PAGE

EARLY SONNETS, continued-

VIII. THE FORM, THE FORM ALONE IS ELO-

IX. 'WAN SCULPTOR, WEEPEST THOU TO TAKE

X. 'IF I WERE LOVED, AS I DESIRE TO BE’.

XI. THE BRIDESMAID

I 12

113

'YOU ASK ME, WHY, THO' ILL AT EASE

239

'OF OLD SAT FREEDOM ON THE HEIGHTS'

241

'LOVE THOU THY LAND, With Love far-BROUGHT

ENGLAND AND AMERICA IN 1782

TO THE QUEEN.

Revered, beloved-O you that hold
A nobler office upon earth

Than arms, or power of brain, or birth
Could give the warrior kings of old,

Victoria,—since your Royal grace

To one of less desert allows

This laurel greener from the browsi
Of him that utter'd nothing base ;

And should your greatness, and the care
That yokes with empire, yield you time
To make demand of modern rhyme

If aught of ancient worth be there;

Then-while a sweeter music wakes,

And thro' wild March the throstle calls,
Where all about your palace-walls

The sun-lit almond-blossom shakes—

VOL. I.

B

Take, Madam, this poor book of song ;

For tho' the faults were thick as dust

In vacant chambers, I could trust
Your kindness. May you rule us long,

And leave us rulers of your blood
As noble till the latest day!

May children of our children say,
'She wrought her people lasting good;

'Her court was pure; her life serene ; God gave her peace; her land reposed; A thousand claims to reverence closed In her as Mother, Wife, and Queen;

'And statesmen at her council met

Who knew the seasons when to take

Occasion by the hand, and make
The bounds of freedom wider yet

'By shaping some august decree,

Which kept her throne unshaken still, Broad-based upon her people's will, And compass'd by the inviolate sea.'

March 1851.

JUVENILIA.

CLARIBEL.

A MELODY.

I.

WHERE Claribel low-lieth

The breezes pause and die,
Letting the rose-leaves fall:

But the solemn oak-tree sigheth,
Thick-leaved, ambrosial,

With an ancient melody

Of an inward agony,

Where Claribel low-lieth.

II.

At eve the beetle boometh

Athwart the thicket lone:

At noon the wild bee hummeth

About the moss'd headstone :