LINES SENT IN THANKS FOR A BOTTLE OF VERY FINE OLD BRANDY WRITTEN FOR LADY C SPIRITS there were, in olden time, Which wrought all sorts of wondrous things (As we are told in prose and rhyme) With wands and potions, lamps and rings; I know not, Lady fair, - do you? Whether those tales be false or true. But in our day—our dismal day If Of sadder song and soberer mirth, any spirits ever play Upon the faded fields of earth, Whose magic, Lady fair, can fling O'er winter's frosts the flowers of spring, — If any spirits haunt our Isle Whose power can make old age look gay, Revive the tone, relume the smile, STANZAS WRITTEN UNDER A PICTURE OF KING'S COLLEGE CHAPEL, CAMBRIDGE MOST beautiful! I gaze and gaze The ground were still divine. Some awe the good and wise have felt, By sacred spring, or haunted well, Beneath the ruined temple's gloom, Beside the feeble hermit's cell, Or the false Prophet's tomb. But when was high devotion graced With lovelier dwelling, loftier throne, Than here the limner's art hath traced From the time-honoured stone? The Spirit here of Worship seems At midnight, when the lonely moon Makes that fair scene more deeply fair, And dusk and daybreak, calm and storm, Are all Religion there. LINES WRITTEN FOR A BLANK PAGE OF "THE KEEP SAKE" LADY, there's fragrance in your sighs, And sunlight in your glances; I never saw such lips and eyes To make you quite enslaving, That you have taste for verse and prose, Hot pressed, and line engraving. And then, you waltz so like a Fay, Your partner's head is turned, they say, And I was taught, in days far gone, By a most prudent mother, That in this world of sorrow, one Good turn deserves another. |