Darkness begins to reign; the louder Wind Appals the weak and awes the firmer mind; But frights not him, whom Evening and the Spray In part conceal-yon Prowler on his way: Lo! he has something seen; he runs apace, As if he fear'd Companion in the chace; He sees his Prize, and now he turns again, Slowly and sorrowing-" Was your search in vain?" Gruffly he answers, "Tis a sorry sight! 'A Seaman's Body: there'll be more to-night!' Hark! to those sounds! they're from Distress at Sea: How quick they come! What terrors may there be ! Yes, 'tis a driven Vessel: I discern Lights, signs of terror, gleaming from the Stern; Their Wives pursue, and Damsels urg'd by dread, Their head the gown has hooded, and their call They feel their kinds of power, and when they meet, See one poor Girl, all terror and alarm, "Thou shalt not venture;" and he answers' No! This for a moment, and then Clouds again Hide every beam, and fear and darkness reign. But hear we now those Sounds? Do Lights appear? I see them not! the Storm alone I hear: And lo! the Sailors homeward take their way; Man must endure-let us submit and pray. Such are our Winter-Views; but Night comes on- The Tavern's pleasure or the Concert's charm, Others advent'rous walk abroad and meet Thus shall you something of our BOROUGH know, The best Description must be incomplete; But when a happier Theme succeeds, and when LETTER II. THE CHURCH. Festinat enim decurrere velox Flosculus angustæ miseræque brevissima Vitæ Juvenal. Satir. ix. lin. 126. And when at last thy Love shall die, And cheer with smiles the bed of death? Percy. LETTER II. THE CHURCH. Several Meanings of the word Church.-The Building so called, here intended.—Its Antiquity and Grandeur. -Columns and Ailes.-The Tower: The Stains made by Time compared with the mock Antiquity of the Artist. Progress of Vegetation on such Buildings.-Bells.-Tombs: One in decay.-Mural Monuments, and the Nature of their Inscriptions.— An Instance in a departed Burgess.— Church-yard Mourners for the Dead.- A Story of a betrothed Pair in humble Life, and Effects of Grief in the Survivor. Graves. "WHAT is a Church?"-Let Truth and Reason speak, "What is a Church?"- A Flock,' our Vicar cries, 'Whom Bishops govern and whom Priests advise; 'Wherein are various States and due Degrees, 'The Bench for Honour, and the Stall for Ease; 'That Ease be mine, which, after all his cares, "The pious, peaceful Prebendary shares.' "What is a Church?"-Our honest Sexton tells, "Tis a tall Building, with a Tower and Bells; 'Where Priest and Clerk with joint exertion strive To keep the ardour of their Flock alive; |