The antlers on his front Hang heavy, that were wont To rise rejoicing in their large command. Now up the cliff he tries a sharp short bound, And but once gazing pitifully round Within the same lone Cave, Where, through recorded time, his sires have died. Sons of the greenwood and free mountain air, Why should they seek this solitary lair, Select this common pall Of cold damp rock for their departing days? There is an ill repute of all that kind, That, when the leader of the troop is weak wrongs of years on his poor members wreak; For mark his pace, how slow! And all their looks, how sorrowful and meek! Rather believe that to that voiceless creat ure More strongly than by speech, That Death stands everywhere apart,-alone! Wisdom incumbent on the heirs of life! Not visible least in those whose sole behest Is to enjoy the world of peace or strife, Holding necessity their only best; No part of thee is mean, For each, devoutly seen, Shall aid the pupil Man to read the rest. ELYSIAN FIELDS AT LOWTHER, IN WESTMORELAND. A YOUTH caressed and nurtured long, "Lowther," he cried, " of ancient strength Of Worth and Power ;-Thou dost not need To take the classic name in vain." Up Lowther's banks, that very eve, But ere he reached the lordly roof, "Not once to Baia's column'd bay, Or Cuma's glade my spirit fled, While on that storm-cast trunk I lay, Above yon torrent's stormy bed : Crystal and green sufficed so well To solace and delight mine eyes, They yearn'd for no remember'd spell Fashion'd beneath serener skies. "If golden light or azure void But take the blessing from her hands, ON THE GRAVE OF BISHOP KEN, AT FROME, IN SOMERSETSHIRE. LET other thoughts, where'er I roam, And shapes above that represent A mitre and a crosier. These signs of him that slumbers there The dignity betoken; These iron bars a heart declare Hard bent but never broken; This form pourtrays how souls like his, This calm and narrow dwelling. |