"SOFT IS THE MUSIC THAT WOULD CHARM FOR EVER;-(WORDSWORTH) These lofty pillars, spread that branching roof Lingering and wandering on as loth to die, Like thoughts whose very sweetness yieldeth proof That they were born for immortality. [This sonnet was suggested by King's College Chapel, Cambridge; one of the finest specimens extant of the later Gothic architecture.] "GOD, WHO INSTRUCTS THE BRUTES TO SCENT ALL CHANGES OF THE ELEMENT, WHOSE WISDOM FIXED THE SCALE THE FLOWER OF SWEETEST SMELL IS SHY AND LOWLY."--WORDSWORTH. OF NATURES, FOR OUR WANTS PROVIDES BY HIGHER, SOMETIMES HUMBLER, GUIDES, WHEN REASON FAILS."-WORDSWORTH. "DELICIOUS IS THE LAY THAT SINGS THE HAUNTS OF HAPPY LOVERS (WILLIAM WORDSWORTH) BRIGHT AS THE GLIMPSES OF ETERNITY-(w. WORDSWORTH) WILLIAM WORDSWORTH. Or is it some more humble lay, THE PATH THAT LEADS THEM TO THE GROVE, THE LEAFY GROVE THAT COVERS."-WORDSWORTH. [The reader's attention may here be called to the masterly skill with which the poet has employed the effect of distance, the beauty of his TO SAINTS ACCORDED IN THEIR MORTAL HOUR."-WORDSWORTH. "ON EARTH BELOW, THEY BEST CAN SERVE TRUE GLADNESS images being much increased by their remoteness. The nightingale sing- the reader.] "TIS NOT IN BATTLES THAT FROM YOUTH WE TRAIN THE GOVERNOR WHO MUST BE WISE AND GOOD;-(WORDSWORTH) TO THE CUCKOO. BLITHE new-comer! I have heard, I hear thee and rejoice: O Cuckoo! shall I call thee Bird, While I am lying on the grass, Thy twofold shout I hear; At once far off and near. Though babbling only to the vale Of sunshine and of flowers, Thrice welcome, darling of the Spring! Even yet thou art to me; The same whom in my school-boy days Which made me look a thousand ways In bush, and tree, and sky. To seek thee did I often rove Still longed for, never seen! WHO MEET MOST FEELINGLY THE CALLS OF SADNESS."-WORDSWORTH. AND TEMPER WITH THE STERNNESS OF THE BRAIN THOUGHTS WOMANLY, AND MEEK AS WOMANHOOD."-WORDSWORTH. "WISDOM DOTH LIVE WITH CHILDREN ROUND HER KNEES: BOOKS, LEISURE, PERFECT FREEDOM, "To seek thee did I often rove through woods."] And I can listen to thee yet; O blessed bird! the earth we pace Again appears to be THAT WINDS INTO ITSELF FOR SWEET RETURN."-WORDSWORTH. AND THE TALK "NE'ER CAN THE WAY BE IRKSOME OR FORLORN-(WORDSWORTH) MAN HOLDS WITH WEEK-DAY MAN IN THE HOURLY WALK OF THE MIND'S BUSINESS."-WILLIAM WORDSWORTH. "NO GRANDEUR NOW IN NATURE OR IN BOOK DELIGHTS US-(WILLIAM WORDSWORTH) THE SENSE THAT PAINTS, BY STRENGTH OF Sorrow, LAODAMIA. An unsubstantial, fairy place That is fit home for thee! [From "Miscellaneous Poems."] LAODAMIA. [The Delphic oracle having foretold that the first Greek who landed on the shores of Troy would die, Protesilaus offers himself up as a victim; leaps upon the sandy plain, and falls by a hostile sword. "Him, springing to the shore, First of the Greeks, a Dardan warrior slew." HOMER, Iliad, ii. 695 (Lord Derby's Translation). Laodamia, his wife, overcome with grief, implores the infernal gods to be B UT if thou goest, I follow." "Peace!" he said,- In his deportment, shape, and mien, appeared Brought from a pensive though a happy place. He spake of love, and love as Spirits feel THE UNCONQUERABLE STRENGTH OF LOVE.". -WORDSWORTH. RAPINE, AVARICE, EXPENSE, THIS IS IDOLATRY; AND THESE WE ADORE."-WORDSWORTH. 499 |