonwithout,aspureandcalm,Isshiningasthatnightsheshone;Butnow,tous,shebringsnobalm,Forsomethingfromourheartsisgone.

Somethingwhoseabsenceleavesavoid--Acheerlesswantineveryheart;Eachfeelstheblissofalldestroyed,Andmournsthechange--buteachapart.

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ThefireisburninginthegrateAsredlyasitusedtoburn;Butstillthehearthisdesolate,Tillmirth,andlove,andPEACEreturn.

'TwasPEACEthatflowedfromhearttoheart,Withlooksandsmilesthatspokeofheaven,AndgaveuslanguagetoimpartTheblissfulthoughtsitselfhadgiven.

Domesticpeace!bestjoyofearth,Whenshallweallthyvaluelearn?Whiteangel,tooursorrowinghearth,Return--oh,graciouslyreturn!

THETHREEGUIDES.[FirstpublishedinFRASER'SMAGAZINE.]

SpiritofEarth!thyhandischill:I'vefeltitsicyclasp;And,shuddering,IrememberstillThatstony-heartedgrasp.

Thineeyebidsloveandjoydepart:Oh,turnitsgazefromme!Itpressesdownmyshrinkingheart;Iwillnotwalkwiththee!

"Wisdomismine,"I'veheardtheesay:"BeneathmysearchingeyeAllmistanddarknessmeltaway,Phantomsandfablesfly.Beforemetruthcanstandalone,Thenaked,solidtruth;Andmanmaturedbyworthwillown,IfIamshunnedbyyouth.

"Firmismytread,andsurethoughslow;Myfootstepsneverslide;AndhethatfollowsmeshallknowIamthesurestguide."Thyboastisvain;butwereittrueThatthoucouldstsafelysteerLife'sroughanddeviouspathwaythrough,SuchguidanceIshouldfear.

HowcouldIbeartowalkforaye,Witheyestoearthwardprone,O'ertrampledweedsandmiryclay,

Andsandandflintystone;NeverthegloriousviewtogreetOfhillanddale,andsky;ToseethatNature'scharmsaresweet,OrfeelthatHeavenisnigh?

Ifinmyheartaroseaspring,Agushofthoughtdivine,AtoncestagnationthouwouldstbringWiththatcoldtouchofthine.

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If,glancingup,IsoughttosnatchButoneglimpseofthesky,MybaffledgazewouldonlycatchThyheartless,coldgreyeye.

Iftothebreezeswanderingnear,Ilistenedeagerly,Anddeemedanangel'stonguetohearThatwhisperedhopetome,ThatheavenlymusicwouldbedrownedInthyharsh,droningvoice;Norinwardthought,norsight,norsound,Mightmysadsoulrejoice.

Dullisthineear,unheardbytheeThestill,smallvoiceofHeaven;ThineeyesaredimandcannotseeThehelpsthatGodhasgiven.Thereisabridgeo'ereveryfloodWhichthoucanstnotperceive;Apaththrougheverytangledwood,Butthouwiltnotbelieve.

Strivingtomakethywaybyforce,

Toil-spentandbramble-torn,Thou'ltfellthetreethatchecksthycourse,Andburstthroughbrierandthorn:And,pausingbytheriver'sside,Poorreasoner!thouwiltdeem,Bycastingpebblesinitstide,Tocrosstheswellingstream.

Rightthroughtheflintyrockthou'lttryThytoilsomewaytobore,RegardlessofthepathwaynighThatwouldconducttheeo'erNotonlyartthou,then,unkind,

Andfreezingcoldtome,Butunbelieving,deaf,andblind:Iwillnotwalkwiththee!

SpiritofPride!thywingsarestrong,Thineeyeslikelightningshine;Ecstaticjoystotheebelong,Andpowersalmostdivine.But'tisafalse,destructiveblazeWithinthoseeyesIsee;Turnhencetheirfascinatinggaze;Iwillnotfollowthee.

"Cowardandfool!"thoumaystreply,Walkonthecommonsod;Go,tracewithtimidfootandeyeThestepsbyotherstrod.'Tisbestthebeatenpathtokeep,Theancientfaithtohold;Topasturewiththyfellow-sheep,Andliewithinthefold.

"Clingtotheearth,poorgrovellingworm;

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'TisnotfortheetosoarAgainstthefuryofthestorm,Amidthethunder'sroar!There'sgloryinthatdaringstrifeUnknown,undreamtbythee;There'sspeechlessraptureinthelifeOfthosewhofollowme.

Yes,Ihaveseenthyvotariesoft,Upheldbytheetheirguide,InstrengthandcouragemountaloftThesteepymountain-side;I'veseenthemstandagainstthesky,Andgazingfrombelow,BeheldthylightningintheireyeThytriumphontheirbrow.

Oh,Ihavefeltwhatglorythen,Whattransportmustbetheirs!Sofarabovetheirfellow-men,Abovetheirtoilsandcares;InhalingNature'spurestbreath,Herrichesroundthemspread,Thewideexpanseofearthbeneath,

Heaven'sgloriesoverhead!

ButIhaveseenthemhelpless,dash'dDowntoabloodygrave,Andstillthyruthlesseyehasflash'd,Thystronghanddidnotsave;I'veseensomeo'erthemountain'sbrowSustain'dawhilebythee,O'errocksoficeandhillsofsnowBoundfearless,wild,andfree.

Boldandexultantwastheirmien,Whilethoudidstcheerthemon;

Buteveningfell,--andthen,Iween,Theirfaithlessguidewasgone.Alas!howfaredthyfavouritesthen,--Lone,helpless,weary,cold?DideverwandererfindagainThepathheleftofold?

Whereistheirglory,wheretheprideThatswelledtheirheartsbefore?WherenowthecouragethatdefiedThemightiesttempest'sroar?Whatshalltheydowhennightgrowsblack,Whenangrystormsarise?

WhonowwillleadthemtothetrackThoutaught'stthemtodespise?

SpiritofPride,itneedsnotthisTomakemeshunthywiles,Renouncethytriumphandthybliss,Thyhonoursandthysmiles!Brightasthouart,andbold,andstrong,Thatfierceglancewinsnotme,AndIabhorthyscoffingtongue--

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Iwillnotfollowthee!

SpiritofFaith!bethoumyguide,Oclaspmyhandinthine,Andletmeneverquitthyside;Thycomfortsaredivine!Earthcallstheeblind,misguidedone,--ButwhocanshewliketheeForgottenthingsthathavebeendone,Andthingsthataretobe?

Secretsconceal'dfromNature'sken,Wholiketheecandeclare?OrwholiketheetoerringmenGod'sholywillcanbear?Pridescornstheeforthylowlymien,--ButwholiketheecanriseAbovethistoilsome,sordidscene,Beyondtheholyskies?

Meekisthineeyeandsoftthyvoice,Butwondrousisthymight,Tomakethewretchedsoulrejoice,Togivethesimplelight!

AndstilltoallthatseekthywayThismagicpowerisgiven,--E'enwhiletheirfootstepspresstheclay,Theirsoulsascendtoheaven.

Dangersurroundsthem,--painandwoeTheirportionheremustbe,ButonlytheythattrusttheeknowWhatcomfortdwellswiththee;Strengthtosustaintheirdroopingpow'rs,Andvigourtodefend,--Thoupole-starofmydarkesthoursAffliction'sfirmestfriend!

Daydoesnotalwaysmarkourway,Night'sshadowsoftappal,Butleadme,andIcannotstray,--Holdme,Ishallnotfall;Sustainme,Ishallneverfaint,Howroughsoe'ermaybeMyupwardroad,--normoan,norplaintShallmarmytrustinthee.

Narrowthepathbywhichwego,AndoftitturnsasideFrompleasantmeadswhererosesblow,

Andpeacefulwatersglide;Wherefloweryturfliesgreenandsoft,Andgentlegalesaresweet,Towheredarkmountainsfrownaloft,Hardrocksdistressthefeet,--

Desertsbeyondliebleakandbare,Andkeenwindsroundusblow;Butifthyhandconductsmethere,Thewayisright,Iknow.

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Ihavenowishtoturnaway;Myspiritdoesnotquail,--HowcanitwhileIheartheesay,"Pressforwardandprevail!"

Evenabovethetempest'sswellIhearthyvoiceoflove,--Ofhopeandpeace,Iheartheetell,Andthatblesthomeabove;ThroughpainanddeathIcanrejoice.Ifbutthystrengthbemine,--Earthhathnomusiclikethyvoice,Lifeownsnojoylikethine!

SpiritofFaith,I'llgowiththee!Thou,ifIholdtheefast,Wiltguide,defend,andstrengthenme,Andbearmehomeatlast;BythyhelpallthingsIcando,Inthystrengthallthingsbear,--Teachme,forthouartjustandtrue,Smileonme,thouartfair!

IhavegiventhelastmementoofmysisterEmily;thisisthelastofmysisterAnne:--

Ihoped,thatwiththebraveandstrong,Myportionedtaskmightlie;Totoilamidthebusythrong,Withpurposepureandhigh.

ButGodhasfixedanotherpart,AndHehasfixeditwell;

Isaidsowithmybleedingheart,Whenfirsttheanguishfell.

Thou,God,hasttakenourdelight,Ourtreasuredhopeaway:Thoubid'stusnowweepthroughthenightAndsorrowthroughtheday.

Thesewearyhourswillnotbelost,Thesedaysofmisery,Thesenightsofdarkness,anguish-tost,CanIbutturntoThee.

WithsecretlabourtosustainInhumblepatienceeveryblow;Togatherfortitudefrompain,Andhopeandholinessfromwoe.

ThusletmeserveTheefrommyheart,Whate'ermaybemywrittenfate:Whetherthusearlytodepart,Oryetawhiletowait.

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IfThoushouldstbringmebacktolife,MorehumbledIshouldbe;Morewise--morestrengthenedforthestrife--MoreapttoleanonThee.

Shoulddeathbestandingatthegate,ThusshouldIkeepmyvow:But,Lord!whateverbemyfate,Oh,letmeserveTheenow!

Theselineswritten,thedeskwasclosed,thepenlaidaside--forever.

EndofTheProjectGutenbergEtextofPoems,bytheBronteSisters