A six years' darling of a pigmy size! 85 Full soon thy Soul shall have her earthly freight, And custom lie upon thee with a weight, See, where 'mid work of his own hand he Heavy as frost, and deep almost as life! lies, Milton! thou should'st be living at this hour: England hath need of thee: she is a fen If thou appear untouched by solemn thought, Thy nature is not therefore less divine: Have forfeited their ancient English Thou liest in Abraham's bosom all the dower 5 III With bleeding wounds; forgive me, that I cherished 70 “And what," I said, "though Blasphemy's One thought that ever blessed your cruel loud scream With that sweet music of deliverance strove! Though all the fierce and drunken passions wove 45 A dance more wild than e'er was maniac's dream! Ye storms, that round the dawning east assembled, The Sun was rising, though ye hid his light!" And when to soothe my soul, that hoped and trembled, The dissonance ceased, and all seemed calm and bright; 50 When France her front deep-scarred and gory Concealed with clustering wreaths of glory; When, insupportably advancing, Her arm made mockery of the warrior's ramp; While timid looks of fury glancing, 55 Domestic treason, crushed beneath her fatal stamp, Writhed like a wounded dragon in his gore; Then I reproached my fears that would not flee; "And soon," I said, "shall Wisdom teach her lore In the low huts of them that toil and groan; 60 And, conquering by her happiness alone, Shall France compel the nations to be free, Till Love and Joy look round, and call the earth their own." IV foes! strain, nor ever Didst breathe thy soul in forms of human power. Alike from all, howe'er they praise thee, (Nor prayer, nor boastful name delays thee) Forgive me, Freedom! Oh forgive those Alike from Priestcraft's harpy minions, 95 dreams! And factious Blasphemy's obscener slaves, Thou speedest on thy subtle pinions, The guide of homeless winds, and playmate of the waves! And there I felt thee!-on that sea-cliff's |