WITH OTHER

LAYS AND LEGENDS.

BY THOMAS HERBERT NOYES, JUNR,

AUTHOR OF '

"LYRICS AND BUCOLICS."

LONDON:

PUBLISHED FOR THE AUTHOR.

JOHN CAMDEN HOTTEN, PICCADILLY.

1868.

280. m. 2457

DEDICATION.

WHEN first upon the unknown Sea of Fame
I launched my rhymes-intent to win a name
Among the bardic choirs, I rather chose
To dedicate my venture to my foes,

Than seek the aid of friendship to protect
My fragile bark from peril of being wrecked.
'Twere well, methought, that it should boldly steer
Amidst the sunken shoals and shallows near
The rock-bound coast, and sink or swim alone
Among the narrows of that wreck-strewn zone,
That So, if it were destined to go down,
No well-beloved passenger might drown:
Or, if it chanced to gain the open seas,
And spread its canvas to the favouring breeze,
The hardy crew, thenceforth devoid of fear,
Might face all future perils with good cheer.

Dame Fortune hailed my venture with a smile,

The breakers roared less loudly for a while;
What if two harmless squalls swept fiercely by,
The sun ne'er veiled his quickening beams on high;
What if some fleecy cloudlets gently played

Across his face, they cast a friendly shade;

The storms were hushed, the tempests ceased to roar,
The wild waves broke less wildly on the shore,
The black rocks reared their heads above the spray,
The ragged reefs forbore to block the way,
The buoys, that rocked upon the gentle swell,
Marked out the maze of devious channels well,
And so my gallant bark steered safely through
The broken waters with her classic crew,

And gentle breezes filled her swelling sails
And wafted to their port her lyric bales.

Now that she weighs her anchor yet once more,
And cheerily prepares to quit the shore,

Not witless of her course, nor unaware

Of all the perils she is doomed to dare,
Why should she fear lest any baleful star
With rays malign her hopeful lot should mar?

Or why forbear to summon to her side

The friends in whom she feels an honest pride,—
The friends of open heart and genial hand—
Of pleasant smile-a fondly cherished band,-
To line the quays and give a parting cheer
And bid her prosper in her bold career?
No human heart were happy on a throne,
If it were doomed to reign, and reign alone:
All other joys true sympathy transcends,

I'll dedicate this volume to my friends.

13th April, 1868.