No unregarded star Into so small a character, Removed far from our human sight, But if we steadfast look, We shall discern In it as in some holy book, How man may heavenly knowledge learn. It tells the Conqueror, That far-stretch'd power Which his proud dangers traffic for, Is but the triumph of an hour. That from the farthest North Yet undiscover'd issue forth, Some nation yet shut in May be let out to scourge his sin, And then they likewise shall For as yourselves your Empires fall, Thus those celestial fires, The fallacy of our desires And all the pride of life, confute. For they have watch'd since first And found sin in itself accursed, W. Habington CXLIX HYMN TO DARKNESS Hail thou most sacred venerable thing! Who can the secrets of thy essence tell? Before great Love this monument did raise Kefore the folding circles of the sky Before the birth of either time or place, Thou reign'st unquestion'd monarch in the empty space. Thy native lot thou didst to Light resign, To thy protection fear and sorrow flee, And those that weary are of light, find rest in thee. J. Norris of Bemerton CL A VISION I saw Eternity the other night, Like a great ring of pure and endless light, And round beneath it, Time, in hours, days, years, Like a vast shadow moved; in which the World And all her train were hurl'd. H. Vaughan CLI ALEXANDER'S FEAST, OR, THE POWER OF MUSIC 'Twas at the royal feast for Persia won By Philip's warlike son Aloft in awful state The godlike hero sate On his imperial throne; His valiant peers were placed around, Their brows with roses and with myrtles bound, (So should desert in arms be crown'd); The lovely Thais by his side Sate like a blooming Eastern bride In flower of youth and beauty's pride :— Happy, happy, happy pair! None but the brave None but the brave None but the brave deserves the fair! Timotheus placed on high Amid the tuneful quire With flying fingers touch'd the lyre: The trembling notes ascend the sky And heavenly joys inspire. The song began from Jove Who left his blissful seats above K Such is the power of mighty love! And while he sought her snowy breast, Then round her slender waist he curl'd, And stamp'd an image of himself, a sovereign of the world. -The listening crowd admire the lofty sound; A present deity! they shout around : A present deity! the vaulted roofs rebound: The monarch hears, Assumes the god; Affects to nod And seems to shake the spheres. The praise of Bacchus then the sweet musician sung, Of Bacchus ever fair and ever young: The jolly god in triumph comes; Flush'd with a purple grace He shows his honest face: Now give the hautboys breath; he comes, he comes ! Bacchus, ever fair and young, Drinking joys did first ordain; Bacchus blessings are a treasure, Drinking is the soldier's pleasure : Rich the treasure, Sweet the pleasure, Sweet is pleasure after pain. Soothed with the sound, the king grew vain ; Fought all his battles o'er again, And thrice he routed all his foes, and thrice he slew the slain ! The master saw the madness rise, His glowing cheeks, his ardent eyes; Soft pity to infuse: He sung Darius great and good, ---With downcast looks the joyless victor sate, Revolving in his alter'd soul The various turns of Chance below; The mighty master smiled to see Take the good the gods provide thee! -The many rend the skies with loud applause; So Love was crown'd, but Music won the cause. The prince, unable to conceal his pain, Gazed on the fair Who caused his care, And sigh'd and look'd, sigh'd and look'd, At length with love and wine at once opprest Now strike the golden lyre again : A louder yet, and yet a louder strain! Break his bands of sleep asunder And rouse him like a rattling peal of thunde |