THE BENSON LIBRARY OF HYMNOLOGY Endowed by the Reverend Louis Fitzgerald Benson, d.d. t LIBRARY OF THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY v J JOHN HENRY NEWMAN. H Y M N S BY JOHN HENRY NEWMAN, D.D. '• i pauca relicti Jugera ruris erant ; nee fcrtilis ilia juvencis Nee pecori opportuna seges, nee cornmoda Bacckc. Kie rarum tamen in dumisolus, albaque circum Lflia, verbenasque premens, vescumque papaver, Regum aequabat opes animis." E. P. NEW YORK DUTTON & COMPANY : Twenty-third Street l886 Copyright. 18S5. By E P. DUTTON & CO. PRESS OF J. J. LITTLE & CO., NOS. IO TO 20 ASTOR PLACE, NEW YORK. PREFACE. The poems of the author of "Lead, Kind- ly Light " need no recommendation to the public. Wherever the English language is spoken, that hymn is a favorite : it has given expression and assuagement to thousands groping in the darkness of spiritual conflict or oi bereavement, who will like to see what else of the kind the author has produced. And though there may be nothing with the same familiar sound and sweet associations, there is much to repay study, and not a lit- tle that is worthy to be counted among a hymn-lover's treasures for evermore. John Henry Newman is almost coeval with the century, in the religious history of which his name will occupy so prominent a place. The outward facts of his life are few and quickly told : of his intellectual career only a 3l& iv PREFACE. brief outline can here be given. He was born in London, February 21st, i8cr ; he entered Trinity College, Oxford, 1816 ; was elected Fellow of Oriel College, 1822 ; received orders in the English Church, 1824; was Vice- Principal of Alban Hall, under Dr. Whately, 1825-26 ; tutor of Oriel, 1826-32 ; Vicar of St. Mary's, Oxford and Littlemore, 1828-43 ; editor of the " British Critic," 1838-41. But he is best known as the chief-mover in that great religious upheaval of our age, the final effects of which none of us will live to trace, variously known as the " Oxford," the " High Church" and the " Tractarian Movement/' — the last and most characteristic of these names being derived from the celebrated se- ries of "Tracts for the Times," to which he was much the largest contributor. The clos- ing one was the famous ' ( No. XC. " an attempt to reconcile the "XXXIX. Articles" with the canons and decrees of the Council of Trent, which roused so much alarm and indignation as to compel his diocesan to request the dis- continuance of the series. Newman obeyed, but under protest ; and his tendencies became EFA A more and more pronounced, until, by a l< cal necessity, in September, 1845, ms ^ ast words as an Anglican clergyman were spoken to a small gathering of friends and pupils in his home-chapel at Littlemore, and in the following October, he was received into the communion of the Roman Catholic Church. In 1846, he visited Rome, was admitted to the priesthood, joined the Oratory of St Philip Xeri, founded a branch thereof in Eng- gland on his return thither, in 1848. and has spent most of his life since as the Head of the Birmingham House, — albeit, in 1852, he founded the Roman Catholic University at Dublin, and acted as its Rector until 1858. He was made Cardinal, May 12th. 1879. In 1864, he published his " Apologia pro Vita Sua,'' which gives a history of the devel- opment of his religious opinions from his youth up, and furnishes much incidental evi- dence that his mental and spiritual constitu- tion was of the sort which seems almost pre- destined to find its final home in the Roman fold. He says of his school-days : " My im- agination ran on unknown influences, on mag- vi PREFACE. ical powers and talismans. ... I thought life might be a dream, or I an angel, and all this world a deception ; my fellow-angels by a playful device concealing themselves from me, and deceiving me with the semblance of a material world.'*'' And again : u I was very su- perstitious . . . and used constantly to cross myself when going into the dark ; ,? yet he could "make no sort of conjecture'"' whence this practice was derived. He also mentions a "deep imagination," that he was called to a celibate life, which took possession of him in 1816, and strengthened his " feeling of separa- tion from a visible world. " During his thirty- six years of residence at Oxford, he was brought into more or less intimate relations with Whately, Keble, Pusey, Mozley, the Froudes, the Wilberforces, etc. He was counted austere and reserved by some, kindly and gen- ial by others, — the truth seeming to be that he was reserved by nature, and especially so with strangers and antipathetic persons, but knew how to unbend and be companionable and delightful to his friends. It is plain that he exerted a powerful influence upon those admit- PREFACE. vii ted to his intimacy ; he had always a devoted circle of adherents, many of whom preceded or followed him into the Church of Rome, notably Faber and Caswall. His life has been an industrious one ; the list of his published works numbers over thirty- volumes, — theological, historical, polemical, — among them two works of fiction. They have a twofold interest, as treating the subject in hand with great power and brilliancy both of thought and style, and as milestones mark- ing the stages by which a mind of no com- mon order passed from the Anglican to the Roman faith. In the latter aspect, they may afford some comfort to all who are alarmed at the widening flood of materialistic unbe- lief, as tending to show the presence and pow- er of the supernatural element in and over man, and that there will always be intellects, neither ignorant nor feeble, who can find no rest nor satisfaction save in a definite, dog- matic faith. Comparatively few of Newman's poems were written after his secession, yet several of those dated vears before show how far he had slid- viii PREFACE. den, consciously or not, from his ostensible standpoint, before he planted himself squarely on the true one. Both of these classes — not more than a dozen in all — are necessarily can- celled in a volume intended chiefly for the protestant world ; — with all respect for the faith and taste of others, we must needs exer- cise the right of selection for ourselves ; it is possible to be not less reverent in rejection than in acceptance. Among the latter pro- ductions, the " Dream ofGerontius " stands so pre-eminent in felicity of language and beauty of thought and imagery, that it is retained almost entire, notwithstanding its length. A large latitude is allowable in a work so purely imaginative ; nor does the doctrine of purga- tory appear in a form that need greatly offend whomsoever believes in any intermediate state between the death of the body and the soul's final entrance upon the perfect bliss of heaven. The poem's excellence as a whole may easily atone for some doubtful flights of fancy. Finally, to show somewhat of the soft- er and so to speak, more human side of the poet's character, a large part of the earlier, PREFACE. ix more secular and personal poems, which could not be classed under the general title of " Hymns," are given in an Appendix. The preparation of the volume for the press, with no enthusiam for th? task, has become so truly a labor of love as to justify the expression of the belief that all who bring a much smaller measure of the same careful study to these poems, will be rewarded by the same ultimate delight in their beauty of thought and construction. They are instinct with that spiritual grace and life which are the heritage and hope of "all who profess and call themselves Christians." W. M. L. J. New York, 1885. r b" DEDICATION, TO EDWARD BADELEY, ESQ. My dear Badeley : I have not been without apprehen- sion lest, in dedicating to you a number of poetical compositions, I should hardly be making a suitable offering to a member of a grave profession, which is especially employed in rubbing off the gloss with which imagina- tion and sentiment invest matters of every- day life, and in reducing statements of fact to their legitimate dimensions. And, besides this, misgivings have not unnaturally come over me on the previous question ; viz., wheth- er, after all, the contents of the volume are of sufficient importance to make it an accept- able offering to any friend whatever. And I must frankly confess, as to the latter difficulty, that certainly it never would have xii DEDICA TION. occurred to me thus formally to bring togeth- er under one title effusions which I have ever considered ephemeral, had I not lately found from publications of the day. what 1 never sus- pected before, that there are critics, and they strangers to me, who think well both of some of my compositions and of my power of com- posing. It is this commendation, bestowed on me to my surprise as well as to my gratifica- tion, which has encouraged me just now to republish what I have from time to time writ- ten ; and if, in doing so, I shall be found, as is not unlikely, to have formed a volume of unequal merit, my excuse must be, that I despair of discovering any standard by which to discriminate aright between one poetical attempt and another. Accordingly, I am thrown, from the nature of the case, whether I will or no, upon my own judgment, which biased by the associations of memory and by personal feelings, and measuring, perhaps, by the pleasure of verse-making, the worth of the verse, is disposed either to preserve them all, or to put them all aside. Here another contrast presents itself be- DED1CATI0X. xiii tsvcen the poetical art and the science of law. Your profession has its definitive authorities, its prescriptions, its precedents, and its prin- ciples, by which to determine the claim of its authors on public attention ; but what phil- osopher will undertake to rule matters of ■. or to bring under one idea or method, works so different from each other as those of Homer, ^Eschvlus, and Pindar; of Terence, Ovid, Juvenal, and Martial ? What court is sitting, and what code is received, for the sat- isfactory determination of the poetical preten- sions of writers of the day ? Whence can we hope to gain a verdict upon them, except from the unscientific tribunals of Public Opinion and of Time ? In Poetry, as in Metaphysics, a book is of necessity a venture. And now, coming to the suitableness of my offering, I know well, my dear Badeley, how little you will be disposed to criticise what comes to you from me, whatever be its intrinsic value. Less still in this case, con- sidering that a chief portion of the volume grew out of that Religious Movement which you yourself, as well as I, so faithfully fol- Xiv DEDICA TJOX. lowed from first 10 last. And least of all, when I tell you that 1 wish it to be the poor expression, long-delayed, of my gratitude, never intermitted, for the great services which you rendered to me years ago, by your legal skill and affectionate zeal, in a serious matter in which I found myself in collision with the law of the land. Those services I have ever desired in some public, however inadequate, way to record ; and now, as time hurries on and opportunities are few, 1 am forced to ask you to let me acknowledge my debt to you as I can, since I cannot as I would. We are now, both of us, in the decline of life : may that warm attachment which has lasted between us inviolate for so many years, be continued, by the mercy of God, to the end of our earthly course, and beyond it ! I am, my dear Badeley, Affectionately yours, ' J. H. X. The Oratory, December 21, 1876, CONTENTS. PAGE The Trance of Time 21 Paraphrase of Isaiah, ch. lxiv 23 Consolations in Bereavement 26 A Voice from afar 2S The Hidden Ones 20 A Thanksgiving 32 The Brand of Cain 34 Zeal and Love 34 Persecution 35 Zeal and Purity 36 The Gift of Perseverance 37 The Sign of the Cross 3S Bondage 39 The Scars of Sin 40 Angelic Guidance 41 Substance and Shadow 42 Wanderings 43 The Saint and the Hero 44 Private Judgment 45 The Watchman 46 xv XVI CONTENTS. TAGE Memory 47 The Haven 48 A Word in Season 49 Fair Words 50 Moses 51 The Patient Church 52 Jeremiah 53 Penance 54 The Course of Truth 55 Christmas without Christ 56 Sleeplessness 57 Abraham ..... 58 The Greek Fathers 59 The Witness 60 The Death of Moses 62 Melchizedek 63 Transfiguration 64 Behind the Veil 65 Judgment 66 Sensitiveness , 6j David and Jonathan. 68 Humiliation 69 The Call of David 70 A Blight 72 Joseph 73 Superstition 74 Isaac 75 Reverses 76 Hope 77 h COXTEXTS. xvn PAGE St. Paul at Melita 7S Warnings - . 79 Dreams 80 Temptation 81 Our Future 82 Heathenism 83 Taormini 84 Sympathy 85 Relics of Saints 86 Day -laborers. . 87 Warfare 88 Sacrilege 90 Liberalism , 91 Declenson 92 The Age to Come 94 External Religion .... 95 St. Gregory Nazianzen 96 Reverence 98 The Pillar of the Cloud 99 Samaria 100 Jonah 101 Faith against Sight 103 Desolation 104 Zeal and Patience 105 The Religion of Cain ic6 St. Paul 108 Flowers without Fruit 109 Zeal and Meekness 1 10 Vexations 1 1 1 2 xvni CONTENTS. PAGE The Church in Prayer 112 The Wrath to Come 113 Pusillanimity 114 James and John 1 15 Hora Novissima 1 16 Consolation 117 Uzzah and Obed-Edom 118 The Gift of Tongues. . . 119 The Power of Prayer ' 120 Semita Justorum 121 The Elements 122 Judaism 124 Separation of Friends 126 Morning 128 Evening 128 A Hermitage ... 129 Intercession 130 Waiting for the Morning 131 Hymns for Matins, Sunday 133 " 135 " " Monday 136 " " Tuesday 137 " ' % Wednesday 138 " " Thursday 139 " " Friday 140 " " Saturday 141 Hymns for Lauds, Sunday 143 " 145 " " Monday 146 CONTENTS. Kymns for Lauds, Tuesday 148 ' ; " Wednesday 149 •' " Thursday 151 " " Friday 152 " " Saturday 153 Hymn for Prime 154 Hymn for Terce 156 Hymn for Sext 157 Hymn for Xone 158 Hymns for Vespers, Sunday 159 " " Monday.. 160 Tuesday 162 " " Wednesday 163 Thursday 164 " " Friday 165 " " Saturday 167 Hymn for Compline 168 Hymn for First Vespers, Advent 169 Hymn for Matins " 170 Hymn for Lauds, Advent 171 Hymn for Matins, Transfiguration 173 Hymn for Lauds, " 174 Hymn for a Martyr 175 Ethelwald 176 Candlemas 1 78 Guardian Angel 179 A Martyr Convert 182 The Two Worlds 184 St. Michael 186 The Dream of Gerontius 187 APPENDIX. PAGE Solitude 235 To F. W. N., on his birthday 236 Nature and Art 240 Snapdragon 244 A Picture 247 My Lady Xature, &c 250 Monks 254 The Winter Flower 258 Home 259 The Isles of Syrens 260 Corcyra 261 Messina 262 Progress of Unbelief 263 The Priestly Office 264 Married and Single 264 The Queen of Seasons. 271 Heathen Greece 274 To Edward Caswall 275 xx THE TRANCE OF TIME. - Felix, qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas, Atquc metus omnes, et inexorabile fa r um Subjccit pedibu?, strepituinque Acherontis avari 1 ; In childhood, when with eager eyes The season-measured year I view'd. All, garb ? d in fain' guise, Pledged constancy of srood. Spring sang of heaven ; the summer flowers Bade me gaze on, and did not fade ; Even suns o'er autumns bowers Heard my strong wish, and stay'd. 21 J 22 THE TRANCE OE TIME, They came and went, the short-lived four ; Yet, as their varying dance they wove, To my young heart each bore Its own sure claim of love. Far different now ; — the whirling year Vainly my dizzy eyes pursue ; And its fair tints appear All blent in one dusk hue. Why dwell on rich autumnal lights, Spring-time, or winter's social ring ? Long days are fire-side nights, Brown autumn is fresh spring. Then what this earth to thee, my heart ? Its gifts nor feed thee nor can bless. Thou hast no owner's part In all its fleetingness. The flame, the storm, the quaking ground, Earth's joy, earth's terror, nought is thine, Thou must but hear the sound Of the still voice divine. PARAPHRASE OF ISA J AIL LXIV. 2$ (J priceless art ! (J princely state ! E'en while by sense of change opprest, Within to am Heaven's Age of fearless rest. October, 1S27. PARAPHRASE OF ISAIAH, CHAP. LXIV. that Thou wouldest rend the breadth of sky, That veils Thy presence from the sons of men ! O that, as erst Thou earnest from on high Sudden in strength, Thou so would'st come again ! Track'd out by judgments was Thy hen- path, Ocean and mountain withering in Thy wrath ! Then would Thy name — the Just, the Merci- ful— Strange dubious attributes to human mind — Appal Thy foes : and. king-, who spurn Thy rule, Then, then flrould quake to hopeless doom consign 'd. r 24 PARAPHRASE OF ISAIAH, LXIV. See, the stout bows,, and totters the secure, While pleasure's bondsman hides his head im- pure ! Come down ! for then shall from its seven bright springs To him who thirsts the draught of life be given; Eve hath not seen, ear hath not heard the things Which He hath purposed for the heirs of heaven, — A God of love, guiding with gracious ray Each meek rejoicing pilgrim on his way. Yea, though we err, and Thine averted face Rebukes the folly in Thine Israel done, Will not that hour of chastisement give place To beams, the pledge of an eternal sun ? Yes ! for His counsels to the end endure ; We shall be saved, our rest abideth sure. Lord, Lord ! our sins . . . our sins . . . un- clean are we, Gross and corrupt; our seeming-virtuous deeds Are but abominate ; all, dead to Thee, Shrivel, like leaves when summer's green re- cedes ; PARAPHRASE OF ISAIAH, LXIV, 25 While, like the autumn blast, our his And sweep their prey where the fell serpent lies. None, there is none to plead with God in prayer. Bracing his laggart spirit to the work Of intercession ; conscience-sprung despair, Sin-loving still, doth in each bosom lurk. Guilt calls Thee to avenge ; — Thy risen ire Sears like a brand, we gaze and we expire. But now, O Lord, our Father ! we are Thine, Design and fashion ; senseless while we lay, Thou, as the potter, with a Hand Divine, Didst mould Thy vessels of the sluggish clay. Mark nut our guilt, Thy word of wrath recall, Lo, we are Thine by price. Thy people all ! Alas for Zion ! 'tis a waste : — the fair, The holy place in flames : — where once our sires Kindled the sacrifice of praise and prayer, Far other brightness gleams from Gentile fires. Low lies our pride ; — and wilt Thou self-deny Thy rescuing arm, unvex*d amid Thine Israel's cry ? Brighton. September, 1S21. 26 CONSOLA TIONS IN BEKEA VEMENT, CONSOLATIONS IN BEREAVEMENT. Death was full urgent with thee, Sister dear, And startling in his speed ; — Brief pain, then languor till thy end came near — Such was the path decreed, The hurried road To lead thy soul from earth to thine own God's abode. Death wrought with thee, sweet maid, impa- tiently : — Yet merciful the haste That baffles sickness ; — dearest, thou didst die, Thou wast not made to taste Death's bitterness, Decline's slow- wasting charm, or fever's fierce distress. Death came unheralded : — but it was well ; For so thy Saviour bore Kind witness, thou wast meet at once to dwell On His eternal shore ; CONSOLATIONS IN BEREA i T. 2~ All warning spared. For none He gives where hearts are for prompt change prepared. Death wrought in mystery ; both complaint and cure To human skill unknown : — God put aside all means, to make us sure It was His deed alone ; Lest we should lay Reproach on our poor selves, that thou wast caught away. Death urgent as scant of time : — lest. Sister dear, We many a lingering day Had sickened with alternate hope and fear, The ague of delay : Watching each spark Of promise quench'd in turn, till ail our sky was dark. Death came and went : — that so thy image might Our yearning hearts possess, A VOICE FROM AFAR. Associate with all pleasant thoughts and bright With youth and loveliness ; Sorrow can claim. Mary, nor lot nor part in thy soft soothing name. Joy ot sad hearts, and light of downcast eyes ! Dearest thou art enshrined In all thy fragrance in our memories ; For we must ever find Bare thought of thee Freshen this weary life, while weary life shall be. Oxford. April, 1828. A VOICE FROM AFAR. Weep not for me : — Be blithe as wont, nor tinge with gloom The stream of love that circles home.. Light hearts and free ! Joy in the gifts Heaven's bounty lends : Xor miss my face, dear friends ! THE [HDD EX OXES. 29 I still am near : — Watching the smiles I prized on earth, Your converse mild, your blameless mirth ; Now too 1 hear Of whisper'd sounds the tale complete. Low prayers, and musings sweet. A sea before The Throne is spread ; — its pure still glass Pictures all earth-scenes as they pass. We. on its shore, Share, in the bosom of our rest, God's knowledge, and are blest. Horsepath. September 2Q, THE HIDDEN OXES. Hid are the saints of God ; — Uncertified by high angelic sign ; Nor raiment soft, nor empire's golden rod Marks them divine. Theirs but the unbought air, earth's parent sod. And the sun's smile benign : 30 THE HIDDEN OXES. Christ rears His throne within the secret heart. From the haughty world apart. They gleam amid the night, Chill sluggish mists stifling the heavenly ray ; Fame chants the while,, — old history trims his light, Aping the day : In vain ! staid look, loud voice, and reason's might Forcing its learned way, Blind characters ! these aid us not to trace Christ and His princely race. Yet not all-hid from those Who watch to see ; — neath their dulLguise of earth, Bright bursting beams unwittingly disclose Their heaven-wrought birth. Meekness, love, patience, faith's serene re- pose ; And the soul's tutor'd mirth, Bidding the slow heart dance, to prove her power O'er self in its proud hour. THE 11IDDEX ONES. 31 These are the chosen few. The remnant fruit of largely-scatter'd grace, God sows in waste, to reap whom He fore- knew Of man's cold race : Counting on wills perverse, in His clear view Of boundless time and space, He waits, by scant return for treasures given, To fill the thrones of heaven. Lord ! who can trace but Thou The strife obscure, 'twixt sin's soul-thralling spell And Thy keen Spirit, now quench'd, reviving now ? Or who can tell, Why pardon's seal stands sure on David's brow. Why Saul and Demas fell ? Oh ! lest our frail hearts in the annealing break. Help, for Thy mercy's sake ! Horsepath. September, 1829. 32 A THANKSGIVING. A THANKSGIVING. " Thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me." Lord, in this dust Thy sovereign voice First quickened love divine ; I am all Thine, — Thy care and choice, My very praise is Thine. I praise Thee, while Thy providence In childhood frail I trace, For blessings given, ere dawning sense Could seek or scan Thy grace ; Blessings in boyhood's marvelling hour 3 Bright dreams, and fancyings strange ; Blessings, when reason's awful power Gave thought a bolder range ; Blessings of friends, which to my door Unask'd, unhoped, have come ; And, choicer still, a countless store Of eager smiles at home. ^ A THANKSGIVING, 35 Lord, in memory's fondest place I shrine those seasons sad, When, looking up, I saw Thy lace In kind austereness clad. I would not miss one sigh or tear. Heart-pang, or throbbing brow ; Sweet was the chastisement severe, And sweet its memory now. \fes ! let the fragrant scars abide. Love-tokens in Thy stead. Faint shadows of the spear-pierced side And thorn-encompass'd head. And such Thy tender force be still, When self would swerve or stray. Shaping to truth the froward will Along Thy narrow way. Deny me wealth ; far, far remove The lure of power or name ; Hope thrives in straits, in weakness love, And faith in this world's shame. Oxford. October 20, 18 2g. 2 34 ZEAL AND LOVE. THE BRAND OF CAIN. I bear upon my brow the sign Of sorrow and of pain ; Alas ! no hopeful cross is mine, It is the brand of Cain. The course of passion and the fret Of godless hope and fear, — Toil, care, and guilt, — their hues have set, And fix'd their sternness there. Saviour ! wash out the imprinted shame ; That I no more may pine, Sin's martyr, though not meet to claim Thy cross, a saint of Thine Oxford. November 18, 1832. ZEAL AND LOVE, And would'st thou reach, rash scholar mine, Love's high unruffled state? Awake ! thy easy dreams resign, First learn thee how to hate : — PERSECUTION. . 35 Hatred of sin, and Zeal, and Fear, I. ad up the Holy Hill ; Track them, till Charity appear A -elf-denial still. Dim is the philosophic flame, Bv thoughts severe unfed : Book-lore ne'er served, when trial came, Xor [rifts, when faith was dead. Oxford. November 20, 1832. PERSECUTION. "And the woman fled into the wilderness.'' Say. who is he in deserts seen, Or at the twilight hour ? Of garb austere, and dauntless mien, Measured in speech, in purpose keen, Calm as in Heaven he had been, Yet blithe when perils lower. My Holy Mother made reply. " Dear child, it is my Pries The world has cast me forth, and I 36 ZEAL AND PURITY. Dwell with wild earth and gusty sky ; He bears to men my mandates high, And works my sage behest. 4 ' Another day, dear child, and thou Shalt join his sacred band. Ah ! well I deem, thou shrinkest now From urgent rule, and severing vow ; Gay hopes flit round, and light thy brow : Time hath a taming hand ! " Oxford. November 22, 1832. ZEAL AND PURITY. 4 ' Come with me, and see my zeal for the Lord." Thou to wax fierce In the cause of the Lord, To threat and to pierce With the heavenly sword ! Anger and Zeal, And the Joy of the brave, Who bade thes to feel, Sin's slave. THE GIFT OF i 37 The Altar's pure flame Consumes as it soa Faith meetly may blame, F( >r it serves and adores. Thou warnest and smitest ! Yet Christ must atone For a soul that thou slightest — Thine own. Oxford. November 23, 1832. THF GIFT OF PERSEVERANCE. Once, as I brooded o'er my guilty state, A fever seized me, duties to devise. To buy me interest in my Saviour's eyes : Not that His love I would extenuate. But scourge and penance, masterful self-hate, Or gift of cost, served by an artifice To quell my restless thoughts and envious sighs. And doubts, which fain heaven's peace would antedate. $8 THE SIGN OF THE CROSS. Thus as I tossed, He said : — " E'en holiest deeds Shroud not the soul from God, nor soothe its needs ; Deny thee thine own fears, and wait the end S " Stern lesson ! Let me con it day by day. And learn to kneel before the Omniscient Ray,, Nor shrink, when Truth's avenging shafts de- scend ! Oxford. November 23, 1832. THE SIGN OF THE CROSS. Whene'er across this sinful flesh of mine I draw the Holy Sign, All good thoughts stir within me and renew Their slumbering strength divine ; Till there springs up a courage high and true To suffer and to do. BOX PAGE. 39 And who shall say, but hateful spirits round, For their brief hour unbound. Shudder to see. and wail their overthrow ? While on far heathen ground Some lonely Saint hails the fresh odor, though Its source he cannot know. Oxford. November 25, 1832. BONDAGE. prophet, tell me not of peace, Or Christ's all-loving deeds ; Death only can from sin release, And death to judgment leads. Thou from thy birth hast set thy face Towards thy Redeemer Lord : To tend and deck His holy place, And note His secret word. 1 ne'er shall reach Heaven's glorious path ; Yet haply tears may stay The purpose of His instant wrath, And slake the fiery day. 40 THE SCARS OF SIX. Then plead for one who cannot pray. Whose faith is but despair, Who hates his heart, nor puts away The sin that rankles there. Iffley, November 28, 1832. THE SCARS OF SIX. My smile is bright, my glance is free, My voice is calm and clear ; Dear friend, I seem a type to thee Of holy love and fear. But I am scann'd by eyes unseen. And these no saint surround : They mete what is by what has been, And joy the lost is found. Erst my good Angel shrank to see My thoughts and ways of ill : And now he scarce dare gaze on me, Scar-seam'd and crippled still. Iffley. November 29, 1832. ANGELIC GUIDAXCE. 41 ANGELIC GUIDAXCE. Are these the tracks of some unearthly Friend, His foot prints, and his vesture-skirts of light, Who, as I talk with men, conforms aright Their sympathetic words, or deeds that blend With my hid thought ; — or stoops him to attend My doubtful-pleading grief; — or blunts the might Of ill I see not ; — or in dreams of night Figures the scope, in which what is will end ? Were I Christ's own, then fitly might I call That vision real ; for to the thoughtful mind That walks with Him, He half unveils His face ; But, when on earth-stain'd souls such tokens fall, These dare not claim as theirs what there they find, Yet, not ali hopeless, eye His boundless grace. Whitchurch. December 3, 1832. 42 SUBSTAXCE AND SHADOW. SUBSTANCE AND SHADOW. They do but grope in learning s pedant round, Who on the fantasies of sense bestow An idol substance, bidding us bow low Before those shades of being which are found, Stirring or still, on man's brief trial-ground ; As if such shapes and moods, which come and Had aught of Truth or Life in their poor show, To sway or judge, and skill to sane or wound. Son of immortal seed, high-destined Man ! Know thy dread gift, — a creature, yet a cause : Each mind is its own centre, and it draws Home to itself, and moulds in its thought's span All outward things, the vassals of its will, Aided bv Heaven, by earth unthwarted still. Falmouth. December 7, 1832. WAXDERIXGS. 43 WANDERIN Ere yet I left home's youthful shrine, My heart and hope were stored Where first I caught the rays divine,. And drank the Eternal Word. I went afar : the worfd unroll'd Her many-pictured page ; I stored the marvels which she told, And trusted to her gage. Her pleasures quaff 'd. I sought awhile The scenes I prized before ; But parent's praise and sister's smile Stirr'd my cold heart no more. So ever sear, so ever cloy Earth's favors as they fade : Since Adam lost for one fierce joy His Eden's sacred shade. Off the Lizard. Dece?nber 8 \ i ^ 44 THE SAINT AND THE HERO. THE SAINT AND THE HERO. aged Saint ! far off I heard The praises of thy name : — Thy deed of power, thy prudent word, Thy zeal's triumphant flame. 1 came and saw ; and, having seen, Weak heart, I drew offence From thy prompt smile, thy simple mein, Thy lowly diligence. The Saint's is not the Hero's praise ; — This I have found, and learn Nor to malign Heaven's humblest ways Nor its least boon to spurn. Bay of Biscay. December io, 1832, PRIVATE JUDGMl 45 PRIVATE JUDGMENT. Poor wand'rers, ye are sore distressed To find that path which Christ has bless'd, Track'd by His saintly thro:. Each claims to trust his own weak will, Blind idol ! — so ye languish still. All wranglers and all wrong. He saw of old. and met your need, Granting you prophets of His creed, The throes of fear to swage : They fenced the rich bequest He made. And sacred hands have safe convey \\ Their charge from age to age. Wand'rers ! come home ! obey the call ! A Mother pleads, who ne'er let fail One grain of Holy Truth ; Warn you and win she shall and must. For now she lifts her from the dust, To reign as in her youth. Off Cape Ortegal. December 11, 1S32. 1 46 THE WATCHMAN. THE WATCHMAN. (A Song.) Faint not, and fret not, for threaten'd woe, Watchman on Truth's grey height ! Few though the faithful, and fierce though the foe, Weakness is aye Heaven s might. Infidel Ammon and niggard Tyre, Ill-fitted pair, unite : Some work for love, and some work for hire, But weakness shall be Heaven's might. Eli's feebleness, Saul's black wrath, May aid Ahithophel's spite ; And prayers from Gerizim, and curses from Gath Our weakness shall prove Heaven's might. Quail not, and quake not, thou Warder bold, Be there no friend in sight ; Turn thee to question the days of old, When weakness was aye Heaven's might. MEMORY. 4 7 Moses was one, but he stay'd the sin Of the host, in the Presence bright ; And Elias scorn'd the Carmel din, When Baal would match Heaven's might. Time's years are many, Eternity one, And one is the Infinite ; The chosen are few, few the deeds well done, For scantness is still Heaven's might. At Sea. December 12, 18 J2. MEMORY. My home is now a thousand miles away ; Yet in my thoughts its even' image fair Rises as keen, as I still linger'd there. And, turning me, could all I loved survey. And so, upon Death's unaverted day. As I speed upwards. I shall on me bear. And in no breathless whirl, the things that were, And duties given, and ends I did obey. 48 THE HAVEN. And, when at length I reach the Throne of Power, Ah ! still unscared, I shall in fulness see The vision of my past innumerous deeds, My deep heart-courses and their motive seeds, So to gaze on till the red dooming hour. Lord, in that strait, the Judge ! remember me ! Off Cape Trafalgar. December ij, 1832. THE HAVEN. Whence is this awe, by stillness spread O'er the world-fretted soul ? Wave reared on wave its godless head, While my keen bark, by breezes sped, Dash'd fiercely through the ocean bed, And chafed toward its goal. But now there reigns so deep a rest, That I could almost weep. Sinner ! thou hast in this rare guest Of Adam's peace a figure blest ; 'Tis Eden seen, though not possess'd, Which cherub-flames still keep. Gibraltar. December /6, 18 32. A WORD IN SEASON. 49 A WORD IN SEASON. Lord ! when sin's close-marshal I'd line Assails Thy witness on his way. How should he raise Thy glorious sign. And how Thy will display ? Thy holy Paul, with soul of flame, ' Rose on Mars' hill, a soldier lone ; Shall I thus speak th 1 Atoning Name, Though with a heart of stone ? "Not so," He said : " hush thee, and seek. With thoughts in prayer and watchful eyes. My seasons sent for thee to speak, And use them as they rise. "' Gibraltar. December iy, 1832. 4 j 50 FAIR WORDS. FAIR WORDS. Thy words are good, and freely given, As though thou felt them true ; Friend, think thee well, to hell or heaven A serious heart is due. It pains thee sore, man's will should swerve In his true path divine ; And yet thou ventur'st nought to serve Thy neighbor's weal nor thine. Beware ! such words may once be said, Where shame and fear unite ; But, spoken twice, they mark instead A sin against the light. Gibraltar. Dece?nber 77, 1832. MOSES. 5 1 MOSES. Moses, the patriot fierce, became The meekest man on earth, To show us how love's quickening flame Can give our souls new birth. Moses, the man of meekest heart, Lost Canaan by self-will, To show, where Grace has done its part, How sin defiles us still. Thou, who hast taught me in Thy fear, Yet seest me frail at best, O grant me loss with Moses here, To gain his future rest ! At Sea. December ig, 1832. 52 THE PATIENT CHURCH. THE PATIENT CHURCH. Bide thou thy time ! Watch with meek eyes the race of pride and crime, Sit in the gate, and be the heathen's jest, Smiling and self-possest O thou to whom is pledged a victor's sway, Bide thou the victor's day ! Think on the sin x That reap'd the unripe seed, and toil'd to win Foul history-marks at Bethel and at Dan. No blessing, but a ban ; Whilst the wise Shepherd 2 hid his heaven- told fate, Nor reck'd a tyrant's hate. Such loss is gain ; Wait the bright Advent that shall loose Thy chain ! 1 Jeroboam. 2 David. JEREMIAH. 53 E'en now the shadows break, and gleams di- vine ge the dim distant line. When thrones are trembling, and earth's fat ones quail. True Seed ! thou shalt prevail ! Off 'AlgUrt. December 20^ 1832. JEREMIAH. " O that I had in the wilderness a lodging-place ol wayfaring men : that I might leave my people, and go from them ! " " Woe's me !" the peaceful prophet cried, • • Spare me this troubled life : To stem man's wrath, to school his pride. To head the sacred strife ! lt O place me in some silent vale. Where groves and flowers abound : Nor eyes that gnidge, nor tongues that rail. Vex the truth-haunted ground ! " 54 PENANCE. If bis meek spirit err'd, opprest That God denied repose, What sin is ours, to whom Heaven's rest Is pledged, to heal earth's woes ? Off Galita. December 22, 1832. PENANCE. Mortal ! if e'er thy spirits faint, By grief or pain opprest, Seek not vain hope, or sour complaint, To cheer or ease thy breast : But view thy bitterest pangs as sent A shadow of that doom, Which is the soul's just punishment In its own guilt's true home. Be thine own judge ; hate thy proud heart ; And while the sad drops flow. E'en let thy will attend the smart, And sanctify thy woe. Off Pant e liar ia. Dece??iber 23, 1832. THE COURSE OF TRUTH. 55 THE COURSE OF TRUTH. " Him God raised up the third day, and showed Him openly, not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God." When royal Truth, released from mortal throes, Burst His brief slumber, and triumphant rose, 111 had the Holiest sued A patron multitude, Or courted Tetrarch's eye. or claimed to rule By the world's winning grace, or proofs from learned school. But, robing Him in viewless air, He told His secret to a few of meanest mould : They in their turn imparted The gift of men pure-hearted. While the brute many heard His mysteries high, As some strange fearful tongue, and crouch'd, they knew not why. 50 CHRISTMAS WITHOUT CHRIST. Still is the might of Truth, as it has been ; Lodged in the few, obey'd, and vet unseen. Rear'd on lone heights, and rare, His saints their watch-flame bear, And the mad world sees the wide -circling blaze. Vain searching whence it streams, and how to quench its rays. December 24, 1832. CHRISTMAS WITHOUT CHRIST. How can I keep my Christmas least In its due festive show. Reft of the sight of the High Priest From whom its glories flow ? I hear the tuneful bells around. The blessed towers I see : A stranger on a foreign ground. They peal a last for me. SLEEPLESSNESS. - 57 O Britons I now so brave and high, How will ye weep the day When Christ in judgment passes by. And calls the Bride away ! Your Christmas then will lose its mirth, Your Easter lose its bloom : Abroad,, a scene of strife and dearth : Within, a cheerless home ! Malta. December 23, iSj2. SLEEPLESSNESS. Uxwearied God, before whose face The night is clear as day, Whilst we, poor worms, o'er life's scant race Xow creep, and now delay. We with death's foretaste alternate Our labor's dint and sorrow's weight, Save in that fever-troubled state When pain or care has sway. 5S ABRAHAM. Dread Lord ! Thy glory, watchful r Is but disease in man ; - In Thy eternal plan : Pride grasps the powers by Thee display'd. Yet ne'er the rebel effort made .11 beneath the sudden shade ithering ban. December 26, 1832. ABRAHAM. The better portion didst thou choose. Great Heart. Thy G . choice, and pledge of Gentile ice ! Faith's truest type, he with unruffled face Bore the w< ] l's smile and bade her der. a Whether, a trader, with no trader's art, He buys in Canaan his k ig-place, — Or freely yields rich Siddim's ample space, — Or braves the rescue, and the battle's smart, THE GREEK FATHERS. 59 \ orns the heathen gifts of those he - O happy is their s >uTs high solitude, Who commune thus with God, and not with earth ! Amid the scoffings of the wealth-enslaved, A ready prey, as though in absent mood The}" calmly move, nor reck the unmanner'd mirth. At Sea. December 2j, 1S32. THE GREEK FATHERS. Let heathen sing thy heathen praise. Fall'n Greece ! the thought of holier days In my sad heart abide 3 For sons of thine in Truth's first hour Were tongues and weapons of His power. Born of the Spirit's lien' shower. Our fathers and our guides. All thine is Clement's varied page ; And Dionysius, ruler sage, 60 THE WITNESS. In days of doubt and pain ; And Origen with eagle eye ; And saintly Basil's purpose high To smite imperial heresy, And cleanse the Altar's stain. From thee the glorious preacher came, With soul of zeal and and lips of flame, A court's stern martyr-guest ; And thine, O inexhaustive race ! Was Nazianzen's heaven-taught grace ; And royal-hearted Athanase, With Paul's own mantle blest. Off Zante. December 28, 1832. THE WITNESS. How shall a child of God fulfil His vow to cleanse his soul from ill, And raise on high his baptism-light, Like Aaron's seed in vestment white And holy-hearted Nazarite ? THE WITNESS. 6 1 First, let him shun the haunts of vice, Sin-feast, or heathen sacrifice ; Fearing the board of wealthy pride, Or heretic, self-trusting guide, Or where the adulterer's smiles preside, . as he threads the maze of men. Aye must he lift his witness, when A sin is spoke in Heaven's dread face, And none at hand of higher grace The Cross to carry in his place. But if he hears and sits him still, First, he will lose his hate of ill ; Next, fear of sinning ; after, hate ; Small sins his heart then desecrate ; And last, despair persuades to great. Off Ithaca. December jo, 1832. 62 THE DEATH OF MOSES, THE DEATH OF MOSES. My Father's hope ! my childhood's dream ! The promise from on high ! Long waited for ! its glories beam Now when my death is nigh. My death is come, but not decay ; Nor eye nor mind is dim ; The keenness of youth's vigorous day Thrills in each nerve and limb. Blest scene ! thrice welcome after toil — If no deceit I view ; O might my lips but press the soil, And prove the vision true ! Its glorious heights, its wealthy plains. Its many-tinted groves, They call ! but He my steps restrains Who chastens whom He loves. MELCHIZEDEK. ' 63 Ah ! now they melt . . . they arc but shades . . . I die ! — yet is no rest, < I Lord ! in store, since Canaan fades But seen, and not possest? Off It ' December 30, 1832. MELCHIZEDEK. " Without father, without mother, without de- scent ; having neither beginning of days, nor end of life." Thrice bless'd are they, who feel their loneli- ness ; To whom nor voice of friends nor pleasant scene Brings aught on which the sadden'd heart can lean ; Yea, the rich earth, garb'd in her daintiest dress Of light and joy, doth but the more oppress. Claiming responsive smiles and rapture high : Till, sick at heart, beyond the veil they fly, Seeking His Presence, who alone can bless. 64 TRANSFIGURATION. Such, in strange days, the weapons of Heaven's grace ; When, passing o'er the high-born Hebrew line, He moulds the vessel of His vast design ; Fatherless, homeless, reft of age and place, Sever'd from earth, and careless of its wreck. Born through long woe His rare Melchizedek. Corfu yanuary 5, 1833* TRANSFIGURATION. "They glorified God in me." I saw thee once and nought discern'd For stranger to admire ; A serious aspect, but it burn'd With no unearthly fire. Again I saw, and I confess'd Thy speech was rare and high ; And yet it vex'd my burden'd breast, And scared, I knew not why. BEHIND THE VEIL. 65 m< »rc, and awe-struck gazed ( >n face, and form, and air : God's living glory round thee blazed — int — a Saint was there ! Off Zante. January 8, 1833. BEHIND THE VEIL. Banish'd the House of sacred rest. Amid a thoughtless throng. At length I heard its creed confess'd. And knelt the saints among. Artless his strain and unadorn'd, Who spoke Christ's message there ; But what at home I might have scorn' d, N< w charm'd my famish'd ear. Lord, grant me this abiding grace, Thy Word and sons to know ; To pierce the veil on Moses' face, Although his speech be slow. At Sea. January g. 18 33. 5 66 JUDGMENT. JUDGMENT. If e'er 1 fall beneath Th yrod, As through life's snares I go, Save me from David's lot, O God ! And choose Thyself the woe. How should I face Thy plagues ? which scare, And haunt, and stun, until The heart or sinks in mute despair, Or names a random ill. If else . . . then guide in David's path, Who chose the holier pain ; Satan and man are tools of wrath, An Angel's scourge is gain. Off Malta. January 10, 1833. SENSITIVENESS. 67 SENSITIVENESS. Time was, I shrank from what was right From fear of what was wrong ; I would not brave the sacred fight, Because the foe was strong. But now I cast that finer sense And sorer shcime aside ; Such dread of sin was indolence, Such aim at Heaven was pride. So, when my Saviour calls, I rise, And calmly do my best ; Leaving to Him, with silent eyes Of hope and fear, the rest. I step, I mount where He has led ; — Men count my haltings o'er ; — I know them ; yet, though self I dread, I love His precept more. Lazaret, Malta. January 75, 1833. i 68 DAVID AND JONATHAN, DAVID AND JONATHAN. " Thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women." heart of fire ! misjudged by wilful man, Thou flower of Jesse's race ! What woe was thine, when thou and Jona- than Last greeted face to face ! He doom'd to die, thou on us to impress The portent of a blood-stained holiness. Yet it was well : — for so, 'mid cares of rule And crime's encircling tide, A spell was o'er thee, zealous one, to cool Earth-joy and kingly pride ; With battle-scene and pageant, prompt to blend The pale calm spectre of a blameless friend. IILMILIA TION. 09 Ah ! had he lived, before thy throne to stand, Thy spirit keen and high Sure it had snapped in twain love's slender band. So dear in memory ; Paul, of his comrade reft, the warning gives, — He lives to us who dies, he is but lost who lives. Lazaret, Malta, yanuary 76, 18 } J,J. HUMILIATION. I have been honor'd and obey'd, I have met scorn and slight ; And my heart loves earth's sober shade, More than her laughing light. For what is rule but a sad weight Of duty and a snare ? What meanness, but with happier fate The Saviour's Cross to share ? 70 THE CALL OF DAVID. This my hid choice, if not from heaven, Moves on the heavenward line ; Cleanse it, good Lord, from earthly leaven, And make it simply Thine. Lazaret, Malta. yannary 76, 1833- THE CALL OF DAVID. " And the Lord said, Arise, anoint him, for this is he." Latest born of Jesse's race, Wonder lights thy bashful face, While the Prophet's gifted oil Seals thee for a path of toil. We, thy Angels, circling round thee, Ne'er shall find thee as we found thee, When thy faith first brought us near In thy lion-fight severe. Go ! and mid thy flocks awhile At thy doom of greatness smile ; Bold to bear God's heaviest load, Dimly guessing of the road, — Rocky road, and scarce ascended, Though thy foot be angel-tended. THE CALL OF DAVID. J I Twofold praise thou shalt attain, In royal court and battle plain ; Then comes heart-ache, care, distress, Blighted hope, and loneliness : Wounds from friend and gifts from ioe, Dizzied faith, and guilt, and v. Loftiest aims by earth defiled. Gleams of wisdom, sin-beguiled, Sated power's tyrannic mood, Counsels shared with men of blood. Sad success, parental tears. And a dreary nft of years. Strange, that guileless lace and form To lavish on the scarring storm ! Yet we take thee in thy blindness. And we bullet thee in kindness : Little chary of thy lame, — Dust unborn may bless or blame, — But we mould thee for the root Of man's promised healing Fruit, And we mould thee hence to rise. As our brother, to the skies. Lazaret^ Malta. yanuary iS, 1S33. , 72 A BLIGHT. A BLIGHT. What time my heart unfolded its fresh leaves In springtime gay, and scattered flowers around, A whisper warn'd of earth's unhealthy ground, And all that there love's light and pureness grieves ; Sun's ray and canker-worm, And sudden-whelming storm ; — But, ah ! my self-will smiled, nor reck'd the gracious sound. So now defilement dims life's memory-spring ; I cannot hear an early-cherish'd strain, But first a joy, and then it brings a pain — Fear, and self-hate, and vain remorseful stings : Tears lull my grief to rest, Not without hope, this breast May one day lose its load, and youth yet bloom again. Lazaret, Malta. January ig, 1833. JOSEPH. 73 JOSEPH. purest Symbol of the Eternal Son ! Who dwelt in thee as in some sacred shrine. To draw hearts after thee, and make them thine ; Not parent only by that light was won. And brethren crouch'd who had in wrath be- gun, But heathen pomp abased her at the sign And the hid Presence of a guest divine, Till a king heard, and all thou bads't was done. Then was fulfilFd Nature's dim augury, That " Wisdom, clad in visible form, would be So fair, that all must love and bow the knee ; " Lest it might seem, what time the Substance came, Truth lack'd a sceptre, when It but laid by Its beaming front, and bore a willing shame. Lazaret, Malta. January 20, 1833. 74 SUPERSTITION. SUPERSTITION. O Lord and Christ, Thy children of the South So shudder, when they see The two-edged sword sharp-issuing from Thy mouth, As to fall back from Thee, And cling to charms of man, or heathen rite To aid them against Thee, Thou Fount of love and light ! But I before Thine awful eyes will go And firmly fix me there, In my full shame ; not bent my doom to know, Not fainting with despair ; Not fearing less than they, but deeming sure, If e'en Thy Name shall fail, nought my base heart can cure. Lazaret \ Malta. January 21, /Sjj. ISAAC. 75 ISAAC. Many the guileless years the Patriarch spent. Bless'd in the wife a father's foresight chose ; Many the prayers and gracious deeds, which rose Daily thank-offerings from his pilgrim tent. Yet these, though written in the heavens, are rent From out truth's lower roll, which sternly shows But one sad trespass at his history's close. Father's, son's, mother's, and its punishment. Not in their brightness, but their earthly stains Are the true seed vouchsafed to earthly eyes. Sin can read sin, but dimly scans high grace. So we move heavenward with averted face, Scared into faith by warning of sin's pains : And Saints are lower'd, that the world may rise. Valletta. January 23, f£jj- 76 REVERSES. REVERSES. When mirth is full and free, Some sudden gloom shall be ; When haughty power mounts high, The Watcher's axe is nigh. All growth has bound ; when greatest found, It hastes to die. When the rich town, that long Has lain its huts among, Uprears its pageants vast, And vaunts — it shall not last ! Bright tints that shine, are but a sign Of summer past. And when thine eye surveys, With fond adoring gaze, And yearning heart, thy friend — Love to its grave doth tend. All gifts below, save Truth, but grow Towards an end. January 30, 1833. HOPE. 77 HOPE. We are not children of a guilty sire, Since Xoe stepped from out his wave-tossed home, And a stern baptism flush'' d earth's faded bloom. Not that the heavens then clear \\, or cherub's fire From Eden's portal did at once retire : But thoughts were stirred of Him who was to come, Whose rainbow hues so streak'd the o'ershad- owing gloom, That faith could e'en that desolate scene ad- mire. The Lord has come and gone ; and now we wait The second substance of the deluge type, 7§ ST. PAUL AT MELITA. When our slight ark shall cross a molten surge ; So, while the gross earth melts, for judgment ripe, Xe'er with its haughty turrets to emerge, We shall mount up to Eden's long-lost .gate. Valletta. February 5, ^^JJ. ST. PAUL AT MELITA, " And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat." Secure in his prophetic strength, The water peril o'er, The many-gifted man at length Stepp'd on the promised shore. He trod the shore ; but not to rest, Nor wait till Angels came ; Lo ! humblest pains the Saint attest, The firebrands and the flame. WARNINGS. 79 But, when he felt the viper's smart, Then instant aid was given : Christian ! hence learn to do thy part, And leave the rest to Heaven. Messina. February 8, iSjj, WARNINGS. When Heaven sends sorrow, Warnings go first. Lest it should burst With stunning might On souls too bright To fear the morrow. Can science bear us To the hid springs Of human things ? Why may not dream, Or thought's day-gleam, heer us ? 80 DREAMS. Are such thoughts fetters, While Faith disowns Dread of earth's tones, Recks but Heaven's call, And on the wall Reads but Heaven's letters ? Betiveeii Calatafimi and Palermo. February 12, 1833. DREAMS. Oh ! miserable power To dreams allow'd, to raise the guilty past, And back awhile the illumined spirit to cast On its youth's twilight hour : In mocken* guiling it to act again The revel or the scoff in Satan's frantic train ! Nay, hush thee, angry heart ! An Angel's grief ill fits a penitent ; Welcome the thorn — it is divinely sent, And with its wholesome smart TEMPTATION. 8 1 Shall pierce thee in thy virtue's palmy home, And warn thee what thou art, and whence thy wealth has come. r^ stum. February 26, iSjj. TEMPTATION. O holy Lord, who with the Children Three Didst walk the piercing flame, Help, in those trial-hours, which, save to Thee, I dare not name ; Nor let these quivering eyes and sickening heart Crumble to dust beneath the Tempter's dart. Thou, who didst once Thy life from Mary's breast Renew from day to day, Oh, might Thy smile, severely sweet, but rest On this frail clay ! Till I am Thine with my whole soul ; and fear, Not feel a secret joy, that Hell is near. Frascaii. March 28 \ 1833. $2 OUR FUTURE. OUR FUTURE. " What I do, thou knowest not now ; but thou shalt know hereafter." Did we but see, When life first open'd, how our journey lay Between its earliest and its closing day, Or view ourselves, as we one time shall be, Who strive for the high prize, such sight would break The youthful spirit, though bold for Jesu's sake. But Thou, dear Lord ! Whilst I traced out bright scenes which were to come, Isaac's pure blessings, and a verdant home. Didst spare me, and withhold Thy fearful word : Wiling me year by year, till I am found A pilgrim pale, with Paul's sad girdle bound. Tre Fontane. April 2 , iSjj. HEATHENISM. . 83 HEATHENISM. ''Mid Balak's magic fires The Spirit spake, clear as in Israel ; With prayers untrue and covetous desires Did God vouchsafe to dwell : Who summon'd dreams, His earlier word to bril To patient Job's vex'd friends, and Gerar's guileless king. If such o'erflowing grace From Aaron's vest e'en on the Sibyl ran, Why should we fear, the Son now lacks His place Where roams unchristen'd man ? As though, where faith is keen, He cannot make Bread of the very stones, or thirst with ashes slake. Messina. April 21, /Sjj. 84 TAORMIXL TAORMINL "And Jacob went on his way, and the Angels of God met him." Say, hast thou track'd a traveller's round. Xor visions met thee there, Thou couldst but man-el to have found This blighted world so fair ? And feel an awe within thee rise, That sinful man should see Glories far worthier Seraph's eves Than to be shared by thee ? Store them in heart ! thou shalt not faint 'Mid coming pains and fears, As the third heaven once nerved a Saint For fourteen trial-years. Magnisi. April 26, 18 33. SYMPATHY. SYMPATHY. Souls of the Just, I call not you To share this joy with me, This joy and wonder at the view Of mountain, plain, and sea; Ye. on that loftier mountain old, Safe lodged in Eden's cell, Whence run the rivers four, behold This earth, as ere it fell. Or, when ye think of those who stay Still tried by the world's fight, 'Tis but in looking for the day Which shall the lost unite. Ye rather, elder Spirits strong ! Who from the first have trod This nether scene, man's race among The while you live to God, 86 RELICS OF SAINTS, Ye see, and ye can sympathize — Vain thought ! their mighty ken Fills height and depth, the stars, the skies, They smile at dim-eyed men. Ah, Saviour ! I perforce am thine, Angel and Saint apart : Those searching Eyes are all-divine All-human is that Heart. Agosta . April 29, 1 833. RELICS OF SAINTS. " He is not the God of the dead, but of the living ; for all live unto Him." "The Fathers are in dus% yet live to God : " So says the Truth : as if the motionless clay Still held the seeds of life beneath the sod, Smouldering and struggling till the judgment- dav. DA Y-LA BORERS, 67 And hence we learn with r 1 esteem Of these frail houses, though the gra fine ;iist may urge his cunni: That they are earth ; — but they are heave shrines. Palenno. DAY-LABORERS. M And he said. It is finished.' 1 One only, of God's messengers to man. Finish'd the work of grace, which He began : E'en Moses wearied upon Xebo's height. Though loth to leave the fight With the doom'd foe, and yield the sun-bri land To Joshua's armed hand. And David wrought in turn a strenuous part, Zeal for God's house consuming him in heart ; 88 WARFARE. And yet he might not build, but only bring Gifts for the Heavenly King ; And these another rear'd, his peaceful son, Till the full work was done. List, Christian warrior ! thou, whose soul is fain To rid thy Mother of her present chain ; — Christ will avenge His Bride ; yea, even now Begins the work, and thou Shalt spend in it thy strength, but, ere He save, Thy lot shall be the grave. Palermo. June 2, 1833. WARFARE. '* Freely ye have received ; freely give." ' ' Give any boon for peace ! Why should our fair-eyed Mother e'er engage In the world's course and on a troubled stage, From which her very call is a release ? No ! in thy garden stand, And tend with pious hand WARFARE. 89 The flowers tnou piantest there, Which are thy proper care, O man of God ! in meekness and in love, And waiting for the blissful realms above.'* Alas ! for thou must learn. Thou guileless one ! rough is the holy hand : Runs not the Word of Truth through even- land, A sword to sever, and a fire to burn ? If blessed Paul had stav'd In cot or learned shade, With the priest's white attire, And the Saints' tuneful choir, Men had not gnash'd their teeth, nor risen to slay, But thou hadst been a heathen in thy day. Palermo. J 'ime j, 1833. go SACRILEGE. SACRILEGE. The Church shone brightly in her youthful Jays. Ere the world on her smiled : So now, an outcast, she would pour her rays Keen, free, and undented : Yet would I not that arm of force were mine, Which thrusts her from her awful ancient shrine, Twas duty bound each convert-king to rear His Mother from the dust, And pious was it to enrich, nor fear Christ for the rest to trust ; And who shall dare make common or unclean What once has on the Holy Altar been ? Dear brothers ! — hence, while ye for ill pre- pare, Triumph is still your own ; Blest is a pilgrim Church ! — yet shrink to share The curse of throwing down. LIBERALISM. 9 1 So will we toil in our old place to stand, Watching, not dreading, the despoiler's hand. Palermo. Ju>u 4, s^SS- LIBERALISM. "Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel. Howbeit from the sins of Jeroboam Jehu departed not from after them, to wit, the golden calves that were in Bethel, and that were in Dan." Ye cannot halve the Gospel of God's grace ; Men of presumptuous heart ! I know you well. Ye are of those who plan that we should dwell, Each in his tranquil home and holy place ; Seeing the Word refines all natures rude, And tames the stirrings of the multitude. And ye have caught some echoei of its lore, As heralded amid the joyous choirs ; 92 DECLENSION. Ye mark'd it spoke of peace, chastised desires, Good-will and mercy, — and ye heaid no more ; But, as for zeal and quick- eyed sanctity, And the dread depths of grace, ye pass'd them by. And so ye have the Truth ; for ye in heart, At best, are doubters whether it be true, The theme discarding, as unmeet for you, Statesmen or Sages. O new-compass'd art Of the ancient Foe ! — but what, if it extends O'er our own camp, and rules amid our friends ? Palermo. June 5, 1833. DECLENSION. When I am sad, I say, '• What boots it me to strive, And vex my spirit day by day, Dead memories to revive ? DECLENSION. 93 " Alas ! what good will come; Though we our prayer obtain. To bring old times triumphant home, And wandering flocks regain ? " Would not our historv run In the same weary round. And service in meek faith begun, At length in forms be bound ? " Union would give us strength — That strength the earth subdue : And then comes wealth, and pride at length, And sloth, and prayers untrue." Nay, this is worldly-wise ; To reason is a crime, Since the Lord bade His Church arise. In the dark ancient time. He wills that she should shine ; So we her flame must trim Around His soul-converting Sign, And leave the rest to Him. Palermo. Ju*e 6, iSjj. 94 THE AGE TO COME. THE AGE TO COME. When I would search the truths that in me burn, And mould them into rule and argument, A hundred reasoners cried, — " Hast thou to learn Those dreams are scatter'd now, those fires are spent ?" And, did I mount to simpler thoughts, and try Some theme of peace, 'twas still the same re- ply. Perplex'd, I hoped my heart was pure of guile, But judged me weak in wit, to disagree ; But now I see that men are mad awhile, And joy the Age to come will think with me : — ? Tis the old history — Truth without a home, Despised and slain, then rising from the tomb. Palermo. June 9, 1833. EXTERNAL RELIGION. 95 EXTERNAL RELIGION. Whex first earth's rulers welcomed home The Church, their zeal impress'd Upon the seasons, as they come, The image of their guest. Men's words and works, their hopes and fears, Henceforth forbid to love, Paused, when a Martyr claim'd her tears, Or Saint inspired her love. But craving wealth, and feverish power, Such service now discard ; The loss of one excited hour A. sacrifice too hard ! And e'en about the holiest day, God's own in every time, They doubt and search, lest aught should stay A cataract of crime. 96 ST. GREGORY XAZIAXZEX. Where shall this cease ? must crosiers fall, Shrines suffer touch profane. Till, cast without His vineyard wall, The Heaven-sent Heir is slain ? Palermo. June u, iSjj. ST. GREGORY XAZIAXZEX. Peace-loving man, of humble heart and true ! What dost thou here ? Fierce is the city's crowd : the lordly few- Are dull of ear ! Sore pain it was to thee, — till thou didst quit Thy patriarch-throne at length, as though for power unfit. So works the All-wise ! our services dividing Not as we ask : For the world's profit, by our gifts deciding Our duty-task. See in king's courts loth Jeremias plead ; And slow-tongued Moses rule by eloquence of deed ! ST. GREGORY NAZIAXZEX. 97 Yes ! thou, bright Angel of the East ! didst rear The Cross divine, Borne high upon thy liquid accents, where Men mock'd the Sign ; Till that cold city heard thy battle-cry, And hearts were stirr'd, and deem'd a Pente- cost was nigh. Thou couldst a people raise, but couldst not rule : — So, gentle one. Heaven set thee free, — for, ere thy years were full, Thy work was done : According thee the lot thou lovedst best, To muse upon the past, — to serve, yet be at rest. Palermo. jfune 1 2, 1833. 7 98 REVERENCE. REVERENCE. I bow at Jesu's name, for 'tis the Sign Of awful mercy towards a guilty line. Of shameful ancestry, in birth denied, And upwards from a child Full of unlovely thoughts and rebel aims And scorn of judgment-flames, How without fear can I behold my Life, The Just assailing sin, and death-stain'd in the strife ? And so, albeit His woe is our release. Thought of that woe aye dims our earthly- peace ; The Life is hidden in a Fount of Blood ! And this is tidings good For souls, who, pierced that they have caused that woe, Are fain to share it too : But for the many, clinging to their lot Ofwordly ease ani sloth, 'tis written. " Touch .Me not." Off Monte Pellegrino. June 14. 1833. THE PILLAR OF THE CLOUD. Lead, Kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom. Lead Thou me on ! The night is dark, and I am far from home — Lead Thou me on ! Keep Thou my feet ; 1 do not ask to see The distant scene. — one step enough for me. 99 IOO SAMARIA. I was not ever thus, nor pray d that Thou Shouldst lead me on ; I loved to choose and see my path, but now- Lead Thou me on ! I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears, Pride ruled my will : remember not past years. So long Thy power hath blest me, sure it still Will lead me on, O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, till The night is gone ; And with the morn those angel faces smile Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile. At Sea. June 16, iSjj. SAMARIA. O rail not at our kindred in the North, Albeit Samaria finds her likeness there ; A self-formed Priesthood, and the Church cast forth To the chill mountain air. JONAH. lOl What, though their lathers sinned, and the grace Winch seals the Holy Apostolic Line? Christ's love overflows the bounds His Pro- phets trace In His reveal "d design. Israel had Seers ; to them the Word is nigh ; Shall not that Word run forth, and gladness give To many a Shunammite, till in His eye The full Seven-thousand live? Off Sardinia. Jume 17. r8jj. JONAH. " But Jonah rose op to flee unto Taishish, lrom the presence of the Lord." Deep in his meditative bower, The tranquil seer reclined ; Numbering the creepers of an hour, The gourds which o'er him twined. IC2 JONAH. To note each plant, to rear each fruit Which soothes the languid sense, He deem'd a safe, refined pursuit, — His Lord, an indolence. The sudden voice was heard at length, ' ' Lift thou the prophet's rod !'" But sloth had sapp'd the prophet's strength, He fear'd, and fled from God. Next, by a fearful judgment tamed, He threats the offending race ; God spares ; — he murmurs, pride-inflamed, His threat made void by grace. What ? — pride and sloth ! man's worst of foes ! And can such guests invade Our choicest bliss, the green repose Of the sweet garden-shade ? Off Sardinia. June i£, 1833. FAITH AG A IX ST SIGHT. 103 FAITH AGAINST SIGHT. u As it was in the days cf Lot, so shall it be also in the day of the Son of Man.*' The world has cycles in its course, when all That once has been, is acted o'er again : — Not by some fated law, which need appal Our faith, or binds our deeds as with a chain ; But by men's separate sins, which blended still The same bad round fulfil. Then fear ye not, though Gallio's scorn ye see, And soft-clad nobles count you mad, true hearts ! These are the fig-tree's signs ; — rough deeds must be, Trials and crimes : so learn ye well your parts. Once more to plough the earth it is decreed, And scatter wide the seed. Off Sardinia. Juhj iS, tSjj. IC4 DESOLATION. DESOLATION. O, say not thou art left of God, Because His tokens in the sky Thou canst not read : this earth He trod To teach thee He was ever nigh. He sees, beneath the fig-tree green, Nathaniel con His sacred lore ; Shouldst thou thy chamber seek, unseen, He enters through the unopened dooi\ And when thou liest, by dumber bound, Outwearied in the Christian fight, In glory, girt with Saints around, He stands above thee through the night. When friends to Emmaus bend their course, He joins, although He holds their eyes : Or, shouldst thou feel some fever's force, He takes thy hand, He bids thee rise. ZEAL AND PATIENCE. 105 Or on a voyage, when calms prevail, And prison thee upon the sea, He walks the wave, He wings the sail, The shore is gained, and thou art free. Off Sardinia. June 18 , 1833. ZEAL AXD PATIENCE. M I, Paul, the prisoner of the Lord." O comrade bold of toil and pain ! Thy trial how severe, When sever'd first by prisoner's chain From thy loved labor-sphere ! Say, did impatience first impel The heaven-sent bond to break? Or, couldst thou bear its hindrance well, Loitering for Jesu's sake? 1 Io6 THE RELIGION OF CALX. Oh, might we know ! for sore we feel The languor of delay, When sickness lets our fainter zeal, Or foes block up our way. Lord ! who Thy thousand years dost wait To work the thousandth part Of Thy vast plan, for us create With zeal a patient heart. Off Sardinia. Junt z