VII.

Ascending from the convent-grates The children mount the woodland vale. 'Tis May-Day Eve; and Hesper waits To light them, while the western gale

Blows softly on their bannered line: And, lo! down all the mountain stairs The shepherd children come to join The convent children at their prayers.

They meet before Our Lady's fane: On yonder central rock it stands, Uplifting, ne'er invoked in vain, That cross which blesses all the lands.

Before the porch the flowers are flung; The lamp hangs glittering 'neath the Rood; The "Maris Stella" hymn is sung; Their chant each morn to be renewed.

Ah! if a secular muse might dare, Far off, the children's song to catch; To echo back, or burthen bear!— As fitly might she hope to match

The linnet's note as theirs, 'tis true: Yet, now and then, that borrowed tone, Like sunbeams flashed on pine or yew, Might shoot a sweetness through her own!