Of business roused, or pleasure, ere their time, Shall lack not their enjoyment:-but how faint 109 Pleasant as roses in the thickets blown, Mount slowly, sun! that we may journey long, By this dark hill protected from thy beams! Such is the summer pilgrim's frequent wish; But quickly from among our morning thoughts 'Twas chased away: for, toward the western side 115 Of the broad vale, casting a casual glance, 120 Which the bright season favours.-Tabor and pipe In purpose join to hasten or reprove 125 129 That gay assemblage. Round them and above, Glitter, with dark recesses interposed, Casement, and cottage-roof, and stems of trees Half-veiled in vapoury cloud, the silver steam Of dews fast melting on their leafy boughs By the strong sunbeams smitten. Like a mast Of gold, the Maypole shines; as if the rays Of morning, aided by exhaling dew, With gladsome influence could re-animate The faded garlands dangling from its sides. 135 144 Said I, "The music and the sprightly scene Invite us; shall we quit our road, and join These festive matins?"-He replied, "Not loth To linger I would here with you partake, 141 Not one hour merely, but till evening's close, The simple pastimes of the day and place. By the fleet Racers, ere the sun be set, The turf of yon large pasture will be skimmed; There, too, the lusty Wrestlers shall contend: But know we not that he, who intermits The appointed task and duties of the day, Untunes full oft the pleasures of the day; Checking the finer spirits that refuse To flow, when purposes are lightly changed? A length of journey yet remains untraced: Let us proceed." Then, pointing with his staff Raised toward those craggy summits, his intent He thus imparted: 150 Among yon mountain fastnesses concealed, "In a spot that lies 155 VI. life, E 160 (Not to forestall such knowledge as may be More faithfully collected from himself) This brief communication shall suffice. "Though now sojourning there, he, like my. self, 165 Sprang from a stock of lowly parentage Such grateful promises his youth displayed: 170 Of Chaplain to a military troop 175 Cheered by the Highland bagpipe, as they marched 180 In plaided vest,-his fellow-countrymen. roamed Where Fortune led:-and Fortune, who oft proves 185 The careless wanderer's friend, to him made known A blooming Lady-a conspicuous flower, Admired for beauty, for her sweetness praised; Whom he had sensibility to love, Ambition to attempt, and skill to win. 190 "For this fair Bride, most rich in gifts of mind, 194 From the world's notice to a rural home. love, year, 201 How full their joy! "Till, pitiable doom! In the short course of one undreaded Death blasted all. Death suddenly o'erthrew Two lovely Children-all that they possessed! The Mother followed:-miserably bare The one Survivor stood; he wept, he prayed For his dismissal, day and night, compelled To hold communion with the grave, and face With pain the regions of eternity. An uncomplaining apathy displaced This anguish; and, indifferent to delight, To aim and purpose, he consumed his days, To private interest dead, and public care. So lived he; so he might have died. 205 But now, 210 216 To the wide world's astonishment, appeared A glorious opening, the unlooked-for dawn, That promised everlasting joy to France! Her voice of social transport reached even him! He broke from his contracted bounds, repaired To the great City, an emporium then Of golden expectations, and receiving Freights every day from a new world of hope. Thither his popular talents he transferred; And, from the pulpit, zealously maintained 220 The cause of Christ and civil liberty, As one, and moving to one glorious end. Intoxicating service! I might say A happy service; for he was sincere As vanity and fondness for applause, 225 "That righteous cause (such power hath freedom) bound, 230 For one hostility, in friendly league, The strongest did not easily escape; 240 And He, what wonder! took a mortal taint. 245 How shall I trace the change, how bear to tell That he broke faith with them whom he had laid In earth's dark chambers, with a Christian's hope! An infidel contempt of holy writ Stole by degrees upon his mind; and hence 250 255 |