XLII. So fair, so sweet, withal so sensitive, Would that the little Flowers were born to live, Conscious of half the pleasure which they give; That to this mountain-daisy's self were known The beauty of its star-shaped shadow, thrown 5 On the smooth surface of this naked stone! And what if hence a bold desire should mount High as the Sun, that he could take account Of all that issues from his glorious fount! ΙΟ So might he ken how by his sovereign aid And were the Sister-power that shines by night So privileged, what a countenance of delight Would through the clouds break forth on human sight! 15 Fond fancies! wheresoe'er shall turn thine eye On earth, air, ocean, or the starry sky, Converse with Nature in pure sympathy; All vain desires, all lawless wishes quelled, 1844. 20 allowed thus publicly to acknowledge the pleasure those two Poems of his Friend have given him, and the grateful influence they have upon his mind as often as he reads them, or thinks of them. XLIII. UPON SEEING A COLOURED DRAWING OF THE BIRD OF PARADISE IN AN WHо rashly strove thy Image to portray? In all her brightness, from the dancing crest 5 ΙΟ Or in the diver's grasp fetched up from caves 20 Plumes that might catch, but cannot keep, a stain; And, with cloud-streaks lightest and loftiest, share The sun's first greeting, his last farewell ray! Resplendent Wanderer! followed with glad eyes Where'er her course; mysterious Bird! 25 To whom, by wondering Fancy stirred, Eastern Islanders have given A holy name-the Bird of Heaven! And even a title higher still, The Bird of God! whose blessed will 30 Region that crowns her beauty with the name She bears for us-for us how blest, 35 How happy at all seasons, could like aim No tempest from his breath, their promised rest Above a world that deems itself most wise 40 1835. Meet them half way." Vain boast! for These, the more They thus would rise, must low and lower sink Till, by repentance stung, they fear to think; 5 While all lie prostrate, save the tyrant few Bent in quick turns each other to undo, And mix the poison, they themselves must drink. Mistrust thyself, vain Country! cease to cry, 'Knowledge will save me from the threatened woe." 66 For if than other rash ones more thou know, Yet on presumptuous wing as far would fly Above thy knowledge as they dared to go, Thou wilt provoke a heavier penalty. II. UPON THE LATE GENERAL FAST. MARCH, 1832. RELUCTANT call it was; the rite delayed; Their spirit mounted, crying, "God us aid!" III. SAID Secrecy to Cowardice and Fraud, Falsehood and Treachery, in close council met, Deep under ground, in Pluto's cabinet, "The frost of England's pride will soon be thawed; 5 Hooded the open brow that overawed Then whispered she, "The Bill is carrying out!" locks; II |