LINES WRITTEN IN THE ALBUM OF THE COUNTESS OF -. Nov. 5, 1834 LADY! a Pen, perhaps, with thy regard, Among the Favoured, favoured not the least, Left, 'mid the Records of this Book inscribed, Deliberate traces, registers of thought And feeling, suited to the place and time That gave them birth :-months passed, and still this hand, That had not been too timid to imprint Words which the virtues or thy Lord inspired, Was yet not bold enough to write of Thee. And why that scrupulous reserve? In sooth The blameless cause lay in the Theme itself. Flowers are there many that delight to Checked, in the moment of its issue checked; And reprehended by a fancied blush Thus Virtue lives debarred from Virtue's meed; Thus, Lady, is retiredness a veil That, while it only spreads a softening charm O'er features looked at by discerning eyes, Hides half their beauty from the common gaze; And thus, even on the exposed and breezy bill Of lofty station, female goodness walks, And benedictions not unheard in Heaven: And friend in the ear of friend, where speech is free To follow truth, is eloquent as they. Then let the Book receive in these prompt lines A just memorial; and thine eyes consent To read that they, who mark thy course, behold A life declining with the golden light See studied kindness flow with easy stream, And shall the verse not tell of lighter gifts A nymph-like liberty, in nymph-like form, Beheld with wonder; whether floor or path Thou tread, or on the managed steed art borne, Fleet as the shadows, over down or field, Driven by strong winds at play among the clouds. Yet one word more-one farewell worda wish That, as thy sun in brightness is declining, So, at an hour yet distant for their sakes Whose tender love, here faltering on the way Of a diviner love, will be forgiven,— So may it set in peace, to rise again For everlasting glory won by faith. THE SOMNAMBULIST. 1. LIST, ye who pass by Lyulph's Tower* And holier seems the ground 2. Not far from that fair site whereon There set, and guarded well; 3. To win this bright bird from her cage, Full happy season, when was known, Known chiefly, Aira! to thy glen, Thy brook, and bowers of holly; Where Passion caught what Nature taught, That all but love is folly ; A pleasure-house built by the late Duke of Norfolk upon the banks of Ullswater. FoxCE is the word used in the Lake District for Water Which came, but it has passed into a prayer, fall. And whispers caught, and speeches small, Roar on, and bring him with thy call; 15. Soul-shattered was the Knight, nor knew Her very self stood there. He touched, what followed who shall tell? 16. ΤΟ UPON THE BIRTH OF HER FIRST-BORN "Tum porro puer, ut sævis projectus ab undis Of sorrow that will surely come? But, O Mother! by the close In plunged the Knight! when on firm Duly granted to thy throes; ground The rescued Maiden lay, Her eyes grew bright with blissful light, She heard, ere to the throne of grace His voice; beheld his speaking face, 17. So was he reconciled to life: And there was Sorrow's guest; 18. Wild stream of Aira, hold thy course, Where clouds that spread in solemn shade, Though minister of sorrow; By the silent thanks now tending As a floating summer cloud, And, sweet Mother! under warrat Of the universal Parent, Who repays in season due Them who have, like thee, been true To the filial chain let down From his everlasting throne, Angels hovering round thy couch, Mother! blest be thy calm ease; And can earthward bend an ear By that other Guide, whose light Hopes that within the Father's heart prevail, Are in the experienced Grandsire's slow to fail; And if the Harp pleased his gay youth, it rings To his grave touch with no unready strings, While thoughts press on, and feelings overflow, And quick words round him fall like flakes of snow. Thanks to the Powers that yet maintain their sway, And have renewed the tributary Lay. Truths of the heart flock in with eager pace, And FANCY greets them with a fond em. brace; Swift as the rising sun his beam extends She shoots the tidings forth to distant friends; Their gifts she hails (deemed precious as they prove For the unconscious Babe an unbelated love!) But from this peaceful centre of delight Vague sympathies have urged her to take flight. She rivals the fleet Swallow, making rings In the smooth lake where'er he dips his |