Supposed Address To Bishop Ken.[208]

Though his words might well deceive me, Though to earth abased I bend, Christian guide, thou wilt not leave me, Thus on earth without a friend!

I thought his vows were oaths in heaven, Nor dare I here my fault deny; For all my soul to him was given, God knows how true, how tenderly!

Though wronged and desolate and dying, His pride, his coldness, I forgot, And fell upon his bosom, crying, Forsake me not--forsake me not!

I left my father, and my mother, Whom I no more on earth may see, But I have found a father, brother, And more than every friend, in thee!

Although his words might well deceive me, Though wronged, and desolate I lie, Christian guide, thou wilt not leave me, Oh, teach me to repent and die!

* * * * *

ON AN ECLIPSE OF THE MOON AT MIDNIGHT.

Up, up, into the vast extended space, Thou art ascending in thy majesty, Beautiful moon, the queen of the pale sky! But what is that which gathers on thy face, A dark mysterious shade, eclipsing, slow, The splendour of thy calm and steadfast light? It is the shadow of this world of woe, Of this vast moving world; portentous sight! As if we almost stood and saw more near Its very action--almost heard it roll On, in the swiftness of its dread career, As it hath rolled for ages! Hush, my soul! Listen! there is no sound; but we could hear The murmur of its multitudes, who toil Through their brief hour. The heart might well recoil; But this is ever sounding in His ear Who made it, and who said, "Let there be light!" And we, the creatures of a mortal hour, 'Mid hosts of worlds, are ever in his sight, Catching, as now, dim glimpses of his power. The time shall come when all this mighty scene Darkness shall wrap, as it had never been. O Father of all worlds! be thou our guide, And lead us gently on, from youth to age, Through the dark valley of our pilgrimage; Enough if thus, bending to thy high will, We hold our Christian course through good or ill, And to the end with faith and hope abide.

* * * * *

TO LADY VALLETORT,

ON HEARING HER SING "GLORIA IN EXCELSIS," WITH THREE OTHER YOUNG LADIES, AT LACOCK ABBEY, OCTOBER 1831.

Fair inmate of these ivied walls, beneath Whose silent cloisters Ella sleeps in death, Let loftier bards, in rich and glowing lays, Thy gentleness, thy grace, thy virtue praise! Be mine to breathe one prayer; when all rejoice, One parting prayer, still mindful of that voice, And musing on the sacred song which stole, Sweet as the spell of peace, upon the soul; In those same scenes, where once the chapel dim Echoed the cloistered sisters' vesper hymn:-- Live long! live happy! tranquil through the strife And the loud stir of this tumultuous life! Live long, live happy! and when many a day Hath passed in the heart's harmony away; When Eve's pale hand the gates of life shall close, And hush the landscape to its last repose; May sister seraphs meet with welcome song, And gently say, Why have you stayed so long?

* * * * *

ON SEEING A BUST OF R. B. SHERIDAN,