Towered like the imperial Thistle, not unfurnished Even at that age, she ruled as sovereign Queen Held in subjection by a strong controul -Oh! pang of sorrowful regret for them Whom, in their youth, sweet study has enthralled, That they have lived for harsher servitude, Whether in soul, in body, or estate! Such doom was hers; yet nothing could subdue Her keen desire of knowledge; or efface That occupy their places, and, though oft Hidden by clouds, and oft bedimmed by haze, Two passions, both degenerate, for they both Began in honour, gradually obtained Rule over her, and vexed her daily life; An unrelenting, avaricious thrift; And a strange thraldom of maternal love, -Her wedded days had opened with mishap, Which got, and sternly hoarded each day's gain. Thus all was re-established, and a pile. Constructed, that sufficed for every end, Save the contentment of the Builder's mind; A mind by nature indisposed to aught So placid, so inactive, as content; A Mind intolerant of lasting peace, And cherishing the pang which it deplored... A sudden illness seized her in the strength Of life's autumnal season.-Shall I tell How on her bed of death the Matron lay, To Providence submissive, so she thought; But fretted, vexed, and wrought upon-almost To anger, by the malady, that griped Her prostrate frame with unrelaxing power, As the fierce Eagle fastens on the Lamb. She prayed, she moaned-her Husband's Sister watched Her dreary pillow, waited on her needs; And yet the very sound of that kind foot Was anguish to her ears!--" And must she rule,” This was the dying Woman heard to say In bitterness," and must she rule and reign, Above the centre of the Vale, a voice Roused me, her voice; it said, "That glorious Star "In its untroubled element will shine "As now it shines, when we are laid in earth "And safe from all our sorrows."-She is safe, And her uncharitable acts, I trust, And harsh unkindnesses, are all forgiven; Though, in this Vale, remembered with deep awe!" THE Vicar paused; and tow'rds a seat advanced, Offering a place of rest in pleasant sunshine, Yet ring with all their voices, or before The last hath ceased its solitary knoll. To this commodious resting-place he led ; Where, by his side, we all sate down; and there His office, uninvited, he resumed. "As, on a sunny bank, a tender Lamb Lurks in safe shelter from the winds of March, Screened by its Parent, so that little mound Lies guarded by its neighbour; the small heap |