198. THE LATEST DECALOGUE. THE LATEST DECALOGUE. THOU shalt have one God only; who At church on Sunday to attend Will serve to keep the world thy friend. From whom advancement may befall. Thou shalt not kill-but need'st not strive Officiously to keep alive. Do not adultery commit; Advantage rarely comes of it. Thou shalt not steal-an empty feat When 'tis so lucrative to cheat. Arthur Hugh Clough. SAINT BRANDAN. 199 SAINT BRANDAN. SAINT Brandan sails the northern main; He heard across the howling seas But north, still north, Saint Brandan steer'd; At last (it was the Christmas night, That furtive mien, that scowling eye, 200 SAINT BRANDAN. Palsied with terror, Brandan sate; "One moment wait, thou holy man! On earth my crime, my death, they knew; Ah, tell them of my respite too! "Tell them, one blessed Christmas night— Breathing self-murder, frenzy, spite, "I felt, as I in torment lay 'Mid the souls plagued by heavenly power, An angel touch mine arm, and say: Go hence, and cool thyself an hour! "Ah, whence this mercy, Lord?' I said. "Then I remember'd how I went, "And in the street a Leper sate, SAINT BRANDAN. "He gazed upon me as I pass'd, And murmur'd: Help me, or I die!— "Oh, Brandan, think what grace divine, “Well-fed, well-clothed, well-friended, I "That germ of kindness, in the womb "Once every year, when carols wake, I journey to these healing snows. "I stanch with ice my burning breast, Tears started to Saint Brandan's eyes; The iceberg in the frosty air! Matthew Arnold. 201 202 ABOU BEN ADHEM AND THE ANGEL. ABOU BEN ADHEM AND THE ANGEL. ABOU BEN ADHEM (may his tribe increase!) "What writest thou?"-The vision raised its head, Answered, "The names of those who love the Lord." "And is mine one?" said Abou. "Nay, not so," Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low, But cheerly still; and said, "I pray thee, then, Write me as one that loves his fellow-men." The angel wrote, and vanished. The next night It came again with a great wakening light, And showed the names whom love of God had blessed, And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest. Leigh Hunt. |