"I HAD A VISION YESTERNIGHT OF A LOVELIER LAND THAN THIS,-WINTHROP MACKWORTH PRAED) "THE CHANGeless zeal, wHICH ON, FROM LAND TO LAND,—(PRAED) 342 WINTHROP MACKWORTH PRAED. It was his doctrine, that the poor Were always able, never willing; Had first abuse, and then-a shilling. But was no flatterer, nor fretter; With "Patience, gentlemen-and shuffle!" Came, like a tranquil moonlight, o'er him, With no fair nurse to bless or bore him, Speeds the FAINT FOOT, AND NERVES THE WITHERED HAND."-PRAED. WHERE HEAVEN WAS CLOTHED IN WARMTH AND LIGHT, WHERE EARTH WAS FULL OF BLISS."-PRAED. "I THINK, WHATEVER MORTALS CRAVE, WITH IMPOTENT ENDEAVOUR,-(WINTHROP M. PRAED) "" THE MILD, MILD CHARITY, WHICH, DAY BY DAY,-(PRAED) QUINCE. His rugged smile and easy chair, His dread of matrimonial lectures, Were themes for very strange conjectures. Had crazed him with excess of knowledge; Before he came away from College; Did nothing, great or small, without him; That there was "something odd about him." I found him, at three score and ten, To take him from a world of trouble: And so he lived,—and so he died!- "I've left my house and grounds to Fag,- WEEPS EVERY WOUND AND EVERY STAIN AWAY."-PRAED. 343 A WREATH, A RANK, A THRONE, A GRAVE, THE WORLD GOES ROUND FOR EVER."-PRAED. [From "Poems of W. M. Praed," 2 vols., Moxon and Co.] "MAN'S WORLD IS BLEAK AND BITTER; WHEREVER HE HAS TROD-(ADELAIDE A. PROCTER) HE SPOILS THE TENDER BEAUTY THAT BLOSSOMS ON THE SOD."-ADELAIDE A. PROCTER. Adelaide Anne Procter. [ADELAIDE Anne Procter, the daughter of Bryan Waller Procter, was born in 1825. Her first poetical effusions were published anonymously in Mr. Charles Dickens's Household Words, and revealed so delicate a fancy and so much tenderness of sentiment as at once to attract the public attention, and justify their appearance in a collected form. "Legends and Lyrics: A Book of Verse," was published in 1858. A second series has since appeared, and much was hoped from the high promise of Miss Procter's genius, when an illness, induced by her indefatigable exertions in the cause of charity, abruptly terminated her career in February 1864.] SENT TO HEAVEN. HAD a message to send her, To her whom my soul loves best; SOME PURE IDEAL OF A NOBLE LIFE?"-PROCTER. "ABOVE GOD'S WORLD BENDS HEAVEN, WITH DAY'S KISS PURE AND BRIGHT,-(PROCTER) "NO STAR IS EVER LOST WE ONCE HAVE SEEN,-(a. A. PROCTER) SENT TO HEAVEN. 345 To rest in the far bright Heaven— It was vain to speak to my darling, I had a message to send her, So tender, and true, and sweet, I gave it the Lark next morning, Then I heard a strain of music, Of mingled voices and strings, On the Music's outspread wings. And I heard it float farther and farther, Farther than sight can follow, Farther than soul can reach. WE ALWAYS MAY BE WHAT WE MIGHT HAVE BEEN."-PROCTER. OR FOLDS HER STILL MORE FONDLY IN THE TENDER SHADE OF NIGHT."-A. A. PROCTER. "MANY, IF GOD SHOULD MAKE THEM KINGS, MIGHT NOT DISGRACE THE THRONE HE GAVE; 346 "TO HELP AND TO HEAL A SORROW-(PROCTER) ADELAIDE ANNE PROCTER. And I know that at last my message Has passed through the golden gate: And I am content to wait. [From A. A. Procter's "Legends and Lyrics," second volume.] A DOUBTING HEART. HERE are the swallows fled? Perchance upon some bleak and stormy shore. Far over purple seas, They wait in sunny ease, The balmy southern breeze, To bring them to their northern home once more. Why must the flowers die? In the cold tomb, heedless of tears or rain. O doubting heart! They only sleep below The soft white ermine snow, While winter winds shall blow, To breathe and smile upon you soon again. The sun has hid his rays Will dreary hours never leave the earth? The stormy clouds on high Veil the same sunny sky, That soon (for spring is nigh) Shall wake the summer into golden mirth. LOVE AND SILENCE ARE ALWAYS BEST."-PROCTER. HOW FEW WHO COULD AS WELL FULFIL THE HOLIER OFFICE OF A SLAVE!"-A. A. PROCTER. |