Churchyard Thoughts-Exorcism.
"Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation."-ST. MATTHEW.
Not incantation, amulet, nor spell,
Not pyx, nor holy water sprinkled high,
Not incense burnt, nor music's melody,
Not fiery flame, nor candle, book, and bell,
Not all the fabled virtues thought to dwell
In gems, carbuncle or chalcedony,
Sapphire or chrysolite-; nor charms that lie
In magic herbs cropped in the moonlit dell,
Rue or angelica; not bead-told ban ;
Not the swift sword that smites in twain the air;
Nor all the glamour of the Powers of Hell;
Nor the sign'd cross can exorcise the fell
And evil spirit from the heart of man;-
His one true conjuration stands in prayer.
College Rooms The Oriel Window.
"Retiring from the populous noise, I seek
This unfrequented place to find some ease."-MILTON.
My dear old Window, wherethro' summer's air
Wafted the sweet scents of the garden flowers,
Whilst the broad elms beat off the sultry hours,
And thy deep-painted glass toned down the glare
With mellow'd golden lights, that used to share
My couch, with shade that fell in purple showers;
O! choicest and best loved of all rest's bowers,
How oft, amid my busiest toil and care,
Retreating fancy brings thee to my sight,
As some still vision of the peaceful night;
Magician's wand-waved circle; halcyon nest,
Floating in calm upon the billow's crest.
To me these Sonnets, with their lights and glooms, Are my Life's Oriel of old Merton rooms.
"These haunts are where they should be, at home, not sleeping or con. cocting the surfeits of an irregular feast, but up and stirring; in winter, often ere the sound of any bell awakes man to labour or devotion; in summer, as oft with the bird that first rouses, or not much tardier, to read good authors, or cause them to be read, till the attention be weary, or memory have its full fraught." "-MILTON.
“ Ηώς γαρ τ' ἔργοιο τρίτην ἀπομείρετον δισαν
Ἠώς τοι πρόφεροι μεν ὁδοῦ προφεροι δε και ἔργον.”
"Prudens futuri temporis exitum
Caliginosâ nocte premit deus;
Ridetque, si mortalis ultra
Fas trepidat."-HORACE.
Fling wide the casement, for the morning breeze
Already curls the mist upon the stream,
And o'er their half-built nests with welcome scream
The busy rooks fill all the neighbouring trees.
Be labour lighten'd by luxurious ease;
Up to the oriel window wheel the chair;
(Sweet aid to study the fresh morning air,)
And ponder tasks which please, or ought to please :--
Gaze happy round upon your pictur'd room-
Your own; for swiftly may the time draw nigh,
When homeless thou, in stifling city pent,
With spirit lustreless, and body bent,
Shalt rise each morning unrefresh'd, and sigh
Daily o'er real toil with hopeless gloom.
College Rooms Digression.
"Time, Faith, Energy--the three friends that God hath given the poor." -BULWER.
(Ut me collaudem) si vivo et carus amicis,
Causa fuit pater his."-HORACE.
Not rightly with such thoughts, though they will rise,
Tempting the mind at times, like powers of Hell,
On my past lot or present may I dwell;
For every want from childhood hath a wise
Kind Providence supplied, and still supplies;
And though one heavy unexpected blow
Hath crush'd my perfect happiness below,
And half my heart with my dear Father lies,
And other links from the strong golden chain
Of daily intercourse are loos'ning fast,
How many blessings, undeserved, remain-
Hope, health, occasion! Sweeps upon my gaze
Honour, sure meed of life in labour past,
And sweeter far, a mother's pride and praise.
"They mourn the dead who live as they desire."-YOUNGE.
"Parva petunt manes : pietas pro munere grata est
Munere; non avidos Styx habet ima Deos."-Ovid.
"Vita mortuorum in memoria vivorum est posita."-CICERO,
“ πλέιων χρόνος
ὅν δεῖ μ ̓ ἀρέσκειν τοῖς κάτω τῶν ἔνθαδε,
ἐκει γὰρ ἀει κέισομαι.”—SOPHOCLES.
“ τον δὲ ἀποιχόμενον μνήμῃ τιμᾶτε, μὴ δάκρυσιν.”
DIO CHRYSOSTOM.
My Father! O my Father! not with tears
I mourn thy memory, though oft I check
The rising smile, as 'twere a sin to deck
The face with mirth, as in the happy years
When thou didst share my boyish hopes and fears;
Yet know I that thou wouldst not have me wreck
My buoyant spirit; for thy silent beck
Points forward, blessed spirit, while it cheers,
To true and lasting sorrow's surer test :
A heart of honour; hand of charity;
Temper that nought but other's wrongs may fire ;
Devotion to the being thou lov❜dst best;
A life spent like thine own-pure, holy, high ;— "Those mourn the dead who live as they desire."
|