I. WHO HO would the gentleness of Nature blame, Who to her favourite child,* as from a mart Exhaustless, gave of her poëtic art Dominion unconfined :-no second name Was his, to whom divine communions came Dwelling amidst his darkness-and apart His song, as from the altar of the heart, Like to a pure and sacramental flame Uprose to Heaven :—and if an heritage Remain still unappropriate, then shall he Claim it by right, upon whose princely page Are written deeds of love and chivalry; And Spenser's name, on fame's enduring stage Emblazon'd stand, amid the Immortal Three. II. AS S erst on Mulla's banks a minstrel strung His harp to harmonies of high consent; Listening the strain, methought a stranger bent;† Across his brow the warrior's plume was flung, And as the bard of high achievements sung, And knightly deeds, a favouring smile he lent Upon that poet's gentle instrument, And on its faëry melodies still hung Detain'd; "With thy sweet harp and Rosalind Live thou content;" but lo! before the wind A pinnace with full sails and streamers gay Sweeps onward, bound to th' golden shores of Ind; He rose-and pointing to the western bay, "My path is with the sun-away (he cried), away." * "In thy green lap was Nature's darling laid." GRAY. "The visits of Sir Walter Raleigh to Spenser at Kilcolman increase the interest attached to the place." C. Croker's South of Ireland, p. 110. III. and I will sing END me IV. O him descending down the vale of years, Benhall, July, 1839. J. M. |