the writers of spiritual verse. What church would not be proud to number amongst its members such sweet singers as Watts and Cowper, John and Charles Wesley? The supreme beauty of "Lycidas," the noble sadness of Bishop King's Exequy,” are a universal heritage, of which nor faith nor infidelity can deprive us. This, then, has been my aim,—to gather from the verse of three and a half centuries a handful of poems, beautiful in thoughts of spiritual import, which should reflect, as well as might be in a space so limited, all moods, from the self-abasement of utter unworthiness, to the cou rage born of a firm faith in the divinity of man, which can face, unafraid, the Great Unknown. FITZROY CARRINGTON " 'Mallowfield," Mamaroneck, New York May, 1906 The Pilgrim's Staff Edmund Spenser (1552-1599) MR Easter OST glorious Lord of Life! that, on this day, Captivity thence captive, us to win: And grant This joyous day, dear Lord, with joy begin; And that Thy love we weighing worthily, So let us love, dear Love, like as we ought, L Sir Philip Sidney (1554-1586) Eternal Love EAVE me, O Love, which reachest but to dust; And thou, my mind, aspire to higher things; Grow rich in that which never taketh rust; Whatever fades, but fading pleasure brings. In this small course which birth draws out to death, Who seeketh heaven, and comes of heavenly breath. Then farewell, world; thy uttermost I see; Eternal Love, maintain Thy life in me. دردرر Thomas Nashe (1567-1600) Adieu; farewell earth's bliss DIEU; farewell earth's bliss, A This world uncertain is: Fond are life's lustful joys, Lord have mercy on us! Rich men, trust not in wealth, Gold cannot buy you health; Physic himself must fade; All things to end are made; Lord have mercy on us! Beauty is but a flower, Which wrinkles will devour: Lord have mercy on us! |