without impropriety, speak of what deeply concerns all; nor need an apology be offered for going over ground which has been trod before so ably and so often: without pretending, however, to anything of novelty, either in matter or manner, something may have been offered to view which will save the writer from the imputation of having little to recommend his labor, but goodness of intention.
It was with reference to thoughts and feelings expressed in verse, that I entered upon the above notices, and with verse I will conclude. The passage is extracted from my manuscripts, written above thirty years ago: it turns upon the individual dignity which humbleness of social condition does not preclude, but frequently promotes. It has no direct bearing upon clubs for the discussion of public affairs, nor upon political or trade-unions; but if a single workman who, being a member of one of those clubs, runs the risk of becoming an agitator, or who, being enrolled in a union, must be left without a will of his own, and therefore a slave should read these lines, and be touched by them, I should indeed rejoice; and little would I care for losing credit as a poet with intemperate critics, who think differently from me upon political philosophy or public measures, if the soberminded admit that, in general views, my affections have been moved, and my imagination exercised, under and for the guidance of reason.
"Here might I pause, and bend in reverence To Nature, and the power of human minds; To men as they are men within themselves. How oft high service is performed within, When all the external man is rude in show; Not like a temple rich with pomp and gold, But a mere mountain chapel that protects Its simple worshippers from sun and shower! Of these, said I, shall be my song; of these, If future years mature me for the task, Will I record the praises, making verse Deal boldly with substantial things,-in truth And sanctity of passion speak of these, That justice may be done, obeisance paid Where it is due. Thus haply shall I teach, Inspire, through unadulterated ears
Pour rapture, tenderness, and hope; my theme No other than the very heart of man,
As found among the best of those who live,
Not unexalted by religious faith,
Nor uninformed by books, good books, though few,
In Nature's presence: thence may I select Sorrow that is not sorrow, but delight,
And miserable love that is not pain To hear of, for the glory that redounds Therefrom to human kind, and what we are. Be mine to follow with no timid step
Where knowledge leads me; it shall be my pride That I have dared to tread this holy ground, Speaking no dream, but things oracular, Matter not lightly to be heard by those Who to the letter of the outward promise Do read the invisible soul; by men adroit In speech, and for communion with the world Accomplished, minds whose faculties are then Most active when they are most eloquent, And elevated most when most admired.
Men may be found of other mould than these; Who are their own upholders, to themselves
Encouragement and energy and will; Expressing liveliest thoughts in lively words As native passion dictates. Others, too, There are, among the walks of homely life, Still higher, men for contemplation framed; Shy, and unpractised in the strife of phrase; Meek men, whose very souls perhaps would sink Beneath them, summoned to such intercourse. Theirs is the language of the heavens, the power, The thought, the image, and the silent joy: Words are but under-agents in their souls; When they are grasping with their greatest strength, They do not breathe among them; this I speak In gratitude to God, who feeds our hearts For his own service, knoweth, loveth us, When we are unregarded by the world."
[In case of need, seek under the word Lines, Sonnet, or Stanzas.]
ABUSE of Monastic Power, | Alice Fell, i. 196
A Character, iv. 234 A Complaint, i. 280 Acquittal of the Bishops, iv.
American Tradition, iii. 258 Among the Ruins of a Convent in the Apennines, iii. 222 A Morning Exercise, ii. 17 Anecdote for Fathers, i. 209 An Evening Walk, i. 3 A Night-Piece, ii. 120 A Night Thought, iv. 259 Animal Tranquillity and De- cay, v. 134 An Interdict, iv. 96 Anticipation, Oct. 1803, iii. 81 A Parsonage in Oxfordshire, ii. 370
A Place of Burial in the South of Scotland, iii. 276 A Plea for Authors, ii. 390 A Poet's Epitaph, iv. 248 Apology (Ecc. Son), iv. 84
(Ecc. Son), iv. 114 (Pun. of Death), iv.
(Yar. Rev.), iii. 296 A Prophecy, Feb. 1807, iii. 87 Archbishop Chichely to Henry V., iv. 107
Artegal and Elidure, i. 255 Aspects of Christianity in America, iv. 136
Cistertian Monastery, iv. 100 | Ejaculation, iv. 158
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